CLAY COUNTY-The first of two Tennessee young sportsman deer hunts for the 2024-25 season will be held here locally and across the state this weekend, October 26-27.

Youth ages 6-16 may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment.

Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 or older who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting device. The adult must also comply with the fluorescent orange regulations as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.

Youth ages 6-9 are not required to have a license or hunter’s education certification. Youth ages 10-12 must meet hunter education requirements or have an apprentice license. In addition to the requirements for youth 10-12, youth 13-15 must have a junior hunting license and 16-year-olds must have the appropriate adult licenses.

Archery season began in the state on Sept. 28 and the first segment ends Friday, the day prior to the opening of the young sportsman hunt. The second segment of archery only season is Monday, October 28 through Friday, November 8.

Muzzleloader/archery season starts November 9. The statewide gun/muzzleloader/archery season has the traditional opening date of the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is November 23 this year.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recommends all hunters obtain a 2024-25 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide lists license requirements, the counties and bag limits for each of the six deer management units.

The guide is available on the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org, the TWRA App, and where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.