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Tennessee

Hunting

Hunting

Small Game Regulations

Hunting Seasons

All hunting seasons are closed unless opened by specific Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission proclamations.

Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit, except for migratory game birds and except on opening day. Dogs allowed for hunting all small game species, except on specific WMAs where indicated.

Dog Training

Training of bird dogs and squirrel dogs is permitted year-round on private lands, during daylight hours only. Training of rabbit dogs is permitted year-round on private lands day and night. The chasing of foxes with hounds is permitted year-round, day and night. A hunting license is required while training dogs except when a person is competing in recognized field trials. When training on a WMA, a small game permit (see License Fees) is required. Refer to specific WMA listings for WMA dog training seasons. See Bear Regulations for other bear dog training. The taking of animals during dog training is prohibited.

Raccoon Dog Training

Year-round except where regulated by Private Acts. The following counties are regulated by Private Acts: DeKalb County is open for year-round training except in the portion lying south and west of State Hwy. 96 and U. S. Hwy. 70 where the training season will open 30 days prior to the hunting season. Refer to specific WMA listings for WMA raccoon dog training seasons. The taking of animals during dog training is prohibited.

Raccoon and Opossum Hunting

Opossum can be taken during the raccoon hunting season. Night is defined as one 24-hour period beginning at sunset.

Private Land Season - Open sunset July 1 through sunrise Sept. 16, 2023. Bag limit is 2 per person per night. WMAs and all other public lands are closed during this period. Closed in Scott, Morgan, Roane, Rhea, Hamilton counties and all other Tennessee counties east of those counties.