The next general Tennessee spring turkey season starts April 3, 2027, and runs through May 16, 2027. The statewide Young Sportsman Hunt takes place March 27-28, 2027. Tennessee also offers fall turkey seasons in 2026, but the open dates and counties are more limited.
Those are the quick answers. The complete answer depends on whether you are hunting spring or fall, public or private land, and which county or wildlife management area you plan to enter. Use this guide to start planning, then confirm your location in the official TWRA turkey regulations.
Tennessee Turkey Season Dates at a Glance
| Season | Dates | Basic statewide limit |
|---|---|---|
| Fall archery | September 26-October 30 and November 2-6, 2026 | One male turkey for the fall season |
| Fall shotgun and archery | October 17-30, 2026 | One male turkey for the fall season |
| Young Sportsman spring hunt | March 27-28, 2027 | One male per day, counts toward spring limit |
| General spring season | April 3-May 16, 2027 | One male per day, two for the spring season |
Only one bird in the spring season limit may be a jake. Hens, including bearded hens, are not legal during the spring season.
Fall Turkey Rules Require a County Check
Tennessee’s fall archery season is listed statewide, but the fall shotgun and archery season is closed in several counties. The closed list includes Crockett, Dyer, Giles, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Shelby, Tipton, and Wayne counties.
That distinction is especially important around Reelfoot Lake. Lake County is closed to the fall shotgun and archery season, so a date that appears open on the general calendar may not create a legal fall opportunity there. Do not assume a statewide summary overrides county or WMA rules.
During the fall season, hunters may not possess both archery equipment and shotguns or rifles. The fall bag limit is one male turkey, and bearded hens are not legal. Check the allowed weapon for the date and property you intend to hunt.
Spring Turkey Rules for 2027
Spring turkey season opens across all 95 Tennessee counties, but some public lands and WMAs have exceptions or quota requirements. Legal shooting hours run from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to sunset.
The daily limit is one male turkey. The statewide spring limit is two, and only one may be a jake. TWRA defines an adult gobbler by physical characteristics such as full white barring to the tip of the wing feathers, tail feathers of equal length, a beard longer than six inches, or a spur at least one-half inch long.
The Young Sportsman Hunt is open to ages 6-16. A qualifying non-hunting adult age 21 or older must accompany the youth and remain able to take immediate control of the hunting device. Youth age 10 and older must meet hunter-education requirements. A bird harvested during the youth weekend counts toward the two-bird spring limit.
Public Land and WMA Details
Public-land turkey hunting often requires more preparation than simply buying a license. Some WMAs use quota hunts, special application periods, or property-specific dates. Calling restrictions also apply on WMAs before the spring opener, and fanning or reaping turkeys on WMAs is prohibited.
Before leaving home, identify the property, read its individual regulations, and confirm whether you need a quota permit or WMA authorization. If you are researching other seasons around the same trip, the Tennessee hunting seasons overview provides a useful starting point for regional hunting options.
Licenses and Field Preparation
License needs vary by residency, age, and property. Buy the appropriate Tennessee hunting license and any required supplemental permit before hunting. Keep proof of licensing available in the field and review hunter-education rules if anyone in the party is a young or first-time hunter.
Spring preparation should also include patterning your shotgun with the exact turkey load you plan to carry, checking your effective range, and setting a clear safety plan. Positively identify the target and what lies beyond it. Never shoot at movement or sound.
Planning a Reelfoot Lake Area Trip
Waterfowl Unlimited specializes in guided waterfowl hunting, not turkey hunts. Hunters visiting northwest Tennessee for the outdoors can still use our site to understand hunting licenses, explore Tennessee waterfowl hunting near Reelfoot Lake, or review lodging for a guided duck hunt.
For turkey hunting, treat TWRA as the controlling source. Verify the season, county, property, weapon, and permit requirements just before the hunt. That final check is the best way to avoid relying on an old calendar after regulations change.
