Tennessee Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in Tennessee?

Permission is required to hunt anyone else's land whether or not it is posted. For general criminal trespass, posting removes a trespasser's defenses: signs must be visible at all major points of entry and reasonably likely to come to the attention of anyone entering, or the land can be marked with purple paint. Landowners can also post 'HUNTING BY WRITTEN PERMISSION ONLY' signs (at least 8 x 10 inches, with the owner's name and address) either every 100 yards along the boundary and at all major entrances, or at all major entry points with fluorescent markings (at least 1 x 4 inches) every 50 yards around the perimeter. Hunters on that land must then carry written permission.

Criminal-trespass posting rules (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-405(c)) are as enacted by 2017 Public Chapter 286: https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/110/pub/pc0286.pdf. The written-permission posting rules (§ 70-4-106) are from the TWRA page cited as the source.

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-14-405, 70-4-106 · official source

Does Tennessee have a purple paint law?

Yes, since July 1, 2017. Marks must be vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide, with the bottom 3 to 5 feet above the ground, placed where they are reasonably likely to come to the attention of anyone entering. At least one sign must be posted at a major point of entry explaining that purple paint means 'no trespassing.'

No maximum spacing is specified. Bill history: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB0078&ga=110

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-405(c) (2017 Pub. Ch. 286, HB 78) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in Tennessee?

Permission (verbal is enough) is required to hunt another person's land. Written permission is required only when the land is posted 'HUNTING BY WRITTEN PERMISSION ONLY' with the owner's name and address. Hunters on that land must carry the written permission at all times and show it to any wildlife officer, sheriff or peace officer on demand, unless accompanied by the landowner. TWRA recommends getting written permission everywhere, and it is required for trapping.

TWRA publishes a permission form in the guide. Night-time coyote/bobcat hunters need landowner permission in writing, by text or by email.

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-106 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in Tennessee?

Hunting land posted 'Hunting By Written Permission Only' without written permission (or without the landowner present) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, jail or both, and can cost you your hunting license. A landowner's affidavit that the land was properly posted creates an inference that it was.

The exact misdemeanor class and fine amount are set by statute and were not confirmed from an official source in this pass; check the official Tennessee Code (LexisNexis) for current amounts.

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-106 · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in Tennessee?

On public lands and waters (WMAs and other TWRA-controlled land), it is unlawful to hunt, shoot at, chase or kill any wild animal or bird within 100 yards of a visible dwelling house without the owner's permission, whether the dwelling is on public or private land. The guide sets no equivalent statewide distance for hunting on private land.

The 100-yard rule appears in the TWRA guide's WMA general regulations. No statewide private-land setback was found.

Source: TWRA WMA General Regulations · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in Tennessee?

Hunting from or across a public road or right-of-way is not permitted. On private property you may hunt from a stationary vehicle, including ATVs, with the engine running, but never from a road or right-of-way.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Manner & Means · official source

What are legal shooting hours in Tennessee?

Big game and small game may be hunted from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset. Turkey and migratory birds end at sunset.

Exceptions: raccoon, opossum, bullfrog, fox/rabbit chasing and the night-time coyote/bobcat season.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Hunting Hours · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in Tennessee?

Big game hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head, visible front and back. A hat combined with a vest satisfies the rule. It does not apply to archery-only or turkey hunts, but archers must wear it where archery deer season overlaps another big game gun season (such as bear).

Adults accompanying youth hunters must also wear 500 sq in.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Big Game General Regulations · official source

Is night hunting legal in Tennessee?

Deer may not be hunted at night. Centerfire rifles and handguns are illegal from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, as are lights, night vision and thermal scopes on firearms or bows. The exception is the night-time coyote and bobcat season on private land with written, text or email landowner permission: shotguns only (buckshot or smaller), spotlights, night vision and thermal allowed, no lights from a vehicle or public road, and no dogs.

Season dates are set each year; check the current guide.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Manner & Means; Night Hunting Season for Coyote and Bobcat · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in Tennessee?

Yes. Resident landowners, their spouses, children and children's spouses may hunt their own farmland without a license, even if they do not live on it. Resident tenants who live on and care for family-owned farmland, with their spouses and dependent children, are also exempt with the landowner's permission. The exemption does not apply to farmland owned jointly by unrelated people.

Since August 2026, anyone hunting deer over bait needs a Deer Bait Privilege License, including license-exempt landowners.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, License Exemptions · official source

Who needs hunter education in Tennessee?

All hunters, resident or nonresident, born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 must carry proof of completing hunter education; every state's certification is accepted. Children under 10 need no certificate but must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older who can take immediate control of the weapon. Hunters 10 and older may instead buy an Apprentice Hunter Education Permit, good for one year and up to three consecutive years, and must hunt with a qualified adult 21 or older.

Online courses are accepted for ages 9 and up with no field day.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Mandatory Hunter Education · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in Tennessee?

Sunday hunting is allowed statewide. Tennessee has no Sunday restriction, though some individual WMAs set their own hunting days.

Source: official source

Is it legal to bait deer in Tennessee?

Since August 2026, deer may be hunted over bait on private or leased land only with an annual Deer Bait Privilege License ($50 resident, $100 nonresident). Rules: one bait site per 5 acres, sites at least 500 yards apart, no more than 5 gallons or 25 lb available per 24 hours, bait scattered rather than piled, and no open trough feeders. Baiting is banned on all public land, in the CWD Management Zone and in CWD-positive counties. Without the license, bait must be removed and feeders disabled at least 10 days before hunting.

No other big game may be taken within 250 yards of a bait site. Normal agriculture and food plots are not bait.

Source: TWRA Rule 1660-01-06 (Deer Bait Privilege License) · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Tennessee?

Yes. Crossbows count as legal archery equipment for all hunters, alongside longbows, recurves and compounds, and may be used during archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons.

Source: TWRA Hunting Guide, Manner & Means · official source

Can you use a drone to scout or recover game in Tennessee?

Drones may never be used to hunt wildlife. They may be used only to find a deer reasonably believed mortally wounded, from 30 minutes after sunset to 3 a.m., over private land with landowner permission. The pilot needs an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and a thermal-equipped drone, and neither pilot nor hunter may carry a weapon. Commercial recovery operators must register with TWRA.

Quota elk hunters on North Cumberland WMA may use drone recovery with manager approval.

Source: TWRA Rule 1660-01-33-.02 (Deer Recovery Using Unmanned Aircraft) · official source

Are trail cameras restricted in Tennessee?

No statewide trail-camera restriction. On WMAs, personal property, including stands and cameras, may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours without the area manager's approval. Cellular trail cameras are expressly allowed for checking traps.

Source: TWRA WMA General Regulations · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in Tennessee?

Yes. A landowner, lessee or occupant owes no duty to keep land safe for, or to warn, people allowed on it for recreation, which expressly includes hunting, fishing and trapping.

The protection does not cover gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct (§ 70-7-104). The official Tennessee Code is published online by LexisNexis for the State.

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 70-7-102, 70-7-104 · official source