Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Law Enforcement

Report Violations & Accidents
Permits
Wildlife Rehabilitators & Educators
Animal Damage Control
Law Enforcement Programs
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) offers a reward 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 | 1-800-241-0767 | 1-800-831-1174 |
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
- A person must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit:
- 200 hours of experience in rehabilitating the species in which the person wishes to be permitted
- One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician
- Possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and be Board Certified in the State of Tennessee
- 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.
- In the Event a person cannot meet the needed criteria, they may substitute the following:
- 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.
- There will be no substitutions for the following categories:
- One year full time employment as a veterinary technician
- Possession of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
- Have been permitted for Wildlife Rehabilitation by another state
- Anyone who has been found in violation of any state wildlife laws or federal wildlife laws does not qualify for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
- Anyone holding Captive Wildlife Permits or possessing non-native wildlife species is not eligible for a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
- The possession of any wildlife must be in accordance with the city and/or county ordinances in which the wildlife is being held.
- Issuance of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit will be done on an "an needed" basis, in which need is determined by TWRA.
2018 WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR DIRECTORY | |||||
Region 1 (West Tennessee) | |||||
COUNTY | FACILITY | CONTACT | ADDRESS | PHONE | SPECIES |
Hardeman | Claire Haslwanter | 429 Candlewood Drive Saulsbury, TN 38067 | 901-596-6631 | Class 2 wildlie 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 wildlie 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 |
Shelby | Robin Peterson | 6975 Woodstock Cuba Millington, TN 38053 | 901-876-3639 | Class 2 mammals excluding skunks and bats | |
Shelby | Danya Welch | 7751 Wolf River Boulevard Germantown, TN 38138 | 901-759-5100 | White-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats | |
Shelby | Mary Wilbanks | 3251 W. Lakewood Drive Memphis, TN 38128 | 901-373-4711 | Class 2 mammals excluding skunks and bats | |
Region 2 (Middle Tennessee) | |||||
Bedford | Kay Hickey | 116 McDale Road Shelbyville, TN 37160 | 931-680-4596 | Class 2 mammals excluding skunks and bats | |
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 | Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center | Elisa Fosco | 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 | 92 Maple Avenue Tullahoma, TN 37388 | 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 |
Robertson | Kim Martin | 521 Strudwick Avenue, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 | 860-836-3636 | Class 2 waterfowl | |
Rutherford | Angela Hensley | 1518 St. John Road Lascassas, TN 37085 | 615-631-2205 | Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks and bats | |
Rutherford | Aviceen Barlatier | 1597 Twin Oak Drive Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | 615-967-6999 | Class 2 wildlife excluding raptors, skunks and bats | |
Williamson | Lisa Butler | 325 Canton Stone Drive Franklin, TN 37067 | 615-790-7809 | Class 2 mammals 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 | Tish Gailmard | 955 Ravine Road Signal Mountain, TN 37377 | 423-886-6224 | Foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons 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 | Alix Parks | 423-847-5757 | Class 2 raptors | ||
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 | Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes 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 | 371 Upper Faulkner Springs Road McMinnville, TN 37110 | 931-668-5594 | Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes | |
Warren | LeeAnna Romero | 257 Chapel Hill Drive McMinnville, TN 37110 | 562-665-3194 | Class 2 mammals excluding skunks and bats | |
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) | |||||
Anderson | Clinch River Raptor Center | Katie Cottrell | 110 N. Hicks Street Clinton, TN 37716 | 865-483-8265 | Class 2 raptors and songbirds |
Anderson | Jo Ann Thompson | 100 Norton Road Oak Ridge, TN 37830 | 865-482-5660 | Class 2 songbirds | |
Blount | Smoky Mountain Raptor Center | Natalie Mong | 5737 Gond Pond Way Tallassee, TN 37878 | 865-680-9623 | Class 2 raptors |
Carter | Wynnwood Wildlife Rehabilitation | Geri Wynn | 150 Cecil Estep Road Elizabethton, TN 37643 | 423-474-6220 | Raccoons, foxes, white-tail deer and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats and coyotes |
Carter | Roan Mountain State Park | J.R. Tinch | 1015 Highway 143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687 | 423-772-0190 | Class 2 raptors |
Cocke | Robin Ballard | 3840 Trail Hollow Road Cosby, TN 37722 | 865-382-2937 | Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes | |
Greene | Thomas Leach | 3625 S. Mohawk Road Midway, TN 37809 | 423-235-3587 | Class 2 reptiles and amphibians | |
Hawkins | Grassy Creek Wildlife Foundation | Freda Rice | 364 Grassy Creek Road, Rogersville, TN 37857 | 423-272-5535 | Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes |
Jefferson | Lynne McCoy | 630 Crestfield Drive New Market, TN 37820 | 865-397-9540 | Raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, bats and coyotes | |
Jefferson | Phylis Rollins | 2140 Chestnut Hill Road Dandridge, TN 37725 | 865-809-4627 | Raccoons, foxes and Class 2 wildlife excluding skunks, 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 | Ijams Nature Center | Louise Conrad | 2915 Island Home Avenue Knoxville, TN 37920 | 865-577-4717 | 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 | Raccoons, foxes reptiles and Class 2 mammals excluding skunks, 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 | Raccoons, foxes and Class 2 mammals excluding skunks, bats and coyotes | |
Sevier | American Eagle Foundation | Michelle Bauer | P.O. Box 333 Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 | 865-429-0157 | Class 2 raptors |
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
- A person must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit:
- 200 hours of experience in handling and care of the species in which the person wishes to be permitted
- One year of full-time employment as a Veterinary Technician
- Possess a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and be Board Certified in the State of Tennessee
- 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.
- In the Event a person cannot meet the needed criteria, they may substitute the following:
- 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.
- There will be no substitutions for the following categories:
- One year full time employment as a veterinary technician
- Possession of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
- Have been permitted for Wildlife Education by another state
- Anyone who has been found in violation of any state wildlife laws or federal wildlife laws does not qualify for a Wildlife Education Permit.
- Anyone holding Captive Wildlife Permits or possessing non-native wildlife species is not eligible for a Wildlife Education Permit.
- The possession of any wildlife must be in accordance with the city and/or county ordinances in which the wildlife is being held.
- Issuance of a Wildlife Education Permit will be done on an "an needed" basis, in which need is determined by TWRA.

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.

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.