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.

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

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. 28 - Aug. 30, 2026	2 (1/day)***	No Antlerless Harvest	No Antlerless Harvest
Young Sportsman** (G/M/A)	Oct. 31 - Nov 1, 2026 Jan. 9 - 10, 2027	2(1/day)***	3/day	2
Archery (A)	Sept. 26 - Oct 30, 2026 Nov. 2 - Nov 6, 2026	2 (1/day)***	3/day	4
Muzzleloader/Archery (M/A)****	Nov. 7 - Nov. 20, 2026	2 (1/day)***	3/day	2
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery (G/M/A)	Nov. 21, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027	2 (1/day)***	3/day	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 during the August season. Youths 6–16 years of age may participate using gun, muzzleloader, or 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 (4) days combined. * Bag limit may be exceeded only if taken as a bonus deer (only on certain WMAs), under the Earn-A-Buck program in a CWD positive county, or as a Replacement Buck. **** Single shot straight-walled rifles are legal to be used on private lands only Nov. 14 - Nov. 20, 2026. Harvested deer count toward the muzzleloader season bag limit. See page XX for legal cartridges allowed.

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

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 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, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, 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.

Detailed information, regulations, safety guidelines, and hunting areas for deer hunting in Tennessee.

Elk Hunting Season Dates & Bag Limits

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

Detailed information, regulations, safety guidelines, and hunting areas for Elk hunting in Tennessee.

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. 3 – 5, 2026 Oct. 10 – 11, 2026	Oct. 3 – 18, 2026	Oct. 3 – 4, 2026 Oct. 10 – 16, 2026	—	Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting	Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting
	Mid-season	Nov. 9 – 16, 2026	Nov. 2 - 6, 2026	Nov. 2 - 6, 2026	—
	Late Seasons	Nov. 30 – Dec. 16, 2026	Nov. 30 - Dec. 15, 2026	Nov. 30 - Dec. 13, 2026 Dec. 31, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027	Dec. 12 – 13, 2026 Private Land Only
Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt – PRIVATE LANDS ONLY – Sept. 19–25, 2026

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. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026	Sept. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026	Sept. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026	Sept. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026	Sept. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026	Sept. 26 – Oct. 23, 2026
Gun/Muzz/Archery (Young Sportsman Only*)	Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2026	Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2026	Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2026	Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2026 Private Land Only	Oct. 31 – Nov.1, 2026 Private Land Only	-
Gun/Muzz/Archery	Nov. 21 – 24, 2026	Nov. 21 – 24, 2026	Nov. 21 – 24, 2026	-	Dec. 12 – 13, 2026 Private Land Only
* Youths 6-16 may participate; must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.

BAG LIMIT IS 1 BEAR OF EITHER SEX PER YEAR - Bear Reserves, Mt. Roosevelt WMA, State Parks, Scott State Forest, National Parks, and Recreation 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 of Hwy 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 Lake City 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.

Detailed information, regulations, safety guidelines, and hunting areas for Turkey hunting in Tennessee.

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
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).

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

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).

Detailed information, regulations, safety guidelines, and hunting areas for Turkey hunting in Tennessee.

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.

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.

Detailed information, regulations, safety guidelines, and hunting areas for Turkey hunting in Tennessee.

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

Migratory Bird Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES	SEASON DATES	DAILY BAG*
Dove*	Sept. 1, opens at noon - Sept. 28, 2026 Oct. 10 - Nov. 1, 2026 Dec. 8, 2026 - Jan. 15, 2027	15**
Woodcock*	Nov. 14 - Dec. 6, 2026 Jan. 10 - Jan. 31, 2027	3
Gallinule and Moorhen*	Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2026	15
Crow	June 12 - July 12, 2026* Sept. 1 - Sept. 7, 2026 Sept. 11 - Dec. 20, 2026* Jan. 1 - Feb. 28, 2027	No limit
Rails (Virginia and Sora)*	Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2026	25
Snipe *	Nov. 14, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027	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.

Geese Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES	STATEWIDE	DAILY BAG LIMIT	POSSESSION LIMIT
Canada Goose	Sept. 1 – 20, 2026 Oct. 10 – 22, 2026 Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027	5	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. 28 – 29, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027	3
Brant	Sept. 1–20, 2026 Oct. 10–22, 2026 Nov. 28–29, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027	1
Blue, Snow & Ross's Geese (Light Geese)	Standard federal regulations apply (unplugged shotguns and electronic calls NOT allowed) Sept. 1–20, 2026 Oct. 10–22, 2026 Nov. 28–29, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027	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, 2027	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.

SPECIES

STATEWIDE

DAILY
BAG LIMIT

POSSESSION LIMIT

Canada Goose

Sept. 1 – 20, 2026

Oct. 10 – 22, 2026

Nov. 28 – 29, 2026

Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027

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. 28 – 29, 2026

Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027

Brant

Sept. 1–20, 2026

Oct. 10–22, 2026

Nov. 28–29, 2026

Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027

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

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

Sept. 1–20, 2026

Oct. 10–22, 2026

Nov. 28–29, 2026

Dec. 5, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027

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, 2027

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.

Duck Season Dates and Bag Limits

Early Application Dates: Sept. 23 – Oct. 13, 2026

Includes hunt days: Nov. 28- 2 9 & Dec. 5 - 21, 2026

Mid Application Dates: Oct. 21 – Nov. 10, 2026

Includes hunt days: Dec. 22, 2026 & Jan. 11, 2027

Late Application Dates: Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2026

Includes hunt days: Jan. 12 – 31, 2027

Season Long Application Dates: June 24 – July 15, 2026

Tier 1 Blind Hunt Dates: Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 & Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027

SPECIES	STATEWIDE	DAILY BAG LIMIT	POSSESSION LIMIT
Wood Duck & Teal	Sept. 12 –16, 2026	The daily bag limit of ducks is 6 birds/day, which 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. 28 – 29, 2026 Dec. 5, 2026 –Jan. 31, 2027	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. 28-30, 2026 & Dec. 5–17, 2026 then 2 scaup from Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027. Mergansers: 5 (only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers)
Youth Sportsman Waterfowl Hunting Season*	Feb. 6 and 13, 2027	Same as regular season daily bag limits.
Veterans and Active Military Personnel**	Feb. 7 and 14, 2027	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.

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, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 Statewide tags are valid statewide, including the Southeast Crane Zone, except during the three (3) day closure in that zone from Jan. 15– 17, 2027.	Dec. 3, 2026 – Jan. 14, 2027 Jan. 18 – 31, 2027	The daily bag, season bag, and possession limit for sandhill cranes is based on the number of tags awarded to an individual.

SPECIES

STATEWIDE

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

DAILY BAG LIMIT AND POSSESSION LIMIT*

Sandhill Crane

Dec. 3, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027

Statewide tags are valid statewide, including the Southeast Crane Zone, except during the three (3) day closure in that zone from Jan. 15– 17, 2027.

Dec. 3, 2026 – Jan. 14, 2027

Jan. 18 – 31, 2027

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

Small Game and Furbearer Season Dates and Bag Limits

SPECIES	OPENING DATE	CLOSING DATE	DAILY BAG
Squirrel	Aug. 22, 2026	March 15, 2027	10
Spring Squirrel 2026	May 7, 2026 May 8, 2027	June 14, 2026 June 13, 2027	10
Rabbit	Nov. 7, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	5
Grouse	Oct. 10, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	3
Quail*	Nov. 7, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	6
Beaver	year-round		None
Coyote	year-round		None
Coyote Night Season	Sunset Jun. 6, 2026 Sunset Jan 16, 2027 Sunset June 5, 2027	Sunrise Aug. 9, 2026 Sunrise March 14, 2027 Sunrise August 8, 2027	None
Groundhog	year-round		None
Striped Skunk	year-round		None
Armadillo	year-round		None
Fox	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Mink	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Muskrat	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Otter**	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Least Weasel	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Raccoon Private Lands Only	Year-round		4
Raccoon Taking Season	Sunset Sept. 18, 2026	Sunrise Mar. 15, 2027	4
Opossum Private Lands Only	Year-round		4
Opossum Taking Season	Sunset Sept. 18, 2026	Sunrise Mar. 15, 2027	4
Bobcat * Private Lands Only**	Sept. 26, 2026	Nov. 19, 2026	1
Bobcat*** Statewide	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	1
Bobcat Night Private Lands Only	Sunset Jun. 6, 2026 Sunset Jan 16, 2027 Sunset June 5, 2027	Sunrise Aug. 9, 2026 Sunrise March 14, 2027 Sunrise August 8, 2027	1
Bullfrog	year-round	Except state lakes*****	20

* Quail season is November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027 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.

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. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Mink	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Muskrat	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Otter*	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Least Weasel	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	None
Bobcat**	Nov. 20, 2026	Feb. 28, 2027	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.