← Tennessee hunting laws›Legal Hunting Hours
Tennessee Legal Hunting Hours (2026)
Info: In Tennessee, big game and small game may be taken from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, and spring turkey from 30 minutes before sunrise to legal sunset.
Tennessee legal hunting hours by date
The rule above (big and small game): 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.
| Nashville | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 17 | 6:26 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 6:27 AM | 6:37 PM |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 6:28 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Tue, Oct 20 | 6:29 AM | 6:34 PM |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 6:30 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Thu, Oct 22 | 6:31 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Fri, Oct 23 | 6:32 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 6:33 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 6:34 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 6:35 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 6:36 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 6:37 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Thu, Oct 29 | 6:38 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 6:39 AM | 6:22 PM |
Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Nashville. Tennessee's rule refers to official sunrise and sunset; where the state's own tables differ, they govern. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Tennessee
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Tennessee
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- AlabamaInfo
In Alabama, legal hours for game animals are daylight hours only. Fox, raccoon and opossum may be hunted at night, and coyote and feral swine in special nighttime seasons.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: admincode.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
- ArkansasInfo
In Arkansas, legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; night hunting is prohibited except for raccoon, opossum and bobcat.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: agfc.com · Full Arkansas rule →
- GeorgiaInfo
In Georgia, legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset; alligator, raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote, bobcat and feral hog may be hunted at night.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: georgiawildlife.com · Full Georgia rule →
- KentuckyInfo
In Kentucky, shooting hours for most species are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; waterfowl, migratory birds, raccoon and coyote are exceptions.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- MississippiInfo
In Mississippi, legal shooting hours for resident game are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: mdwfp.com · Full Mississippi rule →
- MissouriInfo
In Missouri, general legal hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: mdc.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
- North CarolinaInfo
In North Carolina, legal hunting hours for game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; raccoon, opossum and other species may be hunted at night.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ncwildlife.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
- VirginiaInfo
In Virginia, nonmigratory birds and game animals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Spring turkey has separate hours.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
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