Do you want to prepare for the 2023-2024 Tennessee hunting season? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Tennessee is one of the most traditional states, yet its hunting seasons are among the most exciting in the nation. The deer-hunting season in Tennessee is among the longest in the United States. All the details you need to know about Tennessee’s hunting seasons in 2023 may be found in this post. We’ve compiled this guide to the state’s hunting seasons, along with important dates and regulations. You may discover something helpful here whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced hunter.
Tennessee Hunting Seasons
In addition to deer hunting, Tennessee provides a diverse range of small game and turkey hunting opportunities throughout the year.
Tennessee features a trapping season for numerous small game species in addition to hunting. Information about licenses is available online or from any authorized vendor in the state.
Seasons for Deer Hunting in Tennessee.
| Tennessee Deer Season | Hunting Dates | Units | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery* | Aug 25-27 | A, B, C, D, L | 2 antlered deer per day, no more than 1 per day |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery * | Aug 25-27 | CWD | 2 antlered deer per day, no more than 1 per day (on private lands and select public lands) |
Archery | Sep 23-Oct 27 | A, B, C, D, L | Antlerless bag: Units A, B, C, & D = 4; Unit L = 3 per day, no season limit |
| Archery | Sep 23-Oct 27 | CWD | Antlerless bag: 3 per day, no season limit |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Young Sportsman** | Oct 28-29, Jan 13-14 | Statewide | Antlerless bag: Units A, B, C, & D = 2; Units L & CWD = 3 per day |
Muzzleloader/Archery | Nov 4-17 | A, B, C, D, L | Antlerless bag: Units A & B = 2; Units C & D = 1; Unit L = 3 per day |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Oct 30-Jan 12, Jan 15-30 | CWD | Antlerless bag: 3 per day |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Nov 18-Jan 7 | A, B, C, D, L | Antlerless bag: Unit A = 2; Unit B = 1; Unit C = 1 (Nov 18-Dec 3 only); Unit D = 1 (Nov 18-24 only); Unit L = 3 per day |
| Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Jan 8-12 | Private Lands Only*** | Unit L |
- * Guns and muzzleloaders are allowed in Unit CWD, but archery is authorized on private property. Unit CWD allows hunting on certain public properties. The Region 1 WMA rules include these public lands. Hunting in Unit CWD requires luminous orange.
- ** Hunt participants must be between 6 and 16. Guns, muzzleloaders, and archery (G/M/A) are allowed. A non-hunting adult 21 or older must accompany young sportsmen and be ready to take control of the hunting gadget. The adult must wear neon orange like licensed hunters. One adult may accompany many youngsters. Units A, B, C, and D can only bag two antlerless deer over four days.
- ***Leased and privately owned grounds in Unit L are open to hunting. Hunters must get verbal or written permission to hunt on privately owned property. Public lands and WMAs are closed. During this time, Unit L antlered deer cannot be harvested.
Tennessee has a statewide bag restriction of two antlered bucks every hunting season, with a daily limit of one. Under Tennessee law, a buck must have at least three inches of antler growth before it may be legally hunted. It is illegal to hunt or capture albino deer in Tennessee.
For a comprehensive overview of the state’s deer season, including the dates and hunting areas, check out our article Tennessee deer hunting season on our website.
Elk hunting Season
| Tennessee Elk Season | Season Dates | Permits | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 30 - Oct 6, 2023 | 7 | 1 antlered elk |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Young Sportsman (resident only, ages 13-16) | Oct 7 - 13, 2023 | 1 | 1 antlered elk |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Oct 14 - 20, 2023 | 7 | 1 antlered elk |
Note: Elk hunts in Tennessee are quota hunts, meaning there is a limit on the number of hunters and the kind of permits they may use. For more details on how to get an elk hunt permit in Tennessee, please check out the TWRA website.
Bear Season
| Tennessee Bear Season | Hunting Dates | Zones | Dogs Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Season | Sept 23 - Oct 20 | All Zones | No |
| Young Sportsman Season | Oct 28-29 | Zone 1, 2, 3 | No |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Nov 18-21 | Zone 1, 2, 3 | No |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Oct 7-9, 14-15 | Zone 1 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Oct 7-10, 13-15 | Zone 2 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Sept 30-Oct 1, | Zone 3 | Yes |
| Oct 7-13 | |||
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Nov 6-13 | Zone 1 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Oct 30-Nov 3 | Zone 2, 3 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Nov 27-Dec 13 | Zone 1 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Nov 27-Dec 21 | Zone 2 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Nov 27-Dec 10 | Zone 3 | Yes |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season | Dec 28-31 | Zone 3 | Yes |
| Restrictive Bear Hunt | Sept 16-22 | Private lands within Kettlefoot/Laurel Fork Reserves | No |
Bobcat Season
| Tennessee Bobcat Season | Start Date | End Date | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 17-Nov-23 | 29-Feb-24 | 1 per day |
| Private Land | 23-Sep-23 | 16-Nov-23 | 1 per day |
Coyote Season
| Tennessee Coyote Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 1-Jan-23 | 31-Dec-23 | There is no closed season and no limit. |
Rabbit Season
| Tennessee Rabbit Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit and Hare | 4-Nov-23 | 29-Feb-24 | Limit of 5 bags per day |
Crane Season
| Tennessee Crane Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Zone | 2-Dec-23 | 30-Jan-24 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit |
| Southeast Zone | 2-Dec-23 | 11-Jan-24 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit |
| Southeast Zone | 15-Jan-24 | 30-Jan-24 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit |
Dove Season
| Tennessee Dove Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 1-Sep-23 | 28-Sep-23 | Bag limit 15 per day |
| Oct 14, 2023 | Nov 5, 2023 | Bag limit 15 per day | |
| 8-Dec-23 | 15-Jan-24 | Bag limit 15 per day |
Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers & Teal Season
| Tennessee Duck & Teal Season | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Duck/Teal | Sep 9-13, 2023 | 6 ducks per day (Not to exceed 2 wood ducks/day) |
| Teal-only | Sep 14-17, 2023 | 6 ducks per day |
| Ducks, Coots, and Merganser (Statewide) | Nov 25-26, 2023 | 6 ducks per day |
| Dec 5, 2023-Jan 31, 2024 | 6 ducks per day | |
| Youth Waterfowl | Feb 3, 2024 | All zones, ages 16 and under |
| Saturday, February 10, 2024 | All zones, ages 16 and under |
Goose Season
| Tennessee Goose-Season | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose: | |||
| Statewide | Sept. 1 – 17, 2023 | 5 in Sept. | 1 on opening day, 3 on other days |
| Statewide | Oct. 14 – 29, 2023 | 3 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Statewide | Nov. 25 – 26, 2023 | 3 | 1 on opening day, 3 on other days |
| Statewide | Dec. 5, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 | 3 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| White-Fronted Goose: | |||
| Statewide | Nov. 25 – 26, 2023 | 3 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Statewide | Dec. 5, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 | 3 | N/A |
| Brant: | |||
| Statewide | Sept. 1 – 17, 2023 | 1 | N/A |
| Statewide | Oct. 14 – 29, 2023 | 1 | N/A |
| Statewide | Nov. 25 – 26, 2023 | 1 | N/A |
| Statewide | Dec. 5, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 | 1 | N/A |
| Blue, Snow & Ross's Geese (Light Geese): | |||
| Statewide | Sept. 1 – 17, 2023 | 20 | 2 times the daily bag limit on second day |
| Statewide | Oct. 14 – 29, 2023 | 20 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Statewide | Nov. 25 – 26, 2023 | 20 | 2 times the daily bag limit on second day |
| Statewide | Dec. 5, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 | 20 | 3 times the daily bag limit |
| Light Goose Conservation Season* | Feb. 12 – Mar. 31, 2024 | no limit | no limit |
Grouse Season
| Tennessee Grouse Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse | Oct 14, 2023 | 29-Feb-24 | 3 bags maximum per day West of I-65, closed |
Quail Season
| Tennessee Quail Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite Quail | Nov 4, 2023 | 29-Feb-24 | Limit of 6 bags per day |
Turkey Season
| Tennessee Turkey Season | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey 2023: | ||
| Young Sportsmans | April 8-9, 2023 | 1 bearded turkey per day |
| General Season | April 15 - May 28, 2023 | 2 bearded turkeys, only one can be a jake |
| Spring Turkey 2024: | ||
| Young Sportsmans | April 6-7, 2024 | 1 bearded turkey per day |
| General Season | April 13 - May 26, 2024 | 2 bearded turkeys, only one can be a jake |
| Fall Turkey: | ||
| Fall Turkey | Sep. 23 - Oct. 27, 2023 | 1 bearded turkey per county |
| Fall Turkey | Oct. 30 - Nov. 3, 2023 | 1 bearded turkey per county |
| Fall Turkey | Oct. 14-27, 2023 | 1 bearded turkey per county |
Fall turkey hunting in Tennessee may be restricted to a few counties. In the spring, bag limitations may be changed, and seasons may be shortened. Visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s website to determine if your area is open to lawful hunting.
Hunting Seasons for Small Game in Tennessee.
| Tennessee Small Game | Hunting Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrel: | ||
| General Season | Aug 26 - March 15 | 10 |
| Spring Season (2024) | May 11 - June 9 | 10 |
| Rabbit: | ||
| General Season | Nov 4 - Feb 29 | 5 |
| Bullfrog: | ||
| Year-round | Year-round | 20 per person/night |
| Bullfrog (TWRA Managed Lakes): | ||
| TWRA Managed Lakes | June 1 - 30 | 20 per person/night |
TN Migratory Bird Season
| Migratory Birds Zone | Hunting Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Snadhill Crane (Statewide Zone) | Dec. 2, 2023 – Jan. 30, 2024 | |
| Snadhill Crane (Southeast Zone) | Dec. 2, 2023 - Jan. 11, 2024 & Jan. 15 – 30, 2024 | |
| Mourning Dove | Sep. 1 - 28, 2023 | 15 |
| Oct. 14 - Nov. 5, 2023 | ||
| Dec. 8, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024 | ||
| Woodcock | Nov. 11 - Dec. 3, 2023 | 3 |
| Jan. 10 - Jan. 31, 2024 | ||
| Crow | June 11 – July 12, 2023 (Fri, Sat. Sun. only) | No limit |
| Sep. 1 – Sep. 5, 2023 | ||
| Sep. 9 – Dec 20, 2023 (Fri., Sat., Sun. only) | ||
| Jan. 1 – Feb 28, 2024 | ||
| Snipe | Nov. 14, 2023 - Feb. 28, 2024 | 8 |
| Canada Goose | Sep. 1-17, 2023 | 5 |
| Wood Duck/Teal | Sep. 9-13, 2023 | 6 (not to exceed 2 wood ducks/day) |
| Teal-only | Sep. 14-17, 2023 | 6 |
| Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers: | Nov 25 - 26, 2023 & Dec 5, 2023 - Jan 31, 2024 | 6 |
| Veterans and Active Military: | Feb 4 and Feb. 11, 2024 | |
| Young Sportsman | Feb. 3, 2024 | All zones |
| Feb. 10, 2024 |
TN Furbearer Season
| Furbearer Species | Season | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Mink | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Otter | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Spotted Skunk | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Weasel | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | No limit |
| Bobcat (Statewide) | Nov 17, 2023 - Feb 29, 2024 | 1 per day |
| Bobcat (Private Land) | Sept 23, 2023 - Nov 16, 2023 | 1 per day |
| Armadillo | Allowed year-round | No limit |
| Beaver | Allowed year-round | No limit |
| Coyote | Allowed year-round | No limit |
| Groundhog | Allowed year-round | No limit |
| Striped Skunk | Allowed year-round | No limit |
| Raccoon (Private Land) | Sunset July 1, 2023 - Sunrise Sep 15, 2023 | Nightly bag: 2 |
| Raccoon (Statewide Season) | Sunset Sep 15, 2023 - Sunrise March 15, 2024 | Nightly bag: 4 |
| Raccoon (Training Season) | Year-round, except where prohibited by local ordinances | No take permitted |
Hunting Regulations
- Crow hunting is ideal during the first week of dove season. Crow hunters may find this time beneficial since crows are busier.
- Reviewing migratory bird seasons and bag limitations helps hunters comply and succeed. Understanding timeframes and restrictions can help you organize your hunting efforts.
- A new permanent permit for adopting families is available. The resource provides licensing cost details. Adoptive families may hunt together with this licence.
- The Tennessee CWD Incentive Program addresses CWD issues. To safeguard animal populations, the state must prioritize CWD research and monitoring.
- Unit CWD now covers Henderson County. Hunting in this region requires awareness of the increasing CWD prevalence and proper practice to avoid its spread.
- 7 Substitute Dollars CWD in this unit only survive one season. CWD rules are crucial for Unit 7 hunters. Responsible hunting and disease prevention need knowledge of CWD season.
- All Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) now enable veterans and current military members to shoot waterfowl during state waterfowl seasons as part of their general rules. Veterans and current military may hunt on WMAs following state restrictions.
- Antlerless deer may be shot during the firearm season in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park & Natural Area in Region I and Eagle Lake Refuge Bomprezzi Area. This upgrade allows hunters in certain locations to shoot antlerless deer and help wildlife management.
- Hunting for big game requires wearing at least 500 square inches of orange, with the exception of turkeys or when using a bow and arrow.
TWRA Hunting License in Tennessee
| Annual - (License) | (Resident) | (Nonresident) |
|---|---|---|
| (Sportsman) | USD 165 | Not Applicable |
| (Big Game) | USD 33 | Not Applicable |
| (Muzzleloader) | Not Applicable | |
| (All Game) | Not Applicable | USD 305 |
| (Big Game Gun) | USD 33 | Not Applicable |
| (Big Game Archery) | USD 33 | Not Applicable |
Go to page https://gooutdoorstennessee.com/ to get your Tennessee license.
TWRA Fishing and Hunting Licenses can be purchased online.
Annual licenses and permits, unless otherwise specified, are only valid for a full year from the date of purchase. For instance, buying an annual license on February 1st will be good until February 1st of the following year, or a full 12 months. For instance, a migratory bird ticket has a fixed expiration date that is constant regardless of when it was obtained. Verify the start and end dates of the licenses before you pay.
Patrons already in our possession:
The last four digits of a user’s Social Security number and date of birth serve as their login credentials, which are accepted both within and outside the nation. For other sign-in choices, choose “Use Different Info to Sign In” beneath the submit button.
Target Audience Members:
Customers must create a TWRA account to start the purchase process, regardless of whether they are local or visiting from another location. Tennessee hunters and anglers need a Social Security number.
Customers who want to be considered residents for fishing and hunting permits must have a current Tennessee driver’s license or another photo ID issued by the state of Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Safety checks residency using an online database.
Juveniles:
Kids and teens under sixteen may use the procedures listed here to find or establish a TWRA account.
Information about how to contact them:
- Call 1-888-891-8972 for help with logging in.
- TWRA Resources: Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Licenses that are digitally issued.
You can trust that the digital copy of your license you get through email is a true and accurate copy of the original document. When you log in and choose the “reprint my license” option, a second license email will be delivered to you.
Anytime, day or night, anybody may utilize the online harvest reporting system.
Customers must assess the game’s quality before the harvest day is through. All you have to do is log in and click the link if you wish to report a harvest.
Resources that are beneficial.
https://license.gooutdoorstennessee.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx is the official state website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the opening day of Tennessee Hunting Season 2023-2024?
The Tennessee Hunting Season will begin on Saturday, September 10, 2023.
Can I hunt deer with a rifle in Tennessee?
Rifles are indeed permitted for deer shooting in certain units. Reviewing the rules for the unit you want to hunt in is vital since there may be limitations on caliber and ammo type.
Are there any special hunting seasons for youth hunters?
For several species, there are indeed designated juvenile hunting seasons. Young hunters have the chance to take part in hunting activities throughout these seasons. Please refer to the rules for the dates and conditions of the youth hunting season.
Can I hunt migratory birds in Tennessee?
Yes, migratory birds, including ducks, geese, and doves, may be hunted in various ways in Tennessee.
Can I hunt with dogs during the Tennessee Hunting Season?
Yes, you can hunt with dogs for certain animals like bobcats and raccoons.
Can I go hunting all year in Tennessee on my property?
No, landowners must adhere to Tennessee’s hunting season dates and bag limitations even while hunting on their property.
Can I go deer hunting in Tennessee without a license on my property?
No, according to state wildlife rules in Tennessee, landowner consent is required before hunting or trapping on private property.
Dates & Regulations Source: Tennessee TWRA
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