Tennessee Game Season Breakdown 2025-2026 – Wildlife & Dates
Welcome to your comprehensive guide to hunting in the Volunteer State! Whether you’re a seasoned Tennessee hunter or planning your first expedition through our beautiful forests and fields, this guide provides everything you need to know about hunting seasons, regulations, licenses, and wildlife management zones for 2025. We’ve compiled the official dates, bag limits, and essential information directly from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to help you plan a successful and legal hunting adventure.
Tennessee offers diverse hunting opportunities across its varied landscapes, from the misty mountains of East Tennessee to the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee and the western lowlands. The state manages different wildlife units to ensure sustainable populations of deer, turkey, bear, and small game. This guide covers the major hunting seasons, license requirements, and regulations to help you navigate the latest hunting calendar.
Tennessee Hunting Season Quick Reference: Key Species Summary
| Species | Season Opens | Season Closes | Method | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🦌 Deer (Archery) | Aug 22 | Jan 4 | Archery/Muzzleloader/Gun | 2 antlered, varies antlerless |
| 🐻 Black Bear | Sept 20 | Dec 28 | All methods | 1 per season |
| 🦃 Spring Turkey | April 11 | May 24 | Shotgun/Archery | 2 males (1 jake max) |
| 🦆 Waterfowl | Nov 29 | Jan 31 | Shotgun | 6 ducks daily |
| 🐰 Rabbit | Nov 1 | Feb 28 | All methods | 5 daily |
| 🐿️ Squirrel | Aug 23 | March 15 | All methods | 10 daily |
Big Game: Archery & Rifle 🎯
Whitetail Deer Management Units 🦌
Tennessee divides the state into six Deer Management Units (DMUs), each with specific regulations:
Unit 1: Western counties including Shelby, Madison, and Obion Units 2-3: Middle Tennessee counties Units 4-6: Eastern mountain counties
2025-2026 Deer Schedule:
• Early Archery (Antlered Only): Aug 22-24 📅 • Regular Archery: Sept 27-Oct 24, Oct 27-Nov 7 🏹 • Youth Weekend: Oct 25-26, Jan 10-11 (Ages 6-16) 👦👧 • Muzzleloader/Archery: Nov 8-21 🔫 • General Gun: Nov 22-Jan 4 🎯
Antlerless Bag Limits: Units 1-3 allow 3 per day, while Units 4-6 permit 2-4 depending on the timeframe.
Black Bear Opportunities 🐻
The Volunteer State offers excellent bear opportunities across five Bear Hunt Zones (BHZ):
Bear Season Dates 2025:
• Restricted Reserve Hunt: Sept 20-26 (Private land only) 🏞️ • No Dogs Archery: Sept 27-Oct 24 (All zones) 🏹
• Youth Weekend: Oct 25-26 (Ages 6-16) 👦👧 • Dogs Allowed: Oct 4-Dec 17 (Various dates by zone) 🐕 • Late General: Nov 22-25, Dec 13-14 🔫
Remember: One bear per season, cubs under 75 pounds are protected! 🚫
Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth 🦃
Spring Gobbler Action (2026)
Spring turkey provides some of the most exciting outdoor experiences Tennessee offers:
• Youth Weekend: April 4-5 (Ages 6-16) 🎪 • General Season: April 11-May 24 🌸 • Bag Limit: 2 male turkeys maximum (only one jake allowed) 🎟️
Fall Turkey Opportunities (2025)
Fall turkey season targets mature gobblers specifically:
• Archery: Sept 27-Oct 24, Oct 27-Nov 7 🏹 • Shotgun/Archery: Oct 11-24 🔫 • Bag Limit: 1 male turkey statewide 📊
Note: Fall season is closed in 11 western counties including Shelby and Tipton.
Furbearers 🦫
Tennessee’s furbearer opportunities provide year-round action for predator enthusiasts:
Year-Round Species:
• Coyote: No closed season, no limit 🐺 • Beaver: Year-round, no limit 🦫
• Groundhog: Year-round, no limit 🐹 • Armadillo: Year-round, no limit 🦔
Regular Season (Nov 21-Feb 28):
• Bobcat: 1 per day limit 🐱 • Fox: No limit 🦊 • Mink: No limit 🦡 • Muskrat: No limit 🐭 • River Otter: No limit 🦦
Special Night Seasons:
Private land only for coyote and bobcat during specific summer and winter periods! 🌙
Upland Birds 🕊️
Mourning Dove (Opens at Noon Sept 1):
• First Split: Sept 1-28 📅 • Second Split: Oct 11-Nov 2 🍂 • Third Split: Dec 8-Jan 15 ❄️ • Daily Limit: 15 birds 🎯
Additional Upland Species:
• Grouse: Oct 11-Feb 28 (3 daily) 🐦 • Quail: Nov 1-Feb 28 (6 daily) 🐓 • Woodcock: Nov 8-30, Jan 10-31 (3 daily) 🪶
Upland Animals 🐰
Small game provides excellent opportunities for beginners and seasoned outdoors enthusiasts alike:
Rabbit Season:
• Dates: Nov 1-Feb 28 📅 • Bag Limit: 5 daily 🥕 • Methods: All legal methods allowed 🎯
Squirrel Season:
• Fall/Winter: Aug 23-March 15 🍂❄️ • Spring: May 9-June 14 🌸 • Bag Limit: 10 daily 🌰
Other Small Games 🎯
| Species | Season | Daily Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Sept 19-March 15 | 4 nightly | Statewide |
| Opossum | July 1-March 15 | Varies | Private land differs |
| Snipe | Nov 14-Feb 28 | 8 | Migratory bird |
Migratory Birds 🛫
Tennessee’s position along major flyways creates outstanding migratory bird opportunities:
Rails and Gallinules:
• Season: Sept 1-Nov 9 📅 • Virginia/Sora Rails: 25 daily limit 📊 • Gallinule/Moorhen: 15 daily limit 🦆
Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese 🦆
Early Waterfowl Opportunities:
• Wood Duck/Teal: Sept 13-17 (6 daily, max 2 wood ducks) 🦆 • Canada Goose Early: Sept 1-21 (5 daily) 🪿
Regular Waterfowl Season:
• Ducks/Coots/Mergansers: Nov 29-30, Dec 5-Jan 31 📅 • Daily Limit: 6 ducks with species restrictions 🎯 • Canada Goose: Oct 11-22, Nov 29-Feb 14 (3 daily) 🪿
Light Geese:
• Regular Season: Sept 1-21, Oct 11-22, Nov 29-Feb 14 (20 daily) ☁️ • Conservation Season: Feb 15-March 31 (No limit!) 🚫📊
Other Waterfowls 🌊
Special Waterfowl Opportunities:
• Youth Waterfowl: Feb 7 & 14 (Ages 16 and under) 👦👧 • Veteran/Military: Feb 1 & 8 🎖️ • White-fronted Goose: Nov 29-Feb 14 (3 daily) 🪿 • Brant: Multiple splits (1 daily) 🦆
More Games 🎮
Sandhill Crane:
• Statewide Zone: Dec 3-Jan 31 📅 • Southeast Zone: Dec 3-Jan 15, Jan 19-31 🗺️ • Requirement: Quota permit mandatory! 🎟️
🗺️ Tennessee Hunting Zones Map
Tennessee is divided into multiple wildlife management zones to facilitate proper game management. The state has 6 deer management units and multiple bear hunting zones (BHZ). These divisions help TWRA manage wildlife populations according to habitat differences and population densities.
For detailed zone maps and boundaries, visit the TWRA Wildlife Management Areas page.
🎟️ License Information
To hunt legally in Tennessee, you’ll need the appropriate licenses and permits. Here’s what you need to know:
Resident License Fees
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual Hunting and Fishing Combination (ages 16-64) | $33.00 |
| Annual Sportsman (ages 16-64) | $165.00 |
| Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap (Ages 13-15) | $9.00 |
| Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (65+) | $4.00 |
| Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (65+) | $49.00 |
| Supplemental Big Game Gun License | $33.00 |
| Supplemental Big Game Archery License | $33.00 |
| Supplemental Big Game Muzzleloader License | $33.00 |
| Supplemental Waterfowl License | $37.00 |
Wildlife Management Area Permits
| Permit Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| WMA Small Game / Waterfowl | $61.00 |
| WMA Small Game / Waterfowl 1-Day | $12.00 |
| WMA Small Game Only | $20.00 |
| WMA Big Game (Non-quota) | $24.00 |
License Requirements
- Tennessee residents must possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license or have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the intent of making Tennessee their permanent home.
- A Social Security Number is required by federal law to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
- Processing fees apply to all license purchases, ranging from $.50 to $5.00.
License Exemptions
- Residents or nonresidents under 13 years of age
- Landowners, their spouses, children, and children’s spouses who hunt on their own farmland
- Resident grandchildren and great-grandchildren (under 16) who hunt on farmland owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents
- Military personnel on leave (must carry leave orders)
- Residents born before March 1, 1926
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need special tags for deer hunting in Tennessee?
A: Tennessee doesn’t use a traditional tag system. Instead, hunters must report their harvest through the TWRA mobile app, online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, or by calling 1-800-TAG-TWRA within 24 hours of the harvest.
Q: Can I hunt on public land in Tennessee?
A: Yes, Tennessee offers numerous Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for public hunting. Most require a WMA permit in addition to your hunting license, except for Lifetime or Annual Sportsman License holders.
Q: Are there night hunting opportunities in Tennessee?
A: Limited night hunting is allowed for certain species. For 2025, there’s a special night season for coyotes and bobcats from January 18 – March 9 and June 7 – August 10 on private lands only.
Q: What are the CWD regulations in Tennessee?
A: Tennessee has specific regulations for areas affected by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Hunters should be aware of carcass transportation restrictions from these areas. Visit CWDinTennessee.com for current information.
Q: Do youth hunters need a license?
A: Hunters under 13 years of age do not need a license. Those 13-15 need a Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license. Youth under 16 hunting small game and waterfowl on WMAs don’t need a WMA permit but must be accompanied by an adult with a valid permit.
Related Pages
- Complete Hunting Seasons Guide
- Kentucky Hunting Seasons
- Georgia Hunting Seasons
- Alabama Hunting Seasons
- North Carolina Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts for Tennessee Hunters
As you prepare for your hunting adventures in Tennessee, remember that regulations can change, and it’s always best to verify current rules before heading out. The Volunteer State offers incredible hunting opportunities across diverse landscapes, from the mountainous eastern region to the western flatlands.
Always practice ethical hunting, respect private property, and follow all safety guidelines. Make sure to properly identify your target before taking a shot, and report your harvest according to TWRA requirements. By following regulations and practicing conservation principles, you help ensure that Tennessee’s rich hunting traditions continue for generations to come.
Good luck, be safe, and enjoy Tennessee’s beautiful outdoors! 🏹 🦌 🦃
Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
