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Species guide · 2026-27
Tennessee Dove and Migratory Birds Hunting
Season dates, bag limits, the best counties by harvest and the public land open to dove hunting in Tennessee.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Tennessee dove season dates 2026-27
| Season | Dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove: Segment 1 | Sep 1 to Sep 28, 2026 | statewide | Opens at noon Sept 1. 15/day. |
| Dove: Segment 2 | Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 | statewide | 15/day. |
| Dove: Segment 3 | Dec 8, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | statewide | 15/day. |
| Woodcock: Segment 1 | Nov 14 to Dec 6, 2026 | statewide | 3/day. |
| Woodcock: Segment 2 | Jan 10 to Jan 31, 2027 | statewide | 3/day. |
| Snipe: Season | Nov 14, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | statewide | 8/day. |
| Rails (Virginia, Sora): Season | Sep 1 to Nov 9, 2026 | statewide | 25/day. |
| Gallinule And Moorhen: Season | Sep 1 to Nov 9, 2026 | statewide | 15/day. |
| Crow: Segment | Sep 1 to Sep 7, 2026 | statewide | No limit. |
| Crow: Segment | Sep 11 to Dec 20, 2026 | statewide | Friday, Saturday, Sunday only. |
| Crow: Segment | Jan 1 to Feb 28, 2027 | statewide | |
| Crow: Segment | Jun 11 to Jul 11, 2027 | statewide | Friday, Saturday, Sunday only. |
| Sandhill Crane: Quota permit season | Dec 3, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | statewide | Quota permit only. Closed in Southeast Crane Zone (south of I-40, east of Hwy 56) Jan 15-17, 2027. Sunrise to 3 p.m. |
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMA dates can differ. Read the guide.
Gear for hunting dove in Tennessee
Picks from the dove hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
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Shotgun magazine plug
Shotguns used for migratory game birds may hold no more than three shells, so a magazine plug is required unless the gun is already limited to three.
Dove loads (#7.5 or #8 shot)
Migratory birds other than waterfowl may only be hunted with No. 4 or smaller shot; standard #7.5 or #8 dove loads meet that rule.
Shell pouch
A shell pouch keeps nontoxic shells handy and separate from any lead loads at home.
Bucket seat
A bucket seat gives you a place to sit on the field edge and carries shells and birds.
Dove and Migratory Birds bag limits and rules
Dove
15/day; no limit on Eurasian collared doves
Woodcock
3/day
Snipe
8/day
Rails
25/day
Gallinule and moorhen
15/day
Crow
No limit
Sandhill crane
Set by number of tags awarded; each tag = 1 crane
Rule
Opening day starts at noon on Sept 1.
Also note
There is no limit on Eurasian collared doves.
New or changed
Sandhill crane hunting is by quota permit only.
Watch for
HIP registration is required for migratory bird hunters.
Public land for dove hunting in Tennessee
32 public areas on this site list dove among their species. Area rules and dates are in each listing.
West Tennessee
- Big Sandy WMA2,370 acres, Henry, Benton
- Bogota WMA2,293 acres, Dyer County
- Chambers Creek WMA400 acres, Hardin County
- Cypress Pond Refuge585 acres, Decatur County
- John Tully WMA15,500 acres, Lauderdale County
- Tennessee National Wildlife RefugeHumphreys, Henry
- Tumbleweed WMA5,770 acres, Lake, Dyer
- White Oak WMA1,194 acres, Hardin County
- Wolf River WMA & Ghost River SNA4,236 acres, Fayette, Shelby
Middle Tennessee
- Cheatham Lake WMA5,152 acres, Cheatham, Dickson
- Haley-Jaqueth WMA200 acres, Williamson County
- Mingo Swamp WMA460 acres, Franklin County
- Old Hickory WMA6,000 acres, Wilson, Trousdale
- Percy Priest WMA10,768 acres, Rutherford, Davidson
Plateau Tennessee
- Hiwassee Refuge6,000 acres, Meigs, Rhea
- Jackson Swamp WMA203 acres, Overton County
- McGlothin-Largen WMA112 acres, Roane County
- North Chickamauga Creek WMA5,400 acres, Sequatchie, Hamilton
- Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee NFPolk, Monroe
- South Cherokee National Forest & WMAMonroe, Polk
- Tellico Lake WMA8,000 acres, Monroe, Loudon
- Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NFMonroe County
- Yuchi Refuge2,634 acres, Rhea County
East Tennessee
- Big Springs PHASullivan County
- Buffalo Springs WMA342 acres, Grainger County
- Chuck Swan State Forest & WMA24,705 acres, Union, Campbell
- Forks of the River WMA648 acres, Knox County
- Henderson Swamp PHAWashington County
- Lick Creek Bottoms WMA1,400 acres, Greene County
- North Cherokee National Forest & WMACarter, Johnson
- Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NFUnicoi, Cocke
- Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NFCarter, Johnson
Tennessee dove hunting questions
When is dove season in Tennessee?
For 2026-27, dove seasons run Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027 across all segments. The table above lists each segment.
What is the dove bag limit in Tennessee?
dove: 15/day; no limit on Eurasian collared doves woodcock: 3/day
Where can I hunt dove on public land in Tennessee?
32 public areas list dove, including Chuck Swan State Forest & WMA, John Tully WMA and Percy Priest WMA.
Do I need hunter education?
Yes, if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1969. An Apprentice Hunter Education Permit can stand in for up to three years.
What are legal shooting hours?
Big and small game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Turkey and migratory birds end at sunset.
How do I check in my harvest?
Small game and most migratory birds are not checked in. Sandhill cranes are reported by the end of the day.
What time does dove season open?
Noon on Sept 1, 2026.
How many doves can I shoot?
15 per day, with no limit on Eurasian collared doves.