Tennessee has officially legalized deer hunting over bait on private land, a significant change for hunters in the state. Under the newly signed legislation, hunters will need a special bait privilege license, costing $50 for residents, to use bait this coming season. This law comes amid concerns from wildlife advocates about its potential impact on the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness that has already been detected in whitetails across 18 counties since it was first discovered in Tennessee in 2018.
Opposition to the new licensing requirement has emerged, with critics arguing that it represents government overreach by charging landowners for hunting privileges on their own property. The state’s decision contrasts with others, like Washington, which are banning baiting to combat wildlife disease spread. As the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency prepares to implement specific regulations before the 2025 deer season, hunters and landowners are left debating the implications of this landmark change.
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