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NASHVILLE — As the chill of autumn settles in, Tennessee’s eagerly anticipated statewide gun hunting season for deer is set to commence on Saturday, Nov. 18. Traditionally opening each year on the Saturday preceding Thanksgiving, the season extends opportunities for sportsmen to utilize muzzleloaders or archery equipment.

During the gun season, hunters are subject to specific bag limits. The statewide cap for antlered bucks is set at two, with the provision that no more than one antlered deer may be taken per day, not exceeding two for the entire season.

For antlerless deer, hunters are governed by distinct bag limits across various units. In Unit L, three antlerless deer may be taken per day. Unit A allows for two antlerless deer per season, while Unit B permits one per season. In Unit C, hunters are authorized to take one antlerless deer per season from Nov. 18 to Dec. 3, and in Unit D, one per season from Nov. 18 to 24.

Unit CWD imposes different regulations, allowing a limit of three antlerless deer per day with no season limit. Additionally, a bag limit of three antlered deer applies, but hunters in Unit CWD may exceed this limit under the Earn-A-Buck Program or the Replacement Buck Program, the details of which can be found on page 30 of the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.

To ensure safe and responsible hunting practices, individuals born on or after January 1, 1969, are required to carry proof of satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or possess the Apprentice Hunter Education Permit, along with other necessary licenses while hunting any species in Tennessee. Hunter education options, including online courses, are available.

For comprehensive information on Tennessee’s 2023-24 deer hunting seasons, precise boundaries of deer units, and complete license requirements, hunters are encouraged to consult the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, accessible online at tnwildlife.org or through the TWRA App. Physical copies are also available at agency offices or authorized license agent retail locations.