Oak Ridge Quota Hunts Canceled Due to COVID-19 Risk to Facility Personnel

The U.S. Department of Energy canceled all big game quota hunts scheduled on Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All 12 big game quota hunts scheduled for November 7-8, November 14-15, and December 12-13, 2020 at Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area are canceled. The cancellation is due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission to Oak Ridge personnel from hunters accessing the facility grounds. Licensed hunters were chosen to receive one of the limited quota hunt permits by entering a randomized drawing earlier this year.

“We will be sending communications out to the 3,150 impacted customers to explain the situation as quickly as possible,” said Megan Loope, quota hunt coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause our customers.”

With the cancellation of these quota hunts, individuals who were successfully drawn will have their priority points reinstated and will be awarded one (1) additional priority point to their priority point total for the WMA Big Game application.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be celebrating 2020 National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, September 26.

While there will be no large events or gatherings due to COVID-19, TWRA encourages enthusiasts to get outdoors and take part in your favorite recreational activity. The day also coincides with the start of the statewide fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in selected counties in the state.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by the U.S. Congress in 1972 and recognizes hunters and anglers for their contributions to wildlife conservation. The event is celebrated in all 50 states annually on the fourth Saturday in September.

Together with federal aid programs, wildlife conservation efforts are funded mainly by the money sportsmen and women spend on their license fees, as well as the taxes they pay on certain types of outdoor recreational equipment that includes firearms, ammunition, and fishing gear. These funds support conservation programs, habitat acquisitions, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Tennessee and throughout the nation.