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Species guide · 2026-27
Tennessee Elk Hunting
Season dates, bag limits, the best counties by harvest and the public land open to elk hunting in Tennessee.
Photo: Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States (CC0)
Tennessee elk season dates 2026-27
| Season | Dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery only (quota) | Sep 26 to Oct 2, 2026 | North Cumberland WMA EHZs + private land in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott | 9 quota permits. 1 antlered elk per permit. |
| Gun/muzzleloader/archery (quota) | Oct 3 to Oct 9, 2026 | same | 9 quota permits. |
| Young Sportsman (quota) | Oct 10 to Oct 16, 2026 | same | 1 quota permit, resident youth 13-16. |
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMA dates can differ. Read the guide.
Gear for hunting elk in Tennessee
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.
Elk bag limits and rules
Elk
1 antlered elk per quota permit. Incidental take: 1 elk (either sex) per year by legal deer hunter outside Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott counties; report same day at (800) 831-1174.
Rule
All elk hunting is by quota permit: 9 archery-only, 9 gun/muzzleloader/archery (one of these goes to a conservation org raffle), 1 Young Sportsman (resident youth 13-16).
Also note
Hunting is limited to Elk Hunting Zones on North Cumberland WMA and private land with permission in five counties.
New or changed
Elk are checked at the North Cumberland WMA office on the day of harvest.
Watch for
Calling/bugling prohibited in EHZs except permitted hunters. No radio-tracking equipment. Drones may locate wounded/dead elk 30 min after sunset to 3 a.m. with area manager approval on North Cumberland WMA.
Tennessee elk harvest
13 elk were taken in 2025.
Harvest numbers from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports and TWRA species pages. County totals include WMA harvest.
Public land for elk hunting in Tennessee
1 public areas on this site list elk among their species. Area rules and dates are in each listing.
East Tennessee
- North Cumberland WMA205,000 acres, Campbell, Scott
Tennessee elk hunting questions
When is elk season in Tennessee?
For 2026-27, elk seasons run Sep 26 to Oct 16, 2026 across all segments. The table above lists each segment.
What is the elk bag limit in Tennessee?
elk: 1 antlered elk per quota permit. Incidental take: 1 elk (either sex) per year by legal deer hunter outside Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott counties; report same day at (800) 831-1174.
Where can I hunt elk on public land in Tennessee?
1 public areas list elk, including North Cumberland 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?
Big game is checked in by midnight on the day of harvest through the TWRA On The Go app, online or at a check station.
How do I get an elk permit?
Apply to the TWRA quota draw. The 2027 application period is Feb 3 to 24, 2027.
Where are elk hunted?
Elk Hunting Zones on North Cumberland WMA only (all other public land closed), plus private land with permission in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott counties. Landowners must also be drawn.