Bear Seasons & Bag Limits

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Bear Season Regulations

Bear limit: One (1) bear either sex per 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.

Bear Reserves, Mt. Roosevelt WMA, State Parks, Scott State Forest, National Parks and Recreation Areas are closed to bear hunting unless otherwise stated.

2024 Bear Hunt Zones (BHZ) and Seasons

BHZ1:

Carter, Cocke (North of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

BHZ2:

Blount, Cocke (South of I-40), Jefferson (East of Hwy 411), and Sevier counties.

BHZ3:

McMinn (East of Hwy 411), Monroe, and Polk counties, excluding South Cherokee WMA.

BHZ4:

Anderson (west of I-75 and north of Old Lake City Hwy and north of Dutch Valley Rd.), Campbell (north of Hwy 63 and west of I-75), Claiborne (west of 25E and north of Hwy 63), Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, Overton (east of Hwy 111), Pickett, Putnam (east of Hwy 111), Scott, Van Buren (east of Hwy 111), and White (east of Hwy 111) counties.

BHZ5:

Hancock and Hawkins

Transitional:

Anderson (east of I-75 and south of Old Lake City Hwy and south of Dutch Valley Rd.), Bradley, Campbell (south of Hwy 63 and east of I-75), Claiborne (east of 25E and south of Hwy 63), Grundy, Marion, Hamblen, Hamilton, Grainger, Jefferson (west of Hwy 411), Knox, Loudon, McMinn (West of Hwy 411), Sequatchie, and Union counties.

2024 Statewide Bear Seasons (See WMA Section for WMA Bear Seasons)
BAG LIMIT IS 1 BEAR EITHER SEX PER YEAR Unless otherwise noted, bear reserves are closed to bear hunting
The Hunts Listed Below Allow the Use of Hounds
Bear Hunt Zone
Weapon Type(s) Allowed		BHZ 1	BHZ 2	BHZ 3	BHZ 4	BHZ 5	Transitional Zone
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery	Early-seasons	Oct. 5–7 Oct. 12–13	Oct. 12–15 Oct. 18–20	Oct. 5–6 Oct. 12–18	—	Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting.	Closed to the use of hounds for bear hunting.
	Mid-season	Nov. 11–18	Oct. 28–Nov. 1	Oct. 28-Nov.1	—
	Late Seasons	Dec. 2–18	Dec. 2–26	Dec. 2–15 Dec. 26–29	Dec. 14–15 Private Land Only
Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserve Hunt – PRIVATE LANDS ONLY – Sept. 21–27, More details on Bear Regulations

The Hunts Listed Below are Still Hunting Only - No Hounds Allowed
Bear Hunt Zone
Weapon Type(s) Allowed		BHZ 1	BHZ 2	BHZ 3	BHZ 4	BHZ 5	Transitional Zone
Archery Only		Sept. 28–Oct. 25	Sept. 28–Oct. 25	Sept. 28–Oct. 25	Sept. 28–Oct. 25	Sept. 28–Oct. 25	Sept. 28–Oct. 25
Gun/Muzz./Archery (Young Sportsman Only*)		Oct. 26–27	Oct. 26–27	Oct. 26–27	Oct. 26–27	Oct. 26–27
Gun/Muzz./Archery		Nov. 23–26	Nov. 23–26	Nov. 23–26		Dec. 14–15
* Youths 6-16 may participate; must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.