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Plateau Tennessee
Bledsoe County Hunting
Public land in and near Bledsoe County, its deer and turkey numbers, the 2026-27 season rules, and processors close by.
Photo: simonov (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bledsoe County covers 407 square miles of land. In the 2025-26 season hunters reported 1,277 deer here, which ranked 61st of 95 Tennessee counties. That works out to about 3.1 deer per square mile of land. About 0.8% of Tennessee’s reported deer came from this county.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Bledsoe County
Where to hunt public ground around Bledsoe County
There are 4 TWRA-listed areas touching Bledsoe County and 8 more a drive away. County areas show as orange pins.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Species listed: deer, turkey, small game, coyote. Size: 20,000 acres.
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
Species listed: deer, turkey, small game. Size: 16,181 acres.
Big Bottom Unit, Bridgestone Firestone WMA
About 16 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in Van Buren County and White County.
Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA
About 17 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in White County and Van Buren County. 17,000 acres.
Scott's Gulf Centennial Wilderness State Park PHA
About 17 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in White County and Van Buren County. 6,500 acres.
Hiwassee Refuge
About 19 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in Meigs County and Rhea County. 6,000 acres.
North Chickamauga Creek WMA
About 22 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in Sequatchie County and Hamilton County. 5,400 acres.
Chickamauga WMA
About 29 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in Bradley County and Rhea County. 4,000 acres.
Whites Creek PHA
About 29 miles from the center of Bledsoe County, in Rhea County and Roane County.
Deer and gobbler counts in Bledsoe County
Last season’s count of 1,277 deer trailed the 2024-25 figure by 1%. Ten years of reports average out to 1,004 deer per season. Across the ten seasons the peak came in 2024-25 (1,293) and the trough in 2017-18 (828). WMAs supplied 68 of last season’s deer; the rest came off private land. For turkeys, the county ranked 78th in 2026 spring with 195 checked.
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.
In season at Bledsoe County today
Bear hunting is closed in Bledsoe County. Deer baiting on private land in Bledsoe County needs the bait 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
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
2026-27 rules for Bledsoe County
Bag limits for Unit 4
Units 4 to 6 cap antlerless deer by season: 2 youth, 4 archery, 2 muzzleloader and straight-wall, 2 gun. The August hunt has no antlerless harvest. Two antlered deer per season, one per day, anywhere in Tennessee.
Deer seasons in Bledsoe County
Statewide 2026-27 dates apply: archery from Sep 26, muzzleloader Nov 7 to Nov 20, 2026, gun Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Bledsoe County deer baiting rules
The county is outside the CWD area, so the 2026-27 Deer Bait Privilege License lets you bait private land: scattered bait, a site per 5 acres, 500 yards between sites.
Turkey in the fall, Bledsoe 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 28, 2026. Read the guide.
When you can shoot in Bledsoe 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 Bledsoe County in Central time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Bledsoe County
Sorted with Bledsoe County businesses first and neighbors after.
Listings come from TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, state permit lists and business pages. Call before you drive; seasonal hours vary.
Event calendar for Bledsoe County
3 upcoming events listed, checked October 2026.
On the calendar
| Date | Event | Type | Where | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Youth Rabbit Hunt, Pikeville (November) | Youth hunt | Pikeville, Bledsoe County | Event details |
| Dec 11 to Dec 12, 2026 | Bledsoe County Coonhunters Club Bench Show and Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Pikeville, Bledsoe County | Event details |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Youth Rabbit Hunt, Pikeville (February) | Youth hunt | Pikeville, Bledsoe County | Event details |
Bledsoe County burn ban and campfire rules
Bledsoe County status today: open the Tennessee county list.
- Permits: 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.
Where to shoot near Bledsoe County
None are listed inside the county, so these are the closest to its center.
Pistol, rifle, shotgun on site; call ahead about access.
Pistol, rifle, long range rifle, sporting clays, 5-stand, trap, skeet on site; open to the public.
Bledsoe County neighbors
Starting from town in Bledsoe County? Hunting near Pikeville.
Also fishing the county? Bledsoe County fishing spots.
Around Bledsoe County sit 5 counties, 3 with higher deer totals in 2025-26.
What hunters ask about Bledsoe County
Can you hunt over bait in Bledsoe County?
Private land baiting is legal with the bait license, $50 for residents. Public WMAs remain no-bait.
Has CWD been found in Bledsoe County?
No. CWD rules do not apply in Bledsoe County this season.
Is there a bear season in Bledsoe County?
No. The county is not in a bear zone, so it is closed.
When is fall turkey season in Bledsoe County?
Yes, with a one male limit, by archery on deer archery dates or by shotgun from Oct 17 to 30, 2026.
Is there a deer processor near Bledsoe County?
The list includes P3 Custom Meats, Ross Custom Slaughtering and Oakes Processing, in or next to the county.
What are shooting hours in Bledsoe County?
Shooting light runs 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset; turkey and waterfowl stop at sunset itself.
How many deer do hunters take in Bledsoe County?
TWRA recorded 1,277 deer for 2025-26, placing the county 61st.
Where is public ground to hunt around Bledsoe County?
You can hunt Fall Creek Falls State Park, Harp WMA, Bledsoe State Forest and Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area without leaving the county. Close by are Big Bottom Unit, Bridgestone Firestone WMA, Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA and Scott's Gulf Centennial Wilderness State Park PHA.
Which TWRA deer unit covers Bledsoe County?
For 2026-27, Unit 4. Units 4 to 6 cap antlerless deer by season: 2 youth, 4 archery, 2 muzzleloader and straight-wall, 2 gun. The August hunt has no antlerless harvest.
Plan your Bledsoe County hunt
Season dates and area rules change each year; verify them for 2026-27.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0); Dave Williss (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0); LandBetweentheLakesKYTN (Public domain); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0).