Deer gun season opens Saturday

JACKSON, Tenn. — Opening day of deer gun season is this Saturday, and thousands of West Tennessee hunters are looking forward to it.

If you are one of them, it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations involved.

“They need to make sure that they have their licenses,” said Regional Law Enforcement Major Brian Thompson with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “They have to wear their blaze orange, 500 square inches of florescent blaze orange on the upper body and head.”

Hunters also must have permission to be where they’re hunting and be sure to check their game in by the end of the day.

TWRA representatives tell us there is a regulation change this year regarding what is considered an antlered buck, which is any buck that has antlers visible above the hairline.

“In years past, anything three inches or larger was considered an antlered buck and anything under three inches was considered a non-antlered buck, which would fall underneath the doe category,” Thomspson said.

Employees at a local sporting goods store said the main factor involved in being safe and successful is being prepared.

“Knowing where you’re going to hunt is very important,” Tyler Holmes said. “If you’re going to hunt in a tree, set up your stand, set it up right, and use a harness.”

They also say due to unseasonably warm weather this season they would recommend getting everything ready beforehand.

“Your knives and your tools that you need as well as maybe a cooler,” Holmes said. “To get your meat processed and get it in something cool so that it doesn’t spoil.”

If you have any questions about what’s required, you can visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website at www.tn.gov/twra.