Rules and Regulations

While we offer many exciting activities for visitors at Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, it is our first duty to ensure the habitat that wildlife calls “home” remains protected. The guidelines below help safeguard both wildlife and visitors.

Refuge property is marked on the outside boundary with yellow paint hash marks and blue goose boundary signs. The Refuge boundary signs delineate refuge property BEHIND the sign. Trespassing on posted or unmarked private property is a violation of Tennessee state law.

Firearms are permitted in accordance with state law.
Searching for and removal of objects of antiquity is prohibited.
Disturbing or feeding wildlife, and collecting plants is strictly prohibited.
Pets on a leash are permitted. Dogs under verbal control are allowed during refuge hunts.
Camping and open fires are prohibited.
ATVs are not allowed
Bicycling and horseback riding is permitted on established roads during normal public use hours.
The use of artificial lights (including vehicle lights) to observe wildlife is prohibited.
Boats must be removed from the refuge after each day’s use.

To limit disturbance on waterfowl, portions of the refuge are closed seasonally:

Open Year-round	Closed November 15 - March 15
Big Sandy Unit V.L. Childs Observation Deck Big Sandy Peninsula Bennett's Creek Observation Deck Chickasaw National Recreation Trail Mt. Zion Church Pace Point	Big Sandy Unit Swamp Creek Sulphur Well Bay Bennett's Creek Bay
Duck River Unit Pintail Point Observation Blind Duck River Bottoms Overlook Refuge Lane through Duck River Bottoms	Duck River Unit Tie Yards All interior impoundments
	Entire Busseltown Unit

To view map of Seasonally Closed Sanctuary Areas.

For hunting and fishing regulations, please refer to our Hunting/Fishing Regulations Brochures.