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Species guide · 2026-27
Tennessee Feral Hogs Hunting
Season dates, bag limits, the best counties by harvest and the public land open to hogs hunting in Tennessee.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 4.0)
Tennessee hogs season dates 2026-27
| Season | Dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private land control | Year-round | statewide private land | Not a game animal; classed as destructive species. Landowners may shoot without limit, daytime, any legal big/small game weapon; trap with bait outside big game seasons. |
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMA dates can differ. Read the guide.
Gear for hunting hogs in Tennessee
Picks from the wild hog hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
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Trail camera
Cameras show when and where hogs are using a property, which is key to getting a shot.
Hunting spotlight
Night spotlighting is allowed only for landowners and designees holding a TWRA Landowner Wild Hog Exemption.
Shooting sticks
A steady rest from a ground set or blind tightens groups more than any scope upgrade.
Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
Feral Hogs bag limits and rules
Feral hog
No limit on private land
Rule
Not a game animal; classified as a destructive species. Illegal to possess, transport or release live wild hogs. Reward up to $3,500 for info on illegal transport/stocking: (629) 255-6125.
Also note
Landowners may shoot without limit year-round in daylight with any weapon legal for big or small game, and trap with bait outside big game seasons. A Landowner Wild Hog Exemption from the TWRA regional office allows night spotlighting and up to 10 extra designees (plus 1 per 100 acres over 1,000).
New or changed
Hogs may be taken only on designated public areas per each WMA's own regulations. Licensed bear hunters may take hogs during bear dog hunts.
Public land for hogs hunting in Tennessee
28 public areas on this site list hogs among their species. Area rules and dates are in each listing.
West Tennessee
- Big Hill Pond State ParkMcNairy County
- Meeman-Shelby Forest WMA & State Park13,000 acres, Shelby County
Plateau Tennessee
- Alpine Mountain WMA1,642 acres, Overton County
- Big Bottom Unit, Bridgestone Firestone WMAVan Buren, White
- Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA17,000 acres, White, Van Buren
- Catoosa WMA79,740 acres, Cumberland, Morgan
- Crooked Fork Unit, Catoosa WMA1,600 acres, Morgan County
- Obed Wild and Scenic RiverMorgan, Cumberland
- Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee NFPolk, Monroe
- Scott's Gulf Centennial Wilderness State Park PHA6,500 acres, White, Van Buren
- Skinner Mountain WMA18,950 acres, Fentress, Overton
- South Cherokee National Forest & WMAMonroe, Polk
- Standing Stone State Forest & WMA8,309 acres, Overton, Clay
- Tellico Lake WMA8,000 acres, Monroe, Loudon
- Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NFMonroe County
- Twin Arches State Natural Area1,500 acres, Pickett, Scott
East Tennessee
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation AreaScott, Fentress
- Big Springs PHASullivan County
- Ed Carter Unit, North Cumberland WMAClaiborne, Campbell
- Foothills WMA10,000 acres, Blount County
- Henderson Swamp PHAWashington County
- Honey Creek State Natural Area109 acres, Scott County
- Kyker Bottoms Refuge525 acres, Blount County
- North Cherokee National Forest & WMACarter, Johnson
- North Cumberland WMA205,000 acres, Campbell, Scott
- Rankin WMA1,975 acres, Cocke, Hamblen
- Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NFUnicoi, Cocke
- Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NFCarter, Johnson
Tennessee hogs hunting questions
When is hogs season in Tennessee?
For 2026-27, hogs seasons run Year-round across all segments. The table above lists each segment.
What is the hogs bag limit in Tennessee?
feral hog: No limit on private land
Where can I hunt hogs on public land in Tennessee?
28 public areas list hogs, including North Cumberland WMA, Catoosa WMA and Skinner Mountain 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.
Is there a season on wild hogs?
No. Hogs are a destructive species, not game. Landowners may take them year-round in daylight.
Can I hunt hogs on WMAs?
Hogs may be taken only on designated public areas per each WMA's own regulations. Licensed bear hunters may take hogs during bear dog hunts.