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Tennessee turkey hunting season starts Saturday, as scheduled

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency areas will remain open as hunters take to the great outdoors for turkey hunting season.

Tennessee hunters can still travel outside their homes on Saturday for the start of turkey hunting season, despite new restrictions on businesses and travel from state officials to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Outdoor activity is considered an essential activity, provided that people follow health guidelines, according to Tennessee Wildlife Commission Chairman Kurt Holbert. The guidelines call for people to distance themselves from others by at least six feet, and for people to avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people.

Tennessee lakes and rivers, as well as access areas controlled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, will remain open to anglers and boaters.

Governor Bill Lee announced that he signed Executive Order 23 Thursday, which was meant to pressure Tennesseans to stay home during the coronavirus crisis. It requires people to stay home unless they are venturing outside for one of many essential activities.

The list of essential activities and businesses hasn't changed since Governor Lee issued his "safer-at-home" order.

Turkey hunting restrictions such as one bearded turkey per day limit, unless taken on from an area where turkeys are designated as bonus birds, are still in place.

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