10/11/2025
Deer Drones & Baiting in Tennessee
Deer season is in full swing, and we’ve seen some questions lately about two new laws — using drones to recover deer and the new deer bait license. Here’s what you need to know:
Deer Bait Privilege License
- Start Date: The law takes effect August 1, 2026, and the license will be valid beginning with the 2026–27 hunting season.
- This new license will allow baiting only on private land once it becomes available.
- The license will cost $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents.
- Until then, baiting remains illegal except under an approved wild hog depredation permit.
Drone Recovery of Wounded Deer
- Lawmakers passed a law to allow the TFWC to set rules on drone recovery.
- TWRA must first establish rules for how and where drones can be used.
- Once those rules are approved, the law will only apply to private property and for recovery purposes only — not for scouting or hunting.
- Until those official rules are finalized and announced, using a drone for deer recovery is still illegal.
TWRA will share updates and full rule details as they’re finalized, so stay tuned here for the latest information.