--- title: "Knoxville Hunting" url: https://www.hereknoxville.com/hunting-knoxville-tn/ date: 2026-07-11T19:10:27+00:00 modified: 2026-07-11T19:23:44+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Knoxville" attribution: "HERE Knoxville" --- # Knoxville Hunting *Source: [HERE Knoxville](https://www.hereknoxville.com/hunting-knoxville-tn/) — July 11, 2026 by * HEREKnoxville # Knoxville Hunting Report Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Knox County and Game Zone 2. Hog: UNK Turkey: UNK Dove: UNK Deer: UNK Game Zone 2 **6** WMAs Profiled **Live** Hunt Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season Guide First Look • Hunt Conditions 🌘 Waning Crescent Illumination: 33% Sunrise 10:27 am Sunset 12:55 am Temp 82°F Wind 8 mph Weather as of 1:30 AM ET Excellent — decreasing moon, peak dawn and dusk movement expected. 87 PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Game Zone 2 • Knox County ## Knoxville Hunting Season Status Whitetail Deer UNK **Season Dates**UNK — 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 Dates**UNK — 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 Dates**UNK — 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 Dates**UNK — 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 2 private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with TWRA before hunting. [Report a Season Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-season-update) Hunting Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/hunting) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hunting) [Cabelas](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hunting) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/hunting) First Look ## Knoxville Hunting Weather Now 82F Mostly Clear Feels like 87°F as of 1:30 AM ET Wind 8 mph SW Humidity 69% Pressure 1013 hPa Moon Waning Crescent Location Knoxville, SC 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 ## Knoxville Hunt Conditions Today Temperature 82°F Too Warm Wind Speed 8 mph Ideal — Calm Barometric 1013 hPa Normal Moon Phase 🌘 Prime PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Extended Outlook ## Knoxville Hunt Forecast — 5 Days TODAY Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 84° / 69° 3 mph wind • 0% humidity SLOW MON Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 84° / 69° 3 mph wind • 0% humidity SLOW TUE Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 87° / 70° 0 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN WED Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 88° / 72° 0 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN THU Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 90° / 72° 0 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN Public Hunting Lands ## Knoxville Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas Six public hunting areas within reach of Knoxville — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west. Cliff Pitts WMA ~1,000 acres STATE WMA Knox County • In County Whitetail Deer Turkey Small Game Dove Cliff Pitts WMA is the closest public hunting ground to Knoxville proper, managed by TWRA in Game Zone 2. The property features a mix of agricultural fields, pine stands, and hardwood bottoms. Known for dove field management and accessible deer hunting within Knox County. Public access. Check TWRA current year hunting guide for designated parking areas and field maps. WMA license required in addition to hunting license. Field Tip Dove fields here are actively managed. Scout before season opener — fields rotate annually. Best deer hunting near the hardwood creek drainages. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/cliff-pitts/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/cliff-pitts-field-guide.pdf) Jocassee Gorges WMA 38,000 acres STATE WMA Pickens / Oconee Counties • ~1 hour west Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Ruffed Grouse Small Game One of the largest WMAs in Tennessee, Jocassee Gorges encompasses rugged Blue Ridge terrain in Pickens and Oconee Counties. This wilderness tract holds one of SC's best black bear populations. Deer and turkey hunting can be excellent for those willing to hike deep into the mountains. Ruffed grouse are a rare bonus. Multiple trailhead access points off US-11 and SC-130. Remote terrain requires topographic maps and GPS. WMA license required. No motorized vehicles beyond designated roads. Field Tip For bear, locate white oak flats and persimmon trees in September. For deer, hunt ridge saddles and creek confluences. Bring waterproof boots — expect steep terrain and creek crossings. Game Zone 1 / 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/jocassee-gorges/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/jocassee-gorges-field-guide.pdf) Broad River WMA 18,422 acres STATE WMA Newberry / Fairfield Counties • ~1 hour south Whitetail Deer Turkey Feral Hog Waterfowl Small Game Dove Broad River WMA covers the floodplain and upland terrain along the Broad River corridor. This large tract is known for its feral hog population — one of the most accessible year-round hunting opportunities in the region. Deer and turkey hunting is productive in the hardwood bottoms and planted pines. Multiple access points along SC-34 and county roads. Portions subject to seasonal flooding — check conditions before hunting bottomlands. WMA license required. Field Tip Feral hogs concentrate near river bottoms and food plots year-round. Hunt creek crossings and wallows. For deer, the hardwood drainages hold rubs and scrapes during the rut. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/broad-river/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/broad-river-field-guide.pdf) Tyger River Complex Multiple tracts acres STATE WMA Knoxville / Laurens Counties • In County / nearby Mourning Dove Whitetail Deer Small Game Turkey The Tyger River Complex consists of multiple smaller tracts managed along the Tyger River drainages in Knoxville and Laurens Counties. These properties focus heavily on dove field management, with TWRA planting and managing fields for migratory dove hunting in September. Access varies by individual tract. Check TWRA annual WMA guide for current field status and parking locations. Fields managed under TWRA dove program — some require pre-season registration. Field Tip The September 1 dove opener is a community event at these fields. Arrive early to secure position. Fields typically produce best during the first two weeks of season. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/tyger-river/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/tyger-river-field-guide.pdf) Poe Creek State Forest WMA 6,200 acres STATE FOREST WMA Pickens County • ~45 minutes west Whitetail Deer Black Bear Turkey Gray Squirrel Rabbit Poe Creek State Forest WMA in Pickens County offers diverse hunting on state forest land managed cooperatively with TWRA. The property features a mix of planted pines, hardwood ridges, and stream bottomlands. Black bear season applies here — check zone-specific regulations carefully. Primary access off SC-8 in Easley area. State forest roads provide interior access during dry conditions. WMA license and state forest permit may both be required — verify with TWRA. Field Tip Squirrel hunting is often overlooked but productive at Poe Creek — excellent scouting opportunity in early season that reveals deer sign before gun season opens. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/poe-creek/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/poe-creek-field-guide.pdf) Mountain Hunt Unit (Game Zone 1) Variable acres MOUNTAIN ZONE Cherokee / Greenville Counties • Adjacent to Knox County Black Bear Whitetail Deer Ruffed Grouse Turkey Wild Boar The Mountain Hunt Unit encompasses Cherokee and northern Greenville County lands bordering Knoxville. This is the nearest access to Game Zone 1 regulations — including earlier bear seasons and different bag limits than Zone 2. Rugged terrain with significant elevation change. Multiple public access points along the I-85 corridor into Cherokee County. Check current year TWRA hunting guide for Game Zone 1 specific dates and areas. Zone boundaries matter here. Field Tip Zone 1 deer season opens earlier than Zone 2 — if you hunt this area, carry a copy of zone boundary maps. The ridge lines between Cherokee and Greenville hold excellent ruffed grouse habitat. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](/field-guides/mountain-hunt-unit/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/mountain-hunt-unit-field-guide.pdf) Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Knoxville-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Hunting Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-hunting-spot) [Launch Special$1 a day for up to 90 days — Best deal in Knoxville Reach all the Hunting traffic in Knoxville — it’s a deal! Find out how](#hr-banner-form) Launch Special Your Banner *Here* $1/day Up to **90 days** at the launch rate. Cancel anytime. - Drop us your website URL — we build the banner for you - Runs above the **Community Reviews** section - No contract. No setup fee. Cancel anytime. - Local Knoxville hunters see your business every visit Your Name * Business Name * Website URL * Email * Phone (optional) How long would you like to reserve it? Daily $1 Weekly $7 30 days $30 60 days $60 90 days $90 Lock in $1/day — Build my banner No payment now. We email a preview within one business day. Your launch rate is locked when you approve. Community Reviews ## Knoxville Hunting Reviews Share Your Hunt Hunted a Knoxville-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Location Hunted * Select a location... Private Land — Knox County Other Your First Name * How Was the Hunt? * (280 characters max) Species Targeted Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Dove Feral Hog Black Bear Duck / Waterfowl Squirrel Rabbit Other Best Spot / Stand Location Gear That Made the Difference Submit Review Community Here *We...* Bag Them *Big...* Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Knoxville hunters. Your First Name * Location Species Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Other Weight / Rack Size / Score Tell Us the Story * (200 chars max) Photo or Video (optional, max 8MB) Submit Trophy Don't Drink by the *Swig...* Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done? Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Photo of the Bar or Drink (optional, max 8MB) Submit Pick Coverage ## Knoxville Hunting News Presented by [TWRA Wildlife](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Local — Knoxville and East Tennessee Coming Soon Local Knoxville Hunting Coverage Coming Soon Local WMA reports, season openers, deer and turkey harvest news, and East Tennessee hunting coverage from the HEREKnoxville 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 Knoxville perspective. [View All Knoxville Hunting Coverage →](/tag/hunting-knoxville-tn/) More at Outdoor Sports Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Knoxville and East Tennessee SC [See All Outdoor Sports Coverage](/sports/) [Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Outfitters and Gear ## Hunting Gear Guide Gear reviews and picks for the Knoxville hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more. Presented by https://www.amazon.com/?tag=hereknoxville-20 Shop our hand-picked hunting gear on Amazon. Free Prime shipping, easy returns. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Gear Reviews — Tested for East Tennessee SC Hunting As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74W77V6?tag=hereknoxville-20 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…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $13.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74W77V6?tag=hereknoxville-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVKR6QP3?tag=hereknoxville-20 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…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $1676.85 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVKR6QP3?tag=hereknoxville-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSP7S3D?tag=hereknoxville-20 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. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $2899.97 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSP7S3D?tag=hereknoxville-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4X5Q6Y1?tag=hereknoxville-20 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,…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $399.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4X5Q6Y1?tag=hereknoxville-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7L66QN?tag=hereknoxville-20 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. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $799.00 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7L66QN?tag=hereknoxville-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SMC3K5?tag=hereknoxville-20 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…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $99.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SMC3K5?tag=hereknoxville-20) Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active hunters across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting&tier=gear) Game Zone 2 Key Dates ## SC Hunting Season Calendar UKN Season calendar not yet seeded for this clone Verified dates must be loaded via the `here_hunting_seasons` WP option, sourced from TWRA. Until then, see [dnr.sc.gov/regs/hunting](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/hunting.html) for current Game Zone 2 regulations. Game Zone 2 Dates reflect 2026 Tennessee hunting regulations for Game Zone 2. 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 ## Knoxville Hunting FAQ Common questions about hunting in the Knoxville area, answered. - When does deer season open in Knoxville Tennessee? Deer season dates in Game Zone 2 vary by year and land type (private vs WMA). Specific dates for Knox County have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see dnr.sc.gov for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide. - Where can I hunt near Knoxville Tennessee? Public hunting near Knoxville 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. - Do I need a license to hunt in Tennessee? 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 dnr.sc.gov or at authorized license agents throughout Knox County. - Can you hunt on Sundays in Tennessee? Sunday hunting rules in Tennessee vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TWRA and Knox County before hunting on Sunday. - What is the deer bag limit in Game Zone 2? Deer bag limits in Game Zone 2 vary by land type (private vs WMA) and by antlered vs antlerless. Limits for Knox County have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see dnr.sc.gov for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide. - Are there bear in the Knoxville area? 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 Knox County. ITS ALL HERE! Hunting News Near You![THE HERE CITY NETWORK](https://www.herecity.com)[Chattanooga, TN](https://herechattanooga.com/hunting/) [Bristol, TN](https://herebristol.com/hunting/) [Nashville, TN](https://herenashville.com/hunting/) [Memphis, TN](https://herememphis.com/hunting/)