Gov. Bill Lee Recognizes Hunting and Fishing Day as Archery Season Opens

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is highlighting Gov. Bill Lee’s proclamation recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day, set for Saturday, Sept. 27. The observance coincides with the opening of Tennessee’s fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in select counties. TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon presented the proclamation at the August Commission meeting, noting that license sales by hunters, anglers, and boaters fund wildlife conservation, habitat acquisition, and recreation opportunities across the state. The proclamation points to Tennessee’s long tradition of hunting and fishing, dating back before statehood. National Hunting and Fishing Day, established by Congress in 1972, is observed annually on the fourth Saturday in September. In 2024, Tennessee sportsmen and women contributed more than $78 million through the American System of Conservation Funding, with more than 910,000 hunters and anglers spending $13 billion on outdoor activities. TWRA reminds Tennesseans to check the 2025–26 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for regulations and details at TNWildlife.org.