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State-wide Hunting Season Information

Bobcat
No season; hunting prohibited by law.

Coyote
May be hunted year-round.

Turkey
Statewide season is open April – May in all Tennessee counties, excluding wildlife management areas (WMAs) and, refuges unless specifically listed. A hunter may take a total of four bearded turkeys for the spring season with restrictions. See hunting rules and regulations at www.state.tn.us/twra. WMAs are open April – May and in March for juvenile hunts. Dates vary per calendar year, so check with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for exact dates, times and locations of all WMA areas. Federal permits are required for all national wildlife refuges. (How to clean a wild turkey)

Deer
There are rules with regard to legal bucks and bag limits of no more than a total of three antlered bucks per year, with no more than two coming from the same season’s unit area. Albino deer are prohibited from hunting.
Seasons very per calendar year and are open late September through early January for specific deer units and hunting devices such as bow and arrow, muzzleloader to rifle.
Special season for young sportsmen, ages 10-16 are also open in late October and mid-January

Hunting Seasons Set for 2007-08

During their meeting on May 24, 2007, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission voted to allow the use of 28 gauge shotguns for turkey hunting. Shot size of number 4 or smaller is still required. The TWRC also approved the addition of the rock dove (domestic pigeon) to the list of unprotected species.

Commission members approved the proposed change for checking big game harvests, stating that all animals harvested must be accompanied by one tagged animal and must be taken together to the nearest big game checking station by the most reasonably direct route within thirty-six (36) hours of the first kill where one new temporary kill tag will be issued. Evidence of species and sex must be available for inspection by wildlife officer or Agency designated personnel prior to issuance of permanent game tag.

The following proclamations were passed by the Commission:

2007 Manner and Means of Hunting, Taking, and Trapping

2007 Statewide Big Game Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits

2007 Statewide Small Game Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits

2007 WMA Hunting Seasons, Limits, and Miscellaneous Regulations

2007 Statewide Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Seasons and Bag Limits

2007 Proclamation Opening Hatchie, Lower Hatchie, Reelfoot, Lake Isom, Cross Creeks, Chickasaw, and Tennessee National Wildlife Refuges to Hunting