Bear Regulations
Tennessee
Hunting
2020 Statewide Bear Season (See WMA Section for WMA Bear Seasons)
Five (5) bear hunt zones (BHZ’s) have been established, as follows:
BHZ1:
Carter, Cocke (North of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, & Washington Counties.
BHZ2:
Blount, Cocke (South of I-40), Jefferson (East of Hwy 411), Sevier Counties.
BHZ3:
McMinn (East of Hwy 411), Monroe, Polk (East of Hwy 411 & North of Hwy 64) Counties, excluding South Cherokee WMA.
BHZ4:
Cumberland (North of I-40), Fentress, Morgan, Pickett (East of Hwy 111), & Scott (West of Hwy 27) Counties.
Transitional:
Bradley, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Jefferson (west of Hwy 411), Knox, Loudon, McMinn (West of Hwy 411), & Polk Counties (West of Hwy 411).
Bear Reserves, Catoosa WMA, Mt. Roosevelt WMA, State Parks, Scott State Forest, National Parks and Recreation Areas are closed to bear hunting.
| Bear Hunt Zone (BHZ) | ||||||
| Hunt Type | BHZ 1 | BHZ 2 | BHZ 3 | BHZ 4** | Transitional | |
| Young Sportsman* G/M/A (No Dogs Permitted) | Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 | Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 | Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 | Closed | ||
| Gun/Muzzleloader/ Archery (Dogs Allowed) | Segment 1 | Oct. 3 – 5 Oct. 10 – 11 | Oct. 10 – 13 Oct. 16 – 18 | Oct. 3 – 4 Oct. 10 – 16 | Closed | |
| Segment 2 | Nov. 9 – 16 | Nov. 2 – 6 | Nov. 2 – 6 | |||
| Segment 3 | Nov. 30 – Dec. 16 | Nov. 30 – Dec. 24 | Nov. 30 – Dec. 13 | |||
| Segment 4 | Closed | Closed | Dec. 31 – Jan. 3 | Closed | Closed | |
| Archery (No Dogs Permitted) | Sept. 26 – Oct. 23 | Sept. 26 – Oct. 23 | Sept. 26 – Oct. 23 | Sept. 26 – Oct. 23 | Sept. 26 – Oct. 23 | |
| Gun/Muzzleloader/ Archery (No Dogs Permitted) | Nov. 21-24 | Nov. 21-24 | Nov. 21-24 | Closed | ||
| * Youths 6-16 years of age may participate. Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting, adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult. ** The following areas within BHZ4 are closed to bear hunting: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Scott State Forest, Catoosa WMA, Mt Roosevelt WMA. | ||||||
Bear Season Regulations
- Bear limit: One (1) bear either sex per license year.
- The bear bag limit for any person participating in the statewide or Bear Party-Dog hunt or both shall not exceed one bear per license year. This bear may be either sex.
- Cubs or female bears with cubs at side may not be taken at any time. A cub is defined as a bear weighing 75 pounds or less.
- Bears may be whole or field dressed but must weigh 75 pounds or greater when checked in.
- If bears are quartered or boned out, the total of the meat, hide, etc. must equal or exceed 75 pounds.
Legal Hunting Equipment
See Manner & Means.
Taking Wild Hogs During Bear Dog Hunts: Individuals licensed to hunt bears may take wild hogs during any proclaimed bear dog hunt.
Bear Dog Training Season
The following bear hunt zones (BHZ’s) are open for a bear dog training season during daylight hours only. No bears may be taken and no weapons may be possessed. (Bear reserves closed to dog training, refer to Regions III & IV):
- BHZ1 and BHZ2: Aug. 22 – Sept. 27;
- BHZ3: Sept. 9 – 18;
- BHZ 4 and Transitional: Closed.
- North Cherokee: Sept. 8 – Oct. 3
- South Cherokee: Sept. 9 – 18
Restricted Bear Reserve Hunt
Open area: Private property located within the proclaimed boundaries of the Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserves.