TWRA: Young Sportsman Deer Hunt set for October 25-26
NEWS RELEASE FROM TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY
For Immediate Release:
10/18/2025
Young Sportsman Deer Hunt Set For October 25-26
NASHVILLE — The first Tennessee young sportsman deer hunt for the 2025-26 season will be held the weekend of Oct. 25-26. Youth ages 6-16 may participate using a gun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment.
Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 or older, who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting device. The adult must also comply with the fluorescent orange/pink regulations as specified for legal hunters. A single qualifying adult may accompany multiple youth.
Youth ages 6-9 are not required to have a license or hunter’s education certification. Youth ages 10-12 must meet hunter education requirements or have an apprentice license. In addition to the requirements for youth ages 10 12, youth ages 13-15 must have a junior hunting license, and 16-year-olds must have the appropriate licenses. To find all the options for licenses, please refer to the 2025-26 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide.
The first segment of archery season ends on Oct. 24, the day before the opening of the young sportsman hunt. The second segment of archery-only season is Monday, Oct. 27, through Friday, Nov. 7. Following that, muzzleloader season starts Nov. 8. The statewide gun season opens Saturday, Nov. 22, and will continue until Jan. 4, 2026. Finally, the second young sportsman deer hunt is Jan. 10-11, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recommends all hunters obtain a 2025-26 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide lists license requirements, the counties, and bag limits for each of the six deer management units. The guide is available on the TWRA website, the TWRA App, and at locations where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
Find more Tennessee news stories here.
