Tennessee Code Title 70. Wildlife Resources § 70-2-213

(a) The executive director has the power, at the executive director's discretion, to grant permission, under the executive director's seal, to any reliable person to take, capture and transport in Tennessee, wild birds, and nests and eggs of wild birds, and wild animals and fish, when taken and used for purely scientific purposes. The permit so issued shall continue in force for one (1) year after the date of issue and shall specify the number of any species to be taken under the permit.

(b) Each person receiving a permit under this section shall report to the wildlife resources agency on blanks furnished by it, at or before the expiration of such permit, the number and disposition of the collections made under the permit.

(c) Any person taking any wildlife in violation of this section, or of the permit held by that person, shall be, upon conviction, fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) and the permit held by that person shall become void.