Tennessee hunting
Public hunting land in Tennessee
Caliber maps 200 public hunting areas in Tennessee, with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Tennessee · 200 areas
Cherokee National Forest
National forest · 661,139 acres
North Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 340,125 acres
North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 155,223 acres
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 79,207 acres
Land Between The Lakes Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 64,040 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 200 by distance from you.
- 187
- State wildlife areas
- 6
- National forests
- 7
- National wildlife refuges
Tennessee hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Phone
- 615-781-6500
- Resident license
- $33 — Combination Hunt/Fish Annual (ages 16-64), small game only; deer/turkey/etc. need supplemental licenses
- Nonresident license
- $110 — Annual Hunt, Small Game/Waterfowl (no big game); Annual All Game is $305
- Hunter education
- Required for hunters born on or after Jan 1, 1969 (any state's certificate accepted); under 10 exempt if supervised.
- Good to know
- A WMA permit is required on WMAs in addition to the license (exemptions vary). Fee increase (resident combo to $42) approved Aug 2026, pending legislative approval.
Fees and rules as published by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Tennessee
The 12 biggest of 200 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee National Forest | National forest | 661,139 | Open |
| North Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 340,125 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 155,223 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Catoosa Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 79,207 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Land Between The Lakes Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 64,040 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area & State Forest | State wildlife area | 47,850 | Open |
| Tackett Creek Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 45,542 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 42,895 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Natchez Trace State Forest & Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 34,931 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Pickett State Forest & Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 33,986 | Open |
| Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 29,323 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Reelfoot Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 25,745 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 187
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 6
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 7
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Tennessee hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Tennessee?
Caliber lists 200 public hunting areas in Tennessee: 187 state wildlife areas, 6 national forests, 7 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Tennessee?
As published by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $33 — Combination Hunt/Fish Annual (ages 16-64), small game only; deer/turkey/etc. need supplemental licenses; nonresident, $110 — Annual Hunt, Small Game/Waterfowl (no big game); Annual All Game is $305. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Tennessee?
Required for hunters born on or after Jan 1, 1969 (any state's certificate accepted); under 10 exempt if supervised. Check Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Tennessee?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Tennessee hunting land near you
All 200 Tennessee areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the managing agency before you hunt.
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