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Deer Regulations

Last Updated: September 10, 2026

White-tailed Deer Management Units (DMUs)

Map of Tennessee showing deer management units divided into six regions (Units 1–6) with county boundaries labeled across the state.
Tennessee deer management units map showing regional divisions (Units 1–6) used for hunting regulations and wildlife management.

Unit 1

Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Lake, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley counties.

Unit 2

Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Wayne, and Williamson counties.

Unit 3

Bedford, Cannon, Clay, Coffee, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Macon, Moore, Overton, Putnam, Rutherford, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White, and Wilson counties.

Unit 4

Anderson, Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Grundy, Hancock, Morgan, Pickett, Scott, Sequatchie, and Union counties.

Unit 5

Bradley, Hamilton, Loudon, Knox, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, and Roane counties.

Unit 6

Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Monroe, Polk, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

Deer Definitions and Bag Limits

Antlered Deer: Male or female deer with at least one (1) antler that is a minimum of three (3) inches in length.

Antlerless Deer: Male or female deer with no antlers or with antlers that are less than three (3) inches in length.

Antlered Bag Limit: Two (2) antlered deer (one per day, not to exceed 2 for the season). The bag limit of two (2) antlered deer may be exceeded if taken as a bonus deer (only on certain WMAs), under the Earn-A-Buck program in a CWD positive county (See page 68), or as a replacement buck (See page 68).

Antlerless Bag Limit: Hunters may harvest up to the unit antlerless bag limit in each DMU. Moving to a different county within the same DMU does not increase the hunter’s bag limit.

To find a list of CWD positive counties, visit www.CWDinTennessee.com. Archery equipment is legal during muzzleloader and gun seasons. Muzzleloading equipment is legal during gun season. Straight-wall rifles can be used during the 2nd week of muzzleloader season on private land only.

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