Hunting Seasons & Licensing · TN
Tennessee Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonTennessee offers diverse hunting across three distinct regions — mountainous East Tennessee, the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, and the flat lowlands of West Tennessee. The state has approximately 250,000 deer hunters and manages over 90 Wildlife Management Areas. Tennessee is known for excellent white-tailed deer and wild turkey hunting, with growing bear populations in the eastern mountains. The state also offers good waterfowl hunting in the western part of the state along the Mississippi Flyway.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 27 – Oct 31 & Nov 24 – Jan 11, 2026 | 3 antlered + unlimited antlerless (varies by unit) | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Gun | Nov 22 – Jan 4, 2026 | 3 antlered + unlimited antlerless (unit-specific) | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Nov 1 – Nov 21, 2025 | Included in season total | Muzzleloader only |
| Black Bear | General | Oct through Dec (varies by unit) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No closed season on private land | No limit | Any legal firearm, bow, trapping |
White-tailed Deer (Gun): Season structure varies by unit. Check county-specific regulations.
Black Bear (General): East Tennessee mountains only. Season dates and methods vary by unit.
Feral Hog (Year-round): TWRA does not encourage hog hunting on public land to avoid spreading the population
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring (youth) | Mar 28 – Mar 29, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 4 – May 10, 2026 | 3 bearded turkeys (1 per day) | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Fall): Select counties only
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 8 – Feb 28, 2026 | 6 daily | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep 1 – Oct 18 & Nov 22 – Nov 30 & Dec 13 – Jan 15, 2026 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Oct 11 – Feb 28, 2026 | 3 daily | Shotgun |
Mourning Dove (General): Split season
Ruffed Grouse (General): East Tennessee mountains
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Nov through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Mississippi Flyway. Reelfoot Lake is a premier waterfowl destination.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Nov 8 – Feb 28, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Aug 23 – Feb 28, 2026 | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Hunting License | $34 | — |
| Non-Resident Annual Hunting License | $196 | — |
| Resident Big Game License (deer + turkey) | $33 | — |
| Non-Resident Big Game License | $176 | — |
| Non-Resident 3-Day All Game License | $111 | — |
| Youth (under 13) | Free | Must hunt with licensed adult |
| Youth (13–15) | $7 | — |
| Senior (65+) | $10 (sportsman license) | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most Tennessee hunting licenses and permits are available over the counter. No drawing system is required for standard deer or turkey permits. Special quota hunts on Wildlife Management Areas require an application through the TWRA quota hunt system. There is no preference point system. Tennessee offers a Type A and Type B WMA permit system for access to different management areas during specific hunts.
Harvest Reporting
Tennessee requires mandatory harvest reporting (Tennessee Telechecking) for all deer, turkey, and bear within 24 hours of harvest. Report through the TWRA app, website, or by phone. Each harvest receives a confirmation number. CWD surveillance sampling is conducted at voluntary check stations.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Regional hotlines — West TN: 1-800-831-1173 / Middle TN: 1-800-255-8972 / East TN: 1-800-831-1174
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.