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Wondering What The Tennessee Hunting Laws and Regulations Are?

The Mission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is to preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats. When hunting season begins, all hunters must have a valid hunting license along with other required permits and stamps depending on the hunted specie. It is unlawful to surpass the daily limit along with hunting game on private land without permission. It is also unlawful to hunt in a powered-on vehicle or shoot 100 yds near a public road or an occupied building.  No hunter shall sell, buy, import, export, any game animal unless a permit is on hand as well as destroy natural habitats of the game. State law also prohibits the use of artificial light, night visions devisions, as well as any aircrafts as an aid to locate wild game. 

*Visit Tennessee Wildlife Resources Regulations Guide For More Information*

FEATURED ANIMALS

WHITE TAIL DEER

The white-tailed deer is the most hunted big game animal in Tennessee. To have a successful hunt during the white-tailed deer season, all hunters must have a hunting license and a deer permit. Hunters must only hunt 2 antlered deer. No more than 1 per day. Antlered Deer: Male or female deer must have at least one (1) antler that is a minimum of three (3) inches in length. 

• General Season: Aug. 28 – Jan. 4, 2021 
• Archery Season: Sept. 26 – Jan. 3, 2021 

*Seasons differ based on location and antlered/antlerless deer – Visit Tennessee’s Deer Seasons for specific dates*

RUFFED GROUSE

The Ruffed Grouse is a popular game species in Tennessee and population numbers appear to be stable. The state law requires that hunters must have a valid hunting license and a valid Federal Migratory Bird Permit to hunt the ruffed grouse. Hunters shall only harvest 3 birds per day. 

• General Season: Oct. 10 – Feb. 28, 2021

*Visit Tennessee’s Grouse Seasons for more information*

Other Species

Rabbit

River Otter

Skunk

Snipe 

Teal

Turkey