Bear season in Tennessee runs Sep 27 – Sep 28 across 14 Units.
| Unit | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone BHZ-1 | Hound Hunting | Oct 4 — Oct 6 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | Hound Hunting | Oct 11 — Oct 12 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | Hound Hunting | Nov 10 — Nov 17 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | Hound Hunting | Dec 1 — Dec 17 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Hound Hunting | Oct 4 — Oct 19 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Hound Hunting | Oct 27 — Oct 31 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Hound Hunting | Dec 1 — Dec 16 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Hound Hunting | Oct 4 — Oct 5 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Hound Hunting | Oct 11 — Oct 17 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Hound Hunting | Oct 27 — Oct 31 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Hound Hunting | Dec 1 — Dec 14 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Hound Hunting | Dec 25 — Dec 28 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-4 | Hound Hunting | Dec 13 — Dec 14 | — | — | — |
| Zone kettlefoot-and-laurel-fork-bear-reserve | Hound Hunting | Sep 20 — Sep 26 | — | — | — |
| Unit | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone B | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone C | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone D | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone L | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-4 | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-5 | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Zone transitional-zone | Archery | Sep 27 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Unit | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone BHZ-1 | General | Oct 25 — Oct 26 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | General | Oct 25 — Oct 26 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | General | Oct 25 — Oct 26 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-4 | General | Oct 25 — Oct 26 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-5 | General | Oct 25 — Oct 26 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-5 | General | Dec 13 — Dec 14 | — | — | — |
| Unit | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone BHZ-1 | Dog Training | Aug 23 — Sep 28 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-1 | Dog Training | May 30 — Jun 12 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Dog Training | Aug 23 — Sep 28 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-2 | Dog Training | May 30 — Jun 12 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Dog Training | Sep 3 — Sep 12 | — | — | — |
| Zone BHZ-3 | Dog Training | May 30 — Jun 12 | — | — | — |
| Zone north-cherokee-wma | Dog Training | Sep 2 — Sep 27 | — | — | — |
| Zone south-cherokee-wma | Dog Training | Sep 3 — Sep 12 | — | — | — |
| Unit | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone B | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone C | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone D | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
| Zone L | General | Nov 22 — Nov 25 | — | — | — |
Bear season in Tennessee currently runs Sep 27 to Sep 28, across 47 season rows and 14 Units, split by weapon (Archery, Rifle, Dog Training, Hound Hunting, General).
The best Units for bear in Tennessee depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per Unit above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.
View Unit boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.
Also see Tennessee seasons, public land, and license.