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Tennessee Hunting License

Tennessee Hunting License Cost 2026

TN resident and non-resident fees, deer tags, turkey permits — plus a calculator for your full season total.

Tennessee Hunting Overview

Tennessee offers a fully bundled hunting license — deer, turkey, and archery all included — at a higher base price than many Southeastern neighbors, offset by one of the most generous youth exemptions in this guide, with free hunting for residents under 13. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency manages Wildlife Management Areas with some quota-based hunts requiring advance application. Understanding Tennessee's bundled fee structure and youth-friendly exemptions helps hunters plan an accurate season across deer, turkey, and archery.

TN Hunting License Fees at a Glance

Resident Annual
$33.00
Base license
Non-Resident Annual
$305.00
Base license
Deer Tag
+$33.00
Big Game Supplement, resident (covers deer, turkey, bear)

Fees are approximate 2025–2026 rates. Verify at TN Wildlife Resources Agency.

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$33.00
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Complete Tennessee Hunting License Fee Schedule

License / TagResidentNon-ResidentNotes
Annual Hunting License$33.00$305.00Base license
Deer Tag$33.00IncludedResident: Big Game Supplement, separate purchase
Spring Turkey TagIncludedIncludedNo separate purchase
Archery EndorsementIncludedIncludedNo separate purchase
Federal Duck Stamp$27.00$27.00Required for waterfowl
Senior Resident65+ free—Verify at TN Wildlife Resources Agency
YouthUnder 13 free—Junior hunting license
Active Duty MilitaryActive duty free—With military ID

Tennessee Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For

Tennessee's $33.00 resident license is higher than most Southeastern neighbors — well above Georgia's $15 or North Carolina's $47.00 — but it bundles deer and turkey access at no extra tag cost, similar to Kentucky and Georgia's generous combined structure. Non-residents pay $305.00, moderate for the region and close to Alabama's $399.50 minus the steep premium Alabama charges.

Tennessee's youth exemption is notably generous: hunters under 13 hunt free, one of the lowest age cutoffs of any state in this guide — most states set the youth threshold at 15 or 16. That makes Tennessee an especially accessible state for introducing young hunters to the sport.

Tennessee's combined deer season runs September through January — close to four months — one of the longer windows in the Southeast, similar to Georgia's and South Carolina's extended calendars. Both turkey and archery are bundled into the base license at no extra cost, keeping the overall fee structure simple despite the higher base price.

Tennessee's Wildlife Management Areas include several quota-based deer hunts requiring advance application through the Wildlife Resources Agency, similar to Alabama's and Kentucky's systems, while general (non-quota) WMA access remains open to any license holder across most of the state's public land.

Tennessee vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison

Here's how Tennessee's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.

StateResidentNon-Resident
Tennessee (this page)$33.00$305.00
Kentucky$28.54$169.12
Alabama$34.35$399.50
Georgia$15.00$325.00
North Carolina$47.00$238.00
Tennessee vs. Nearby States — Resident vs. Non-Resident ($) Resident Non-Resident Tennessee (this state) $33.00 $305.00 Kentucky $28.54 $169.12 Alabama $34.35 $399.50 Georgia $15.00 $325.00 North Carolina $47.00 $238.00
Chart: annual base license fees, resident vs. non-resident. Source: state wildlife agency sites, verified July 2026.

How to Buy a Tennessee Hunting License

Tennessee hunting licenses are sold online through the TWRA's licensing portal, by phone, or at license agents statewide. Online purchases are issued instantly as a digital license. Non-resident big-game licenses bundle deer, turkey, and archery into one purchase; residents need the base license plus a separate Big Game Supplement — either way, just confirm any Wildlife Management Area-specific quota hunt requirements before season.

Buying a TN License, Step by Step

1. Go to the TN Wildlife Resources Agency online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.

Tennessee Residency Rules & License Exemptions

Tennessee requires residents to have lived in the state for at least 90 days immediately before applying, with a Tennessee driver's license or state ID as proof, and extends resident rates to active-duty military stationed in Tennessee. Residents 65 and older hunt completely free, and youth under 13 also hunt free — one of the lowest youth age cutoffs of any state in this guide. Landowners hunting their own qualifying land are exempt from license requirements.

Is a Tennessee Hunting License Worth It?

Is Tennessee's higher $33.00 resident fee worth it given the bundled structure? Yes — deer, turkey, and archery are all included at no extra tag cost, and the state's nearly four-month combined season delivers strong value despite the higher upfront price than cheaper neighbors like Georgia.

Other State Hunting License Costs

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See how Tennessee compares to all 50 states — resident and non-resident.

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Tennessee Hunting Season Dates

SeasonTypical DatesNotes
Deer — ArcherySeptember – JanuaryCheck zone/unit dates
Deer — General FirearmNovember – JanuaryVaries by zone/unit
Spring Wild TurkeyApril – MayIncluded with license
Waterfowl / DuckNovember – JanuaryDuck Stamp + state validation
Tennessee Hunting Season Timeline Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Deer — Archery Deer — General Firearm Spring Wild Turkey Waterfowl / Duck
Typical season windows shown by month. Exact open/close dates vary by zone or unit — verify with the state wildlife agency each year.

Season dates vary by zone/unit. Verify your area's exact calendar at TN Wildlife Resources Agency.

Frequently Asked Questions — TN Hunting License

How much is a hunting license in Tennessee?
A Tennessee resident hunting license costs $33.00 per year. A non-resident license costs $305.00. Tennessee residents need a separate Big Game Supplement ($33.00) covering deer, turkey, and bear on top of the base license; non-resident big-game licenses already bundle this in. Verify current rates with TN Wildlife Resources Agency before purchasing.
How much is a Tennessee non-resident hunting license?
A Tennessee non-resident annual hunting license costs $305.00. Non-resident big-game licenses already include deer access. The Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required separately for waterfowl hunting.
Do I need a separate deer tag in Tennessee?
For residents, no — Tennessee residents need a separate Big Game Supplement ($33.00) covering deer, turkey, and bear on top of the base license. Non-resident big-game licenses already bundle deer access in.
When is deer season in Tennessee?
Tennessee's general firearm deer season typically runs November – January, with archery season running September – January. Season dates vary by zone or unit — always check the current year's dates at TN Wildlife Resources Agency before hunting.
Do seniors get a discount on Tennessee hunting licenses?
Tennessee residents qualify for a senior hunting license benefit: 65+ free. Active duty military members also qualify for a discount (Active duty free). Verify current senior and military rates directly with TN Wildlife Resources Agency.
How young can Tennessee youth hunt for free?
Under 13 — one of the lowest free-youth age cutoffs of any state in this guide, compared to most states which set the threshold at 15 or 16.
Does Tennessee's hunting license include turkey and archery?
For non-residents, big-game licenses already bundle deer, turkey, and archery together. Residents instead pay the $33.00 base license plus a separate $33.00 Big Game Supplement for the same access.
Why is Tennessee's resident fee higher than Georgia's or North Carolina's?
Tennessee's $33.00 resident fee is higher than many Southeastern neighbors, though it still delivers a fully bundled license covering deer, turkey, and archery with no additional tag costs.
Are there quota hunts on Tennessee WMAs?
Yes — some Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas run quota-based deer hunts requiring advance application, similar to Alabama's and Kentucky's systems, while general non-quota WMA access remains open to any license holder.
Does Tennessee offer a lifetime hunting license?
Yes — Tennessee offers lifetime license options for residents through the TWRA, a strong value for hunters planning to hunt deer, turkey, and archery in-state for many years given the fully bundled fee structure.
How does Tennessee's license compare to Kentucky's?
Tennessee's $33.00 resident fee is higher than Kentucky's $28.54, though both fully bundle deer, turkey, and archery — Kentucky is the cheaper option for residents seeking the same combined access.
Does Tennessee offer a lifetime hunting license?
Yes — Tennessee offers lifetime license options for residents through the TWRA, a strong value given the state's fully bundled fee structure.
When is duck and waterfowl season in Tennessee?
Tennessee's general waterfowl season runs approximately November – January, though exact opener dates are set annually within federal USFWS framework dates and can vary by zone. A Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, on top of your Tennessee hunting license — check TN Wildlife Resources Agency each year for the confirmed season dates in your zone.
What do I need to buy a Tennessee hunting license?
You'll typically need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), your hunter education certification number if this is your first license, and a form of payment. Online purchases through TN Wildlife Resources Agency accept major credit or debit cards and issue your license instantly; in-person purchases at a license agent may also accept cash or check depending on the retailer.
What's the total cost for a full deer, turkey, and archery season in Tennessee?
Adding the Tennessee base license ($33.00) to a Big Game Supplement ($33.00) covering deer, turkey, and archery, a resident hunter pursuing all three in the same season pays roughly $66.00 total before the $27 Federal Duck Stamp needed for waterfowl. Non-resident totals run higher across the board — check TN Wildlife Resources Agency for exact current tag prices before budgeting a multi-species season.
Does Tennessee require hunter education to get a hunting license?
Yes — like nearly every U.S. state, Tennessee requires hunter education certification for first-time license buyers born after a state-set cutoff date, typically covering firearm safety, ethics, and wildlife identification. Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can often still get afield through an apprentice or mentored hunting license, which lets a certified adult bring along an uncertified newcomer for one or more license years before certification is required.

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