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UPDATE:  $15 application fee is NO LONGER REQUIRED.  Hunters are only required to pay a permit fee IF they are drawn for the quota hunt.  

Seasons:

1) (Youth) October 25-26, 2025

Bag Limit:  Same as state.  Harvested deer count in Statewide Bag Limit.

Quota Permits:  50 permits (Long Point Unit:  25 permits.  Grassy Island Unit:  25 permits)

2) Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025

3) November 7-9, 2025

Bag Limit: Two deer (only 1 may be antlered).  Harvested deer count as bonus deer. 

Quota permits:  125 permits per hunt (Long Point Unit: 75 permits.  Grassy Island Unit: 50 permits)

 Application Procedures 

*Please keep in mind that we have had major issues with the mailing system.  If you plan on applying for this hunt, apply early so we will be sure to receive your card in time.  We accept cards DURING the month of July.  If you postmark your card on July 31st, it will most likely not make it in time for the drawing.  The drawing is conducted during the first week of August.

To apply for a permit, applicants must submit a stamped, self-address U.S Postal Service postcard to the Refuge Manager. Index cards and any other post card other than the U.S. Postal Service postcard will not be accepted. A party of up to four hunters may apply on the same postcard. One hunters information on the front of the card, up to three hunters on the back with the following information for each participant: 

• Name
• Address
• Contact Number
• Hunt Location (Long Point or Grassy Island)
• Hunt Date (Example-Hunt 2, Nov.__-__)

Please specify if you are applying for the Youth Hunt, and label the youth and supervisor accordingly.

Unofficial postcards will be discarded prior to drawing.  If your local post office no longer sell U.S. Postal Service postcards, please try your next closest post office.  If you cannot find this postcard, please reach out to Ranger Tara Dowdy at 731-538-2481 for further instructions.

Place your postcard inside an envelope and mail to the refuge at the address below.

Reelfoot NWR

4343 Hwy 157

Union City, TN 38261

Attention: Reelfoot Deer Quota Hunt

Incomplete or duplicate applications will be disqualified. Applications will ONLY be accepted during the month of July for the deer hunt.  All applications need to be in our office by July 31st, by 4:00 p.m.  The Reelfoot NWR office is closed on Sundays.  All permits will be selected by random drawing.

Hunters on the Grassy Island Unit must meet the license requirements for Tennessee, and hunters on the Long Point Unit must meet the license requirement for either Tennessee or Kentucky.

Juveniles 

Both the juvenile and his/her supervising adult must apply together on the same postcard in order to be eligible for a refuge permit. If selected, the juvenile must be under direct supervision of the adult during the hunt.  Please specify which name is the youth and which is the supervisor.  Youth may only apply for EITHER the youth hunt or the regular draw hunt, not both. 

If you need more information, please contact the refuge at 731/538-2481. 

*

DRAWN HUNTERS:

If drawn, you should receive a notification through the mail with instructions to turn in your permit fee.  Once your permit fee is received, your permit will be mailed to you.

Permits are non-transferable.  Only the persons possessing a valid, signed permit are allowed on the hunt. If a hunter is unable to go, you may not have another hunter take his/her place.  Guests are prohibited, even if they are not taking a firearm.  

NOT-DRAWN HUNTERS:

If you are not drawn for the hunt, you will receive your original postcard back through the mail with a sticker on the back stating you were not drawn.  It is important that you fill your card out correctly (self addressed - like you are mailing it to yourself) for this reason.  When applying for the hunt, if your card is not filled out properly with your address in the front/center, OR if you do not put your card in an envelope so that the postage is not used, you will not receive your "not-drawn" notification.  If you have questions on how to fill out your card properly, please refer to the image on this page, or by calling Ranger Tara Dowdy at 731-538-2481.

HOW THE DRAWING IS CONDUCTED:

Each hunt card is added to the FIRST preferred hunt date/location specified on the application postcard.  There is no need in adding any date other than the first preferred date/location.  There is a drawing for each weekend and each hunt location.  If you are not drawn for your preferred hunt, your card is then set aside with all other hunters who were not drawn for their preferred hunt to be given a "second chance" for any remaining openings.  If you receive a notification that you were drawn but it wasn't for your preferred hunt, that means you were not drawn for your preferred hunt but given a second chance at the remaining openings.