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2022-2023 Tennessee Deer Season Dates & Changes

Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Brian Grossman

At their June 2-3, 2022 meeting the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission finalized 2022-2023 deer season dates and regulations. While it appears there could be significant changes coming in 2024 as the TWRA develops a whole new deer management strategy, the 2022-2023 season saw minimal changes from last year beyond the standard calendar date shifts.

Those changes are highlighted below along with Tennessee’s 2022-2023 deer season dates and regulations for each deer unit. Keep in mind these are not the comprehensive deer hunting regulations. While we make every effort possible to ensure our information is accurate and up-to-date, you should always check TWRA’s official hunting guide or website before heading afield.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the upcoming season and any future changes you’d like to see in the comments section below.

Changes for 2022-2023

  • Tennesse deer hunters no longer need a Type 94 permit to hunt antlerless deer on private land. The permit will still be required on WMAs.
  • In the CWD Zone, the rifle season will be extended two weeks, the buck limit will increase to three, and the number of does required to “Earn a Buck” will be reduced from two to one.

Deer Zone Map

Map of Tennessee's deer hunting units

Unit A

Unit A includes Bradley, Carter, Hamilton, Hawkins, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, Roane, and Sullivan counties.

Unit B

Unit B includes Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Hancock, Jackson, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Scott, Sequatchie, Van Buren, Warren, and White counties.

Unit C

Unit C includes Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties.

Unit D

Unit D includes Blount, Monroe, Polk, and Sevier counties.

Unit L

Unit L includes Bedford, Benton, Cannon, Carroll, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Franklin, Giles, Hardin, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Obion, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Weakley, Williamson, and Wilson counties.

Unit CWD

Unit CWD counties have not changed from last season and include Chester, Crockett, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton counties. CWD Positive or High-Risk counties outside of Unit CWD (Carroll, Decatur, Dyer, Hardin, Henry, Wayne, and Weakley counties) are in Unit L for hunting regulations but must still follow CWD carcass transportation and feeding restrictions.

Deer Season Dates

Unit A

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

Aug. 26 – 28, 2022

ARCHERY SEASON:

Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022, and Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2022

Antlerless Bag Limit: 4

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 2

MUZZLELOADER: 

  • Nov. 5 – 18, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 2

GUN

  • Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 2

Unit B

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

  • Aug. 26 – 28, 2022
  • Antlered deer only

ARCHERY SEASON:

  • Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022, and Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 4

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023

MUZZLELOADER: 

  • Nov. 5 – 18, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 2

GUN

  • Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 1

Unit C

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

  • Aug. 26 – 28, 2022
  • Antlered deer only

ARCHERY SEASON:

  • Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022, and Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 4

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023

MUZZLELOADER: 

  • Nov. 5 – 18, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 1

GUN

  • Antlered: Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
  • Antlerless: Nov. 19 – Dec. 4, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 1

Unit D

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

  • Aug. 26 – 28, 2022
  • Antlered deer only

ARCHERY SEASON:

  • Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022, and Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 4

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023

MUZZLELOADER: 

  • Nov. 5 – 18, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 1

GUN

  • Antlered:  Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
  • Antlerless: Nov. 19 – Nov. 25, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 1

Unit L

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

  • Aug. 26 – 28, 2022
  • Antlered deer only

ARCHERY SEASON:

  • Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022, and Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 per day

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023

MUZZLELOADER: 

  • Nov. 5 – 18, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 per day

GUN:

  • Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 per day

PRIVATE LANDS SEASON:

Hunting is allowed on all privately owned lands in Unit L and Unit CWD (including leased land and lands owned by individuals). It is the responsibility of all hunters to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on privately owned lands. No public lands or WMAs are open during this period. No antlered deer may be taken during this period in Unit L. Antlered deer may be taken during this period in Unit CWD (statewide bag limit still applies).

  • Jan. 9 – 13, 2023
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 per day

Zone CWD

AUGUST SEASON: 

 Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. See Region 1 WMA regulations to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD.

  • Aug. 26 – 28, 2022
  • Antlered deer only

ARCHERY SEASON:

  • Sep 24 – Oct 28, 2022
  • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 deer per day

YOUNG SPORTSMEN: 

Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment (G/M/A). Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult Antlerless bag limits for Units A, B, C and D are not to exceed a total of 2 antlerless deer for the four days combined.

  • Oct. 29 – 30, 2022, & Jan. 14 – 15, 2023

    GUN:

    • Oct. 31, 2022 – Jan. 13, 2023, and Jan. 16-31, 2023
    • Antlerless Bag Limit: 3 per day

    Antlered Deer: An antlered deer is any male or female deer with at least one antler that is at least three inches in length.  

    Antlerless Deer: An antlerless deer is any male or female deer without antlers or with antlers that are less than three inches in length. Tennessee deer hunters may harvest up to the unit antlerless bag limit in each unit.

    Statewide Antlered Deer Bag Limit: Two antlered deer for the license year, except in the CWD Zone where the limit is now three. Only one antlered deer may be taken per day. The only way to exceed the statewide bag limit of two antlered deer is to take a bonus deer, an antlered deer under the Earn-A-Buck Program in Unit CWD (see CWD in Tennessee), or if taken as a Replacement Buck (see CWD in Tennessee).

    Hunter Education Requirements

    All hunters born on or after January 1, 1969, must carry proof they have successfully completed a Hunter Education course. Hunter Education certification is accepted from all other states. Children under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the weapon.

    Legal Deer Hunting Weapons

    • Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with single solid ball or slugs
    • Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)
    • Muzzleloading firearms (rifles and handguns) .36 cal. or larger
    • Air guns .35 cal. or larger
    • Pre-charged pneumatic gun which shoots an arrow (special conditions apply)
    • Archery equipment (longbows, recurves, compounds, and crossbows)

    Legal Deer Hunting Hours

    Legal deer hunting hours are 30 minutes before official sunrise and until 30 minutes after official sunset.

    Deer Check-In Procedures

    Before moving your harvested big game, you must either check it in on your smartphone or physically tag the animal and check it in before midnight. These procedures are a requirement for everyone, including landowners and those exempt from license requirements.

    • Big game must be checked in by midnight on the day of harvest AND before being gifted to another person or leaving the state.
    • Temporary Transportation Tag must remain affixed to the animal until it is checked in.
    • Evidence of the animal’s sex, species, and antlered status (if applicable) must remain with the animal while afield and until checked in.

    The harvest confirmation number is important!

    After check-in, it must be available for inspection by TWRA personnel until time of final processing. It must accompany an animal taken to a taxidermist, meat processor, or gifted to another person.

    Hunter Orange Requirements

    Tennessee deer hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange on their upper body and head, visible front and back, while deer hunting except on archery-only hunts. A hat and vest fulfills this requirement. Blaze orange camo is legal if it contains 500 square inches of fluorescent orange. In those areas where the archery-only deer season dates overlap with another big game gun season (i.e., bear), archers are required to wear 500 square inches of blaze orange. Blaze orange is required during the August Hunt in Unit CWD as well.

    June 3, 2022 Commission Meeting Video

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    4 Comments

    1. Very confusing i own and live on my own land and my granddaughter wants to gun hunt this year on my private land. So when can she hunt only on the youth hunting dates. Does she need a hunters safty course to hunt on my land?

    2. I own land in Smith County. Do I need to buy a hunting license so I can hunt on my land?
      Where is the closest check-in area for Smith county?

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