Tennessee

Tennessee Muzzleloader Hunting Season 2023-2024

SeasonDates
Muzzleloader
Gun
Nov 4 – Nov 17
Nov 18 – Jan 7
Hunting Season Updated for 2023-2024

CLICK HERE FOR A SUMMARY OF THE HUNTING SEASON

Tennessee Muzzleloader Hunting Season Regulation

Muzzleloading firearms (rifles or handguns) must be larger than a .36 caliber.

During the Tennessee Muzzleloader Hunting Season, the opening of muzzleloader season in the state has a permanent opening date of the third Saturday before Thanksgiving. Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms which are incapable of being loaded from the breech. Muzzleloading firearms of .36 caliber minimum plus long bows, compound bows and crossbows are legal hunting equipment for this season. Hunters are also reminded that they must meet the blaze orange requirements while hunting. The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one antlered deer may be taken per day.  Hunters are allowed the following antlerless bag limits: Unit A -4 antlerless deer; Unit L-3 antlerless deer per day and Unit B-1 antlerless deer. For the exact boundaries of the different deer units, hunters can refer to the 2020-21 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at all TWRA offices. A list of the state’s permanent annual opening hunting dates is on page 14 of the guide.

The guide can also be viewed at TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org. Resident hunters, ages 16 through 64 must possess in addition to other appropriate licenses, an annual big game license for the equipment used.  Lifetime Sportsman license, Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish, Adult Sportsman license and Permanent Senior Citizens license holders are not required to purchase supplemental big game licenses. In addition to private lands, including public hunting areas, several wildlife management areas (WMAs) will be open to hunters during this muzzleloader season.  Hunters need to refer to the 2020-21 Hunting and Trapping Guide for a listing of these WMAs or go to TWRA’s website. Tennessee’s gun season for deer opens on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year’s date is Nov. 21. The Tennessee Muzzleloader Hunting Season will then continue through Jan.  Archery equipment is legal during muzzleloader and gun seasons. Muzzleloaders are legal during gun season. – This information is subject to change, for more information visit: http://www.tn.gov/twra/


Additional Links

DEER SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
DEER HUNTING REGULATIONS

BIG GAME HUNTING

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