Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
TN
Deer Hunting in Tennessee: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in Tennessee starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $66 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $305 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Aug 22 – Aug 24 August Archery (Private Land)
Draw Required? No (OTC) Over-the-counter tags
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Tennessee Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Tennessee deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Most hunters can start from the state license portal and available deer permits.
August Archery (Private Land); also check Archery.
For Tennessee deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Resident combo plus Big Game supplement is the minimum annual deer setup; non-residents usually use the Annual or 7-Day All Game license. Because this page lists over-the-counter access, the main risk is choosing the correct weapon season, zone, and add-on permit. CWD has been detected in Tennessee, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Tennessee
Tennessee deer access is bundled through the license system, but it is not a free deer tag tied to the base resident combo alone. Adult residents generally budget for the $33 Hunting/Fishing Combo plus the matching $33 Big Game supplement for the weapon type they plan to use, while non-residents usually buy the Annual All Game license or the 7-Day All Game option for shorter trips. Tennessee's statewide deer limit is generally 2 antlered bucks per license year, and an antlered deer is defined as having at least one antler 3 inches or longer. TWRA also maintains a CWD Management Zone in western and southwestern counties with feeding, mineral, movement, and reporting rules that hunters should review before moving carcasses or placing attractants.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
Tennessee Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Tennessee offers 7 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Tennessee Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$66
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$305
Over-the-counter tag available
Resident combo plus Big Game supplement is the minimum annual deer setup; non-residents usually use the Annual or 7-Day All Game license
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Tennessee deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Tennessee license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Tennessee
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
TWRA CWD Management Zone in western and southwestern counties, including Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley
CWD Testing / Transport
CWD detected
Zones: TWRA CWD Management Zone in western and southwestern counties, including Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: 2 antlered + antlerless by DMU
DMU 1-3: 3 antlerless/day; DMU 4-6: 2 antlerless/day (gun season). CWD zones may require Earn-A-Buck and mandatory reporting
Allowed Weapons
Bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Tennessee — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not frame CWD testing as a single statewide requirement for every hunter. TWRA uses testing locations, CWD-zone reporting rules, and specific management incentives in affected counties, so hunters should check the current county guidance before the season.
What defines an antlered deer in Tennessee?
To be considered an antlered buck, the deer must have at least one antler that measures a minimum of 3 inches in length.
Can I use minerals or bait in Tennessee?
Tennessee restricts bait, grain, salt, minerals, and similar attractants inside the CWD Management Zone. Hunters should check the current TWRA county list because the zone boundaries and related restrictions can change.
What deer species can I hunt in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Tennessee?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Tennessee. Most visiting hunters use the $305 Annual All Game license, while short-trip hunters may use the $214 7-Day All Game license when it fits their trip. Residents, by contrast, usually piece deer access together with the combo license and the appropriate big game supplement.