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East Tennessee
Johnson County Hunting
Public land in and near Johnson County, its deer and turkey numbers, the 2026-27 season rules, and processors close by.
Photo: Sonnett (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Johnson County covers 298 square miles of land. In the 2025-26 season hunters reported 1,042 deer here, which ranked 72nd of 95 Tennessee counties. That works out to about 3.5 deer per square mile of land. About 0.7% of Tennessee’s reported deer came from this county.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Johnson County
Where to hunt public ground around Johnson County
There are 2 TWRA-listed areas touching Johnson County and 4 more a drive away. County areas show as orange pins.
North Cherokee National Forest & WMA
Species listed: deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear.
Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Species listed: deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear.
Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area
About 24 miles from the center of Johnson County, in Carter County. 693 acres.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant
About 44 miles from the center of Johnson County, in Hawkins County.
Deer and gobbler counts in Johnson County
Last season’s count of 1,042 deer beat the 2024-25 figure by 27%. Ten years of reports average out to 999 deer per season. Across the ten seasons the peak came in 2016-17 (1,099) and the trough in 2024-25 (818). WMAs supplied 82 of last season’s deer; the rest came off private land. For turkeys, the county ranked 90th in 2026 spring with 155 checked. TWRA lists 23 bears harvested in the county in 2025-26.
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 Johnson County today
Johnson County hunters follow zone BHZ1 bear rules. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Johnson 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
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
2026-27 rules for Johnson County
Bag limits for Unit 6
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 Johnson 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.
Johnson 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, Johnson County
Fall turkey is open: archery with the deer archery dates and shotgun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey for the fall.
Where Johnson County fits for bear
The BHZ1 zone covers Carter, Cocke (north of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Read the guide.
When you can shoot in Johnson 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 Johnson County in Eastern time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Johnson County
Sorted with Johnson 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.
Johnson County burn ban and campfire rules
Johnson County status today: open the Tennessee county list.
- 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.
- Who sets a ban: 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.
- Public land fires: 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 Johnson County
None are listed inside the county, so these are the closest to its center.
Rifle and pistol on site; open to the public.
Rifle and pistol on site; open to the public.
Rifle, pistol, skeet, trap, 5-stand, archery on site; members and their guests.
Johnson County neighbors
Starting from town in Johnson County? Hunting near Mountain City.
Also fishing the county? Johnson County fishing spots.
Around Johnson County sit 2 counties, 2 with higher deer totals in 2025-26.
What hunters ask about Johnson County
Where is public ground to hunt around Johnson County?
You can hunt North Cherokee National Forest & WMA and Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF without leaving the county. Close by are Big Springs PHA, Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area and Henderson Swamp PHA.
How many deer do hunters take in Johnson County?
TWRA recorded 1,042 deer for 2025-26, placing the county 72nd.
Which TWRA deer unit covers Johnson County?
For 2026-27, Unit 6. 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.
Has CWD been found in Johnson County?
No. CWD rules do not apply in Johnson County this season.
Can you hunt over bait in Johnson County?
Private land baiting is legal with the bait license, $50 for residents. Public WMAs remain no-bait.
When is fall turkey season in Johnson 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 bear season in Johnson County?
Bear season applies through BHZ1; each zone sets its own dates and hound rules.
What are shooting hours in Johnson County?
Shooting light runs 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset; turkey and waterfowl stop at sunset itself.
Is there a deer processor near Johnson County?
The list includes Johnson County Meat Processing, H&H Market and Pierce's Custom Butcher Shop, in or next to the county.
Plan your Johnson County hunt
Season dates and area rules change each year; verify them for 2026-27.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (CC BY 2.0); USDAgov (Public domain); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); GerryT (CC BY 2.0).