Tennessee Hunting Laws
Tennessee has no minimum or maximum caliber for centerfire deer rifles — but full metal jacket ammunition is banned for big game. New for 2026: a private-land-only, single-shot straight-wall rifle season (.35 caliber or larger) runs Nov. 14–20, inside the muzzleloader season window.
Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.
At a glance
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Sourced rules
Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.
Air Gun
3 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Air guns used for deer, bear, or elk must be .35 caliber or larger.
"Air Guns ... .35 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Air guns used for deer, bear, or elk must be .35 caliber or larger.
"Air Guns ... .35 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Air guns used for deer, bear, or elk must be .35 caliber or larger.
"Air Guns ... .35 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
All weapons
4 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
At least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head (front and back) is required while hunting big game, except on archery-only and turkey hunts. Where archery season overlaps a big-game gun season, archers must also wear it.
"Hunters must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange (blaze orange) / Pink, visible front and back while hunting big game except on archery-only a..." |
Big Game Hunting — Safety Requirements | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
At least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head (front and back) is required while hunting big game, except on archery-only and turkey hunts. Where archery season overlaps a big-game gun season, archers must also wear it.
"Hunters must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange (blaze orange) / Pink, visible front and back while hunting big game except on archery-only a..." |
Big Game Hunting — Safety Requirements | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
At least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head (front and back) is required while hunting big game, except on archery-only and turkey hunts. Where archery season overlaps a big-game gun season, archers must also wear it.
"Hunters must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange (blaze orange) / Pink, visible front and back while hunting big game except on archery-only a..." |
Big Game Hunting — Safety Requirements | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
Suppressors are legal for hunting for anyone who may legally possess one under federal law (i.e., registered NFA suppressor owners).
"The use of suppressors/silencers is permitted for individuals who are legally able to own such devices under federal law." |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Suppressors/Silencers | Aug 2026 |
Handgun
6 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk handguns — any centerfire handgun is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk handguns — any centerfire handgun is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk handguns — any centerfire handgun is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
3 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Muzzleloading rifles, handguns, and shotguns must be .36 caliber or larger.
"Muzzleloading firearms .36 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Muzzleloading rifles, handguns, and shotguns must be .36 caliber or larger.
"Muzzleloading firearms .36 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Muzzleloading rifles, handguns, and shotguns must be .36 caliber or larger.
"Muzzleloading firearms .36 caliber or larger" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
Rifle
6 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk rifles — any centerfire rifle is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk rifles — any centerfire rifle is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
No minimum or maximum caliber for deer/bear/elk rifles — any centerfire rifle is legal, provided it does not fire full metal jacket ammunition.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition is prohibited for big game — expanding-type bullets are effectively required.
"Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition (full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
6 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer |
Shotguns for big game must be loaded with a single solid ball or slug — shot loads are not legal for deer, bear, or elk.
"Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with a single solid ball or slugs" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear |
Shotguns for big game must be loaded with a single solid ball or slug — shot loads are not legal for deer, bear, or elk.
"Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with a single solid ball or slugs" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Elk |
Shotguns for big game must be loaded with a single solid ball or slug — shot loads are not legal for deer, bear, or elk.
"Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with a single solid ball or slugs" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Big Game Firearms | Aug 2026 |
| Wild Turkey |
Turkey shot must be No. 4 shot or smaller (finer) — shot larger than No. 4 is not legal.
"Shotguns using ammunition with No. 4 shot or smaller." |
Turkey Hunting — Legal Hunting Equipment | Aug 2026 |
| Waterfowl |
Waterfowl and sandhill cranes must be hunted with federally approved nontoxic shot, T size or smaller. Some WMAs additionally require nontoxic shot for small game — check the individual WMA's posted rules.
"All federally approved non-toxic shot ... Waterfowl and sandhill cranes may only be hunted with non-toxic shot of T size or smaller." |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Waterfowl & Migratory Birds | Aug 2026 |
| Waterfowl |
The federal 3-shell plug rule applies to shotguns used for migratory birds (waterfowl/doves/etc.) — no such cap applies to deer rifles or shotguns.
"plugged with a one-piece filler...so its total capacity does not exceed three (3) shells" |
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations — Waterfowl & Migratory Birds | Aug 2026 |
Federal rules that apply in every state
These federal requirements apply in Tennessee on top of state law.
Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species.
50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist.
50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules.
50 CFR § 32.2(k)
Sources
2024 Elk Quota Draw instructions (TWRA form WR-1223, rev. 02/23)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (news-site mirror of TWRA form) · retrieved September 1, 2026
2026 Elk Quota Hunt Application Period Open February 4-25
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Big Game Hunting
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved August 30, 2026
Elk and Youth Elk Hunts (TWRA quota hunt page, 2026/2027 hunt choices)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Elk Quota Hunt Application Period February 5-26 (2025)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Elk Quota Hunt Application Period Underway (2023)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (via Wayback Machine) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Elk Quota Hunt, Conservation Raffle Winners Announced at August TFWC Meeting (2022)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (via Wayback Machine) · retrieved September 1, 2026
General Hunting & Trapping Regulations
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved August 30, 2026
PAD-US 4.1 Fee Managers (PADUS4_1FeeManagers) — USGS-published hosted feature layer
U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project (Protected Areas Database of the United States 4.1) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Quota Hunts (TWRA general quota hunt application and draw instructions)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Deer Season Dates, Regulations and Other Information
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved August 30, 2026
Tennessee Elk Season Dates Regulations and Information (current elk page)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Elk Season Dates (Wayback 2022-08-14 — 2022 season structure)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (via Wayback Machine) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Elk Season Dates (Wayback 2023-04-15 — 2023 season structure)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (via Wayback Machine) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Elk Season Dates (Wayback 2025-09-03 — 2025 season structure)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (via Wayback Machine) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Hunting License Fees (official TWRA Hunting & Trapping Guide, 2026 edition)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (official guide published via eRegulations) · retrieved September 1, 2026
Tennessee Turkey Season Regulations and Information
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved August 30, 2026
TFWC Proclamation 25-10 (WMA/elk regulations; EHZ 1-10, season formulas)
Tennessee Secretary of State / Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission · retrieved September 1, 2026
TWRA ElkHuntZones2018 (service name ElkHuntZones_2023) — the 2022-2023 zone set, including EHZ 7N and 7S
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), ArcGIS Online organisation PWXNAH2YKmZY7lBq · retrieved September 1, 2026
TWRA ElkHuntZones_2024 (hosted feature layer) — the ten Elk Hunt Zones on North Cumberland WMA
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), ArcGIS Online organisation PWXNAH2YKmZY7lBq · retrieved September 1, 2026
TWRA news release: Dozen Elk Harvested During 2018 Tennessee Elk Hunts (2018-10-23)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
TWRA Tennessee Strategic Elk Management Plan
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · retrieved September 1, 2026
Sources & methodology
Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.
Legal disclaimer — please read
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.
- Confirm every rule in the current official Tennessee hunting regulations before your hunt.
- Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
- When in doubt, contact Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency directly.
The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.