When is Turkey Season in Tennessee? A Guide to Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting

As an avid turkey hunter here in Tennessee, I often get asked by friends and family from out-of-state “when is turkey season in Tennessee?” That’s a great question, and like most things related to hunting, the answer can get a little complicated. As a Tennessee native and experienced turkey hunter, let me walk you through everything you need to know about spring and fall turkey seasons here in the Volunteer State.

Overview of Tennessee Turkey Seasons

Tennessee offers both spring and fall turkey hunting seasons annually The specific dates do change each year, but here’s a general overview

• Spring turkey season runs from mid-April through late May. This is the more popular season with the most hunting opportunities.

• Fall turkey archery season runs during October. Fall shotgun season follows in late October/early November. Fall seasons are more limited.

• Bag limits also differ between spring (2 bird limit) and fall (1 bird limit) seasons.

So when’s the best time to go turkey hunting in Tennessee? For most hunters, spring turkey season offers prime hunting and the best chance to bag a mature gobbler But don’t overlook fall – it can still offer exciting hunting on a smaller scale

When Does Spring Turkey Season Open in Tennessee?

Spring turkey season in Tennessee always opens on the Saturday closest to April 15th each year. For 2023, opening day is Saturday, April 15.

The season then runs for 44 consecutive days closing on Sunday, May 28. So for 2023, spring turkey dates are April 15 – May 28.

During spring season, hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset each day.

Tennessee Spring Turkey Bag Limits

The spring turkey bag limit in Tennessee is:

• 2 bearded turkeys total per season
• Only one can be a jake

So you can harvest two male turkeys with beards, but only one immature jake during spring season. Bearded hens are illegal to harvest in Tennessee.

Special Young Sportsman Spring Hunt

Tennessee also offers a special weekend youth spring hunt each year, one week before the regular opening day.

In 2023, the Young Sportsman Hunt is April 8-9. This allows youth ages 6-16 to get a jump start on the season. All other spring rules and limits apply.

An accompanying adult cannot hunt but must remain in control of the hunting device. Multiple youth can be supervised by one adult.

Fall Turkey Archery Season in Tennessee

Tennessee offers fall turkey hunting opportunities statewide, except for a few restricted counties.

The archery-only season comes first in the fall. In 2023, fall archery runs September 30 – October 27.

Archers are allowed one bearded turkey during the fall season. Bearded hens are prohibited.

Fall Shotgun/Archery Season

Next comes the fall shotgun/archery season. For 2023, these dates are October 14 – 27.

Only archery equipment or shotguns with #4 shot or smaller are permitted. The bag limit remains one bearded bird for the entire fall season.

Turkey Hunting Restrictions in Tennessee

Tennessee prohibits baiting turkeys and using electronic calls. Other standard turkey hunting rules apply, like no rifles and no shot larger than #4.

Check the TWRA website each year for exact season dates and any regulation changes. A Tennessee hunting license and statewide permit are required.

Pick the Right Hunting Region

Like any hunting, your success depends heavily on location. Here in Tennessee, turkey populations and hunting conditions vary across the state:

• West Tennessee often has the highest turkey numbers and success rates recently.

• Central Tennessee is another safe bet for plentiful birds and good productivity.

• Northeast Tennessee has struggled with poorer production the last couple years.

Even within these broad regions, habitat quality and hunting pressure impact turkey numbers significantly. Do your scouting homework each season to pinpoint the best public or private hunting areas near you.

Tips for Hunting Spring Gobblers

Chasing spring gobblers takes skill and patience. Here are my top turkey hunting tips for filling your tag in Tennessee:

• Start early and be patient – I’m talking pre-dawn alarm clock early! Set up near roost sites and fly-down zones and wait.

• Use the wind – Circle around so your scent blows into open areas, not the turkey’s location.

• Play the game – Call sparingly and softly. Match the rhythm of actual hens in your area.

• Conceal movement – Avoid anything that will catch a turkey’s sharp eyesight. Stay still when it matters.

• Be mobile – Don’t be afraid to change locations quietly and keep pressuring the bird.

With smart preparation and persistence through the ups and downs of spring turkey hunting, you’ll hopefully be rewarded with the thrill of a longbeard thundering in to your calls. There’s nothing quite like it!