Tennessee boasts extensive and exciting wildlife seasons, notably featuring one of the lengthiest deer-hunting periods in the U.S. For essential dates and regulations in 2023, visit this guide, offering concise information for both beginners and seasoned hunters.
Tennessee Hunting Seasons
In addition to deer, Tennessee provides a diverse range of small game and turkey opportunities throughout the year. The state also features a trapping season for numerous small game species.
Deer
| Method | Units | Bag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 25-27 | A, B, C, D, L | 2 antlered deer per day, no more than 1 per day |
| Sep 23-Oct 27 | Antlerless bag: Units A, B, C, & D = 4; Unit L = 3 per day, no season limit | ||
| Sep 23-Oct 27 | CWD | Antlerless bag: 3 per day, no season limit | |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Aug 25-27 | 2 antlered per day, no more than 1 per day (on private lands and select public lands) | |
| Oct 30-Jan 12, Jan 15-30 | Antlerless bag: 3 per day | ||
| 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 | |
| Jan 8-12 | Private Lands Only*** | Unit L | |
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 Young Sportsman** | Oct 28-29, Jan 13-14 | Statewide | Antlerless bag: Units A, B, C, & D = 2; Units L & CWD = 3 per day |
- * 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.
- ** 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 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, with a daily limit of one. Under 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 the state.
For a comprehensive overview of the state’s deer season, check out our article TN deer hunting season on our website.
Elk
| Archery | Sep 30 - Oct 6 | Permit of 7 | 1 antlered elk |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Oct 14 - 20 | ||
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Young Sportsman (resident only, ages 13-16) | Oct 7 - 13 | Permit of 1 |
Note: Elk games here are quota hunts, meaning there is a limit on the number of hunters and the kind of permits they may use.
Bear
| Dates | Zones | Dogs Allowed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Sept 23 - Oct 20 | All | No |
| Young Sportsman | Oct 28-29 | 1, 2, 3 | |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery | Nov 18-21 | 1, 2, 3 | |
| Oct 7-9, 14-15 | 1 | Yes | |
| Oct 7-10, 13-15 | 2 | ||
| Sept 30-Oct 1, Oct 7-13 | 3 | ||
| Nov 6-13 | 1 | ||
| Oct 30-Nov 3 | 2, 3 | ||
| Nov 27-Dec 13 | 1 | ||
| Nov 27-Dec 21 | 2 | ||
| Nov 27-Dec 10 | 3 | ||
| Dec 28-31 | 3 | ||
| Sept 16-22 | Private lands within Kettlefoot/Laurel Fork Reserves | No | |
| Restrictive Bear Hunt |
Turkey
| Spring 2024: | ||
| Young Sportsmans | April 6-7, 2024 | 1 bearded turkey per day |
| General Season | April 13 - May 26 | 2 bearded turkeys, only one can be a jake |
| Fall | Sep. 23 - Oct. 27 | 1 bearded turkey per county |
| Oct. 30 - Nov. 3 | ||
| Oct. 14-27 |
Fall turkey season in Tennessee may be restricted to a few counties. In the spring, bag limitations may be changed, and seasons may be shortened. Visit the TN Wildlife Resources Agency’s website to determine if your area is open to lawful hunting.
Quails
| Nov 4 - 29-Feb | 6 per day |
Migratory Birds & Waterfowls
| Zones | Schedule | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Snadhill Crane (Statewide) | Dec. 2, 2023 – Jan. 30, 2024 | |
| Snadhill Crane (Southeast) | 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 |
Goose
| Statewide | Schedule | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose | Sept. 1 – 17 | 5 in Sept. | 1 on opening day, 3 on other days |
| Oct. 14 – 29 | 3 | 6 | |
| Nov. 25 – 26 | 3 | 1 on opening day, 3 on other days | |
| Dec. 5 – Feb. 11 | 3 | 6 | |
| White-Fronted | Nov. 25 – 26 | 3 | 6 |
| Dec. 5 – Feb. 11 | 3 | N/A | |
| Brant | Sept. 1 – 17 | 1 | N/A |
| Oct. 14 – 29 | |||
| Nov. 25 – 26 | |||
| Dec. 5 – Feb. 11 | |||
| Blue, Snow & Ross's Geese (Light Geese) | Sept. 1 – 17 | 20 | 40 on second day |
| Nov. 25 – 26 | |||
| Oct. 14 – 29 | 60 | ||
| Dec. 5 – Feb. 11 | |||
| Light Goose Conservation Season* | Feb. 12 – Mar. 31 | no limit | no limit |
Furbearers
| Fox | Nov 17 - Feb 29 | No limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mink | ||
| Muskrat | ||
| Otter | ||
| Spotted Skunk | ||
| Weasel | ||
| Armadillo | Allowed year-round | |
| Beaver | ||
| Coyote | ||
| Groundhog | ||
| Striped Skunk | ||
| Bobcat (Statewide) | Nov 17 - Feb 29 | 1 per day |
| Bobcat (Private Land) | Sept 23 - Nov 16 | |
| Raccoon (Private Land) | Sunset July 1 - Sunrise Sep 15 | Nightly bag: 2 |
| Raccoon (Statewide Season) | Sunset Sep 15 - Sunrise March 15 | Nightly bag: 4 |
| Raccoon (Training Season) | Year-round, except where prohibited by local ordinances | No take permitted |
Hunting Regulations
- Crow activity peaks during the initial week of dove season, making it an optimal time for enthusiasts of crow pursuits.
- Familiarizing yourself with migratory bird schedules and bag limits is essential for compliance and successful wildlife observation.
- Families who have adopted can now obtain a permanent permit, allowing them to participate in outdoor activities together. Details on licensing costs are available.
- The Tennessee CWD Incentive Program addresses Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) concerns, emphasizing research and monitoring for population protection.
- Henderson County’s Unit CWD is now subject to increased prevalence. Individuals in this area must be vigilant to prevent the spread of CWD.
- In Unit 7, substitute dollars for CWD only last one season, necessitating adherence to crucial rules for responsible outdoor activities and disease prevention.
- Veterans and current military members are now permitted to waterfowl observe on all Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) during state waterfowl seasons, following general rules.
- Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park & Natural Area in Region I and Eagle Lake Refuge Bomprezzi Area now allow the observation of antlerless deer during firearm season, contributing to wildlife management.
- For big game observation, wearing at least 500 square inches of orange is mandatory, excluding turkeys and bow and arrow use.
TWRA Hunting License
| 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 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. Hunters and anglers here need a Social Security number.
Customers who want to be considered residents for fishing and hunting permits must have a current driver’s license or another photo ID issued by the state of Tennessee. The 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?
The Tennessee Hunting Season will begin on Saturday, September 10.
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?
Certain species have dedicated opportunities for young enthusiasts with specified juvenile observation periods. These periods provide young individuals the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities. Refer to the guidelines for specific dates and conditions related to youth participation.
Can I hunt migratory birds in Tennessee?
Yes, migratory birds, including ducks, geese, and doves, may be hunted in various ways.
Can I hunt with dogs in Tennessee?
Yes, you can hunt with dogs for certain animals like bobcats and raccoons.
Can I go hunting all year in Tennessee on my property?
Landowners, even when on their property, are obligated to follow Tennessee’s designated dates and bag limitations for outdoor activities.
Can I go deer hunting in Tennessee without a license on my property?
No, according to state wildlife rules, landowner consent is required before hunting or trapping on private property.
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