Tennessee Deer Season 2026-27
Tennessee deer season dates start with Sep 26-Nov 6, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Tennessee's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 21, 2026-Jan 3, 2027.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Nov 6, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Oct 30, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Tennessee TWRA.
Deer
17 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
August Archery
Archery only. Private lands and select Unit 1 WMAs only. No antlerless harvest. Due to removal of Unit CWD, guns and muzzleloaders no longer allowed during August season.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Two segments: Sept. 26 - Oct. 30, 2026 and Nov. 2 - Nov. 6, 2026. Antlerless bag limit 3/day.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day. Also Nov. 2-6, 2026.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 4. Also Nov. 2-6, 2026.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Two segments: Sept. 26 - Oct. 30, 2026 and Nov. 2 - Nov. 6, 2026. Antlerless bag limit 4.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day. Also Jan. 9-10, 2027. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Antlerless bag limit: 2 total for all 4 days combined. Also Jan. 9-10, 2027. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Two hunt dates: Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Jan. 9-10, 2027. Antlerless bag limit 2 total for 4 days combined. Youths 6-16 accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Two hunt dates: Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2026 and Jan. 9-10, 2027. Antlerless bag limit 3/day. Youths 6-16 accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day. Second split of archery season.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 4. Second split of archery season.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 2. Single shot straight-walled rifles legal on private lands only Nov. 14-20, 2026.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader/Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day. Single shot straight-walled rifles legal on private lands only Nov. 14-20, 2026.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 2.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Antlerless bag limit: 2 total combined. Second date of Young Sportsman hunt. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 4, 5 & 6
White-tailed Deer
Young Sportsman (G/M/A)
Antlerless bag limit: 3/day. Second date of Young Sportsman hunt. Youths 6-16, must be accompanied by non-hunting adult 21+.
Zone: Units 1, 2, & 3
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Nearby deer seasons
Tennessee Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in Tennessee?
August 28, 2026 is the earliest listed deer opener in Tennessee — august archery white-tailed deer runs Aug 28-30, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Tennessee TWRA.
What are the 2026-27 deer season dates in Tennessee?
Tennessee lists 17 deer season windows: August Archery White-tailed Deer (Aug 28-30, 2026); Archery White-tailed Deer (Sep 26-Nov 6, 2026); Archery White-tailed Deer (Sep 26-Oct 30, 2026); Archery White-tailed Deer (Sep 26-Oct 30, 2026); Archery White-tailed Deer (Sep 26-Nov 6, 2026); Young Sportsman (G/M/A) White-tailed Deer (Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026); Young Sportsman (G/M/A) White-tailed Deer (Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026); Young Sportsman (G/M/A) White-tailed Deer (Oct 31, 2026-Jan 10, 2027); and more. Always verify against Tennessee TWRA before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in Tennessee?
Yes — Tennessee lists separate deer seasons for August Archery White-tailed Deer, Archery White-tailed Deer, Young Sportsman (G/M/A) White-tailed Deer, Muzzleloader/Archery White-tailed Deer, Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery White-tailed Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Tennessee TWRA.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Tennessee TWRA.