Home › Tennessee › Counties › Gibson County
West Tennessee
Gibson County Hunting
A county guide for Gibson County hunters: public areas in and around it, deer and gobbler counts, seasons and services.
Photo: GerryT (CC BY 2.0)
The 2025-26 deer count for Gibson County was 1,578, good for 43rd statewide, on a land area of 603 square miles. Roughly 2.6 deer were checked for every square mile of land. Statewide, that is a 1.0% share of reported deer.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Gibson County
Gibson County public hunting areas
The list shows 5 in Gibson County and 7 in nearby counties. The orange markers fall within the county line.
Gibson County harvest history
Compared with 2024-25, the 2025-26 harvest of 1,578 deer was down 3%. A typical season here, averaged over ten years, brings 1,668 deer. 2022-23 topped the decade at 1,843 deer, while 2019-20 bottomed out at 1,428. About 50 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. The 2026 spring turkey season produced 540 birds, ranking 18th statewide.
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 Gibson County
There is no open bear season in Gibson County. Gibson County is on the CWD positive list. Baiting and feeding are banned in Gibson County.
- 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.
Gibson County hunting seasons and rules for 2026-27
Gibson County antlerless limits
This is one of the liberal units: 3 does a day in each of the youth, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall and gun seasons, none in August. The buck limit is statewide: 2 for the season, no more than 1 per day.
Gibson 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.
Chronic wasting disease in Gibson County
Hunters here cannot bait or feed wildlife, must keep whole carcasses in the zone, and can earn an additional buck by getting antlerless deer tested.
Fall turkey status for Gibson 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.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Read the guide.
This week’s legal hunting hours, Gibson 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 Gibson County in Central time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Gibson County deer processing and shops
In Gibson 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.
What is on in Gibson County
October 2026 listing: 1 upcoming event.
Next dates
| Date | Event | Type | Where | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Gibson County Coon Hunters Association Double Header Nite Hunt | Coon hunt | Gibson, Gibson County | Event details |
Fires, permits and bans around Gibson County
The Tennessee burn ban page shows Gibson County today.
- 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 Gibson County
Gibson County has no listed range; the nearest are below, in straight-line miles from the county center.
Open to the public. Disciplines: trap.
Counties bordering Gibson County
Fishing in the same county: Gibson County fishing spots.
Neighboring counties: 6. Those with a larger deer count last season: 3.
Common questions from Gibson County hunters
Who processes deer in Gibson County?
Try Dorsett Processing, Fisher Brothers Meat Processing and Choice Cut Deer Processing.
What WMAs are in or near Gibson County?
The county’s listed public land is Horns Bluff Refuge, Maness Swamp Refuge, Obion River WMA, Parker Branch WMA and Tigrett WMA. Nearby options include Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area, Harts Mill WMA and Bean Switch Refuge.
What was the Gibson County deer harvest last season?
The 2025-26 count was 1,578 deer, 43rd of 95.
What deer unit is Gibson County in?
The county falls in Unit 1 this season. Units 1 to 3 allow 3 antlerless deer a day through Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall and gun seasons. The August velvet hunt allows no does.
Do CWD rules apply in Gibson County?
Yes, CWD has been detected and the county is on the positive list.
Is baiting legal in Gibson County?
The CWD rules make baiting and feeding illegal here.
Is fall turkey open in Gibson County?
It is open: bow during deer archery, gun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey.
What bear zone is Gibson County in?
No. Counties not listed in a bear hunting zone are closed to bear hunting.
When can I start hunting in the morning in Gibson 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 Gibson County hunters
Before a Gibson County hunt, confirm dates in the 2026-27 guide and on the area page.
Other photos on this page: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); Department of the Interior. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Conservation Training Center. 10/1997-8888 (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (CC BY 2.0); IvyMike (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Affiliate (CC BY 2.0); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); (stephan) (CC BY-SA 2.0).