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Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Law Enforcement

NEW OFFICERS WELCOMED TO TWRA RANKS --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency commissioned 16 wildlife officers to join its ranks to serve in counties across the state. Pictured (from left) are TWRA Lt. Col. Glenn Moates, retired TWRA Cpt. Ken Reedy, TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter, Chris Argo, Austin Parsley, Justin Pinkston, Matt Hammons, Dustin Burke, Riley Melton, Clay Hetland, TWRA Training Coordinator Cpt. Andy Rush, Jonas Cothren, Jocee Blanton, Zach Wofford, Taylor Weaver, Bradley Baldwin, Bradley Harris, Montana Michelson, Dillon Maynard, TWRA Col. Darren Rider, Hunter Spencer, and Lt. Col Cape Taylor.

Video: TWRA Officer describes a day on the job.


Video: TWRA Officers tell about their boating accident. 


Report a hunting, fishing violation or a boating accident in your area.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of wildlife poachers.

Individuals with information about poachers or poaching activities can contact the TWRA by calling one of the regional offices from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight, seven days a week.

In addition to the reward offered by the TWRA, the Tennessee State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation offers up to a $300.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals poaching wild turkeys.

Information such as the individual’s name or description, vehicle tag number or description, nature of offense and location of the offense greatly assists the TWRA in apprehending wildlife poachers. All information received by TWRA is kept in the strictest confidence.

To report a Hunting/Fishing/Boating violation, call the numbers below, 7:00a.m. until 12:00 midnight, seven days a week:

West Tennessee - Region I Middle Tennessee - Region II Cumberland Plateau - Region III East Tennessee - Region IV
1-800-831-1173 1-800-255-8972                1-833-402-4699 1-800-831-1174

Wildlife Rehabilitators & Educators

Chances are at some point you will encounter an animal that has been injured or orphaned. The most important thing to remember is to not keep the animal and take care of it yourself! Not only could it potentially do more harm than good to the animal, it is also illegal!

In the event you ever find an injured or orphaned animal out in your yard or in the wild, contact a permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator prior to picking the animal up. The TWRA is happy to provide a list of authorized Wildlife Rehabilitators to ensure the safety and well being of the animal and yourself.

Note: Wildlife Rehabilitators do not pick animals up. If you find an animal and a rehabilitator can accept the animal, you will need to arrange transportation to deliver the animal to the Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Qualifications Needed To Be Eligible For A Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit

  1. A person must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit:
    1. 200 hours of experience in rehabilitating the species in which the person wishes to be permitted
    2. One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician
    3. Possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and be Board Certified in the State of Tennessee
    4. Possess a valid permit for Wildlife Rehabilitation from another state for the species in which the person wishes to be permitted. Also, individuals in this category must have been in good standing in the state in which the permit was held.
  2. In the Event a person cannot meet the needed criteria, they may substitute the following:
    1. Every credit hour earned for college courses worked in zoology, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine can be submitted for hours of experience, up to 100 hours.
    2. There will be no substitutions for the following categories:
      1. One year full time employment as a veterinary technician
      2. Possession of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
      3. Have been permitted for Wildlife Rehabilitation by another state
  3. Anyone who has been found in violation of any state wildlife laws or federal wildlife laws does not qualify for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
  4. Anyone holding Captive Wildlife Permits or possessing non-native wildlife species is not eligible for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
  5. The possession of any wildlife must be in accordance with the city and/or county ordinances in which the wildlife is being held.
  6. Issuance of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit will be done on an "an needed" basis, in which need is determined by TWRA.
2019 WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR DIRECTORY
NOTE: Class 2 wildlife species are animals native to Tennessee
Region 1 (West Tennessee)
           
COUNTY FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS PHONE  SPECIES
Hardeman   Claire Haslwanter 429 Candlewood Drive Saulsbury, TN 38067 901-596-6631 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Haywood Haywood Animal Hospital Hubert W. Smith, Jr. D.V.M. 2538 N. Washington Avenue Brownsville, TN 38012 731-772-3101 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Henry Paris Landing State Park Tim Caldwell 16055 Highway 79 N Buchanan, TN 38222 731-641-4465 Class 2 raptors
Lake Reelfoot Lake State Park Jerry Hall 2595 Highway 21 E Tiptonville, TN 38079 731-253-8003 Class 2 raptors
Madison Union University James, Huggins, Ph.D 1050 Union University Drive Jackson, TN 38305 731-661-5144 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Shelby   Terry Barnet, D.V.M. 4637 Navy Road Millington, TN 38053 901-872-0157 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Shelby   Knox Martin 1176 Dearing Road Memphis, TN 38117 901-685-8827 Class 2 raptors
Shelby Mid South Raptor Center Knox Martin Shelby Farms: 7291 Hamm Smythe Road, Memphis, TN 38018 901-685-8827 Class 2 raptors
Shelby Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Samantha Cox 910 Riddick Road, Millington, TN 38053 901-876-5215 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Shelby Memphis Zoo and Aquarium Chuck Brady 2000 Prentiss Place Memphis, TN 38112 901-725-3419 Eagles only
           
Region 2 (Middle Tennessee)
           
Davidson Belle Forest Animal Hospital James Talbott, D.V.M. 154 Belle Forest Circle Nashville, TN 37221 615-662-1700 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Davidson Lillie Birds Wildlife Rehabilitation Devon Blackburn lilliebirdswildlife@gmail.com   Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Davidson   Julie Henry 1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN 37206 615-862-8539 Class 2 reptiles and amphibians
Davidson Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center   P.O. Box 641 Joelton, TN 37080 615-299-9938 White-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Franklin   Joanne Groat 311 Cook Road Tullahoma, TN 37388 931-393-4507 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Franklin   Lou Ann Partington   931-393-4835 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Lawrence David Crockett State Park Rachel Lee 1300 W. Gaines Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 931-762-9408 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Rutherford   Aviceen Barlatier 1597 Twin Oak Drive Murfreesboro, TN 37130 615-967-6999 White-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Rutherford   Angela Hensley 1518 St. John Road Lascassas, TN 37085 615-631-2205 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Rutherford   Rachel Singer 7096 Franklin Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 615-642-3723 White-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
Rutherford Creekwood Veterinary Hospital Michael Lawrence, DVM 4520 Veterans Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 615-956-2525 Class 2 reptiles and amphibians
Williamson Harmony Wildlife Rehab Center Carol Burgess 7370 Forrest Glen Road, Fairview, TN 37062 615-400-7370 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats
           
Region 3 (Cumberland Plateau)
           
Cumberland Highland Veterinary Clinic Russell Lewis, D.V.M. 119 W. Adams Street Crossville, TN 38555 931-484-2614 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Fentress Dogwood Animal Hospital Cindy Johnson, D.V.M. 1024 Old U.S. Highway 127 S Jamestown, TN 38556 931-879-1111 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Grundy & Marion   Margaret Matens 1114 Red Oak Drive Monteagle, TN 37356 931-924-2623 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Hamilton Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park Adam Borchardt 301 N. Holtzclaw Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 423-697-1322 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Hamilton   Kate Harrell 2606 Corral Road Signal Mountain, TN 37377 540-392-5428 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Hamilton   Jerry Harvey 3936 Churchill Road Chattanooga, TN 37406 423-255-6460 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Hamilton McKamey Animal Center Christy Ha 4500 Norh Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415 423-680-1826 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Hamilton   Alix Parks   423-847-5757 Class 2 raptors
Hamilton   Juniper Russo   423-475-2691 Skunks, raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats and coyotes
Hamilton   Sherry Teas 9122 Hundley Road Chattanooga, TN 37416 423-593-0032 Class 2 songbirds
Marion & Grundy   Margaret Matens 1114 Red Oak Drive Monteagle, TN 37356 931-924-2623 Skunks, raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats and coyotes
Rhea   Marshall Taylor, D.V.M. 9961 Rhea County Highway Dayton, TN 37321 423-775-4003 White-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes
Warren   Gregg Garrison   931-668-5594 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes
Warren Rock Island State Park Jason Miller 82 Beach Road Rock Island, TN 38581 931-686-2471 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes
           
Region 4 (East Tennessee)
           
Carter Wynnwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Geri Wynn 150 Cecil Estep Road Elizabethton, TN 37643 423-474-6220 Skunks, raccoons, foxes & white-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats & coyotes
Cocke   Robin Ballard 3840 Trail Hollow Road Cosby, TN 37722 865-382-2937 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Grainger   Lisa Thomison 614 Collins Ridge Road, Washburn, TN 37888 865-964-8714 Class 2 raptors
Greene   Thomas Leach 3625 S. Mohawk Road Midway, TN 37809 423-235-3587 Class 2 reptiles and amphibians
Jefferson   Lynne McCoy 630 Crestfield Drive New Market, TN 37820 865-397-9540 Skunks, raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats and coyotes
Jefferson   Phylis Rollins 2140 Chestnut Hill Road Dandridge, TN 37725 865-809-4627 Skunks, raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats and coyotes
Hawkins Hilltop Wildlife Rescue Rhonda Goins 510 Woodvue Avenue, Church Hill, TN 37642 423-213-0078 Skunks, foxes, raccoons, amphibians, reptiles and Class 2 wildlife excluding bats and coyotes
Knox   Linda Bloomer 5522 W. Emory Road Powell, TN 37849 865-254-5824 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Knox Clinton Highway Veterinary Hospital Angela Snow, D.V.M. 7215-A Clinton Highway Powell, TN 37849 865-938-3313 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Knox Knoxville Zoological Gardens Phil Colclough 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive Knoxville, TN 37914 865-637-5331 Class 2 and 4 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Knox   Mary Beth Rood 8358 Bud Hawkins Road Corryton, TN 37221 865-388-5289 Skunks, raccoons, foxes, reptiles and Class 2 mammals excluding bats and coyotes
Knox   Tissi Smith 9725 Tunbridge Lane Knoxville, TN 37922 865-690-6247 Class 2 mammals excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Knox University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital Lillian Gerhardt 2407 River Drive Room C-247 Knoxville, TN 37796 865-974-8387 White-tail deer, black bear and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Loudon   Beverly Bittner 600 Gilbert Lane Friendsville, TN 37737 865-387-2613 Skunks, raccoons, foxes and Class 2 mammals excluding bats and coyotes
Sevier American Eagle Foundation Spencer Williams P.O. Box 333 Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 865-429-0157 Class 2 raptors
Sevier   Doreen
Leo-Huneke		   865-850-9745 Class 2 wildlife excluding raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and bats
Sullivan
 Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital Hollie Templeton 3407 Memorial Boulevard Kingsport, TN 376664 423-378-4443 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Sullivan Bays Mountain Park Ken Childress 853 Bays Mountain Park Road Kingsport, TN 37663 423-229-9447 Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes
Sullivan Cherry Point Animal Hospital Michael Cherry, D.V.M. 101 Island Rd, Kingsport, TN 37664 423-279-9996 Class 2 & 4 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes

Wildlife that cannot be rehabilitated for release back into the wild can be authorized for use at facilities for wildlife education. Most wildlife species can be authorized for use in education programs. However, white-tailed deer and black bear are not eligible for such authorization.

The programs provided by these facilities are performed at no cost. An individual who provides such programming must have a minimum of 200 hours of experience in handling and care of the species to be used in educational programs.

Facilities utilizing raptors for programs must also have permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Qualifications Needed To Be Eligible For A Wildlife Education Permit

  1. A person must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit:
    1. 200 hours of experience in handling and care of the species in which the person wishes to be permitted
    2. One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician
    3. Possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and be Board Certified in the State of Tennessee
    4. Possess a valid permit for Wildlife Education from another state for the species in which the person wishes to be permitted. Also, individuals in this category must have been in good standing in the state in which the permit was held.
  2. In the Event a person cannot meet the needed criteria, they may substitute the following:
    1. Every credit hour earned for college courses worked in zoology, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine can be submitted for hours of experience, up to 100 hours.
    2. There will be no substitutions for the following categories:
      1. One year full time employment as a veterinary technician
      2. Possession of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
      3. Have been permitted for Wildlife Education by another state
  3. Anyone who has been found in violation of any state wildlife laws or federal wildlife laws does not qualify for a Wildlife Education Permit.
  4. Anyone holding Captive Wildlife Permits or possessing non-native wildlife species is not eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit.
  5. The possession of any wildlife must be in accordance with the city and/or county ordinances in which the wildlife is being held.
  6. Issuance of a Wildlife Education Permit will be done on an "an needed" basis, in which need is determined by TWRA.

Permit Applications

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Logo

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact is an agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses in member states. This means that illegal activities in one state can affect a person’s hunting or fishing privileges in all participating states. Any person whose license privileges or rights are suspended in a member state may also be suspended in Tennessee. If a person's hunting, fishing, or trapping rights are suspended in Tennessee, they may be suspended in member states as well. This cooperative interstate effort will enhance the Division of Wildlife’s ability to protect and manage our wildlife resources.

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact also establishes a process whereby wildlife law violations by a non-resident from a member state are handled as if the person were a resident, meaning they can be served a ticket rather than being arrested, booked, and bonded. This process is a convenience for hunters, fishermen, and trappers of member states, and increases efficiency of Wildlife Officers by allowing more time for enforcement duties rather than violator processing procedures. 

IWVC Member States

Tennessee honors all similar wildlife violation suspensions from other member states.  This would include Failure to Appear in court violations.

One of the benefits to sportsman who violate wildlife laws is if they are from a member state TWRA officers can write them a simple citation instead of taking them to jail and having them post a cash bond.

If a non-resident sportsman is issued a wildlife citation fails to comply with the citation or appear in court, the TWRA will notify their home state of a Failure to Comply. The home state will then suspend that person's resident hunting or fishing license. Once the sportsman complies with the Tennessee violation, their home state will be notified and their resident license will be reinstated.