Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates

Below you will find a season summary so you can start planning your hunting trips.   Please refer to the Hunting and Trapping Guide for the latest detailed hunting dates, bag limits, zones, units, and required licenses and/or permits.   Download a PDF Summary. 

G = Gun • M = Muzzleloader • A = Archery • S = Shotgun

2025-26 Deer Management Units, Season Dates, and Bag Limits

SEASON TYPE
SEASON DATES
STATEWIDE
ANTLERED BAG LIMIT
UNITS 1, 2, & 3
ANTLERLESS BAG LIMITS
UNITS 4, 5, & 6
ANTLERLESS BAG LIMITS

August*

Aug. 22 – Aug. 24, 2025

 

2 (1/day)***

Closed

Closed

Young Sportsman** (G/M/A)

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025 

Jan. 10 – 11, 2026

 

3/day

2

Archery (A)

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 27 - Nov. 7, 2025

4

Muzzleloader/Archery (M/A)

Nov. 8 – Nov. 21, 2025

2

Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery (G/M/A)

Nov. 22,  2025 – Jan. 4, 2026

2

* Archery only. Private lands and select Unit 1 WMAs only. See individual WMA regulations. Due to the removal of Unit CWD, guns and muzzleloaders will no longer be allowed.

** Youths 6–16 years of age may participate using guns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange /pink regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult. Antlerless bag limits for Units 4, 5, and 6 are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined. 

*** Bag limit may be exceeded if taken as a bonus deer, on certain WMAs, under the Earn-A-Buck program in a CWD-positive county, or as a Replacement Buck.

Out-of-State Hunters - Be aware of carcass importation restrictions for deer, elk, moose and caribou. CWDinTennessee.com


Deer Hunting Unit Map

Unit 1 includes Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Lake, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley counties.

Unit 2 includes Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Wayne, and Williamson counties.

Unit 3 includes Bedford, Cannon, Clay, Coffee, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Macon, Moore, Overton, Putnam, Rutherford, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White, and Wilson counties.

Unit 4 includes Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Grundy, Hancock, Morgan, Pickett, Scott, Sequatchie, and Union counties.

Unit 5 includes Bradley, Hamilton, Loudon, Knox, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, and Roane counties.

Unit 6 includes Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Monroe, Polk, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

 

CWD_Management_Zone_Map_wLegend

CWD Management Zone for Carcass Transportation & Wildlife Feeding Restrictions

Deer carcass transportation and wildlife feeding restrictions apply to the CWD Management Zone. These restrictions have been put in place to reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. The CWD Management Zone (map on right) includes Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Madison, McNairy, Lake, Lauderdale, Lewis, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, Wayne, and Weakley Counties.

Carcass transport restrictions reduce the chance that an infected deer carcass becomes a source of infection in a new area while wildlife feeding restrictions reduce deer exposure to potential infections in other deer and in the environments where deer unnaturally congregate due to supplemental feeding. Approved parts (i.e., deboned meat, clean skulls, skull plates and teeth, antlers, finished taxidermy, hides, and tanned products) may be moved freely within Tennessee. There are restrictions on moving unapproved parts (i.e., whole or undressed carcasses) from county-to-county dependent on if the county resides in the CWD Management Zone. 

Visit CWD Management Zone for Carcass Transportations and Wildlife Feeding Restrictions for more details.  

2025 Elk Hunting Season Dates & Bag Limits

SEASON TYPE

SEASON DATES

QUOTA PERMIT

HUNT AREA***

BAG LIMIT

ARCHERY - ONLY SEASON Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, 2025 9 Quota Permits EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit
GUN/MUZZLE LOADER/ARCHERY SEASON * Oct. 4 –10, 2025 9 Quota Permits EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit
YOUNG SPORTSMAN**
GUN/MUZZLE LOADER/ARCHERY SEASON
Oct. 11–17, 2025 1 Quota Permit EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit

* The season for the permit issued to a non-profit conservation organization is Oct. 4–10, 2025, in EHZ one and private lands in counties opened by TWRA.

** Resident youths 13–16 may apply for a quota permit. Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange/pink regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Youth hunters must complete hunter education or purchase the Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption permit (along with other required licenses) to participate in the hunt.

*** EHZs are located on North Cumberland WMA only; all other public land is CLOSED to elk hunting. Hunting on private lands within the following counties is allowed only with landowner permission: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties.

Elk harvest is regulated by a quota permit system. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued for the 2025 hunt. Each permit holder will be allocated an Elk Hunt Zone.

Out-of-State Hunters - Be aware of carcass importation restrictions for deer, elk, moose and caribou. CWDinTennessee.com

2025 Elk Hunting Units

2026 Elk Hunting Season Dates & Bag Limits

Elk harvest is regulated by a quota permit system. The application period for the 2026 elk quota hunts is Feb 4 – 25, 2026. Applications are available at TWRA license agents and online. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued for the 2025 hunt. Each permit holder will be allocated an Elk Hunt Zone.

SEASON TYPE

SEASON DATES

QUOTA PERMIT

HUNT AREA***

BAG LIMIT

ARCHERY - ONLY SEASON Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2026 9 Quota Permits EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit
GUN/MUZZLE LOADER/ARCHERY SEASON * Oct. 3 –9, 2026 9 Quota Permits EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit
YOUNG SPORTSMAN**
GUN/MUZZLE LOADER/ARCHERY SEASON
Oct. 10–16, 2026 1 Quota Permit EHZs and Counties
designated open by TWRA
1 antlered elk per permit

* The season for the permit issued to a non-profit conservation organization is Oct. 3–9, 2026, in EHZ one and private lands in counties opened by TWRA.

** Resident youths 13–16 may apply for a quota permit. Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange/pink regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Youth hunters must complete hunter education or purchase the Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption permit (along with other required licenses) to participate in the hunt.

*** EHZs are located on North Cumberland WMA only; all other public land is CLOSED to elk hunting. Hunting on private lands within the following counties is allowed only with landowner permission: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan and Scott counties.

2025 Bear Season Dates and Bag Limits

The Hunts Listed Below Allow the Use of Hounds 

Weapon Type(s) Allowed

BHZ 1

BHZ 2

BHZ 3

BHZ 4

BHZ 5

Transitional Zone

 

Gun/Muzzleloader/ Archery

Early-seasons

Oct. 4 – 6, 2025

Oct. 11 – 12, 2025

Oct. 4 – 19, 2025

 

Oct. 4 – 5, 2025

Oct. 11 – 17, 2025

Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting

Mid-season

Nov. 10 – 17, 2025

Oct. 27 – 31, 2025

Oct. 27 - 31, 2025

Late Seasons

Dec. 1 – 17, 2025

Dec. 1 – 16, 2025

Dec. 1 – 14, 2025

Dec. 25 – 28, 2025

Dec. 13 – 14, 2025

Private Land Only

Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt – PRIVATE LANDS ONLY – Sept. 20–26, 2025

 

 The Hunts Listed Below are Still Hunting Only - No Hounds Allowed 

Weapon Type(s) Allowed

BHZ 1

BHZ 2

BHZ 3

BHZ 4

BHZ 5

Transitional Zone

Archery Only

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Sept. 27 – Oct. 24, 2025

Gun/Muzz/Archery (Young Sportsman Only*)

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025
Private Land Only

Oct. 25 – 26, 2025
Private Land Only

 

Gun/Muzz/Archery

Nov. 22 – 25, 2025

Nov. 22 – 25, 2025

Nov. 22 – 25, 2025

 

Dec. 13 – 14, 2025
Private Land Only

 

* Youths 6-16 may participate; must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

BAG LIMIT IS 1 BEAR EITHER SEX PER YEAR - Bear Reserves, Mt. Roosevelt WMA, State Parks, Scott State Forest, National Parks andRecreation Areas are closed to bear hunting unless otherwise stated.


BHZ1: Carter, Cocke (North of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

BHZ2: Blount, Cocke (South of I-40), Jefferson (East ofHwy 411), and Sevier counties.

BHZ3: McMinn (East of Hwy 411), Monroe, and Polk counties, excluding South Cherokee WMA.

BHZ4: Anderson (west of I-75 and north of Old Lake City Hwy and north of Dutch Valley Rd.), Campbell (north of Hwy 63 and west of I-75), Claiborne (west of 25E and north of Hwy 63), Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, Overton (east of Hwy 111), Pickett, Putnam (east of Hwy 111), Scott, Van Buren (east of Hwy 111), and White (east of Hwy 111) counties.

BHZ5: Hancock and Hawkins

Transitional: Anderson (east of I-75 and south of Old LakeCity Hwy and south of Dutch Valley Rd.), Bradley, Campbell (south of Hwy 63 and east of I-75), Claiborne (east of 25E and south of Hwy 63), Grundy, Marion, Hamblen, Hamilton, Grainger, Jefferson (west of Hwy 411), Knox, Loudon, McMinn (West of Hwy 411), Sequatchie, and Union counties.

2025 Fall Turkey Season Dates and Bag Limits

Statewide Season Dates Bag Limit
Archery Only

Sept. 27 - Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 27 - Nov. 7, 2025

One (1) male turkey. No bearded hens allowed.
Shotgun/Archery Oct. 11 - 24, 2025 One (1) male turkey. No bearded hens allowed.

Open in all counties, except closed in Crockett, Dyer, Giles, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Shelby, Tipton, and Wayne counties. 

During the fall turkey season, a turkey hunter may not be in possession of both archery equipment and shotguns and/or rifles. Any turkey harvested during the fall season counts toward the statewide bag limit of one (1).

2026 Spring Turkey Season Dates and Bag Limits

Spring Turkey Seasons Dates & Limits

All counties are open to spring turkey seasons, however, there are some exceptions on WMAs and public lands.  Birds may be harvested from any combination of Turkey Management. General Turkey Hunting Regulations apply.    Spring Turkey Shooting Hours are Thirty (30) minutes before legal sunrise to sunset.

No hens (including bearded hens) are legal to harvest.

Statewide Season Dates Bag Limit
Young Sportsman* April 4 - 5, 2026

One (1) male turkey per day, counts toward spring season bag of two (2), only one can be a jake.

No bearded hens allowed.

Shotgun/Archery April 11 - May 24, 2026

An adult gobbler is defined by having one of the following: wing feathers have white barring all the way to the tip, tail feathers are the same length, beard is longer than 6 inches, or a spur is at least 1/2 inch long.

All counties are open to spring turkey seasons, however there are some exceptions on public land.

*Any turkey harvested during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts toward the statewide spring season limit of two (2).

Statewide Spring Young Sportsman Hunt

Ages 6-16. One (1) male turkey per day, which counts toward the statewide bag of two (2), only one can be a jake. Each young sportsman must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device. Youth 10 years of age or older must meet Hunter Education requirements. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single non-hunting adult, who is not required to have a license.

2025-26 Game Bird Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES DATE BAG LIMIT
Grouse Oct. 11, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 3
Quail Nov. 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 6
 

2025-26 Migratory Bird Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES SEASON DATES

DAILY BAG*

 

Dove*

Sept. 1 - Sept. 28, 2025

Oct. 11 - Nov. 2, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025 - Jan. 15, 2026

15**
Woodcock*

Nov. 8 - 30, 2025

Jan. 10 - Jan. 31, 2026

3
Gallinule and Moorhen* Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2025 15
Crow

June 11 - July 12, 2025***

Sept. 1 - Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 12 - Dec. 20, 2025***

Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, 2026

No limit
Rails (Virginia and Sora)* Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2025 25
Snipe * Nov. 14, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 8

* Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required.

** No limit on Eurasian collared doves; however, any doves not readily identifiable as Eurasian collared doves will be considered mourning doves and count towards the mourning dove daily bag and possession limits.

*** Hunting allowed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.

**** The possession limit is three (3) times the daily limit for all migratory game birds, except opening day when it shall be the same as the daily bag limit, and the second day of the season when it shall be twice the daily bag limit, and except for crows which have no limit.

2025-26 Geese Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES

STATEWIDE

DAILY BAG LIMIT

POSSESSION LIMIT

 

Canada Goose

Sept. 1 – 21, 2025

Oct. 11 – 22, 2025

Nov. 29 – 30, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026

 

5 in Sept, 3 in all other Phases

 

The possession limit for Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant is three (3) times the daily bag limit, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is one (1) and two (2) times the daily bag limit, respectively.

White-Fronted Goose

Nov. 29 – 30, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026

3

 

Brant

Sept. 1–21, 2025

Oct. 11–22, 2025

Nov. 29–30, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026

 

1

 

Blue, Snow & Ross's Geese (Light Geese)

Standard federal regulations apply (unplugged shotguns and electronic calls NOT allowed)

Sept. 1–21, 2025

Oct. 11–22, 2025

Nov. 29–30, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025 – Feb. 14, 2026

 

20

 

There is no possession limit for blue, snow and Ross’s geese, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is the daily bag limit and two (2) times the daily bag limit, respectively.

 

Light Goose Conservation Season* (Blue, Snow & Ross's Geese)

The following provisions apply during the Light Goose Conservation Season only:

Unplugged shotguns, electronic calls, shooting from 30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset.

Feb. 15 – Mar. 31, 2026

 

no limit

 

There is no possession limit for blue, snow and Ross’s geese during the Light Goose Conservation Season.

*A free Light Goose Conservation Season Permit is required to hunt during the Conservation Season, available at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com. No Federal or state waterfowl stamps are required to hunt during the Conservation Season. Hunters must possess a Tennessee Light Goose Conservation Season Permit and have a valid hunting license, but the license may be from any state. A post-season survey is required.
       

2025-26 Duck Season Dates and Bag Limits

Early Application Dates: Sept. 24 – Oct. 14, 2025


Includes hunt days: Nov. 29-30; 2025 & Dec. 5 - 21., 2025

Mid Application Dates: Oct. 22 – Nov. 12, 2025


Includes hunt days: Dec. 22, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026

Late Application Dates: Nov. 13 – Dec. 3, 2025


Includes hunt days: Jan. 12 – 31, 2026

Season Long Application Dates: June 25 – July 16, 2025


Tier 1 Blind Hunt Dates: Nov. 29 – 30,  2025 & Dec. 5, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

SPECIES

STATEWIDE

DAILY BAG LIMIT

POSSESSION LIMIT

Wood Duck & Teal

Sept. 13 –17, 2025

The daily bag limit of ducks is 6 and may include no more than 2 wood ducks.

 

The possession limit is three (3) times the daily bag limit, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is one (1) and two (2) times the daily bag limit, respectively.

 

Ducks, Coot & Mergansers

 

Nov. 29 – 30, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025 –Jan. 31, 2026

Coot: 15

Ducks: The daily bag limit of ducks is 6 birds/day which may  include no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may  be a female), 3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 2 redheads, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, and 1 mottled duck.

The daily bag limit for scaup is 1 scaup from Nov. 29-30, 2025 & Dec. 5–17, 2025 then 2 scaup from Dec. 18, 2025 - Jan. 31, 2026.

Mergansers: 5 (only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers)

Youth Sportsman Waterfowl Hunting Season*

Feb. 7 and 14, 2026

Same as regular season daily bag limits.

 

Veterans and Active Military Personnel**

Feb. 1 and 8, 2026

Same as regular season daily bag limits.

 

* Only youth hunters from ages 6–16 years may harvest coot, gallinule, moorhen, ducks, mergansers, and geese during the Youth Waterfowl hunt days. Youth aged 16 are still required to possess a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Non-hunting adults at least 21 years of age shall accompany the youth hunter(s) into the field during the youth waterfowl season and must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult; however, adults and other persons accompanying youths shall not hunt during these youth waterfowl hunts. Adults not accompanied by youths 6–16 may still harvest geese during those dates. Geese, coot, gallinule, moorhen, and ducks may be taken by youths during the Youth Waterfowl Season. WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Youth Waterfowl Season.

** Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), may participate and harvest coot, gallinule, moorhen, ducks, mergansers, and geese. During the Veterans and Active Military Personnel waterfowl season, non-veteran or non-active duty personnel may be present; however, only veterans or active military persons may hunt. When other migratory gamebird seasons are open during the Veterans and Active Military Personnel waterfowl season, any properly licensed youth or adult not accompanied by veterans or active military may harvest legal game.

2025-26 Sandhill Crane Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES
STATEWIDE

SOUTHEAST CRANE ZONE SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 40 AND EAST OF HIGHWAY 56

DAILY BAG LIMIT AND POSSESSION LIMIT*

 

Sandhill Crane

Dec. 3, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

Statewide tags are valid statewide, including the Southeast Crane Zone, except during the three day closure in that zone from Jan. 16– 18, 2026.

Dec. 3, 2025 – Jan. 15, 2026

Jan. 19 – 31, 2026

The daily bag, season bag, and possession limit for sandhill cranes is based on the number of tags awarded to an individual.

* Each harvested crane must be accompanied by a completed kill tag (each tag allows harvest of  one (1) crane) and be checked in by the end of the calendar day of harvest by any Agency approved check-in method. Also, hunters issued sandhill crane tags MUST fill out and return a post-season survey before February 10, regardless of whether they hunted or harvested a sandhill crane. Failure to return the post-season survey may result in hunters not being eligible to apply for a sandhill crane tag in future draws.

2025-2026 Falconry Season Dates & Permits

Hunting with falcons is the second oldest form of hunting with the aid of animals. Most historians and archaeologists agree that the sport of falconry originated in China. The first tangible evidence of falconry appears in 4,000 year old artwork from Persia.

Falconry is the sport of taking wildlife by means of a trained raptor. A person may not practice falconry in Tennessee without obtaining a proper TWRA permit.   

Find Permit Information here.

Species  Season Opens  Season Closes  Daily Bag Limit 
Crow – Phase 1 Jun. 11, 2026 Jul. 12, 2026 No Limit
Phase 2 Sep. 1, 2025 Dec. 20, 2025 No Limit
Phase 3 Jan. 1, 2026 Feb. 28, 2026 No Limit
Virginia and Sora Rail Sep. 1, 2025 Dec. 12, 2025 3
Moorhen and Gallinule Sep. 1, 2025 Dec. 12, 2025 3
Dove – Phase 1  Sep. 1, 2025 Sep. 30, 2025 3
Phase 2 Oct. 11, 2025 Nov. 2, 2025 3
Phase 3 Dec. 8, 2025 Jan. 30, 2026 3
Wood Duck and Teal Sep. 13, 2025 Sep. 17, 2025 3
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots Nov. 29, 2025 Feb. 28, 2026 3
Snipe Nov. 14, 2025 Feb. 28, 2026 3
Woodcock Nov. 1, 2025 Feb. 15, 2026 3
Grouse Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 3
Rabbit Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 5
Quail Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 6
Squirrel Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 10
Groundhog, Coyote, Striped Skunk, Beaver, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Opossum, Spotted Skunk, Weasel, River Otter Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 No Limit
Bobcat and Raccoon Jul. 5, 2025 Apr. 26, 2026 1

2025-26 Small Game and Furbearer Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES

OPENING DATE

CLOSING DATE

DAILY BAG

Squirrel

Aug. 23, 2025

March 15, 2026

10

Spring Squirrel 2026

May 9, 2026

June 14, 2026

10

Rabbit

Nov. 1, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

5

Grouse

Oct. 11, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

3

Quail*

Nov. 1, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

6

Beaver

year-round

 

None

Coyote

year-round

 

None

Coyote Night Season

Sunset June 7, 2025

Sunset Jan. 17, 2026

Sunset Jun. 6, 2026

Sunrise Aug. 10, 2025

Sunset Mar. 8, 2026

Aug. 9, 2026

None

Groundhog

year-round

 

None

Striped Skunk

year-round

 

None

Armadillo

year-round

 

None

Fox

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Mink

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Muskrat

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Otter**

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Least Weasel

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Raccoon Private Lands Only

Sunset July 1, 2025

Sunrise Sept. 19, 2026

2

Raccoon Taking Season

Sunset Sept. 19, 2025

Sunrise Mar. 15, 2026

4

Opossum Private Lands Only

Sunset July 1, 2025

Sunrise Sept. 19, 2026

2

Opossum Taking Season

Sunset Sept. 19, 2025

Sunrise Mar. 15, 2026

4

Bobcat *** Private Lands Only****

Sept. 27, 2025

Nov. 20, 2026

1

Bobcat*** Statewide

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

1

Bobcat*** Night Only

Sunset June 7, 2025

Sunset Jan. 17, 2026

Sunset Jun. 6, 2026

Sunrise Aug. 10, 2025

Sunset Mar. 8, 2026

Aug. 9, 2026

1x night

Bullfrog

year-round

Except state lakes*****

20

* Quail season is November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 on wildlife management areas unless otherwise noted.

** All river otters harvested must be tagged with Tennessee U. S. CITES tags. Contact your regional TWRA office for instructions.

*** Bobcat pelts must be tagged with Tennessee U.S. CITES tags before being exported from the U. S. Contact your regional TWRA office for instructions.

**** Bobcats may be harvested with firearms, muzzleloader, or archery during deer season including during the young sportsman deer hunts. Weapons should match the open deer season weapon.

***** Bullfrog season is June 1–30 on TWRA-managed lakes. Firearms are prohibited, but airguns are permitted. No WMA permit is required.

2025-26 Trapping Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES OPENING DATE CLOSING DATE DAILY BAG

Beaver

year-round

 

None

Coyote

year-round

 

None
Groundhog

year-round

 

None

Opossum

year-round

 

None

Striped Skunk

year-round

 

None

Raccoon

year-round

 

None

Fox

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Mink

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Muskrat

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Otter*

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Least Weasel

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

None

Bobcat**

Nov. 21, 2025

Feb. 28, 2026

Day - None

* All river otters harvested must be tagged with Tennessee U. S. CITES tags. Contact your regional TWRA office for instructions. 

** Bobcat pelts must be tagged with Tennessee U.S. CITES tags before being exported from the U. S. Contact your regional TWRA office for instructions.

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