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Middle Tennessee
Franklin County Hunting
Public hunting land, 2026-27 seasons, deer and turkey harvest, and processors, taxidermists and shops in Franklin County, Tennessee.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
With 3,222 deer reported in 2025-26, Franklin County ranked 3rd of 95 counties for deer harvest. It spans 551 square miles of land and 21 square miles of water.
Public hunting land in and near Franklin County
5 public hunting areas sit at least partly inside Franklin County, and 7 more are within about 45 miles. Orange markers are in the county.
AEDC WMA & Woods Reservoir Refuge
32,000 acres. Listed for deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game.
Flintville Hatchery
About 17 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Lincoln County. 750 acres.
Hickory Flats WMA
About 22 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Coffee County. 623 acres.
Normandy WMA
About 24 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Coffee County and Bedford County. 750 acres.
Bark Camp Barrens WMA
About 24 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Coffee County. 2,800 acres.
Maple Springs WMA
About 32 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Coffee County. 122 acres.
Prentice Cooper State Forest & WMA
About 37 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Marion County and Hamilton County. 26,945 acres.
North Chickamauga Creek WMA
About 44 miles from the center of Franklin County, in Sequatchie County and Hamilton County. 5,400 acres.
Franklin County deer and turkey harvest
Franklin County hunters reported 3,222 deer in 2025-26 and down 11% from 2024-25. The ten-season average is 3,132 deer. About 671 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. Spring turkey hunters checked 380 gobblers in 2026 spring, 32nd 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.
Franklin 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.
Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County in Central time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Franklin County
In Franklin 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.
Franklin County hunting questions
Where can I hunt public land in Franklin County?
AEDC WMA & Woods Reservoir Refuge, Bear Hollow Mountain WMA, Mingo Swamp WMA, Owl Hollow Mill WMA and Franklin State Forest are inside the county. Nearby options include Flintville Hatchery, Hickory Flats WMA and Normandy WMA.
How many deer were killed in Franklin County?
Hunters reported 3,222 deer in Franklin County in 2025-26, ranking 3rd of 95 counties.
What deer unit is Franklin County in?
Franklin 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 Franklin County a CWD county?
No. Franklin County is not CWD-positive and is not in the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
Can I bait deer in Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County?
No. Counties not listed in a bear hunting zone are closed to bear hunting.
When is legal shooting light in Franklin 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 Franklin County?
Listed processors in or next to Franklin County include 3-May Deer Processing, Mac's Slaughtering & Processing and W & W Deer Processing.
Plan your Franklin County hunt
Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and each area listing before you hunt in Franklin County.