Tennessee – Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 23, coinciding with the opening day of squirrel season. The annual Free Hunting Day is organized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to encourage interest in hunting, one of the state’s oldest and most popular outdoor traditions.
TWRA officials said the day provides an opportunity for hunters to introduce friends and family to the sport, and for those who haven’t hunted in a while to return to the outdoors.
In addition to the opening of squirrel season, the three-day archery-only antlered deer hunt on private lands and selected Unit 1 wildlife management areas (WMAs) is set for Aug. 22-24. Hunters are advised to check individual WMAs for regulations. With the removal of Unit CWD, guns and muzzleloaders are no longer permitted during the August season.
On Free Hunting Day, Tennessee residents are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Many WMAs are open for public hunting, but hunters must verify specific regulations in the 2025-26 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide and obtain permission before accessing private lands.
Hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels per day from the opening day of squirrel season through March 15, 2026. Hunting hours begin a half-hour before sunrise and end a half-hour after sunset.
Hunter education requirements remain in effect. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, must have completed a hunter education course. Those who have not completed the course can obtain an Apprentice Hunter Permit, which exempts them from the mandatory hunter education law for one year and may be purchased for up to three consecutive years in a lifetime. Youth under 10 are not required to have a hunter education certificate but must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older who can immediately control the hunting device. Hunter education can be completed online at TWRA’s website or through scheduled classes.
For more information on hunting in Tennessee, residents can visit www.tnwildlife.org or contact their nearest TWRA regional office.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency manages and conserves fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors, while maintaining public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.