Are you planning your next deer hunt? Tennessee’s vast and varied public hunting areas are a paradise for deer hunters. With its strong deer population and numerous hunting opportunities, Tennessee is a top choice for those aiming to fill their freezer with venison.

The hardwood forests of the Appalachian Mountains and the fertile fields of the Mississippi River Delta offer a diverse and challenging hunting experience, set against the stunning natural backdrops that make deer hunting so rewarding even if you don’t bring home a buck.

But when can you hunt? This blog will guide you to the 2024 Tennessee deer hunting season, as determined by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

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2024-2025 Deer Season: Management Units, Hunting Dates, and Bag Limits

August Season*

• Dates: August 23 – August 25, 2024
• Antlered Bag Limit (Statewide): 2 (1/day)
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 1, 2, & 3): Closed
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 4, 5, & 6): Closed

Young Sportsman** (Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery)

• Dates: October 26 – 27, 2024 & January 11 – 12, 2025
• Antlered Bag Limit (Statewide): 2 (1/day)
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 1, 2, & 3): 3/day
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 4, 5, & 6): 2/day

Archery*** (Archery Only)

• Dates: September 28 – November 8, 2024
• Antlered Bag Limit (Statewide): 2 (1/day)
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 1, 2, & 3): 3/day
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 4, 5, & 6): 4/day

Muzzleloader/Archery (Muzzleloader & Archery)

• Dates: November 9 – November 22, 2024
• Antlered Bag Limit (Statewide): 2 (1/day)
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 1, 2, & 3): 3/day
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 4, 5, & 6): 2/day

Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery (All Weapons)

• Dates: November 23, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• Antlered Bag Limit (Statewide): 2 (1/day)
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 1, 2, & 3): 3/day
• Antlerless Bag Limit (Units 4, 5, & 6): 2/day

Deer Management Units and Their Counties

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.

Important Hunting Regulations and Guidelines

Archery Only

• Archery-only hunting is allowed on private lands and select Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Refer to individual WMA regulations for details. Note that with the removal of Unit CWD, guns and muzzleloaders are no longer permitted.

Youth Hunts

• Youths aged 6–16 can participate using guns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Each young sportsman must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, aged 21 or older, who must stay close enough to take immediate control of the hunting device and comply with fluorescent orange regulations. A single, qualifying adult can accompany multiple youths. Antlerless bag limits for Units 4, 5, and 6 are capped at 2 antlerless deer over the four combined days of the youth hunt.

Archery Season Exception*

• Archery hunting is closed during the Young Sportsman Hunt on October 26–27, 2024.

Bag Limits and Bonus Deer**

• The bag limit may be exceeded if the deer is taken as a bonus deer, 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. For more information, visit CWD in Tennessee.

General Deer Hunting Regulations

Carcass Transport into Tennessee

• Only approved parts from deer, elk, moose, and caribou can be brought into Tennessee. Approved parts include deboned meat, clean skulls, skull plates, and teeth, antlers, finished taxidermy, hides, and tanned products.

Carcass Transport in CWD-Affected Counties

• Within Tennessee, approved parts (as listed above) can be moved freely. However, restrictions apply to unapproved parts (e.g., whole or undressed carcasses) depending on whether the county is in the CWD Management Zone. For more details, visit the Carcass Transportation Restrictions page.

Deer Harvest Check-In

• All harvested deer must be checked in. For check-in procedures, visit the Big Game Check-In Procedures page.

Antlered Deer

• An antlered deer is defined as a male or female deer with at least one antler that is at least three inches long. The statewide bag limit is two antlered deer (one per day, not to exceed two for the season). This limit may be exceeded if the deer is taken as a bonus deer, under the Earn-A-Buck Program, or as a Replacement Buck.

Antlerless Deer

• Antlerless deer are those with no antlers or with antlers less than three inches long. Hunters may harvest up to the antlerless bag limit in each Deer Management Unit (DMU). Moving to a different county within the same DMU does not increase the bag limit.

Method of Take

• Archery equipment is allowed during muzzleloader and gun seasons, and muzzleloading equipment is permitted during gun season.

Albino Deer

• Hunting, trapping, or possessing albino deer is prohibited under TCA 70-4-130. An albino deer is characterized by a lack of pigment in the skin and hair and has pink eyes.

A Word About Tree Stands

• The TWRA advises hunters using tree stands to employ a fall restraint system. Falls from tree stands are a common cause of hunting accidents, and using a fall restraint system can help prevent or reduce the severity of these accidents.

Conclusion

As you prepare for the 2024-2025 deer hunting season in Tennessee, understanding the regulations and guidelines is crucial for a successful and enjoyable experience. From the diverse deer management units and their specific bag limits to the rules surrounding carcass transport and method of take, being well-informed will help you make the most of your hunt.

Remember to check in all harvested deer, adhere to the antlered and antlerless deer limits, and follow the state regulations for transporting carcasses, especially in CWD-affected areas. Use the appropriate equipment during the designated seasons and ensure safety by utilizing a fall restraint system when hunting from tree stands.

By following these guidelines and preparing accordingly, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate Tennessee’s hunting landscape and enjoy a rewarding hunting season. Happy hunting!