How Much Does a Tennessee Hunting License Cost?

A Tennessee hunting license costs $33 a year for residents and $305 a year for non-residents seeking all game, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). That resident price covers small game and fishing only, so deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl hunters need to add a supplemental license on top of it, unless they opt for the all-inclusive Sportsman License instead.

Tennessee runs its license on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date of purchase rather than a fixed calendar year. Your renewal date depends entirely on when you bought your last license. A few items, like the Migratory Bird Permit, expire on a fixed date of June 30 regardless of purchase date.

Once you add supplemental licenses for big game and waterfowl, the total cost of a Tennessee season can add up quickly, especially for non-residents. Here's what to know about Tennessee hunting license costs to help you plan your season.

How Much Does a Tennessee Hunting License Cost?

Tennessee splits its licensing between an affordable base combination license with add-on supplements, or a pricier all-inclusive Sportsman License that skips the supplements entirely.

Tennessee's Annual Sportsman License is worth comparing against the base license plus supplements before you buy: at $165, it beats paying separately for big game, waterfowl, and trapping supplements if you plan to pursue more than one or two species in a season.

Required Stamps and Permits

Tennessee's base combination license doesn't cover deer, turkey, bear, or waterfowl. You'll need to add the right supplemental license for whatever you're hunting, unless you already hold the Sportsman License.

Non-residents pay considerably more for the equivalent big game and waterfowl access, since their Annual All Game license at $305 bundles in privileges that residents buy piecemeal.

Note that deer hunters using bait also need a separate Deer Bait Privilege License, priced at $50 for residents and $100 for non-residents.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

Tennessee offers several ways to bring down costs for younger hunters, seniors, and hunters with disabilities.

• Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap License (ages 13–15): Just $9 for residents, and it's all-inclusive with no supplemental licenses required.
• Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (65 and older): Only $4 a year, or a one-time $49 Permanent Senior Citizen version that never needs renewing.
• Reduced-fee licenses for residents with disabilities: Qualifying disabled veterans and residents with permanent disabilities can access base licenses for $5 to $10, one-time, covering both hunting and fishing.

These programs make it considerably more affordable for younger and older Tennessee residents, along with veterans and hunters with disabilities, to get into the field.

What Is a Tennessee Hunting License?

A Tennessee hunting license is the legal document issued by TWRA that allows you to hunt in the state. It comes in several forms, including the base Combination Hunt/Fish license for small game and fishing, an all-inclusive Sportsman License that bundles in big game and waterfowl privileges, and a discounted Junior license for ages 13 to 15.

The license is separate from your Hunter Education Card. The card proves you completed an approved safety course, and once earned, it's valid for life. The license itself, by contrast, runs on a 365-day cycle from the purchase date and must be bought again each year to keep hunting.

Who Needs a Tennessee Hunting License?

Tennessee residents and non-residents age 13 and older need a hunting license to legally hunt in the state. Hunters under 13 don't need a license at all, and landowners, tenants, and their immediate family can hunt their own farmland without one under Tennessee's farmland exemption.

For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, TWRA's license structure and fees page lays out every option in detail.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License in Tennessee?

Before buying a license, most Tennessee hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, must complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license, unless they use the state's Apprentice Hunter Education Permit instead.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety
• Wildlife identification and conservation
• Tennessee-specific hunting laws and ethics

Tennessee's online course, taken through Hunter-Ed, prints a permanent certificate immediately upon passing with no separate field day required.

Note that hunters under 10 don't need certification at all, provided they're accompanied by an adult 21 or older who can take immediate control of the hunting device. Also, the $11 Apprentice Hunter Education Permit lets first-time hunters 10 and older skip certification for up to three years total in a lifetime.

How to Get a Tennessee Hunting License

Getting licensed in Tennessee comes down to a few steps, with the option to skip certification temporarily through the Apprentice program.

1. Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1969, unless you're using the Apprentice Hunter Education Permit.
2. Choose your license type: base Combination Hunt/Fish, Annual Sportsman, Junior, or Senior Citizen if you qualify.
3. Purchase your license online through GoOutdoorsTennessee, at a TWRA regional office, or through an authorized license agent.
4. Add supplemental licenses as needed, such as Big Game Gun, Archery, Muzzleloader, or Waterfowl.
5. Add a WMA permit if you plan to hunt on Wildlife Management Areas, or the Federal Duck Stamp if hunting waterfowl.
6. Carry your license, Hunter Education Card if required, and any supplemental licenses any time you hunt.

You can purchase your hunting license directly through GoOutdoorsTennessee, TWRA's official online licensing system, or in person at a regional office or authorized license agent statewide.

Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License

Buying a Tennessee hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.

• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and supplemental permit revenue, combined with federal excise taxes, funds TWRA's work managing deer, elk, bear, and waterfowl populations statewide.
• Population Management: Tennessee's quota permit system for elk and its Deer Management Unit structure give TWRA the harvest data needed to keep populations balanced across the state.
• Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
• Public Land Access: License and WMA permit revenue helps support Tennessee's extensive network of Wildlife Management Areas available for public hunting.
• Legal Compliance: Hunting without a valid license is a violation subject to fines, and Tennessee law requires you to permit inspection of your license by a wildlife officer on request.

Costs and rules vary by species and unit, so it's worth checking current season dates and bag limits before you finalize your plans.

Remember: because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Tennessee's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in Tennessee? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

A Tennessee hunting license starts affordable for residents at $33, but the real cost depends on how many species you're after, since deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl each need their own supplemental license unless you upgrade to the $165 Sportsman License. Whether you're budgeting for a non-resident Annual All Game license or getting a young hunter started with the $9 Junior license, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.

Complete your hunter education course if you need it, then decide which license fits your plans. You'll be ready for opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Tennessee hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No. A Tennessee hunting license expires 365 days after purchase and must be bought again to keep hunting, regardless of the calendar date. The hunter education course, on the other hand, is a one-time requirement, and certification never expires once earned.

Q: Are there discounts for Tennessee hunting licenses?

A: Yes. Tennessee offers a $9 Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap License for residents ages 13 to 15 and a $4 Annual Senior Citizen license for residents 65 and older, or a one-time $49 Permanent Senior Citizen version. Qualifying disabled veterans and residents with disabilities can also access reduced-fee licenses for $5 to $10.

Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Tennessee?

A: A non-resident Annual All Game license costs $305, while a 7-Day All Game license runs $214 for a shorter trip. Non-resident hunters after small game and waterfowl only can instead choose the Annual Hunt Small Game/Waterfowl license for $110.

Q: Do I need a separate license to hunt deer, turkey, or bear in Tennessee?

A: Yes. In Tennessee, the base Combination Hunt/Fish license covers small game and fishing only, so hunters need a Supplemental Big Game license for $33 to pursue deer, turkey, or bear with a gun, archery equipment, or a muzzleloader. The $165 Annual Sportsman License includes these privileges without needing to buy supplements separately.

Q: Does a Tennessee hunting license expire on a fixed date?

A: No, a Tennessee hunting license runs on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date you buy it rather than a fixed calendar year. A few specific items, like the Migratory Bird Permit, are the exception and expire on a fixed date of June 30 regardless of purchase date.

Q: How much does the Tennessee hunter education course cost?

A: Tennessee's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed prints a permanent certificate immediately upon passing. The course fee is $39.95. Hunters 10 and older who aren't ready to complete the course can instead buy the $11 Apprentice Hunter Education Permit, which exempts them from certification for up to three years total in a lifetime.