Deer hunting season in Tennessee opens November 19, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced in a press release. Traditionally, the season begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is November 24.

“Deer hunting season is one of our state’s most cherished traditions,” Jason Maxedon, Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said in a statement. “We hope everyone will be able to get into the woods and have the opportunity to carry someone with you to continue the tradition.”

The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two per season, not exceeding one per day, according to TWRA.

The state is divided into six units with different bag limits for antlerless deer. The bag limits for each region are:

  • Unit L: three per day
  • Unit A: two per season
  • Unit B: one per season
  • Unit C: one per season (Nov. 19-Dec. 4 only)
  • Unit D: one per season (Nov. 19-25 only)
  • Unit CWD: limit of three antlerless deer per day with no season limit

Additionally, in Unit CWD, there is a bag limit of three antlered deer. However, the bag limit of three antlered deer may be exceeded within Unit CWD if taken under the Earn-A-Buck Program or the Replacement Buck Program.

In addition to guns, muzzleloaders or archery equipment can also be used by sportsmen during deer hunting season.

According to TWRA, anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, hunting any species in Tennessee is required to carry proof of satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or have the Apprentice Hunting License and any other required licenses. Hunter education can be completed online for free to fulfill the requirements.

Physical copies of the 2022-23 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide can be picked up at a TWRA agency office, a license agent retail location, or both online and on the TWRA app. The guide includes information about Tennessee’s 2022-23 deer hunting seasons, exact boundaries of deer units, and complete license requirements.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “White-Tailed Deer” by U.S. Department of Agriculture. CC BY 2.0.