Tennessee Considers Legalizing Deer Baiting Amidst Hunter Debate
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is once again revisiting the contentious issue of deer baiting, proposing to legalize the practice on private lands starting with the 2026-2027 hunting season.
Deer baiting, which involves placing food attractants such as corn or wheat grains to entice white-tailed deer, has long divided Tennessee’s hunting community. The TN Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) has released proposed regulations allowing hunters to use up to 5 gallons or 25 pounds of bait every 24 hours, with feeders potentially holding more bait provided that only this amount remains accessible to deer.
Hunter Perspectives and Wildlife Management Concerns
For hunters like Lance Redden, who prefers traditional bow hunting skills, the introduction of baiting may affect hunting culture but not necessarily the experience. Redden and others have been invited to submit comments before the commission’s final vote on the rule, with a deadline of November 14, 2025.
TWRA spokesperson Emily Buck emphasized that baiting legalization is not a new proposal but one intertwined with wildlife health risks. Chief of Wildlife and Forestry, Joe Benedict, highlighted the agency’s cautious approach due to the threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal and contagious neurological illness already present in parts of West Tennessee.
Scientific understanding confirms that baiting can concentrate deer populations, potentially increasing disease transmission risk, especially with diseases like CWD caused by misfolded prion proteins. The agency plans to monitor these risks carefully during the delay before implementing the rule, balancing hunter interests and disease management.
Public Engagement and Regulatory Process
The debate over baiting has intensified with social media amplifying divergent opinions. Some consider the practice “not true hunting,” while others, including Redden, anticipate minimal change to their hunting methods.
The TWRA is offering two formal avenues for public input:
- Written comments via email, subject line “Deer Baiting Rule,” accepted until November 14, 2025
- In-person testimony at the TFWC hearing scheduled for December 4-5, 2025, at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga
The final decision by the commission will reflect both public sentiment and scientific wildlife management considerations, influencing the future landscape of deer hunting regulations in Tennessee.
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