Hunting Basics

See also: Small Game Hunting in Tennessee

Archery Deer Season in Tennessee

Are you up for a challenge?  Bowhunting is a challenging sport that demands participants to be proficient shooters and skilled woodsmen.  Bowhunting also offers an excellent opportunity to get in the woods before other deer hunters.  It is important for bowhunter’s to be properly equipped, prepared and willing to spend a good deal of time in the woods.  The most successflul Tennessee bowhunters spend plenty of time afield scouting and their bows never collect dust in the closet.  Most shoot regularly to ensure accuracy, remain familiar with their equipment and know their effective maximum range - the furthest distance from which an archer can place each and every arrow in the pie pan-sized vital area of a deer.

The bowhunting season in Tennessee begins on September 27, 2008 and presents the hunter with an excellent opportunity to spend more time in the field.  Archery harvests have leveled off over the past decade, accounting for just over 10 percent of the entire deer harvest. 

What’s Legal

Legal bowhunting equipment ranges from the traditional straight bows and recurve bows to the more modern compound bows and crossbows.  Bows and crossbows are not required to meet a minimum bow weight drawing standard, nor is there a maximum let-off limit.  Mechanical releases are legal for use in Tennessee. Broadheads are the only legal tip for hunting big game and may either be fixed blade or expandable (mechanical).  Broadheads are not required to meet a minimum cutting diameter.
Archery deer hunters in Tennessee are not required to wear blaze orange during archery only deer seasons.  However, if one wants to bow hunt during the muzzleloader and gun segments of deer hunting season, one must wear the required 500 square inches of blaze orange. 

Bowhunters choosing to use tree stands are urged to be cautious of the hazards associated with hunting from elevated positions. Falls resulting in serious injury and even death are occurring annually in the state. All tree stand users should wear a restraining device, preferably a full body harness.

Muzzleloading Deer Season in Tennessee

The time has never been better to begin blackpowder hunting in Tennessee.  The muzzleloader season in Tennessee, which begins on November 1, 2008, presents the hunter with an excellent opportunity to spend more time in the field.  The early fall muzzleloader season also provides the hunter a chance to be in the woods at an optimum time in which to harvest a buck.  

The muzzleloading deer hunting season is quickly becoming the fastest growing hunting season segment in Tennessee.  Muzzleloading season harvest accounts for almost 25% of our overall deer harvest and the harvest continues to increase.   It is not uncommon for the opening weekend of muzzleleoader season to surpass opening weekend of gun season in harvest numbers. 

What’s Legal

Legal blackpowder equipment ranges from the traditional-looking side hammer percussion or flintlock firearms to the more modern in-line ignition guns using the M209 shotgun primer.  To be legal in Tennessee, the gun must be at least a .40 caliber.  In Tennessee, legal muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms which are incapable from being loaded from the breech.   Scopes may be used on muzzleloading firearms in Tennessee.  Muzzleloading handguns of at least .40 caliber and having a barrel length of at least four inches are also legal for hunting big game.

Muzzleloading deer hunters in Tennessee must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange (blaze orange), visible front and back.   Blaze orange camo is legal if it contains 500 square inches of fluorescent orange.

Licenses & Limits

In order to hunt deer during the archery segment, one must possess either a lifetime license, or an annual sportsman license (all inclusive Type 004), or a type 001 hunting and fishing license and an annual Big Game Archery license (Type 010).  If hunting on a Wildlife Management Area, be sure and check the 2008 Hunting and Trapping Guide for requirements regarding Wildlife Management Area Permits.  

In order to hunt deer during the muzzleloader segment, one must possess either a lifetime license, or an annual sportsman license (all inclusive Type 004), or a type 001 hunting and fishing license and an annual Big Game Muzzleloader license (Type 011).  If hunting on a Wildlife Management Area, be sure and check the 2008 Hunting and Trapping Guide for requirements regarding Wildlife Management Area Permits. 

Consult the 2008 Hunting and Trapping Guide for information regarding bag limits and season lengths. After a deer is harvested, a properly completed temporary kill tag must be attached to the animal.  At the conclusion of the hunt, the animal must then be transported to the nearest checking station to receive a permanent kill tag.

Educational Resources

Beginning bow hunters and muzzleloader hunters should enroll in a TWRA Hunter Education class; these courses introduce hunters to bowhunting, blackpowder and modern firearms.  Remember anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, beginning at age 10, must possess proof of satisfactory completion of an approved hunter education course before hunting any species in Tennessee.

Beginning bowhunters are also urged to enroll in a bowhunter education course.  The course is available to those hunters interested in learning more about bowhunting, improving their skills, or for those individuals requiring certification to bowhunt in another states or provinces where this training is mandatory.  For information on classes check TWRA’s class listings by clicking here or call (615) 781-6538.

Basic Deer Hunting Equipment

What Do I Need For Archery Deer Hunting In Tennessee?

• Long bow, recurve bow, compound bow or a crossbow
• Archery accessories (arrows, broadheads, quiver)
• Appropriate license/ permits

What Do I Need For Muzzleloader Deer Hunting In Tennessee?

• Muzzleloader that is at least a .40 caliber
• Muzzleloading accessories (bullet starter, bullets, powder, primers)
• Blaze orange vest and hat containing 500 square inches of fluorescent orange
• Appropriate license/ permits