Do you want to prepare for the 2023 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 | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (August Hunt) | Friday, August 26, 2022 | Sunday, August 28, 2022 | Except in Unit CWD, where firearms and muzzleloaders are permitted and certain public areas are added available for hunting, hunting is solely permitted on private grounds and only with an arrow. For further information, see the rules. |
| Deer (Archery-1) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Friday, October 28, 2022 | For further information, see the rules. |
| Deer (Young Sportsman-1) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Children aged 6 to 16 are eligible to join. Youth participants may utilize G/M/A (gun, muzzleloader, and archery) equipment. For further information, see the rules. |
| Deer (Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery) | Monday, October 31, 2022 | Friday, January 13, 2023 | Object CWD. With the exception of landowners hunting under the landowner exemption (as outlined in T.C.A. 70-2-204) and owners of Sportsman Licenses, a Type 094 permit is necessary to shoot antlerless deer during this season. |
| Deer (Archery-2) | Monday, October 31, 2022 | Friday, November 04, 2022 | For further information, see the rules. |
| Deer (Muzzleloader and Archery) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Friday, November 18, 2022 | For further information, see the rules. |
| Deer (Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | Units (A, B, C, D, & L). With the exception of landowners hunting under the landowner exemption (as outlined in T.C.A. 70-2-204) and owners of Sportsman Licenses, a Type 094 permit is necessary to shoot antlerless deer during this season. |
| Deer (Private Lands Only) | Monday, January 09, 2023 | Friday, January 13, 2023 | All privately held areas in Unit L and Unit CWD are open to hunting (including leased land and lands owned by individuals). All hunters are required to have verbal or written authorization before hunting on privately owned property. |
| Deer (Young Sportsman-2) | Saturday, January 14, 2023 | Sunday, January 15, 2023 | Children aged 6 to 16 are eligible to join. Youth participants may utilize G/M/A (gun, muzzleloader, and archery) equipment. For further information, see the rules. |
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 | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk (Archery) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Friday, September 30, 2022 | Per permit, there is a 1 antlered elk bag limit. |
| Elk (Youth) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 07, 2022 | Per permit, there is a 1 antlered elk bag limit. |
| Elk (Any Weapon) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 | Per permit, there is a 1 antlered elk bag limit. |
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 | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear (Archery) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Friday, October 21, 2022 | Zone 1, 2, 3, 4. No dogs permitted. |
| Bear (Segment-1 E) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-3 |
| Bear (Segment-1 A) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Monday, October 03, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-1 |
| Bear (Segment-1 F) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-3 |
| Bear (Segment-1 C) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Tuesday, October 11, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-2 |
| Bear (Segment-1 B) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-1 |
| Bear (Segment-1 D) | Friday, October 14, 2022 | Sunday, October 16, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-2 |
| Bear (Youth) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Zone 1, 2, 3 (No dogs permitted.) |
| Bear (Segment-2 B) | Monday, October 31, 2022 | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-2 and 3. |
| Bear (Segment-2 A) | Monday, November 07, 2022 | Monday, November 14, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-1 |
| Bear (Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Tuesday, November 22, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-2 (No dogs permittted) |
| Bear (Segment-3 B) | Monday, November 28, 2022 | Thursday, December 22, 2022 | |
| Bear (Segment-3 C) | Monday, November 28, 2022 | Sunday, December 11, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-3 |
| Bear (Segment-3 A) | Monday, November 28, 2022 | Wednesday, December 14, 2022 | Bear Hunt Zone-1 |
| Bear (Segment-4) | Thursday, December 29, 2022 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Bear Hunt Zone-3 |
Bobcat Season
| Tennessee Bobcat Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Friday, November 18, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Bag limit 1 per day. (Pelts need to be tagged.) |
Coyote Season
| Tennessee Coyote Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | There is no closed season and no limit. |
Rabbit Season
| Tennessee Rabbit Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit and Hare | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Limit of 5 bags per day. |
Crane Season
| Tennessee Crane Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Crane-1 (Statewide) | Saturday, December 03, 2022 | Thursday, January 12, 2023 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit. |
| Sandhill Crane-– (Southeast Crane )Zone | Saturday, December 03, 2022 | Thursday, January 12, 2023 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit. |
| Sandhill Crane-– (Southeast Crane Zone 2) | Monday, January 16, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | The number of tags given to the hunter is the bag limit. |
Dove Season
| Tennessee Dove Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove (Part-1) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | Bag limit 15 per day. |
| Dove (Part-2) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 30, 2022 | Bag limit 15 per day. |
| Dove (Part-3) | Thursday, December 08, 2022 | Sunday, January 15, 2023 | Bag limit 15 per day. |
Duck & Teal Season
| Tennessee Duck & Teal Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (Wood Duck & Teal) | Saturday, September 10, 2022 | Wednesday, September 14, 2022 | Both statewide and in the Reelfoot Duck Zone.( Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
| Duck (Teal Only) | Thursday, September 15, 2022 | Sunday, September 18, 2022 | Both statewide and in the Reelfoot Duck Zone.(Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
| Duck (All Part-1) | Saturday, November 26, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Reelfoot Duck Zone.( Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
| Duck (All Part-2) | Monday, December 05, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Duck Zone statewide. ( Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
| Duck (Youth Waterfowl-1) | Saturday, February 04, 2023 | Saturday, February 04, 2023 | Both statewide and in the Reelfoot Duck Zone.(Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
| Duck (Youth Waterfowl-2) | Saturday, February 11, 2023 | Saturday, February 11, 2023 | Both statewide and in the Reelfoot Duck Zone.(Limit of 6 bags per day.) |
Goose Season
| Tennessee Goose-Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose-1 | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Sunday, September 18, 2022 | (Canada, Brant, and Light Geese.) Statewide and Reelfoot Zone. |
| Goose-2 | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | (Statewide and Reelfoot Zone. Canada, Brant, and Light Geese.) |
| Goose-4 | Saturday, November 26, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | (Canada, Brant, and Light Geese.) Statewide and Reelfoot Zone. |
| Goose-3 | Saturday, November 26, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Statewide Zone. Canada, Brant, and Light Geese. |
| Goose-5 | Monday, December 05, 2022 | Sunday, February 12, 2023 | Statewide and Reelfoot Zone. Canada, Brant, and Light Geese. |
| Goose (Youth Waterfowl-1) | Saturday, February 04, 2023 | Saturday, February 04, 2023 | All Geese |
| Goose (Youth Waterfowl-2) | Saturday, February 11, 2023 | Saturday, February 11, 2023 | All Geese |
| Goose (Light Goose-Conservation) | Monday, February 13, 2023 | Monday, March 20, 2023 | Blue, Snow, and Ross Geese |
Grouse Season
| Tennessee Grouse Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 3 bags maximum per day. West of I-65, closed. |
Quail Season
| Tennessee Quail Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite Quail | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Limit of 6 bags per day. |
Turkey Season
| Tennessee Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Fall Archery-1) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Friday, October 28, 2022 | Bag limit: 1 turkey (either sex). Some countiesare closed. |
| Turkey (Fall Shotgun) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Friday, October 28, 2022 | Bag limit: 1 turkey (either sex). Some countiesare closed. |
| Turkey (Fall Archery-2) | Monday, October 31, 2022 | Friday, November 04, 2022 | Bag limit: 1 turkey (either sex). Some countiesare closed. |
| Turkey (Spring Youth) | Saturday, April 08, 2023 | Sunday, April 09, 2023 | |
| Turkey (Spring General) | Saturday, April 15, 2023 | Sunday, May 28, 2023 | Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Wayne Counties with the MAV Unit. For further information, see the rules. |
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 | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel | Sunday, August 27, 2023 | Wednesday, March 15, 2023 | 10 |
| Spring Squirrel 2023 | Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 10 |
| Rabbit | Sunday, November 05, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 5 |
| Grouse | Sunday, October 08, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 3 |
| Quail | Sunday, November 05, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 6 |
| Beaver | Throughout the year | None | |
| Coyote | Throughout the year | None | |
| Groundhog | Throughout the year | None | |
| Striped Skunk | Throughout the year | None | |
| Armadillo | Throughout the year | None | |
| Fox | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Mink | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Muskrat | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Otter | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Spotted Skunk | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Weasel | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | None |
| Raccoon Private Lands Only | July 1 Sunset | September 16 Sunrise | 2 |
| Raccoon Taking Season | September 16 Sunset | Wednesday, March 15, 2023 | 4 |
| Opossum Private Lands Only | July 1 Sunset | Sept 16 Sunrise | 2 |
| Opossum Taking Season | September 16 Sunset | Wednesday, March 15, 2023 | 4 |
| Bobcat2 Private Lands Only4 | Sunday, September 24, 2023 | Friday, November 17, 2023 | 1 |
| Bobcat | Saturday, November 18, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 1 |
| Bullfrog | year-round | Except state lakes3 | 20 |
TN Migratory Bird Season
| Tennessee Migratory Bird Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove (Opens at noon on Sept 1) | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Thursday, September 28, 2023 | A bag limit of 15.There is no daily bag or possession restriction on Eurasian collared doves, however any birds that cannot be positively identified as Eurasian collared doves will be counted as mourning doves. It is necessary to get a Migratory Bird Permit in the State of Tennessee (license type 006 or 007). |
| Sunday, October 08, 2023 | Monday, October 30, 2023 | A bag limit of 15.There is no daily bag or possession restriction on Eurasian collared doves, however any birds that cannot be positively identified as Eurasian collared doves will be counted as mourning doves. It is necessary to get a Migratory Bird Permit in the State of Tennessee (license type 006 or 007). | |
| Friday, December 08, 2023 | Sunday, January 15, 2023 | A bag limit of 15.There is no daily bag or possession restriction on Eurasian collared doves, however any birds that cannot be positively identified as Eurasian collared doves will be counted as mourning doves. It is necessary to get a Migratory Bird Permit in the State of Tennessee (license type 006 or 007). | |
| Woodcock | Sunday, November 12, 2023 | Monday, December 04, 2023 | A bag limit of 3. It is necessary to get a Migratory Bird Permit in the State of Tennessee (license type 006 or 007). |
| Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | ||
| Gallinule and Moorhen | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Thursday, November 09, 2023 | A bag limit of 15. It is necessary to get a Migratory Bird Permit in the State of Tennessee (license type 006 or 007). |
| Crow | Sunday, June 11, 2023 | Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | no limit, (Hunting allowed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.) |
| Friday, September 01, 2023 | Tuesday, September 05, 2023 | no limit | |
| Sunday, September 10, 2023 | Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | no limit, (Hunting allowed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.) | |
| Sunday, January 01, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | no limit | |
| Rails (Virginia and Sora) | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Thursday, November 09, 2023 | A bag limit of 25 |
| Snipe | Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | A bag limit of 8 |
Hunting Regulations
- Important changes have been made for the 2021–2022 hunting and trapping seasons.
- First, there will be a lot of changes in how waterfowl hunting is permitted on public lands. This document contains the general guidelines for Wildlife Management Areas.
- Two, crow hunting could be better the first week of dove season.
- Third, have a look at the seasons and bag limits for migratory birds.
- Four, there is a brand-new, permanent permit available to adoptive families. Pricing for Licenses is Listed Here.
- Fifth, we have the CWD Incentive Program. CWD should be investigated in the Volunteer State.
- The jurisdiction of Unit CWD has been extended to encompass all of Henderson County. You should check for CWD in Tennessee.
- Unit 7 Substitute Dollars CWD only live during one season. Check for CWD in Tennessee.
- To number eight, all WMAs now allow veteran and current military waterfowl hunts during state waterfowl seasons. This document contains the general regulations for wildlife management areas.
- At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park & Natural Area (located in Region I) and Eagle Lake Refuge Bomprezzi Area, antlerless deer are now legal to hunt with a firearm during the state’s firearm season (see Region I).
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.
TN Fishing and Hunting Licenses can be purchased online.
Unless otherwise stated, annual licenses and permits are only good for a full year after they are purchased. If you purchase an annual license on February 1st, for example, it will be valid for a full 12 months, ending on February 1st of the following year. A migratory bird permit, for instance, has a set expiry date that does not change regardless of when it was received. Before you check out, be sure to verify the licenses’ start and end dates.
Patrons already in our possession:
Login credentials consist of a user’s date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number, and are valid both inside and outside of the country. (Choose “Use Different Info to Sign In” underneath the submit button for further sign-in options.)
Target Audience Members:
Customers, whether local or from out of town, must sign up for a TWRA account before they may begin the purchasing process. The state of Tennessee requires a Social Security number in order to get a hunting or fishing license.
Customers must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License or other State of Tennessee issued Photo ID in order to be deemed a Resident for fishing and hunting licenses. The state of Tennessee’s Department of Safety uses an online database to check residence.
Juveniles:
Children and teenagers under the age of sixteen may use the following steps to locate or create 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 issued electronically.
When you get a digital copy of your driver’s license through email, be assured that it is an authentic and legitimate copy of your original license. A second license email will be sent to you when you log in and click the “reprint my license” button.
The online harvest reporting system is accessible anytime, day or night.
Before the end of the harvest day, customers must check the quality of the game. If you want to report a harvest, all you have to do is sign in and click the link.
Regulations for hunting in Tennessee.
Except for turkey hunting or using a bow and arrow, hunters of large game must wear at least 500 square inches of orange.
Resources that are beneficial.
https://license.gooutdoorstennessee.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx is the official state website.