HERENashville
Nashville
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Davidson County and Game Zone.
Hog: UNK
Turkey: UNK
Dove: UNK
Deer: UNK
Game Zone
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 71%
10:57 am
12:47 am
91°F
5 mph
Weather as of 7:05 PM ET
Excellent — decreasing moon, peak dawn and dusk movement expected.
Game Zone • Davidson County
Nashville Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Whitetail Deer season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Feral Hog
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Feral Hog season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Spring Turkey
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Spring Turkey season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Mourning Dove
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Mourning Dove season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Season dates shown are for Game Zone private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with TWRA before hunting.
Report a Season Update
First Look
Nashville Hunting Weather Now
91F
Mostly Clear
Feels like 96°F
as of 7:05 PM ET
Wind
5 mph SSW
Humidity
46%
Pressure
1020 hPa
Moon
Waning Crescent
Location
Nashville, TN
Field Scout Tips
- Nothing is in season today — pure scouting window. Walk property lines, check trail cams, and hang stands for the opener.
- Warm day — scout creek bottoms and water sources where game will hold once seasons reopen.
- Use closed season to inventory deer, locate gobblers on the roost, and pattern hog sign for when seasons return.
Solunar Index
Nashville Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
91°F
Too Warm
Wind Speed
5 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1020 hPa
High — Active
Moon Phase
🌘
Prime
Extended Outlook
Nashville Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TODAY
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 74°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
SAT
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
94° / 74°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
SUN
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 74°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
MON
Sunny
96° / 75°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
TUE
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
95° / 75°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
Public Hunting Lands
Nashville Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas
Six public hunting areas within reach of Nashville — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west.
Cheatham WMA
20,810 acres acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
squirrel
The largest state WMA near Nashville — primarily upland hardwood forest with food plots, an on-site shooting range, and a growing reputation for trophy deer.
Take Hwy 49 toward Charlotte, cross the river, continue to Hwy 250; entrance on the left
Field Tip
TWRA has recently added quota hunts here to boost participation — check current-year hunt dates before applying.
Yanahli WMA
12,800 acres acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
small game
Cedar glades, hardwood forest, wetlands, and Duck River bluffs — one of the state's top-producing WMAs, locally known as 'Fountain Creek.'
Off Hwy 50 near I-65, south of Columbia, TN
Field Tip
The Duck River Complex natural areas within Yanahli are especially productive for turkey.
Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA
Large tract on the Cumberland Plateau acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
black bear
quail
Cumberland Plateau tract with quota bear and quail hunts alongside standard deer and turkey seasons.
From I-40 Sparta-Cookeville exit, south on Hwy 111 then east on Hwy 70
Field Tip
Quail hunts require quota-draw applications each fall — apply early through TWRA.
Old Hickory WMA
~6,000+ acres (Units 1-3) acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
waterfowl
Multi-unit WMA spanning five counties along Old Hickory Lake, popular for both waterfowl blinds and upland deer/turkey hunting.
Multiple access points along Old Hickory Lake shoreline
Field Tip
Waterfowl blind assignments are managed separately — check TWRA's Old Hickory blind application process.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Nashville-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Hunting SpotCommunity Reviews
Nashville Hunting Reviews
Cordell Hull WMA
Hunted ducks on a flooded timber pocket near Cordell Hull WMA with my husband and our lab. Decoyed a nice mix of woodies and mallards right at first light before the wind picked up and pushed the birds elsewhere. Access requires waders but it's worth the effort for the seclusion.
Species: Wood Duck & Mallard
Best Spot: Flooded timber pocket, north unit
Key Gear: 12ga semi-auto, #4 steel, mixed decoy spread
Cheatham WMA
Went back to Cheatham for a late-season antlerless hunt and sat a green field corner at dusk. A group of six does came out to feed and I took one for the freezer at 80 yards. WMA stays productive well into the late season if you're willing to sit cold, quiet sits.
Species: Whitetail Deer
Best Spot: Green field corner, southeast tract
Key Gear: .270 Win, ladder stand
Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness
Hunted grouse on the Centennial Wilderness tract with a young setter and had two solid flushes on a ridge trail through mixed hardwoods. Rough, remote terrain but that's exactly why the bird numbers hold up here. A tough but rewarding morning of walking.
Species: Ruffed Grouse
Best Spot: Ridge trail, eastern section near the bluffs
Key Gear: 20ga side-by-side, English Setter
Cordell Hull WMA
Worked a ridge on Cordell Hull WMA for squirrel with the .22 and had a great morning among a heavy hickory crop, filling a limit of grays in under two hours. Terrain here is steep but the squirrel density made the climb worth it. Quiet, remote-feeling tract for how close it is to Nashville.
Species: Gray Squirrel
Best Spot: Hickory ridge, central tract
Key Gear: .22 rifle
Share Your Hunt
Hunted a Nashville-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Bag Them Big...
Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Nashville hunters.
Hunted a hardwood draw between two fallow fields on Yanahli WMA during opening week. He stepped out mid-morning working a scrape line forty yards below the stand. One shot, short recovery through the honeysuckle. A Maury County buck like that off public ground is one I'll talk about for years.
Whitetail Deer 8-point, 163 lbs dressed
Set the spread on a flooded timber hole in the Cheatham WMA bottoms before legal light. Whistling wings started dropping through the canopy within minutes of shooting time. Limited out on drakes by 7:20. Cumberland River bottomland duck hunting this close to Nashville is a gift not enough people use.
Wood Duck Limit of 6 drakes
Still-hunted an oak bench on the Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness during a heavy mast fall. He came out feeding on acorns at fifty yards, broadside, and I made the shot count. Recovery took forty minutes through thick laurel on the Cumberland Plateau edge. A bear like that out of Middle Tennessee doesn't happen often.
Black Bear 275 lb boar
Don't Drink by the Swig...
Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done?
Dropped the buck at the processor and headed to Bearded Iris in Wedgewood-Houston. Homestyle IPA, industrial taproom, the Yanahli scrape-line story getting longer with every telling. A good Maury County buck deserves a good Nashville beer to match.
Bearded Iris Brewing -- Homestyle IPA
Limited on woodies in the Cheatham bottoms and drove straight to Yazoo Brewing in the Gulch. Pale ale, brick walls, duck stories flying across the taproom. Nashville's original craft brewery closes out a waterfowl morning just right.
Yazoo Brewing Company -- Yazoo Pale Ale
Got the bear to the processor and drove into East Nashville for Southern Grist. Amber ale, neighborhood patio, the Cumberland Plateau story getting bigger by the round. A Middle Tennessee bear hunt deserves a proper celebration.
Southern Grist Brewing Company -- Amber ale
Coverage
Nashville Hunting News
Local — Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Coming Soon
Local
Nashville Hunting Coverage Coming Soon
Local WMA reports, season openers, deer and turkey harvest news, and Middle Tennessee hunting coverage from the HERENashville newsroom.
National — Whitetail, CWD, and Conservation
Coming Soon
National
National Hunting Coverage Coming Soon
Whitetail news, CWD updates, conservation legislation, gear reviews, and national hunting stories with a Nashville perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Nashville and Middle Tennessee, TN
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Nashville hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Middle Tennessee, TN Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…
Decoy
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound….
$13.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…
Optic / Scope
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B….
$1676.85
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount.
$2899.97
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,….
$399.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.
$799.00
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…
Trail Camera
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track….
$99.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer?
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingGame Zone Key Dates
TN Hunting Season Calendar
Aug 22, 2026
Young Sportsman Deer Hunt (Statewide)
Ages 6-16, either-sex, private lands. TWRA confirms specific dates annually.
Sep 26, 2026
Archery Deer Season Opens
Archery deer season opens statewide. Bag limits vary by unit. Verify against current TWRA Hunt Guide.
Oct 24, 2026
Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens
Muzzleloader (blackpowder) deer season opens statewide.
Nov 21, 2026
Gun Deer Season Opens
Gun deer season opens statewide. Peak rut typically first-second week of November across Middle/East TN. Verify local zone.
Jan 3, 2027
Deer Season Closes (Most Units)
Statewide gun deer season closes on most units. Specific unit variations apply.
Mar 27–28, 2027
Young Sportsman Turkey Hunt
Statewide youth turkey hunt (hunters age 6-16). Dates estimated based on typical TWRA pattern (last weekend of March). Confirm with 2027 TWRA Hunt Guide.
Apr 3, 2027
Spring Turkey Season Opens (Statewide)
Spring turkey season opens. Bag limit 2 per season. Verify against 2027 TWRA proclamation.
May 16, 2027
Spring Turkey Season Closes
Turkey spring season closes statewide (typical 6-week pattern).
TBD — 2026-27 Dove Season
Dove Season Dates Pending TWRA Approval
TWRA approves migratory bird dates annually. Historical pattern is 3 segments Sep-Jan. 2026-27 dates will be posted at tn.gov/twra when approved.
Year-Round
Wild Hog (Private Lands)
Wild hog may be taken year-round on private land with valid TN hunting license. No bag limit. Non-target species per TWRA. Some WMA restrictions apply.
Dates reflect 2026 Tennessee hunting regulations for Game Zone. Always verify with the current TWRA Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season.
Questions and Answers
Nashville Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Nashville area, answered.
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Deer season dates in Game Zone vary by year and land type (private vs WMA). Specific dates for Davidson County have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see https://www.tn.gov/twra for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Public hunting near Nashville is listed in the WMA directory above. TWRA manages all WMAs in Tennessee; a WMA license is required in addition to a basic hunting license.
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Yes. All hunters in Tennessee need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA license. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through TWRA at https://www.tn.gov/twra or at authorized license agents throughout Davidson County.
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Sunday hunting rules in Tennessee vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TWRA and Davidson County before hunting on Sunday.
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Deer bag limits in Game Zone vary by land type (private vs WMA) and by antlered vs antlerless. Limits for Davidson County have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see https://www.tn.gov/twra for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Bear hunting in Tennessee is regulated by TWRA. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current TWRA hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Davidson County.
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