Keith Lusher 10.06.25
Deer hunting is about to get a whole lot easier in Tennessee this season, at least for residents of Hendersonville. The city, in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), has launched a program allowing residents to hunt deer right from their own backyards.
The need is clear. Hendersonville’s deer population runs at two to four times the state average, creating problems with disease transmission, vehicle collisions, and aggressive deer behavior.
“In reality, people do it from their back porch,” said Jerald Barrett, chairman of Hendersonville’s Deer Control Committee. “So the goal is to keep that interaction positive for both the people and for the deer, the best that we can.”
Participants must have a valid Tennessee hunting license and complete a hunting safety course. Hunters must shoot from an elevated position, and while firearms are technically legal under state regulations, both the city and TWRA strongly recommend bow hunting only.
The firearm allowance has raised eyebrows in the hunting community, with many questioning the wisdom of rifle shots in suburban neighborhoods. Safety concerns center on potential stray bullets and the likelihood of police receiving numerous gunshot reports.
Perhaps the biggest challenge is what hunters call “SeekOne” situations, where wounded deer run onto neighboring properties. State trespass laws still apply, meaning hunters must obtain permission from adjacent property owners before pursuing or retrieving game. This requirement could significantly limit the program’s effectiveness in densely populated subdivisions.
Deer Hunter Directory
Recognizing that many homeowners don’t hunt themselves, the committee created a Deer Hunter Directory. This free online registry allows property owners to connect with licensed hunters willing to help manage deer on their land.
“We’ve had a tremendous number of homeowners that said, hey, I need someone to hunt my property,” Barrett explained. “And so we’ve also had a lot of hunters that say, we really want to hunt people’s property.”
Hunters from anywhere in Tennessee can register, and homeowners can vet potential hunters and verify their licenses.
Public Reaction
Online hunting forums show divided opinions. Some applaud the innovative approach to wildlife management, while others worry about inadequate screening, potential accidents, and whether this constitutes legitimate hunting or simple population control.
Critics also question whether the program changes much legally. Reckless endangerment laws still apply, and any violations could quickly shut down the entire initiative.
As deer season progresses, Hendersonville’s experiment in urban wildlife management will test whether hunters can responsibly handle the unique challenges of suburban hunting while addressing the city’s very real deer problem.
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