Elk Seasons & Bag Limits
2025 Elk Hunting Dates: Sept. 27–Oct. 17
(Permits were drawn Feb. 2025)
During Oct. 4–17, North Cumberland WMA archery deer hunters must wear blaze orange/pink.
2026 Elk Bag Limits, Season Dates, and Quotas |
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Elk hunting only allowed by quota permit holders. |
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Archery-only Season |
Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Seasona |
Young Sportsmanb Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery Season |
Hunt Areac |
Bag Limit |
Sept. 26–Oct. 2 9 Quota Permits |
Oct. 3–9 9 Quota Permits |
Oct. 10–16 1 Quota Permit |
EHZs and Counties designated open by TWRA |
1 antlered elk per permit |
a The season for the permit issued to non-profit conservation organization is Oct. 3–9, 2026 in EHZ one and private lands in counties opened by TWRA. b Resident youths 13–16 may apply for a quota permit. 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/pink regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Youth hunters must complete hunter education or purchase the Apprentice Hunter Education Permit (along with other required licenses) to participate in the hunt. c EHZs are located on North Cumberland WMA only; all other public land is CLOSED to elk hunting. Hunting on private lands within the following counties is allowed only with landowner permission: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties. |
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Out-of-State Hunters
Be aware of carcass import restrictions for deer, elk, moose, and caribou by visiting the CWD in Tennessee website.
Elk Quota Hunts - 2026
Elk harvest is regulated by a quota permit system. The application period for the elk quota hunts is Feb. 4–25, 2026. Applications are available at TWRA license agents and online. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued for the 2026 hunt. Each permit holder will be allocated an Elk Hunt Zone.
One of 19 quota permits will be issued to a qualifying non-profit wildlife conservation organization with all proceeds benefiting the TWRA's Habitat Management Program. The permit will be available through an online raffle. To purchase tickets for the raffle, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation website.
Another one of the 19 quota permits will be issued to a resident Young Sportsman, who is able to hunt all open EHZs. A Young Sportsman quota permit holder may hunt any EHZ designated open by the TWRA and private lands in designated open counties.
Elk permits are valid for designated EHZs on North Cumberland WMA and on private lands in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan and Scott counties. All public land other than North Cumberland WMA is closed to elk hunting. It is the responsibility of elk permit holders to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on private property. TWRA does not guarantee hunter access on private lands. Landowners are not exempted from this permit requirement and must be drawn for a quota permit to hunt.
2026 Elk Hunting Units
