Hunting in Tennessee

Licenses, Permits, Applications
Hunting & Trapping Guide
Waterfowl Hunting
Big Game Hunting
Small Game Hunting
TWRA Public Shooting Ranges
Hunter Education
Wildlife Managment Areas
Private Lands Management
Other Publications
Find reports and analytics about game hunting in Tennessee in our
Hunters Toolbox Online Portal
Antler Points by County, Harvest Biological Data Report, Deer Harvest by County or WMA, Harvest by Species by County or WMA, Harvest by species and county, harvest by Weapon type, Turkey harvest report by county or hWMA, Harvest reporting by day-unit, Hunter success by county, statewide hunter success, unit hunter success, Game Check Harvest Map Graph, Harvest Biological Graph Data Report Graph, Harvest Count by Antler Points Graph, Harvest Graph Report, Harvest Reporting by Day Graph, Historical Deer Harvest Graph Report,

Hunters for the Hungry
Hunters for the Hungry is a program administered and funded by Tennessee Wildlife Federation. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is one of the largest and oldest independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation in Tennessee.
The TWF oversees the Hunters for the Hungry program to feed hungry Tennesseans and better manage the state’s deer herd.
Hunters can donate whole deer that are processed for free or at a reduced rate at participating processors, and then provided directly to food banks in the area.
Since 1998, Hunters for the Hungry has provided millions of meals worth of healthy protein to Tennesseans in need! You don't have to be a hunter or a processor to get involved with this program. See the TWF's webpage for more detailed information.
To visit the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry page, click here.
Hunting Leases on Private Land
Leases for hunting rights can provide multiple benefits for both the landowner and the hunter or hunter group leasing the land.
Leasing land for hunting can certainly be a more affordable way to secure exclusive hunting access than purchasing land. Many hunters choose this route rather than face the uncertainties involved with hunting public lands or seeking permission on other private lands where the landowner may also allow others to hunt.
From a landowner’s perspective, leasing the hunting rights on your land can provide additional income. Since the leasing party is paying for the hunting rights, they have a vested interest in making sure trespassing and/or vandalism is not incurring from others. Often times, the person or group leasing the land may also be willing to perform land management operations, maintenance of gates and fences, or other actions of value as specified in the contract.
Having a detailed legal contract is in the best interest of both parties. See the following University of Tennessee Extension publications for further information.
Publications
- Turkey Disease Study Summary
- Investigation of Hunter‐harvested Carcasses and Laboratory Trial
- Sunrise/Sunset Tables
- Hunter/Landowner Permission Card
- Farmland License Exemption Card
- Hunting By Permission Only
- Game Handling
- Game Processing
- Tanning Hides & Skins
- 2014-15 Deer Hunting Results
- 2015-16 Deer & Elk Harvest Report
- 2012-13 Deer & Elk Harvest Report
- 2011-12 Big Game Harvest Report
- Antler Development
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Info
- CWD Carcass Importation Restrictions Information
- Deer Restoration in Tennessee
- Tennessee Elk Zone Map
- Forest Management for Turkeys
- TN Waterfowl Stamps
- Comprehensive Guide to Creating, Improving & Maintaining Bobwhite Habitat
- Dog Use For TN Quail Hunting
- Baiting/Surveillance Zone Map
- TN Climate Change Fact Sheet
- 2013 Sandhill Crane Survey Report
- 2013 Fall Turkey Report
- 2012 Fall Turkey Report
- 2005-2012 Furbearer Report
- Elk Reintroduction Q & A