The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission on Tuesday adopted a rule to implement a new deer baiting privilege license required by legislation that legalized hunting over bait on private or leased land beginning in 2026.

The commission voted 11–2 to approve the package after agency staff outlined the mandatory provisions in the General Assembly's statute (TCA 70‑4‑113(b)). Chief Joe Benedict said the rule defines acceptable bait (whole food items such as corn, wheat and apples), rejects most processed foods unless explicitly formulated for deer, and sets an annual license fee the statute established: $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents.

Benedict told the commission that the rule also places practical limits on baiting to reduce wildlife‑health risks. “We recommend bait be scattered and not piled,” he said, and described a reference limit for bait availability on the ground—“5 gallons or 25 pounds for a 24‑hour period”—to avoid large, long‑lasting piles that can increase disease or attract non‑target wildlife.

The rule would allow only one bait site on properties under 5 acres and recommends about 500 yards between bait sites on larger properties. It explicitly preserves the existing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zone prohibitions: within the agency’s CWD management zone and any counties designated positive, the feeding and baiting prohibitions remain in force.

Commissioners debated enforcement and biological tradeoffs for more aggressive buffers. Colonel Granstepp, on the agency’s law‑enforcement team, said violations under the new rule would be treated as a Class B misdemeanor with fines and possible loss of hunting privileges. Counsel Tory Grimes confirmed the rule packages being voted on were the agency’s draft regulations and the fee schedule codified from statute.

Some commissioners urged adding an automatic buffer county around CWD‑positive counties; staff responded that changing the CWD management map would require a separate rulemaking process, but recommended scheduling that discussion for March so the commission could weigh amendments in full.

After deliberation and with no public commenters at the vote, Chair Chris Devaney called the roll. The commission adopted the rule package by recorded vote, 11 in favor and 2 opposed. The chairman said, “Rule passes.”

What comes next: the rule establishes the license and conditions for baiting outside the CWD management zone. Staff said the agency retains authority to suspend baiting geographically to prevent disease transmission or where baiting creates a public‑safety problem (for example, habituating bears).