Tennessee offers excellent bird hunting opportunities for a variety of species. Some of the most popular game birds pursued by hunters in Tennessee include mourning doves, wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, and waterfowl. Tennessee has a long tradition of bird hunting that draws hunters from within the state and beyond. With ample public and private land open to hunting, liberal season lengths, and healthy game bird populations, Tennessee provides bird hunters with diverse hunting experiences across a range of landscapes and habitats.
Mourning Dove Hunting in Tennessee
Mourning doves are one of the most popular game birds targeted by hunters in Tennessee. The mourning dove season opens every September and runs into October or November. During the 2022-2023 season, mourning dove hunting will be open statewide in Tennessee from September 1 through October 29, 2022 and November 12 through November 26, 2022.
Tennessee offers excellent mourning dove hunting opportunities across the state. Some top public lands for dove hunting include Yanahli Wildlife Management Area, Buffalo Ridge Refuge, and Shelton Ferry Wildlife Management Area. The annual mourning dove harvest in Tennessee usually exceeds 1 million birds.
Tennessee Mourning Dove Season Dates and Limits
| Season Dates | September 1 – October 29, 2022 November 12 – November 26, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Daily Bag Limit | 15 |
| Possession Limit | 45 |
Hunters must have a Tennessee hunting license and migratory bird permit to hunt mourning doves in the state. Shooting hours for dove hunting are from noon until sunset.
Wild Turkey Hunting in Tennessee
Wild turkeys are another popular game bird found throughout Tennessee. The turkey hunting season runs every spring in Tennessee. The state is divided into spring turkey hunting zones, with season dates varying by zone. Most zones are open for hunting from mid-late March through early May.
Tennessee has an estimated turkey population over 300,000 birds. Top public lands for spring turkey hunting include Land Between the Lakes, Cherokee National Forest, and Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Hunters are allowed one bearded turkey per day during the spring season, with a statewide limit of four turkeys total.
Tennessee 2023 Spring Turkey Season Dates by Zone
| Zone | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | March 25, 2023 | May 7, 2023 |
| Zone 2 | March 25, 2023 | May 7, 2023 |
| Zone 3 | April 1, 2023 | May 14, 2023 |
| Zone 4 | April 1, 2023 | May 7, 2023 |
A Tennessee hunting license and $35 spring turkey permit are required to hunt turkeys in Tennessee.
Bobwhite Quail Hunting in Tennessee
Bobwhite quail are a popular small game bird inhabiting agricultural areas and brushy fields across Tennessee. The quail season runs from late November through February statewide. Prime public lands for quail hunting include AEDC, Yanahli, and Buffalo Ridge WMAs. The daily bag limit is 15 birds.
Many quail hunters in Tennessee use pointers and retrievers to hunt wild coveys. Quail populations have declined in recent decades but can still provide good hunting on lands with suitable habitat. Hunters must have a valid Tennessee small game hunting license to pursue bobwhite quail.
Waterfowl Hunting in Tennessee
Tennessee provides opportunities for duck, goose, and other waterfowl hunting during the fall and winter. The duck season typically runs from early November through January. Goose seasons are also open during the winter waterfowl seasons.
Major public waterfowl hunting areas in Tennessee include Reelfoot Lake, Camden WMA, and the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. Duck species commonly pursued include mallards, wood ducks, teal, and ring-necks. Canada geese and white-fronted geese are also popular waterfowl game birds in Tennessee.
A Tennessee hunting license, federal duck stamp, and state waterfowl permit are required for waterfowl hunting. Limits vary by species but are generally generous. Blinds and decoys are useful hunting techniques for Tennessee waterfowl.
Upland Game Bird Hunting in Tennessee
In addition to quail, Tennessee offers hunting for other upland game birds like grouse and pheasants. Ruffed grouse can be found in forested mountain areas, while pheasants are stocked on certain public lands prior to hunting seasons.
Top destinations for ruffed grouse hunting include Cherokee National Forest and state wildlife management areas like Chuck Swan, Buffalo Ridge, and Sundquist. Many pheasants are released for hunting on Land Between the Lakes, Yanahli WMA, and Buffalo Ridge WMA. Daily limits for grouse and pheasants are 3 and 2 birds, respectively.
Licenses, Regulations, and Hunter Education
To legally hunt any game bird species in Tennessee, hunters must have the appropriate Tennessee hunting license plus any required permits, stamps, or tags for the species being pursued. Licenses must be carried while hunting. Several different hunting license types are available for Tennessee residents, non-residents, youth, and seniors.
Tennessee follows federal migratory bird hunting regulations set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulations may vary by game bird species and hunting zone. Hunters should consult the Tennessee hunting guides and regulations provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency each year prior to the seasons.
Completion of an approved hunter education course is required for all hunters born on or after January 1, 1969 to obtain a Tennessee hunting license. Hunter education covers topics like firearm safety, outdoor ethics, and game care. Classes and online-only certification are available.
Places to Hunt Birds in Tennessee
Tennessee has millions of acres of public land open to bird hunting, in addition to private land accessed through leases and guides. Top public hunting areas for doves, quail, turkey, grouse, waterfowl, and other game birds include:
- Cherokee National Forest – 625,000 acres in eastern Tennessee mountains and valleys
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area – 170,000 acres open to hunting along the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley shorelines
- State wildlife management areas – Over 100 WMAs ranging from 100 to 80,000 acres in size and located across Tennessee
- Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge – 25,000 acres excellent for waterfowl hunting along the Tennessee River in western TN
- Oak Ridge WMA – 33,000 acres of prime upland bird and turkey habitat
- Yanahli WMA – 65,000 acre area with great dove fields and quail habitat
Hunters should research regulations, species availability, lottery hunts, and habitat types when selecting public lands to hunt in Tennessee. Quality hunting access is also available via guide services and private land leases.
Conclusion
Tennessee offers top-notch bird hunting opportunities with extensive public land access, healthy game bird populations, and long season lengths. Species like mourning doves, wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, waterfowl, ruffed grouse, and pheasants provide varied wingshooting experiences. With proper licenses and some scouting of prime habitat, bird hunters can experience excellent hunting action across Tennessee. The state has a strong heritage of bird hunting on its diverse landscapes that continues today.
