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East Tennessee
Jefferson County Hunting
A county guide for Jefferson County hunters: public areas in and around it, deer and gobbler counts, seasons and services.
Photo: Aerialpete (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The 2025-26 deer count for Jefferson County was 1,255, good for 63rd statewide, on a land area of 275 square miles and 39 square miles of water. Roughly 4.6 deer were checked for every square mile of land. Statewide, that is a 0.8% share of reported deer.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Jefferson County
Jefferson County public hunting areas
The list shows 1 in Jefferson County and 8 in nearby counties. The orange markers fall within the county line.
Jefferson County harvest history
Compared with 2024-25, the 2025-26 harvest of 1,255 deer was up 11%. A typical season here, averaged over ten years, brings 972 deer. 2025-26 topped the decade at 1,255 deer, while 2019-20 bottomed out at 829. About 44 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. The 2026 spring turkey season produced 307 birds, ranking 53rd statewide. The county also gave up 4 bears in 2025-26.
Source: TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox harvest reports, county totals including WMA harvest. Deer seasons run July 1 to June 30. Recent seasons can still be revised slightly by TWRA.
Seasons open around Jefferson County
Zone BHZ2 and Transitional bear dates apply in Jefferson County. Jefferson County allows deer bait on private land with a Deer Bait Privilege License.
- Deer
- Turkey
- Ducks
- Waterfowl
- Canada goose
- White-fronted goose
- Brant
- Light geese
- Dove
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Rails (virginia, sora)
- Gallinule and moorhen
- Crow
- Squirrel
- Rabbit
- Quail
- Grouse
- RaccoonYear-round
- Opossum
- CoyoteYear-round
- Bobcat
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Jefferson County hunting seasons and rules for 2026-27
Jefferson County antlerless limits
For does, the unit allows 2 during the youth hunt, 4 in archery, 2 in the muzzleloader and straight-wall week and 2 in gun season. August is antlered only, and hunting a second county in the unit does not add more. The buck limit is statewide: 2 for the season, no more than 1 per day.
Jefferson County deer season dates
Bow season starts Sep 26, the muzzleloader week is Nov 7 to Nov 20, 2026, and rifle season is Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. The county follows the statewide calendar.
Baiting in Jefferson County
Private land baiting is allowed with the new Deer Bait Privilege License. Sites must be scattered bait, one per 5 acres and at least 500 yards apart.
Fall turkey status for Jefferson County
You can hunt a fall gobbler here, with archery tied to the deer bow dates and shotgun Oct 17 to 30, 2026; the bag is one male.
Bear seasons, Jefferson County
BHZ2: Blount, Cocke (south of I-40), Jefferson (east of Hwy 411), Sevier. Also Transitional.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Read the guide.
This week’s legal hunting hours, Jefferson County
Big game and small game hours: half an hour before sunrise through half an hour after sunset. Turkeys, doves and waterfowl end at sunset.
Times calculated for the center of Jefferson County in Eastern time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Jefferson County deer processing and shops
In Jefferson County first, then the counties that border it.
Listings come from TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, state permit lists and business pages. Call before you drive; seasonal hours vary.
Jefferson County burn ban and campfire rules
Today's Jefferson County status is on the Tennessee burn ban list.
- Burn permit: October 15 through May 15 each year (TCA 39-14-306(a)(1)); required for open-air fires within 500 feet of any forest, grassland or woodland.
- Ban orders: Under TCA 39-14-306(b), the Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Forester and at the request of county mayors, issues county burn bans.
- Fires on public land: TWRA wildlife management areas: Rule 1660-01-14-.13(5)(i) says 'No warming, camping or any type fire shall be allowed except at designated camping areas.
Shooting ranges in and near Jefferson County
1 listed inside Jefferson County as of October 2026.
Counties bordering Jefferson County
Fishing in the same county: Jefferson County fishing spots.
Neighboring counties: 5. Those with a larger deer count last season: 1.
Common questions from Jefferson County hunters
Who processes deer in Jefferson County?
Try Sellars Meat Cutting, Carter Custom Meats and Buckeye's Custom Meat Cutting.
What WMAs are in or near Jefferson County?
The county’s listed public land is Henderson Island Refuge. Nearby options include Rankin WMA, Buffalo Springs WMA and Mullins Island PHA.
What was the Jefferson County deer harvest last season?
The 2025-26 count was 1,255 deer, 63rd of 95.
What deer unit is Jefferson County in?
The county falls in Unit 6 this season. For does, the unit allows 2 during the youth hunt, 4 in archery, 2 in the muzzleloader and straight-wall week and 2 in gun season. August is antlered only, and hunting a second county in the unit does not add more.
Do CWD rules apply in Jefferson County?
Not at present; it is outside both the positive list and the zone.
Is baiting legal in Jefferson County?
Yes. Buy the Deer Bait Privilege License ($50 for residents) and bait only on private ground, never on a WMA.
Is fall turkey open in Jefferson County?
It is open: bow during deer archery, gun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey.
What bear zone is Jefferson County in?
The county is in BHZ2, so bear hunting is open on that zone’s schedule.
When can I start hunting in the morning in Jefferson County?
Half an hour on either side of sunrise and sunset for deer and small game, with turkeys and migratory birds stopping at sunset.
More for Jefferson County hunters
Before a Jefferson County hunt, confirm dates in the 2026-27 guide and on the area page.
Other photos on this page: Steve Snodgrass (CC BY 2.0); Maslowski, Steve, USFWS (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); formatc1 (CC BY-SA 2.0); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); GlacierNPS (Public domain); Chris Yarzab (CC BY 2.0).