Home › Tennessee › Counties › Wilson County
Middle Tennessee
Wilson County Hunting
Public hunting land, 2026-27 seasons, deer and turkey harvest, and processors, taxidermists and shops in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Wilson County covers 571 square miles of land and 12 square miles of water. In the 2025-26 season hunters reported 3,030 deer here, which ranked 6th of 95 Tennessee counties.
Public hunting land in and near Wilson County
5 public hunting areas sit at least partly inside Wilson County, and 7 more are within about 45 miles. Orange markers are in the county.
Cedars of Lebanon State Natural Area
2,690 acres. Listed for deer, turkey, small game.
Fate Sanders Barrens State Natural Area
About 13 miles from the center of Wilson County, in Rutherford County. 230 acres.
Long Hunter State Park
About 15 miles from the center of Wilson County, in Davidson County and Rutherford County.
Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area
About 16 miles from the center of Wilson County, in Rutherford County. 185 acres.
Pea Ridge WMA
About 26 miles from the center of Wilson County, in DeKalb County and Cannon County. 2,000 acres.
Edgar Evins State Park
About 27 miles from the center of Wilson County, in DeKalb County. 6,000 acres.
Gear for hunting Wilson County
Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Blaze orange vest
Not needed on archery-only hunts, but Tennessee requires 500 sq in of orange or pink when an archery-only deer season overlaps a big game gun season such as bear, and during combined muzzleloader or gun seasons.
Blaze orange hat
The 500 sq in orange or pink requirement covers the head as well as the upper body, so a hat is part of meeting the rule.
Full-body safety harness
Tree stand falls cause many serious hunting injuries; a full-body harness worn from the ground up keeps a slip from becoming a fall.
Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
Wilson County deer and turkey harvest
Wilson County hunters reported 3,030 deer in 2025-26 and up 1% from 2024-25. The ten-season average is 2,670 deer. About 262 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. Spring turkey hunters checked 700 gobblers in 2026 spring, 5th in the state.
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 Wilson County right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Wilson County, with what is open today marked. Tennessee hunting laws covers legal weapons, baiting, trespass and what you cannot hunt.
- Deer: August (archery only, velvet)Aug 28 to Aug 30, 2026
- Deer: ArcherySep 26 to Oct 30, 2026
- Deer: ArcheryNov 2 to Nov 6, 2026
- Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026
- Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Jan 9 to Jan 10, 2027
- Deer: Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 7 to Nov 20, 2026
- Deer: Straight-wall cartridge rifle (new)Nov 14 to Nov 20, 2026
- Deer: Gun/Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
- Turkey: Fall archerySep 26 to Oct 30, 2026
- Turkey: Fall archeryNov 2 to Nov 6, 2026
- Turkey: Fall shotgun/archeryOct 17 to Oct 30, 2026
- Turkey: Spring Young SportsmanMar 27 to Mar 28, 2027
- Turkey: Spring general seasonApr 3 to May 16, 2027
- Ducks: Wood duck & teal (September)Sep 12 to Sep 16, 2026
- Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027
- Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 6, 2027
- Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 13, 2027
- Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 7, 2027
- Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 14, 2027
- Canada goose: SeptemberSep 1 to Sep 20, 2026
- Canada goose: OctoberOct 10 to Oct 22, 2026
- Canada goose: Regular (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- Canada goose: Regular (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- White-fronted goose: RegularNov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- White-fronted goose: RegularDec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Brant: All segmentsSep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Light geese: Regular (same splits as Canada goose)Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Light geese: Conservation orderFeb 15 to Mar 31, 2027
- Dove: Segment 1Sep 1 to Sep 28, 2026
- Dove: Segment 2Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026
- Dove: Segment 3Dec 8, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027
- Woodcock: Segment 1Nov 14 to Dec 6, 2026
- Woodcock: Segment 2Jan 10 to Jan 31, 2027
- Snipe: SeasonNov 14, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Rails (virginia, sora): SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
- Gallinule and moorhen: SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
- Crow: SegmentSep 1 to Sep 7, 2026
- Crow: SegmentSep 11 to Dec 20, 2026
- Crow: SegmentJan 1 to Feb 28, 2027
- Crow: SegmentJun 11 to Jul 11, 2027
- Squirrel: Fall/winterAug 22, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Squirrel: SpringMay 8 to Jun 13, 2027
- Rabbit: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Quail: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Grouse: SeasonOct 10, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Raccoon: Private landsYear-round Year-round
- Raccoon: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Opossum: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Coyote: DaytimeYear-round Year-round
- Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jan 16 to Mar 14, 2027
- Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jun 5 to Aug 8, 2027
- Bobcat: Private landsSep 26 to Nov 19, 2026
- Bobcat: SeasonNov 20, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Feral hog: Private land controlYear-round Year-round
From the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMAs can set shorter dates; check the area listing.
Wilson County hunting seasons and rules for 2026-27
Unit 3 deer limits
3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt. Antlered deer: 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Wilson County deer season dates
Archery opens Sep 26. Muzzleloader runs Nov 7 to Nov 20, 2026. Gun season runs Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. These are statewide dates for 2026-27.
Baiting in Wilson County
Deer baiting on private land is legal here with the Deer Bait Privilege License, new for 2026-27. One site per 5 acres, 500 yards apart, scattered only.
Fall turkey in Wilson County
Fall turkey is open: archery with the deer archery dates and shotgun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey for the fall.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Read the guide.
Legal shooting light in Wilson County this week
Legal hunting hours for big and small game run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Turkey and migratory birds end at sunset.
Times calculated for the center of Wilson County in Central time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Wilson County
In Wilson 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.
Hunting events in Wilson County
1 upcoming event listed, checked October 2026.
Upcoming
| Date | Event | Type | Where | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2026 | Wilson County Annual Fall Banquet & Auction | Banquet | Lebanon, Wilson County | Buy tickets |
Shooting ranges in and near Wilson County
2 ranges in Wilson County, checked October 2026.
Skeet, trap, sporting clays, 5-stand and shotgun. Members only.
Upcoming matches
| Date | Event | Type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026 | RK Gun Show Lebanon | Gun show | Details |
| Dec 19 to Dec 20, 2026 | RK Gun Show Lebanon | Gun show | Details |
Counties bordering Wilson County
Towns in Wilson County: Hunting near Lebanon.
Fishing in the same county: Wilson County fishing spots.
Wilson County hunting questions
Where can I hunt public land in Wilson County?
Old Hickory WMA, Old Hickory Lake Lock 5 Refuge, Percy Priest WMA, Cedars of Lebanon State Forest and Cedars of Lebanon State Natural Area are inside the county. Nearby options include Fate Sanders Barrens State Natural Area, Long Hunter State Park and Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area.
How many deer were killed in Wilson County?
Hunters reported 3,030 deer in Wilson County in 2025-26, ranking 6th of 95 counties.
What deer unit is Wilson County in?
Wilson County is in deer Unit 3 for 2026-27. 3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt.
Is Wilson County a CWD county?
No. Wilson County is not CWD-positive and is not in the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
Can I bait deer in Wilson County?
Yes, on private land with the Deer Bait Privilege License ($50 resident). Baiting is still not allowed on WMAs.
Is there a fall turkey season in Wilson County?
Yes. Fall archery follows the deer archery dates and fall shotgun runs Oct 17 to 30, 2026, with a limit of one male turkey.
Can I hunt bear in Wilson County?
No. Counties not listed in a bear hunting zone are closed to bear hunting.
When is legal shooting light in Wilson County?
Big and small game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Turkey and migratory birds end at sunset. The table above shows this week’s times for the county.
Where can I get a deer processed in Wilson County?
Listed processors in or next to Wilson County include Lebanon Locker, PawPaw's Place and Flat Rock Processing.
Plan your Wilson County hunt
Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and each area listing before you hunt in Wilson County.