November 20, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Tennessee’s 2019-20 statewide gun hunting season for deer opens Saturday, Nov. 23. Deer gun season has the traditional opening date of the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving.
During gun season, sportsmen may also use muzzleloader or archery equipment. In the newly-created Unit CWD, guns have been permitted since the start of muzzleloader-archery season on Nov. 9. The season will continue through Jan. 5, 2020. The second Young Sportsman Hunt is Jan. 11-12, 2020.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969 is required to carry proof of satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession of the Apprentice Hunting License (along with other required licenses) while hunting any species in Tennessee.
For more information about Tennessee’s 2019-20 deer hunting seasons, refer to the 2019-20 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all license agents, TWRA regional offices in Jackson, Nashville, Crossville, and Morristown. The guide is also available on the TWRA App, or on the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org.
The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one antlered deer may be taken per day. Hunters are allowed the following antlerless bag limits: Unit L-3 per day, Unit A-2 per season, Unit B-1 per season, and Unit C-1 per season (Nov. 23-Dec. 8 only), and Unit D-1-per season (Nov. 23-29 only).
In Unit CWD, there is a limit of three antlerless deer per day with no season limit. The statewide bag limit of two antlered deer applies in Unit CWD. However, the statewide bag limit of two antlered deer may be exceeded within Unit CWD if taken under the Earn-A-Buck Program or taken under the Replacement Buck Program. Details on each of the programs are on page 35 of the 2019-20 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. For the exact boundaries of the different deer units, hunters can refer to the guide.
Resident hunters, ages 16 through 64 must possess in addition to other appropriate licenses, an annual big game license for the equipment used. Lifetime Sportsman license, Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish, Adult Sportsman license and Permanent Senior Citizens license holders are not required to purchase supplemental big game licenses.