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Deer Bowhunting Checklist
Tennessee's archery deer season opens in late September, so early sits are often warm and buggy and late ones cold. Most bowhunting happens from tree stands, so safety gear comes first.
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Required by Tennessee law for this hunt: broadheads.
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.
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Tree stand lifeline
A lifeline keeps you attached while climbing up and down, when most stand falls happen.
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Haul line
Pulling your bow and pack up on a rope keeps both hands free on the climb.
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Broadheads
Tennessee law requires hunting arrows and bolts to be fitted with sharpened broadheads; carry spares in a protective case.
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Broadhead practice target
Broadheads often fly differently from field points, so shoot your actual hunting heads before season.
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Release aid
A release gives a cleaner, more consistent shot than fingers on a compound bow.
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Rangefinder
Archery shots are short and steep from a stand, and an angle-compensated reading keeps you from shooting over a deer.
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Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
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Scent eliminator spray
Bowhunters need deer inside 40 yards, close enough that wind and scent decide most encounters.
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Deer grunt call
A soft grunt can stop a walking buck or pull one in during the late October and November rut.
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Headlamp
You walk in before legal shooting light, 30 minutes before sunrise, and out after dark.
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Blood tracking light
A dedicated blood-tracking light makes a dark trail easier to follow after an evening shot.
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Field dressing knife
Field dress promptly to cool the meat, especially on warm September and October evenings.
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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.
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Spending more on a deer bowhunting setup?
Checklists for hunts other than deer bowhunting
Season dates and limits: White-tailed Deer. Legal weapons and blaze orange: Tennessee hunting laws.
Deer Bowhunting checklist questions
What do I need for deer bowhunting in Tennessee?
The 14 items above, starting with full-body safety harness, tree stand lifeline and haul line.
What gear does Tennessee law require?
For this hunt: broadheads.
Do these links cost more?
No. Affiliate links do not change the price.
Do you test this gear?
No. Each item links to a search of current listings.
Where can I buy locally?
See the archery and sporting goods directory.
Is blaze orange required?
For big game during gun and muzzleloader hunts, 500 square inches on the upper body and head.
Are crossbows legal?
Yes, in every deer, bear, elk and turkey season.
When is the season?
See White-tailed Deer for 2026-27 dates.