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Washington County Hunting
Where to hunt in Washington County, what the 2026-27 rules are, how many deer and turkeys came out of it, and who processes and mounts game nearby.
Photo: Dana Beveridge (CC BY 2.0)
With 1,553 deer reported in 2025-26, Washington County ranked 44th of 95 counties for deer harvest. It spans 327 square miles of land. Per square mile, hunters took about 4.8 deer. Its share of the statewide check-in was 1.0%.
Washington County and nearby public land
3 public hunting areas sit at least partly inside Washington County, and 8 more are within about 45 miles. Orange markers are in the county.
North Cherokee National Forest & WMA
TWRA lists deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear here.
Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF
TWRA lists deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear here.
Harvest numbers for Washington County
The 2025-26 deer total was 1,553, up 11% on the 1,405 of 2024-25. The ten-season average is 1,047 deer. The best season in the chart was 2025-26 with 1,553, and the lowest was 2017-18 with 804. Public WMA ground accounted for 62 deer in 2025-26. Gobbler hunters added 381 birds in 2026 spring, a 31st place finish. 14 bears were checked from the county 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.
What you can hunt in Washington County right now
Zone BHZ1 bear dates apply in Washington County. Washington 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.
What the 2026-27 regulations mean in Washington County
Washington County deer bag
Doe limits run by season in this unit: archery 4, youth 2, muzzleloader and straight-wall 2, gun 2, and none in the August velvet hunt. You get 2 antlered deer for the season statewide, taken 1 per day at most.
When deer season opens in Washington County
The deer year opens to archery on Sep 26, moves to muzzleloader for Nov 7 to Nov 20, 2026 and to gun for Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Washington County bait license
Baiting deer on private property is legal under the 2026-27 bait license; piles and feeders are out, scattered bait only, 500 yards apart, 1 site per 5 acres.
Washington County fall turkey season
The county is open for fall turkey, archery on the deer archery dates plus shotgun from Oct 17 to 30, 2026, one male turkey total.
Washington County bear zone
Listed under BHZ1: Carter, Cocke (north of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Read the guide.
Legal shooting light in Washington County this week
Shooting light opens 30 minutes ahead of sunrise and closes 30 minutes past sunset for big and small game, but turkey and dove or duck hunters quit at sunset.
Times calculated for the center of Washington County in Eastern time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Washington County processors and taxidermists
Local Washington County shops come first, then the ring of counties around it.
Listings come from TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, state permit lists and business pages. Call before you drive; seasonal hours vary.
Events in Washington County
Checked October 2026: 4 upcoming events.
Scheduled
| Date | Event | Type | Where | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2026 | South Central Coon Club Double Header Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Jonesborough, Washington County | Event details |
| Dec 4, 2026 | South Central Coon Club Double Header Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Jonesborough, Washington County | Event details |
| Dec 11 to Dec 12, 2026 | South Central Coon Club Double Header Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Jonesborough, Washington County | Event details |
| Dec 19, 2026 | South Central Coon Club Double Header Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Jonesborough, Washington County | Event details |
Fires, permits and bans around Washington County
Today's Washington County status is on the Tennessee burn ban list.
- When a permit is needed: 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.
- Who declares bans: 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.
- Public land fires: 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.
Ranges for sighting in around Washington County
1 range in Washington County, checked October 2026.
Rifle · pistol · skeet · trap · 5-stand · archery. Members and their guests.
Upcoming matches
| Date | Event | Type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21 until Nov 22, 2026 | RK Gun Show Gray | Gun show | Details |
| Jan 27 until Jan 29, 2027 | 2027 BooneDocks 3 Position Air Rifle Match | Youth match | Enter |
| Apr 30, 2027 | 2027 Final Shots 3 Position Air Rifle Match | Youth match | Enter |
Counties around Washington County
Washington County town guides: Hunting near Johnson City.
Lakes and streams here: Washington County fishing spots.
Of its 5 neighbors, 3 out-harvested Washington County last season.
Washington County hunting questions
What deer processors serve Washington County?
Hamilton Meats, Pierce's Custom Butcher Shop and Gap Creek Custom Meat Processing are listed in or beside the county.
What public areas can I hunt from Washington County?
Henderson Swamp PHA, North Cherokee National Forest & WMA and Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF are inside the county. The nearest outside the county are Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Big Springs PHA and Nolichucky WMA.
What is the deer harvest in Washington County?
2025-26: 1,553 deer, 44th statewide.
How many does can I take in Washington County?
It is in Unit 6. Doe limits run by season in this unit: archery 4, youth 2, muzzleloader and straight-wall 2, gun 2, and none in the August velvet hunt.
Does Washington County have chronic wasting disease?
No. It is outside the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
Do I need a bait license in Washington County?
You may bait private land after buying the $50 resident bait license. WMA baiting remains illegal.
What is the fall turkey limit in Washington County?
Yes. The fall bag is one male turkey, archery or the Oct 17 to 30, 2026 shotgun segment.
Does Washington County have a bear season?
Yes. It is in BHZ1; dates and dog rules depend on the zone.
What are legal hunting hours in Washington County?
Big and small game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The table above shows this week’s times for the county.
Next steps for Washington County
Double check the current guide and any quota hunt dates for the area you pick.
Other photos on this page: Bob n Renee (CC BY 2.0); Peter Sheik (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); (stephan) (CC BY-SA 2.0); NJ Tech Teacher (CC BY 2.0).