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Tennessee Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against TN Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $27.5 · nonresident $250. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
August Archery-only (Velvet) Hunt - private lands and select Unit 1 WMAsAug 28, 2026Aug 30, 2026Hunting License; no antlerless harvest
Archery (first segment)Sep 26, 2026Oct 30, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license/permit
Archery (second segment)Nov 2, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license/permit
Young Sportsman (first segment)Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Youth 6-16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult 21 or older
Young Sportsman (second segment)Jan 9, 2027Jan 10, 2027Youth 6-16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult 21 or older
Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 7, 2026Nov 20, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license/permit
Single Shot Straight-walled Cartridge Rifle - private lands onlyNov 14, 2026Nov 20, 2026Private lands only; counts toward the muzzleloader/archery bag limit
Gun/Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 21, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Big Game license/permit

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Archery Only (first segment): Fall turkey - CLOSED countiesSep 26, 2026Oct 30, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license; one male turkey, no bearded hens
Fall Archery Only (second segment): Fall turkey - CLOSED countiesNov 2, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license; one male turkey, no bearded hens
Fall Shotgun/Archery: Fall turkey - CLOSED countiesOct 17, 2026Oct 30, 2026Hunting License + Big Game license; one male turkey, no bearded hens
Spring Young SportsmanMar 27, 2027Mar 28, 2027Youth 6-16 with a non-hunting adult 21 or older; counts toward the spring bag of two
Spring General SeasonApr 3, 2027May 16, 2027Hunting License + Big Game license; two male turkeys for the spring season

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery Only - all zonesSep 26, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Restricted Bear Reserve Hunt (Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork) - PRIVATE LANDS ONLY, dogs allowed: Bear Hunt Zone 1Sep 19, 2026Sep 25, 2026Party-hunt permit; does not count toward the statewide bag limit
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - early season 1 - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Oct 3, 2026Oct 5, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - early season 2 - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Oct 10, 2026Oct 11, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - mid-season - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Nov 9, 2026Nov 16, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - late season - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Nov 30, 2026Dec 16, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - early season - BHZ 2: Bear Hunt Zone 2Oct 3, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - mid-season - BHZ 2: Bear Hunt Zone 2Nov 2, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - late season - BHZ 2: Bear Hunt Zone 2Nov 30, 2026Dec 15, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - early season 1 - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Oct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - early season 2 - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - mid-season - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Nov 2, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - late season 1 - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Nov 30, 2026Dec 13, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - late season 2 - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Dec 31, 2026Jan 3, 2027Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds - late season - BHZ 4, PRIVATE LANDS ONLY: Bear Hunt Zone 4Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026Private lands only
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Youth 6-16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 2: Bear Hunt Zone 2Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Youth 6-16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Youth 6-16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 4, PRIVATE LANDS ONLY: Bear Hunt Zone 4Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Private lands only; youth 6-16
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 5, PRIVATE LANDS ONLY: Bear Hunt Zone 5Oct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Private lands only; youth 6-16
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 1: Bear Hunt Zone 1Nov 21, 2026Nov 24, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 2: Bear Hunt Zone 2Nov 21, 2026Nov 24, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 3: Bear Hunt Zone 3Nov 21, 2026Nov 24, 2026Hunting License + Big Game/Bear license
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery, still hunting - BHZ 5, PRIVATE LANDS ONLY: Bear Hunt Zone 5Dec 12, 2026Dec 13, 2026Private lands only

Elk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery-only quota hunt: Elk Hunt Zones (EHZ 1-10)Sep 26, 2026Oct 2, 2026Elk Quota Permit (9 permits) + Hunting License
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery quota hunt: Elk Hunt Zones (EHZ 1-10)Oct 3, 2026Oct 9, 2026Elk Quota Permit (9 permits) + Hunting License
Young Sportsman Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery quota hunt: Elk Hunt Zones (EHZ 1-10)Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026Youth Elk Quota Permit (1 permit), resident youths 13-16

Armadillo Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-roundSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round huntingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License
Year-round trappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Private lands only - early seasonSep 26, 2026Nov 19, 2026Hunting License; private lands only
StatewideNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
Night, private lands only (winter segment)Jan 16, 2027Mar 14, 2027Hunting License; sunset Jan. 16, 2027 to sunrise March 14, 2027, private lands only
Night, private lands only (summer segment)Jun 5, 2027Aug 8, 2027Hunting License; sunset June 5, 2027 to sunrise Aug. 8, 2027, private lands only
TrappingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round (daytime)Sep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License
Night season (winter segment)Jan 16, 2027Mar 14, 2027Hunting License; sunset Jan. 16, 2027 to sunrise March 14, 2027
Night season (summer segment)Jun 5, 2027Aug 8, 2027Hunting License; sunset June 5, 2027 to sunrise Aug. 8, 2027

Sandhill Crane Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide (permit/tag holders)Dec 3, 2026Jan 31, 2027Sandhill Crane permit/tags + Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit
Southeast Crane Zone (first segment)Dec 3, 2026Jan 14, 2027Sandhill Crane permit/tags + Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit
Southeast Crane Zone (second segment)Jan 18, 2027Jan 31, 2027Sandhill Crane permit/tags + Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Sep 7, 2026Hunting License
Regular (second segment) - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays onlySep 11, 2026Dec 20, 2026Hunting License
Regular (third segment)Jan 1, 2027Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
Summer segment - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays onlyJun 11, 2027Jul 11, 2027Hunting License

Mourning Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment) - opens at noon Sept. 1Sep 1, 2026Sep 28, 2026Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Oct 10, 2026Nov 1, 2026Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (third segment)Dec 8, 2026Jan 15, 2027Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Gallinule and Moorhen Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Groundhog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round huntingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License
Year-round trappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 10, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License

Wild Hog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round, huntingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License
Year-round, trappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Private lands only - year-roundSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License; private lands only
Taking season (statewide)Sep 18, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License; sunset Sept. 18, 2026 to sunrise March 15, 2027
TrappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License; year-round

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 20, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Northern Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License

Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Private lands only - year-roundSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License; private lands only
Taking season (statewide)Sep 18, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License; sunset Sept. 18, 2026 to sunrise March 15, 2027
TrappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License; year-round

Rails (Virginia and Sora) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round huntingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License
Year-round trappingSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Trapping License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall/WinterAug 22, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License
SpringMay 8, 2027Jun 13, 2027Hunting License

Waterfowl (ducks, coots, mergansers, geese, brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Canada Goose - early seasonSep 1, 2026Sep 20, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (first segment)Oct 10, 2026Oct 22, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (second segment)Nov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Goose - regular (third segment)Dec 5, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (first segment)Nov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Goose (second segment)Dec 5, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Brant (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Sep 20, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Brant (second segment)Oct 10, 2026Oct 22, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Brant (third segment)Nov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Brant (fourth segment)Dec 5, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Geese (blue, snow and Ross's) - regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Sep 20, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Geese - regular (second segment)Oct 10, 2026Oct 22, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Geese - regular (third segment)Nov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Geese - regular (fourth segment)Dec 5, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Goose Conservation SeasonFeb 15, 2027Mar 31, 2027Free Light Goose Conservation Season Permit (GoOutdoorsTennessee.com)
Wood Duck and Teal (September)Sep 12, 2026Sep 16, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coot and Mergansers (first segment)Nov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coot and Mergansers (second segment)Dec 5, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + TN Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Youth Sportsman Waterfowl Day (first)Feb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027Youth only; same requirements as regular season
Youth Sportsman Waterfowl Day (second)Feb 13, 2027Feb 13, 2027Youth only; same requirements as regular season
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Day (first)Feb 7, 2027Feb 7, 2027Veterans and active military only
Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Day (second)Feb 14, 2027Feb 14, 2027Veterans and active military only

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Nov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Jan 10, 2027Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with TN Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
Licenses, CWD zones & official links → Build a hunt plan

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