Elk and Youth Elk Hunts
Elk and Youth Elk Draw application period (for the 2026 season): February 4-25, 2026.
Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Elk Hunting page.
Landowners are not exempt from this permit requirement and must be drawn for a quota permit to hunt. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued. One of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a qualifying non-profit wildlife conservation organization, with all proceeds benefiting the TWRA Elk Management Program. Another one of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a resident Young Sportsman who is able to hunt all open elk zones.
Elk permits are valid for designated Elk Hunt Zones (EHZs) on North Cumberland WMA and on private lands in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties. All public land other than North Cumberland WMA is closed to elk hunting.
It is the responsibility of elk permit holders to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on private property. TWRA does not guarantee hunters access to private lands.
Customers who are interested in applying for both the WMA quota hunt and the Elk quota hunt will have to submit two applications, one for each. The computer drawings will be handled separately.
General Application. Party and Draw Instructions can be found on the Quota Hunt webpage. You may apply via GoOutDoorsTennessee, the On The Go APP, at a TWRA Licensed Agent, or at a Regional Office. Applications cannot be accepted by mail.
Elk Quota Hunt Specifics
- Applicants must be at least 16 years old to apply.
- This quota hunt does not have priority points.
- There are no parties allowed for this quota hunt.
- Applicants may select up to 4 hunt choices on their application.
- If successful, applicants cannot submit an application for ten years.
- No more than 25% of successful applicants can be nonresidents.
Youth Elk Quota Hunt Specifics
- Applicants must be 13-16 years old to apply.
- Only resident youth may apply.
- This quota hunt does not have priority points.
- There are no parties allowed for this quota hunt.
- If successful, applicants cannot submit an application for ten years.
- Youth may not apply for both the youth elk quota hunt and elk quota hunt. Only one application may be submitted for any elk hunt.
Hunt Choices
Elk Quota Hunts
Dates: Sep. 27 - Oct. 3
Hunt: 1 Antlered Elk - Archery
Zones: 1, 2&6, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Quota: 1 per above listed zone.
(Note: Zones 2 and 6 together are considered one hunt.)
Dates: Oct. 4 - Oct. 10
Hunt: 1 Antlered Elk - Gun
Zones: 2&6, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10
Quota: 1 per above listed zone.
(Note: Zones 2 and 6 together are considered one hunt.)
Youth Elk Quota Hunt
Dates: Oct. 11 - 17
Hunt: 1 Antlered Elk - Gun
Zone: Any Elk Zone
Quota: 1
Elk Zones:
Zone 1: Chestnut Ridge and Fork Mountain
Zone 2: Adkins and Turley Mountain
Zone 3: Horse Gap and Wolf Ridge
Zone 4: Anderson and Massengale Mountain
Zone 5: Cross Mountain and Red Ash
Zone 6: Braden Mountain
Zone 7: Rock Creek
Zone 8: Cooper Ridge
Zone 9: Valley Creek
Zone 10: Sundquist
Draw Results
Coming Soon
