Tennessee

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter plus some WMA draw hunt opportunities

Application Period: Dec 18-Jan 8

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes if born on or after Jan 1, 1969

Bag Limit: 2 bearded turkeys (one per day)  only one of which can be a jake.

2026 Spring Season Dates: April 11 – May 24

2025 Fall Season Dates: 

Archery: Sept 27 – Oct 24, Oct 27 – Nov 7

Shotgun / Archery: Oct 11-24

Special Youth Hunt: April 4-5

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Requirements: Tennessee’s “Tag before you drag” policy requires you to report your harvest via TWRA On the Go app prior to moving the carcass.  When not available, temporary paper transportation tags may be used.

Noteworthy Restrictions: Legal hunting hours end at sunset. Shotguns shooting #4 shot or smaller are legal.  No restrictions on the number of rounds in the magazine.  Turkeys must remain intact until checked in. A licensed turkey hunter who has filled his/her bag limit or does not possess a valid permit for a quota hunt, may accompany another turkey hunter who has a valid permit (except on WMAs where prohibited) and assist them in calling, but may not have turkey hunting weapons in their possession. All turkeys harvested on public land hunts count toward statewide bag limits; there are no bonus turkeys. Illegal to call to or attempt to call turkeys on all WMAs from March 1st to opening day.  Only one jake can be taken per season.  To be classified as an adult, gobbler must have one of the following: beard longer than 6 inches, tail feathers all the same length, wing feathers with white barring all the way to the tip, or a spur that is at least 1/2 inch long. Turkeys may not be shot or stalked from a boat in Dyer, Haywood, Lauderdale, Obion, Shelby, or Tipton counties. Fanning or reaping turkeys on WMAs is prohibited.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

615-781-6500

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys