Tennessee Bear Season 2026-27
Tennessee bear season dates start with Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026. The table below keeps every listed bear row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Tennessee's listed 2026-27 bear season runs Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026.
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Oct 23, 2026.
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Oct 23, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Tennessee TWRA.
Bear
54 listed rowsBlack Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: Transitional Zone
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 5
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: Transitional Zone
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 1
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 2
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. Bag limit is 1 bear of either sex per year.
Zone: BHZ 1
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 3
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 2
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 4
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 3
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 4
Black Bear
Archery Only (Still Hunting)
Still hunting only, no hounds allowed.
Zone: BHZ 5
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black BearKettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt - Private Lands Only · Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear ReservePrivate lands only. Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery with hounds allowed. | Closed | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. Also Oct. 10-11, 2026. | Open | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Open | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Also Oct. 10-16, 2026. | Closed | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Open | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. Two segments: Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-11, 2026. | Open | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Two segments: Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 10-16, 2026. | Open | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. Second split of early season. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Second split of early season. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 2Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 1Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 2Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 3Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) - Private Land Only · BHZ 4Still hunting only, no hounds. Private Land Only. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) - Private Land Only · BHZ 5Still hunting only, no hounds. Private Land Only. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) - Private Land Only · BHZ 5Still hunting only, no hounds. Private land only. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 1Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 3Still hunting only, no hounds. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearYoung Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) - Private Land Only · BHZ 4Still hunting only, no hounds. Private land only. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Mid-Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 1Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 2Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 1Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) · BHZ 3Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 2Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) · BHZ 3Still hunting only, no hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Also Dec. 31, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 1Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 2Hounds allowed. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (Hounds Allowed) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Multiple segments: Nov. 30 - Dec. 13, 2026 and Dec. 31, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting, No Hounds) - Private Land Only · BHZ 5Still hunting only, no hounds. Private Land Only. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (With Hounds) - Private Land Only · BHZ 4Hounds allowed. Private Land Only. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) - Private Land Only · BHZ 5Still hunting only, no hounds. Private land only. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (Hounds Allowed) - Private Land Only · BHZ 4Hounds allowed. Private land only. | Upcoming | |
| Black BearGun/Muzzleloader/Archery Late Season (With Hounds) · BHZ 3Hounds allowed. Second split of late season. | Upcoming |
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
Nearby bear seasons
Tennessee Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in Tennessee?
September 19, 2026 is the earliest listed bear opener in Tennessee — kettlefoot and laurel fork bear reserve hunt - private lands only black bear runs Sep 19-25, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Tennessee TWRA.
What are the 2026-27 bear season dates in Tennessee?
Tennessee lists 54 bear season windows: Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt - Private Lands Only Black Bear (Sep 19-25, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear (Sep 26-Oct 23, 2026); and more. Always verify against Tennessee TWRA before hunting.
Are there different bear seasons in Tennessee?
Yes — Tennessee lists separate bear seasons for Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt - Private Lands Only Black Bear, Archery Only (Still Hunting) Black Bear, Archery Only (Still Hunting, No Hounds) Black Bear, Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (With Hounds) Black Bear, Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Early Season (Hounds Allowed) Black Bear, Young Sportsman Gun/Muzz/Archery (Still Hunting) Black Bear. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Tennessee TWRA.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Tennessee TWRA.