GuidedHunts

What Are the Big Game Hunting Seasons in Tennessee?

Updated June 2026161 packagesFrom $15018 outfitters

Quick answerTennessee's big game hunting seasons are set by species and weapon type. For example, the 2026 bear seasons begin in mid-September with specific windows for different hunting methods.

When planning your Tennessee big game hunt, it's crucial to know the specific season dates for your target animal and chosen weapon. For bear hunters in 2026, the action starts with a Restricted Bear Reserve Hunt from September 19th to September 25th, which is open for archery, muzzleloader, and rifle. This is immediately followed by an archery-only season for bear, which runs from September 26th through October 23rd.

Tennessee has specific regulations for legal hunting methods. For archery season, your arrows or bolts must be tipped with sharpened broadheads. If you're hunting with a muzzleloader, it must be .36 caliber or larger. For rifle hunts, you can use centerfire ammunition, but full metal jacketed rounds are prohibited. Always be sure to check the latest regulations before your hunt.

Securing the proper license is a key step. For non-residents, a 7-Day All Game license is available, while an Annual All Game license is another option. Tennessee residents can choose from several licenses, including the Annual Sportsman license for adults or the Junior Hunt, Fish & Trap license for ages 13-15.

If you're looking for a guided experience, Tennessee has some excellent, highly-rated outfitters. Standing Rock Hunting Lodge and Caryonah Hunting Lodge are two top choices that offer a variety of hunting packages. Guided hunts in the state can range from affordable day hunts to all-inclusive lodge experiences, ensuring there's an option for every type of hunter.

Ready to plan your trip? Explore dozens of professionally guided big game hunts in Tennessee to find the perfect adventure for the upcoming season.

Big Game seasons in Tennessee

Season dates

Bear17 seasons

SeasonZone / RegionMethodDatesLimits
Restricted Bear Reserve HuntStatewidearchery, muzzleloader, rifleSep 19 – Sep 25Season1 bear either sex
Bear Hunt - Archery Only (Still Hunting)TN Bear Hunting Zone 1TN Bear Hunting Zone 2TN Bear Hunting Zone 3TN Bear Hunting Zone 4TN Bear Hunting Zone 5archerySep 26 – Oct 23Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 1archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 3 – Oct 5Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 2archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 3 – Oct 18Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 3 – Oct 4Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 1archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 10 – Oct 11Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 10 – Oct 16Season1 bear either sex per year
Young Sportsman Bear Hunt (Still Hunting)TN Bear Hunting Zone 1TN Bear Hunting Zone 2TN Bear Hunting Zone 3TN Bear Hunting Zone 4TN Bear Hunting Zone 5archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 31 – Nov 1Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 2TN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 2 – Nov 6Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 1archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 9 – Nov 16Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting)TN Bear Hunting Zone 1TN Bear Hunting Zone 2TN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 21 – Nov 24Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 1archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 30 – Dec 16Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 2archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 30 – Dec 15Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 30 – Dec 13Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 4archery, muzzleloader, rifleDec 12 – Dec 13Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting)TN Bear Hunting Zone 5archery, muzzleloader, rifleDec 12 – Dec 13Season1 bear either sex per year
Bear Hunt - Dogs PermittedTN Bear Hunting Zone 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleDec 31 – Jan 3Season1 bear either sex per year

Deer19 seasons

SeasonZone / RegionMethodDatesLimits
August Archery Only (Velvet) HuntStatewidearcheryAug 28 – Aug 30Bag1 per daySeason2
Archery Deer SeasonStatewidearcherySep 26 – Oct 30Bag1 per daySeason2
Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3archerySep 26 – Nov 6Bag3 per day
Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 4TN Deer Unit 5TN Deer Unit 6archerySep 26 – Nov 6Season4
Young Sportsman Deer HuntStatewidearchery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 31 – Nov 1Bag1 per daySeason2
Young Sportsman Deer HuntTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 31 – Nov 1Bag3 per day
Young Sportsman Deer HuntTN Deer Unit 4TN Deer Unit 5TN Deer Unit 6archery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 31 – Jan 10Season2 antlerless deer for the four days combined
Archery Deer SeasonStatewidearcheryNov 2 – Nov 6Bag1 per daySeason2
Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonStatewidearchery, muzzleloaderNov 7 – Nov 20Bag1 per daySeason2
Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3archery, muzzleloaderNov 7 – Nov 20Bag3 per day
Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 4TN Deer Unit 5TN Deer Unit 6archery, muzzleloaderNov 7 – Nov 20Season2
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonStatewidearchery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 21 – Jan 3Bag1 per daySeason2
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 21 – Jan 3Bag3 per day
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 4TN Deer Unit 5TN Deer Unit 6archery, muzzleloader, rifleNov 21 – Jan 3Season2
Young Sportsman Deer HuntStatewidearchery, muzzleloader, rifleJan 9 – Jan 10Bag1 per daySeason2
Young Sportsman Deer HuntTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3archery, muzzleloader, rifleJan 9 – Jan 10Bag3 per day
Straight-Walled Rifle Deer SeasonStatewiderifleNov 14 – Nov 20Bag1 per daySeason2
Straight-Walled Rifle Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 1TN Deer Unit 2TN Deer Unit 3rifleNov 14 – Nov 20Bag3 per day
Straight-Walled Rifle Deer SeasonTN Deer Unit 4TN Deer Unit 5TN Deer Unit 6rifleNov 14 – Nov 20Season2

Elk3 seasons

SeasonZone / RegionMethodDatesLimits
Elk Archery-Only SeasonTN Elk ZonearcherySep 26 – Oct 2Season1 antlered elk per permit
Elk Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery SeasonTN Elk Zonearchery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 3 – Oct 9Season1 antlered elk per permit
Elk Young Sportsman SeasonTN Elk Zonearchery, muzzleloader, rifleOct 10 – Oct 16Season1 antlered elk per permit

Turkey5 seasons

SeasonZone / RegionMethodDatesLimits
Fall Turkey - Archery OnlyStatewidearcherySep 26 – Oct 30SeasonOne (1) male turkey. No bearded hens allowed.
Fall Turkey - Archery OnlyStatewidearcheryNov 2 – Nov 6SeasonOne (1) male turkey. No bearded hens allowed.
Fall Turkey - Shotgun/ArcheryStatewideshotgun, archeryOct 17 – Oct 30SeasonOne (1) male turkey. No bearded hens allowed.
Spring Turkey - Young SportsmanStatewideshotgun, archeryMar 27 – Mar 28BagOne (1) male turkey per day, counts toward spring season bag of two (2), only one can be a jake. No bearded hens allowed.
Spring TurkeyStatewideshotgun, archeryApr 3 – May 16SeasonTwo (2) male turkeys, only one can be a jake. No bearded hens allowed.
⚠️Regulation data is sourced from official state agency records and may not reflect recent changes. Always confirm current rules with your state wildlife agency before hunting. TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) ↗ · Last verified June 2026

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