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East Tennessee
Hawkins County Hunting
Public hunting land, 2026-27 seasons, deer and turkey harvest, and processors, taxidermists and shops in Hawkins County, Tennessee.
Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN (Public domain)
With 2,464 deer reported in 2025-26, Hawkins County ranked 14th of 95 counties for deer harvest. It spans 487 square miles of land and 13 square miles of water.
Public hunting land in and near Hawkins County
2 public hunting areas sit at least partly inside Hawkins County, and 8 more are within about 45 miles. Orange markers are in the county.
Lick Creek Bottoms WMA
About 22 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Greene County. 1,400 acres.
Nolichucky WMA
About 26 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Greene County. 1,000 acres.
Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF
About 30 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Unicoi County and Cocke County.
Rankin WMA
About 31 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Cocke County and Hamblen County. 1,975 acres.
North Cherokee National Forest & WMA
About 38 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Carter County and Johnson County.
Buffalo Springs WMA
About 39 miles from the center of Hawkins County, in Grainger County. 342 acres.
Gear for hunting Hawkins 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.
Hawkins County deer and turkey harvest
Hawkins County hunters reported 2,464 deer in 2025-26 and up 15% from 2024-25. The ten-season average is 2,216 deer. About 80 of the 2025-26 deer came off wildlife management areas. Spring turkey hunters checked 495 gobblers in 2026 spring, 23rd 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 Hawkins County right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Hawkins 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
- Bear: Young Sportsman (still hunt)Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026
- Bear: Gun/muzzleloader/archery (still hunt)Dec 12 to Dec 13, 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.
Hawkins County hunting seasons and rules for 2026-27
Unit 6 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.
Hawkins 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 Hawkins 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 Hawkins 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 Hawkins County
BHZ5: Hancock, Hawkins.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Read the guide.
Legal shooting light in Hawkins 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 Hawkins County in Eastern time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Hawkins County
In Hawkins 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 Hawkins County
1 past result listed, checked October 2026.
Recent results
| Date | Event | Winner or result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2025 | 2025 Tennessee State Youth Championship (UKC Coonhound) | PR No Limit Stackem Up Jack (ENG), handler Cole Allen, owner Lewis Linkous; 225+ | Source |
Shooting ranges in and near Hawkins County
No range is listed in Hawkins County. These are the closest, measured from the county center.
Pistol, rifle, trap, skeet and archery. Members only.
Pistol, rifle, trap, skeet, 5-stand, sporting clays and 3d archery. Open to the public.
Pistol and rifle. Call ahead about access.
Counties bordering Hawkins County
Towns in Hawkins County: Hunting near Rogersville.
Fishing in the same county: Hawkins County fishing spots.
Hawkins County hunting questions
Where can I hunt public land in Hawkins County?
Kyles Ford WMA and Holston Army Ammunition Plant are inside the county. Nearby options include Lick Creek Bottoms WMA, Henderson Swamp PHA and Mullins Island PHA.
How many deer were killed in Hawkins County?
Hunters reported 2,464 deer in Hawkins County in 2025-26, ranking 14th of 95 counties.
What deer unit is Hawkins County in?
Hawkins County is in deer Unit 6 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 Hawkins County a CWD county?
No. Hawkins County is not CWD-positive and is not in the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
Can I bait deer in Hawkins 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 Hawkins 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 Hawkins County?
Yes, in BHZ5. Zone rules and dog seasons differ, so check the bear zone dates.
When is legal shooting light in Hawkins 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 Hawkins County?
Listed processors in or next to Hawkins County include McCoy Meat Co., Bulls Gap Custom Meats and Jordy and Sons Custom Meats.
Plan your Hawkins County hunt
Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and each area listing before you hunt in Hawkins County.