Knoxville
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Knox County and Game Zone 2.
Knoxville Hunting Season Status
Knoxville Hunting Weather Now
- 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.
Knoxville Hunt Conditions Today
Knoxville Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
Knoxville Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Know a Knoxville-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
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Hunting Gear Guide
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingSC Hunting Season Calendar
here_hunting_seasons WP option, sourced from TWRA. Until then, see dnr.sc.gov/regs/hunting for current Game Zone 2 regulations.Knoxville Hunting FAQ
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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.
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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.
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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 dnr.sc.gov or at authorized license agents throughout Knox County.
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Sunday hunting rules in Tennessee vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TWRA and Knox County before hunting on Sunday.
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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.
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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 Knox County.