TENNESSEE · SMALL GAME · 2026-27
Tennessee small game
seasons 2026-27.
Squirrel, rabbit, quail, grouse, doves and more. Rabbit and quail open Nov. 7, 2026, and most small game runs into late February.
SMALL GAME
Squirrel, rabbit, quail & grouse
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SquirrelOpen now · through March 15Small game | Aug. 22, 2026 – March 15, 2027 | Statewide | 10 per day.source · source |
| Spring squirrel 2027Opens May 8, 2027Small game | May 8 – June 13, 2027 | Statewide | 10 per day.source · source |
| RabbitOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Small game | Nov. 7, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide | 5 per day.source · source |
| QuailOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Small game | Nov. 7, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide. On WMAs quail season is Nov. 1, 2026 - Jan. 15, 2027 unless otherwise noted. | 6 per day.source · source |
| Ruffed grouseOpen now · through Feb. 28Small game | Oct. 10, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide | 3 per day.source · source |
Source: TWRA: Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates ↗; 2026-27 TN Guide, Small Game Regulations (p. 62) ↗
DOVES & MIGRATORY BIRDS
Dove, woodcock, snipe & rails
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning doveReopens Dec. 8, 2026Shotgun | Sept. 1 – Sept. 28, 2026 Oct. 10 – Nov. 1, 2026 Dec. 8, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Statewide. Opening day (Sept. 1) starts at noon. Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required. | 15 per day. No limit on Eurasian collared doves.source · source |
| WoodcockOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Shotgun | Nov. 14 – Dec. 6, 2026 Jan. 10 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Statewide Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required. | 3 per day.source · source |
| SnipeOpens Nov. 14 (in 10 days)Shotgun | Nov. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required. | 8 per day.source · source |
| Rails (Virginia & sora), gallinule & moorhenOpen now · through Nov. 9Shotgun | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2026 | Statewide Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required. | Rails: 25 per day. Gallinule and moorhen: 15 per day.source · source |
Source: TWRA: Migratory Birds (doves, ducks, geese, cranes) ↗; TWRA: Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates ↗
FURBEARERS
Furbearers (hunting seasons)
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox, mink, muskrat, otter & least weasel (hunting)Opens Nov. 20, 2026Hunting | Nov. 20, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide | No daily limit. Otters must be tagged with Tennessee U.S. CITES tags.source · source |
| Bobcat, private landsOpen now · through Nov. 19Weapon must match the open deer season | Sept. 26 – Nov. 19, 2026 | Private lands only. | 1 per day.source · source |
| Bobcat, statewideOpens Nov. 20, 2026Hunting | Nov. 20, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide | 1 per day. Pelts need U.S. CITES tags before export.source · source |
| Raccoon & opossum taking seasonOpen now · through March 15Hunting | Sept. 18, 2026 – March 15, 2027 | Statewide, from sunset Sept. 18 to sunrise Mar. 15. Year-round on private lands only (4 per day). | 4 per day.source · source |
Year-round: Year-round hunting with no daily limit: coyote, groundhog, striped skunk, armadillo and beaver. Coyote and bobcat night seasons also apply on set dates. Trapping seasons are separate. Check TWRA.
Source: TWRA: Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates ↗; 2026-27 TN Guide, Small Game Regulations (p. 62) ↗
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, tags and check-in
- Combo Hunt/Fish (residents 16-64) covers small game. Nonresidents need a Hunt-Small Game/Waterfowl license (7-day or annual).
- Doves, woodcock, snipe, rails and gallinules also need the Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit.
- WMA hunting needs a WMA Small Game permit. Youths under 16 hunting small game are exempt but must be with an adult who has one.
Buy licenses at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com ↗, the TWRA On The Go app or a license agent. Fees and full details are in the 2026-27 guide license section ↗.
Source: 2026-27 TN Guide, License Fees & Information (pp. 8-10) ↗; 2026-27 TN Guide, Big Game rules, orange and check-in (pp. 64-65) ↗; 2026-27 TN Guide, What's New for Hunting (p. 48) ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Make a day of it
WHERE THESE DATES COME FROM
Sources
Every date and limit on this page comes from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. We do not carry over last season's dates. If we could not confirm something, we say Check TWRA.
We check official sources weekly and review changes before updating this guide. Confirm the latest TWRA rules before each hunt.
- TWRA: Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates ↗
- 2026-27 TN Guide, Small Game Regulations (p. 62) ↗
- TWRA: Migratory Birds (doves, ducks, geese, cranes) ↗
Last checked: Nov. 1, 2026. Spot a change? Let us know.