Lower Hatchie Turkey Quota Hunt

Seasons: 

•  First Hunt: (Youth Hunt):  April 5-6, 2025
•  Second Hunt:  April 17-20, 2025 
•  Third Hunt:  April 24-27, 2025 
•  Fourth Hunt:  May 1-4, 2025 

Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey, counts towards State limit.

Permits: Quota hunt, see below for application procedure.

Application Procedures

To apply for a permit, applicants must submit a self-addressed U.S Postal Service postcard to the Refuge Manager during the month of January. Index cards and any other post card other than the U.S. Postal Service postcard will not be accepted.  The senders name and address should be on the front-center of the post card. A party of up to four hunters may apply on the same postcard-one hunter on the front, and up to three more hunters on the back with the following information for each participant;

•  Name 
•  Address 
•  Contact Number 
•  Hunt Location (Chickasaw or Lower Hatchie) 
•  Hunt date (EXAMPLE: Hunt 2, April __-__) 

Applicants selected will be notified by mail to submit a $15.00/person payment (cashiers check or money order payable to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to receive a quota permit.

See attachment below to view an example of what your application card should look like upon completion. 

Place application card in an envelope and mail to:

Reelfoot NWR

4343 Hwy 157

Union City, TN 38261.

Attn: Lower Hatchie Turkey Quota Hunt

Incomplete or duplicate applications will be disqualified. 

All permits will be selected by random computer drawings. Quota hunt limited to 25 permits per hunt.

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.

DRAWN HUNTERS:

If you are drawn for a hunt, you will be sent a notification with instructions on payment for your permit.  Money orders and cashiers checks only - We do not accept personal checks or cash.  You may put each hunter's payment on one money order/cashiers checks.  Once payment is collected, you will receive your permit and Public Use Regulations brochure.

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 anything 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 open weekends.  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.

 If you need more information please contact the refuge at (731) 738-2296.