Tennessee Deer Rifle/Firearm Season 2025, 2026, 2027
Rifle/Firearm deer hunting dates for Tennessee.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
1 of 2 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Tennessee Deer Rifle/Firearm Season
Find rifle deer hunting season dates for Tennessee. Plan your 2025, 2026, 2027 rifle hunt with dates, zones, and equipment requirements.
Rifle/Firearm Season Coming Soon
1 rifle season opening within 60 days
Nov 21, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027
Actual labeled current2026–27 combined guide printed66–67/PDF68–69: Williamson Unit2, not Unit3/old letter UnitC; regular gun Nov21–Jan3. Only private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle subset reviewed, not individual permission. Early single-shot straight-wall private Nov14–20 is separate: manufactured incapable of multiple rounds/.35 or larger, not this repeating bottleneck rifle; youthJan9–10 excluded, no bridge. Antlered at least one antler three inches or longer; ordinary limit two per season/one per day, Earn-A-Buck/replacement/WMAbonus exceptions excluded here, not universal two-buck cap. Printed50/PDF52 centerfire rifle legal for deer, FMJ prohibited; early .35 straight-wall rule not minimum for all regular rifles; sunrise/sunset±30minutes, not hourly permission. Current hunting/big-game gun privileges/eligibility/bag/reporting/transport/permission/orange/local/rifle/device/ammunition/CWD/feeding/bait/closures/amendments require checks. No other county/unit/WMA/public/youth/bonus/antlerless/early/special/other-method coverage; six history rows/license metadata unverified. Government guide/index403 unread, no bypass; actual current publisher table/labeled resource PDF read, cover guides-path alias not substituted or assumed identical.
Rifle/Firearm Deer Season Dates
2 rifle seasons in Tennessee
| Dates | Zone | Status | Notes | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027 Date window reviewed 2026-10-09; verify license-specific exceptions Official date source | Williamson Unit2 private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle | Upcoming | Actual labeled current2026–27 combined guide printed66–67/PDF68–69: Williamson Unit2, not Unit3/old letter UnitC; regular gun Nov21–Jan3. Only private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle subset reviewed, not individual permission. Early single-shot straight-wall private Nov14–20 is separate: manufactured incapable of multiple rounds/.35 or larger, not this repeating bottleneck rifle; youthJan9–10 excluded, no bridge. Antlered at least one antler three inches or longer; ordinary limit two per season/one per day, Earn-A-Buck/replacement/WMAbonus exceptions excluded here, not universal two-buck cap. Printed50/PDF52 centerfire rifle legal for deer, FMJ prohibited; early .35 straight-wall rule not minimum for all regular rifles; sunrise/sunset±30minutes, not hourly permission. Current hunting/big-game gun privileges/eligibility/bag/reporting/transport/permission/orange/local/rifle/device/ammunition/CWD/feeding/bait/closures/amendments require checks. No other county/unit/WMA/public/youth/bonus/antlerless/early/special/other-method coverage; six history rows/license metadata unverified. Government guide/index403 unread, no bypass; actual current publisher table/labeled resource PDF read, cover guides-path alias not substituted or assumed identical. | |
| Nov 22, 2025 - Jan 5, 2026 Unverified date record; agency review required | Zone not recorded | Historical record | Gun season | |
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Compare Other Deer Hunting Methods
Explore 2 other methods available in Tennessee
Zone-Specific Rifle/Firearm Dates
Tennessee has different rifle deer dates by zone. Zones include: Williamson Unit2 private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle. Check official state regulations for zone boundaries.
Important Note for Tennessee
Only Williamson numeric Unit2 private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle Nov21–Jan3 reviewed from current labeled2026–27 guide. Nov14–20 single-shot straight-wall/.35 privilege not this rifle; youthJan9–10/bonus/WMA/other hunts excluded. Antler≥3inches; ordinary two season/one daily, CWD Earn-A-Buck/replacement exceptions separate. Centerfire/noFMJ; .35 not all regular-rifle minimum. Current license/gun privileges/bag/permission/orange/reporting/transport/CWD/feeding/bait/rifle/device/local/amendment checks needed. Six history rows/license metadata unverified; not individual permission.
Tennessee Deer Rifle/Firearm Hunting FAQ
Common questions about rifle deer hunting in Tennessee
When does rifle deer season start in Tennessee?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2026-11-21 to 2027-01-03; 2025-11-22 to 2026-01-05. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
What caliber rifles are legal for deer in Tennessee?
Tennessee has minimum caliber and cartridge requirements for deer hunting. Common requirements include minimum bullet diameter and energy specifications. Verify current rifle regulations with the state wildlife agency.
Are there different rifle deer zones in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee has zone-specific rifle deer seasons. Zones include: Williamson Unit2 private non-exempt adult ordinary antlered repeating bottleneck centerfire rifle. Each zone may have different dates and regulations.
Do I need a special tag for rifle deer hunting in Tennessee?
You need a valid Tennessee hunting license and applicable deer tags or permits. Some states offer rifle-specific tags or have separate quotas. Check current license requirements and availability.
What other methods can I use to hunt deer in Tennessee?
Besides rifle, Tennessee offers deer seasons for: Archery, Muzzleloader. Each method has different season dates and regulations.
Rifle/Firearm Deer in Other States
Compare rifle seasons across states
View All Tennessee Deer Seasons
See all hunting methods for deer in Tennessee.
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