Check In Information
Hunters must check animals in one of three ways:
More Information
A&B Taxidermy is a full time check in station for TWRA. Bring your animal by and we can check it in according to TWRA specifications:
It is unlawful to move, transport or field dress any big game animal, except for wild hogs, without invalidating and attaching a properly completed temporary kill tag. Landowner, Lifetime license holder, military (on leave with leave papers) and youth under 13 will be issued a temporary kill tag after checking in their first big game animal. If additional animals are to be harvested on that calendar day, the hunter is not required to stop hunting and tag the animal until he/she is ready to move, transport, or field dress the animal.
All animals harvested must be accompanied by one animal with an invalidated temporary kill tag and must be checked in on that calendar day at a big game checking station or the TWRA Big Game Online Check In where one new temporary kill tag will be issued. It shall be illegal for the hunter to hunt on the subsequent calendar day(s) until the previously harvested animal(s) are checked in and a new temporary kill tag is issued. Evidence of species and sex must be available for inspection by Wildlife Officer or Agency designated personnel prior to issuance of permanent game tag.
The permanent harvest tag is a legal document and must be signed by the hunter. By signing the permanent harvest tag, the hunter is affirming that the information, as it appears on the permanent tag, is correct and valid. The permanent game tag must remain with each carcass until final processing.
Persons legally hunting without a license are also required to take any big game animal harvested to a check station. After receiving a temporary harvest tag from checking in their first kill, these persons must comply with all tagging regulations.
All big game taken to a taxidermist to be mounted must be accompanied by documentation showing the permanent game tag number, checking station number, and date of kill.
All youth, or guardians of youth, under the age of 16 that do not have an official TWRA ID# (found on hunting license) must know, or carry with them, their Social Security Number in order to check-in a big game animal. This includes youth hunting under the landowner exemption or youth under the age of 10.
Big Game Found Dead
All big game found dead should be left where found and need not be reported. Individuals wanting to keep big game found dead must first contact the local Regional TWRA office for authorization. Any vehicle in which an illegally possessed big game animal is found is subject to confiscation. Big game, except bear, accidentally killed by a motor vehicle may be possessed by any person for personal use and consumption if the TWRA or local law enforcement agency is notified within 48 hours. A bear killed by a motor vehicle may be possessed only upon the issuance of a receipt from the TWRA.
- At a traditional check station
- On the internet site: https://www.tn.wildlifelicense.com/
- On a smartphone or tablet at gotwra.org
More Information
- All harvested bears must be checked out at any official checking station (excluding internet and
mobile application). Bears may be whole or field dressed, but must weigh 75 pounds or greater
when checked in. - Elk shall be checked in as instructed in the hunter’s informational packet.
A&B Taxidermy is a full time check in station for TWRA. Bring your animal by and we can check it in according to TWRA specifications:
It is unlawful to move, transport or field dress any big game animal, except for wild hogs, without invalidating and attaching a properly completed temporary kill tag. Landowner, Lifetime license holder, military (on leave with leave papers) and youth under 13 will be issued a temporary kill tag after checking in their first big game animal. If additional animals are to be harvested on that calendar day, the hunter is not required to stop hunting and tag the animal until he/she is ready to move, transport, or field dress the animal.
All animals harvested must be accompanied by one animal with an invalidated temporary kill tag and must be checked in on that calendar day at a big game checking station or the TWRA Big Game Online Check In where one new temporary kill tag will be issued. It shall be illegal for the hunter to hunt on the subsequent calendar day(s) until the previously harvested animal(s) are checked in and a new temporary kill tag is issued. Evidence of species and sex must be available for inspection by Wildlife Officer or Agency designated personnel prior to issuance of permanent game tag.
The permanent harvest tag is a legal document and must be signed by the hunter. By signing the permanent harvest tag, the hunter is affirming that the information, as it appears on the permanent tag, is correct and valid. The permanent game tag must remain with each carcass until final processing.
Persons legally hunting without a license are also required to take any big game animal harvested to a check station. After receiving a temporary harvest tag from checking in their first kill, these persons must comply with all tagging regulations.
All big game taken to a taxidermist to be mounted must be accompanied by documentation showing the permanent game tag number, checking station number, and date of kill.
All youth, or guardians of youth, under the age of 16 that do not have an official TWRA ID# (found on hunting license) must know, or carry with them, their Social Security Number in order to check-in a big game animal. This includes youth hunting under the landowner exemption or youth under the age of 10.
Big Game Found Dead
All big game found dead should be left where found and need not be reported. Individuals wanting to keep big game found dead must first contact the local Regional TWRA office for authorization. Any vehicle in which an illegally possessed big game animal is found is subject to confiscation. Big game, except bear, accidentally killed by a motor vehicle may be possessed by any person for personal use and consumption if the TWRA or local law enforcement agency is notified within 48 hours. A bear killed by a motor vehicle may be possessed only upon the issuance of a receipt from the TWRA.