Updated August 20, 2019

Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season as well as the August private lands archery deer season.

Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions.

On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Sportsmen are reminded to ask for permission to hunt on private lands.

The TWRA offers a reminder that hunter education requirements are not waived for Free Hunting Day.

Anyone born on or after January 1st, 1969 is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course.  Hunters are allowed to harvest up to 10 squirrels a day from the opening day of squirrel season through February  29th, 2020 with each hunting day beginning a half-hour before sunrise and ending a half-hour after sunset.

In addition to squirrels, those species that have a year-round season will be open as well. The year-round species include armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs, and striped skunks.

For more information about hunting in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s website or contact the nearest TWRA regional office.