Tennessee Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under Tennessee default rule, plus 3 species-specific exceptions.
Tennessee Shooting Hours
3 Tennessee species (Deer, Turkey, Bear) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
Tennessee shooting-hours quirks
The TN-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
East Tennessee — Knoxville and the Smokies — runs Eastern Time. Middle and west Tennessee, including Nashville and Memphis, run Central. The dividing line cuts roughly along the eastern edge of Middle Tennessee and matters for any solunar window near sunrise or sunset.
Tennessee Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Deer: 30min before to 30min after
- Turkey: 30min before to 0min after
- Bear: 30min before to 30min after
- Wildlife Agency
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Confirm with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before each hunt — TN reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Tennessee shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Tennessee (TN) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
Tennessee species exceptions
3 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Deer | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
| Turkey | 30 minutes before sunrise | Sunset | - |
| Bear | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
Tennessee Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in Tennessee.
What are the legal shooting hours in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Deer (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset); Turkey (30 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset); Bear (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official Tennessee hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for Tennessee can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in Tennessee?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in Tennessee's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in Tennessee?
East Tennessee — Knoxville and the Smokies — runs Eastern Time. Middle and west Tennessee, including Nashville and Memphis, run Central. The dividing line cuts roughly along the eastern edge of Middle Tennessee and matters for any solunar window near sunrise or sunset.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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