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Plateau Tennessee
Hamilton County Hunting
Public hunting land, 2026-27 seasons, deer and turkey harvest, and processors, taxidermists and shops in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Photo: AppalachianCentrist (CC BY-SA 4.0)
With 2,299 deer reported in 2025-26, Hamilton County ranked 17th of 95 counties for deer harvest. It spans 542 square miles of land and 34 square miles of water.
Public hunting land in and near Hamilton County
3 public hunting areas sit at least partly inside Hamilton County, and 8 more are within about 45 miles. Orange markers are in the county.
Hicks Gap State Natural Area
About 16 miles from the center of Hamilton County, in Marion County. 350 acres.
Hiwassee Refuge
About 21 miles from the center of Hamilton County, in Meigs County and Rhea County. 6,000 acres.
Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA
About 26 miles from the center of Hamilton County, in Bradley County and Polk County. 495 acres.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
About 33 miles from the center of Hamilton County, in Bledsoe County and Van Buren County. 20,000 acres.
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
About 37 miles from the center of Hamilton County, in Van Buren County and Bledsoe County. 16,181 acres.
Gear for hunting Hamilton County
Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
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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.
Hamilton County deer and turkey harvest
Hamilton County hunters reported 2,299 deer in 2025-26 and down 7% from 2024-25. The ten-season average is 2,044 deer. About 286 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. Spring turkey hunters checked 228 gobblers in 2026 spring, 73rd 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 Hamilton County right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Hamilton 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
- Bear: Archery onlySep 26 to Oct 23, 2026
- 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.
Hamilton County hunting seasons and rules for 2026-27
Unit 5 deer limits
Young Sportsman 2 total (four days combined); archery 4; muzzleloader + straight-wall week 2; gun 2. None in August hunt. Moving counties within a unit does not add to the limit. Antlered deer: 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County
Fall turkey is open: archery with the deer archery dates and shotgun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey for the fall.
Bear hunting in Hamilton County
Transitional: Anderson (east of I-75, south of Old Lake City Hwy and Dutch Valley Rd), Bradley, Campbell (south of Hwy 63, east of I-75), Claiborne (east of 25E, south of Hwy 63), Grundy, Marion, Hamblen, Hamilton, Grainger, Jefferson (west of Hwy 411), Knox, Loudon, McMinn (west of Hwy 411), Sequatchie, Union.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Read the guide.
Legal shooting light in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County in Eastern time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Hamilton County
In Hamilton 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 Hamilton County
1 upcoming event listed, checked October 2026.
Upcoming
| Date | Event | Type | Where | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2026 | Chattanooga Fall Flight Dinner & Auction | Banquet | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Buy tickets |
Shooting ranges in and near Hamilton County
4 ranges in Hamilton County, checked October 2026.
Upcoming matches
| Date | Event | Type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7 to Nov 8, 2026 | RK Gun Show Chattanooga | Gun show | Details |
Counties bordering Hamilton County
Towns in Hamilton County: Hunting near Chattanooga.
Fishing in the same county: Hamilton County fishing spots.
Hamilton County hunting questions
Where can I hunt public land in Hamilton County?
Chickamauga WMA, North Chickamauga Creek WMA and Prentice Cooper State Forest & WMA are inside the county. Nearby options include Hicks Gap State Natural Area, Hiwassee Refuge and Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA.
How many deer were killed in Hamilton County?
Hunters reported 2,299 deer in Hamilton County in 2025-26, ranking 17th of 95 counties.
What deer unit is Hamilton County in?
Hamilton County is in deer Unit 5 for 2026-27. Young Sportsman 2 total (four days combined); archery 4; muzzleloader + straight-wall week 2; gun 2. None in August hunt. Moving counties within a unit does not add to the limit.
Is Hamilton County a CWD county?
No. Hamilton County is not CWD-positive and is not in the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
Can I bait deer in Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?
Yes, in Transitional. Zone rules and dog seasons differ, so check the bear zone dates.
When is legal shooting light in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?
Listed processors in or next to Hamilton County include Don's Meat Shop, Middle Valley Deer Processing and Sale Creek Deer Processing.
Plan your Hamilton County hunt
Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and each area listing before you hunt in Hamilton County.