Tennessee · Deer · 2026–27 Edition
Tennessee Deer Season 2026–27: Dates, Zones & Bag Limits
Sep 26 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons by method
| Method | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| August velvet (archery) | Private + select Unit 1 WMAs | Aug 28 – Aug 30 |
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 26 – Oct 30 |
| Young Sportsman | Statewide | Oct 31 – Nov 1 |
| Archery (2nd) | Statewide | Nov 2 – Nov 6 |
| Muzzleloader / Archery | Statewide | Nov 7 – Nov 20 |
| Gun / Muzzleloader / Archery | Statewide | Nov 21 – Jan 3 |
| Young Sportsman (late) | Statewide | Jan 9 – Jan 10 |
02 — Bag limits
| Antlered | 2 per season statewide (1/day); bonus/Earn-A-Buck/Replacement Buck exceptions apply |
|---|---|
| Antlerless | Varies by Deer Management Unit (1–6) — see TWRA |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 26, 2026) 06:08 — 19:06
Rule: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset (standard) — confirm with TWRA. (Shooting-hours rule not yet independently verified against the agency.) Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Tennessee sun times for any other date.
04 — License
A Tennessee hunting license and deer permit are required. A dedicated Tennessee license page — costs, age rules and where to buy — is coming; for now, buy and read the rules straight from the agency.
Tennessee licenses & permits — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency →
05 — FAQ
When does deer season start in Tennessee?
The earliest 2026–27 opener is September 26, 2026 (archery). Gun and muzzleloader dates differ — see the table above.
When does deer season end in Tennessee?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 10, 2027. Individual methods and zones close on their own dates.
Verified · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Statewide season dates per TWRA. Antlerless bag limits differ by Deer Management Unit (1–6). The August velvet hunt is archery-only on private land and select Unit 1 WMAs. Confirm unit rules with TWRA.