Hunters across East Tennessee traveled to the state's Wildlife Management Area's to take part in Free Hunting Day.
The special day is set aside by TWRA. It allows residents to hunt without a license.
"It's a chance for people who maybe have never hunted before, or haven't hunted in a while to get out, free of charge, and hunt," said TWRA Wildlife Officer Jeff Roberson.
Free Hunting Day coincided with the opening of the state's squirrel hunting season this year. According to Roberson, squirrel is a good introductory game for children or families who have never hunted before.
Free Hunting Day also comes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a report which showed a nine percent increase in the amount of people hunting in America over the last 5 years.
More Information: US Fish & Wildlife Dept. Hunting Statistics
H.A. LaRue, co-owner of The Sportsman's Choice, a North Knoxville outdoor sporting goods store said he thinks more people are finding hunting and other recreational activities to be affordable.
"It simply could be that people are just finding those activities as something they can participate in versus other more expensive activities that they did before," LaRue said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report also said over five years American spending on hunting equipment and trips has increased by more than $10 million.