Tennessee Deer Population and Management Archive -  Tennessee

View the archive by scrolling through the window below.  Historic deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Tennessee Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Reported Deer Hunt

1948:        0

1949:     113

1952:     522

1968:     8,000

1985:   60,000

1989:  106,762

1999:  242,000

(peak year)

2000* 155,000

2001*  158,000

2002:  156,142

2003:  161,805

2004:  179,542

2005:  166,209

2006:  182,064

2007:  164,532

2008:  163,978

2009:  161,847

2010:  162,843

2011:  167,829 

2012:  176,994

2013:  168,552

2014:  164,934

2015:  166,845

2016:  157,702

2017:  143,995

2018:  147,098

2019:  135,150

2020: 160,260

2021:  132,294

2022

163,394


* Estimated from graph

** Preliminary


Tennessee data



Tennessee deer harvest graph 2005 to 2014


Tennessee 2012-13 Deer and Elk Report, includes historic data 2002 to 2012




A List of Articles in the Archive

..........2021

Investigating overhunting of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the late Holocene Middle Tennessee River Valley EM Weitzel 2021

.........2020

Tennessee 2019 Deer Harvest

Tennessee deer harvest increasing, perhaps due to COVID November 20, 2020

........2019

History of Deer in Tennessee from 2019 - 2023 Deer Plan

Tennessee 2018 Deer Harvest

Tennessee Elk Season Regulations and Information January 2, 2019 TWRA News

TWRA monitoring chronic wasting disease in deer April 9, 2019 Tennessee

.......2018

2018 Tennessee Deer Forecast

Deer management plan puzzling December 17, 2018 Tennessee

Prized Tennessee elk hunting permit available via raffle versus auction April 27, 2018

Tennessee deer harvest lowest in 10 years January 16, 2018

Tennessee Reports Preliminary Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease December 15, 2018

Tennessee's 'Elk Cam' goes live March 29, 2018

TWRA eyes going back to original 'antlerless' deer rules May 9, 2018

......2017

2017 Tennessee Deer Forecast September 22, 2017

Elk restoration efforts paying dividends September 13, 2017 Tennessee

Henry County third statewide in deer harvest January 19, 2017 Tennessee

Private land owners hold deer management decision February 1, 2017 Tennessee

Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission sets 2017-18 hunting seasons May 26, 2017

TWRA Commission Presents 2027-28 Seasons Previews April 26, 2017 Tennessee

.....2016

'America's very best idea' September 2, 2016 Tennessee

Average harvest and healthy deer herd January 24, 2016 Tennessee

Change looms in 'antlerless' deer definition May 19, 2016 Tennessee

Citizens report cougar sightings in Mt. Juliet December 21, 2016 Tennessee

Deer season shivers to an end January 14, 2016 Tennessee

First Year Results of Controversial Buck Limit January 21, 2016 Tennessee

Let's talk about our deer regulations October 20, 2016 Tennessee

New Law Can Cost Poachers $1000's March 4, 2016 Tennessee

Preliminary Harvest Numbers Presented At Abbreviated TFWC January Meeting January 23, 2016 Tennessee,

Stories Of Wildlife In The Mountains Continue To Abound January 9, 2016 Tennessee

TWRC sets 2016-17 hunting rules May 21, 2016 Tennessee

....2015

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast October 21, 2015 Tennessee,

A realistic look at Wilson deer management October 15, 2015 Tennessee

Another eastern-moving mountain lion confirmed December 15, 2015 Tennessee,

Bowhunters score with deer and turkey October 17, 2015 Tennessee,

Deer hunters finish with a good harvest, 2013-2014 harvest data January 25, 2015 Tennessee

Deer hunting season closes with harvest above 160,000 January 4, 2015 Tennessee

Deer rutting period is ideal time for hunters November 7, 2015 Tennessee

Elk hunts have become rarity in Tennessee January 28, 2015 Tennessee

Elk restoration has been success October 14, 2015 Tennessee,

First 'Confirmed' Cougar Sighting in Tennessee October 7, 2015

Hunters nearly exterminated deer in state January 21, 2015 Tennessee

Hunting season moves into high gear November 28, 2015 Tennessee,

Is it legal to kill that critter? Ask the Legislature March 8, 2015 Tennessee

Lack of acorns promises to change fall hunts October 27, 2015 Tennessee,

Landowners launch fight against illegal hunting March 17, 2015 Tennessee

State deer herd getting bigger, better January 11, 2015 Tennessee

Successful deer season winds down December 31, 2015 Tennessee,

Tennessee Deer Forecast for 2015 September 16, 2015

Tennessee panel approves 2-buck limit May 22, 2015

TN deer harvest tops 160,000 for 5th year in a row January 15, 2015 Tennessee

TWRA Presents 2015-16 Hunting Season Proposals April 24, 2015 Tennessee

TWRA reports close to 165,000 Deer Harvested during 2014-2015 Seasons February 7, 2015 Tennessee

TWRA to raise prices for hunting and fishing licenses June 23, 2015 Tennessee,

Using bait for hunting is illegal, damaging October 10, 2015 Tennessee

Weather to blame for drop in deer harvest November 19, 2015 Tennessee

...2014

2014-15 Hunting Seasons Recommendations Presented At TFWC's April Meeting April 16, 2014 Tennessee

Aerial vertical‐looking infrared imagery to evaluate bias of distance sampling techniques for white‐tailed deer JT Beaver, CA Harper, RE Kissell, LI Muller… - Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2014

Blount gets expanded deer chances June 8, 2014 Tennessee

Commission may consider reducing buck bag limit April 26, 2014 Tennessee

Deer behavior changes during the rut November 8, 2014 Tennessee

Deer farming is spin-off of trophy-hunting craze December 9, 2014 Tennessee

Deer harvest down as second segment gets underway October 29, 2014 Tennessee

Deer harvest total is state's fourth-most January 15, 2014 Tennessee

Deer harvest totals more than 168,000 February 25, 2014 Tennessee

Deer hunters on record setting track November 29, 2014 Tennessee

Deer population in good condition as gun season opens November 19, 2014 Tennessee

Deer season closing down January 1, 2014 Tennessee

Deer season on pace for record older bucks harvest December 24, 2014 Tennessee,

Deer season opens Saturday September 20, 2014 Tennessee

Group asks Hamilton County Commission to halt Enterprise South deer hunts October 22, 2014 Tennessee

Hunters are no threat to albino deer January 7, 2014 Tennessee

Hunters on pace for big harvest May 6, 2014 Tennessee

Montgomery County leads state deer harvest October 4, 2014 Tennessee

Outlook bright for deer hunting's future February 7, 2014 Tennessee

Red deer numbers decline according to TWRA February 1, 2014 Tennessee

Scott County, Hunters on pace for big harvest January 28, 2014 Tennessee

Tennessee deer harvest down from last season January 7, 2014

Tennessee Deer Harvest Graph, 2005 to 2014

Tennessee Deer Talk: Grand Lodge March 11, 2014

TWF Deer Survey Results Now Available August 11, 2014 Tennessee

TWF survey shows that three-buck limit is still up for debate September 13, 2014 Tennessee

TWRA Proposes Changes To License Fee Structure December 15, 2014 Tennessee,

TWRA won’t change TN deer hunting limit April 23, 2014 Tennessee

Wildlife commission retains three buck limit May 25, 2014 Tennessee

Wildlife federation surveying Tennessee sportsmen about deer management May 16, 2014

Youth deer hunt harvest lowest in 10 years November 1, 2014 Tennessee

..2013

2013 Deer Archery Hunting Season Set To Open September 20, 2013 Tennessee

Behavior changes during deer rut November 9, 2013 Tennessee

Deer harvest figures lowest in five years December 7, 2013 Tennessee

Deer Hunting Success Rates October 2, 2013

Deer season's start is quieter November 27, 2013 Tennessee

Fish And Wildlife Commission Approves 2013-14 Hunting Seasons May 31, 2013 Tennessee

G&F Forecast: Best Counties For Tennessee Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

Harvest among best ever with 176,951 tagged April 20, 2013 Tennessee

Has 'trophy' hunting got out of whack? October 1, 2013 Tennessee

Hunters, beware: Rare albino deer protected by Tennessee law December 23, 2013 Tennessee

Montgomery County bowhunters lead state deer harvest October 26, 2013 Tennessee

Record-breaking deer harvest in Hamilton County January 10, 2013 Tennessee

Rifle season opens in East TN with new technology November 24, 2013 Tennessee

Rutting study results, hunting season comments sought January 15, 2013 Tennesse

State officials expect good deer harvest November 20, 2013 Tennessee

Tennessee Deer Harvest Totals Pass 176,600 for 2012-13 February 6, 2013

Tennessee opening weekend deer harvest on par with previous years November 25, 2013

This season's Tennessee deer harvest numbers highest since 2007 EHD outbreak January 13, 2013

TWRA seeks public input on dramatically different strategic plan December 23, 2013 Tennessee

Weather affects outdoor activities, Tennessee Harvest Update November 29, 2013

Wildlife Economics in Tennessee October 16, 2013 The Daily Statesman

Wildlife Economics in Tennessee October 16, 2013 The Daily Statesman

.2012

Attitudes and motivations of Tennessee Deer Hunters toward quality Deer Management May 3, 2012

Baiting, Tennessee Deer Talk: A few Deer from the farm April 12, 2012

Bill to add wilderness areas in Tennessee mired in politics October 15, 2012 Tennessee

Biologists study timing of whitetail deer rut February 17, 2012 Tennesse

Deer farming arises in state legislation November 12, 2012 Tennessee

Deer harvest nearing 142,000 December 19, 2012 Tennessee

Deer hunters frustrated with TWRA Chuck Swan quota hunts September 16, 2012 Tennessee

Deer Population, Gun hunters can now take their aim November 10, 2012 Tennessee

Deer-breeding farms would harm wildlife, cost jobs February 29, 2012 Tennessee

Enterprise South, More deer hunts recommended at Enterprise South Nature Park June 2, 2012 Tennessee

Holiday weekend appears ideal for hunting, fishing November 21, 2012 Tennessee

Holston AAP Cancels 2012 Deer Hunts July 4, 2012 Tennessee

House committee chairman claims state agency delivered coyotes to cull deer Febuary 23, 2012 Tennessee

Hunting, wildlife groups express opposition to deer hunted in pens February 21, 2012 Tennessee

Keep Politics Out of Wildlife Management February 13, 2012 Tennessee

Missouri provides more evidence against deer farming February 11, 2012 Tennessee

Park to conduct prescribed burns of Cades Cove Meadows November 5, 2012 Tennessee

Tennessee conservation officers always have plenty to do on opening day of deer season November 17, 2012

Tennessee Gun Season for Deer opens November 17th November 10, 2012

This season's deer harvest is far short of 2006 mark January 18, 2012 Tennessee

TWRC eases restrictions for area hunters May 19, 2012

TWRC Holds March Meeting with Results of Deer Population Survey March 16, 2012 Tennessee

Unprecedented Federal Agreement Will Spur Conservation On Privately Owned Lands September 18, 2012 Tennessee

Wild hogs have a gruesome predatory side November 18, 2012 Tennessee

2011

2010-11 Tennessee Deer Harvest sees small increase February 14, 2011

Chestnuts show promise (deer browsing not a problem) August 8, 2011 Tennessee

Countdown to gun season is almost over, Population Estimate, November 13, 2011 Tennessee

Deer breeding bill withdrawn April 21, 2011 Tennessee

Deer Farming in Tennessee April 12, 2011

Deer harvest remaining stable in Tennessee January 20, 2011

Deer poachers lose hunting privileges for life November 1, 2011 Tennessee

Enterprise South, Deer hunters, protectors square off over hunts at Enterprise South October 16, 2011

Enterprise South: Group opposes population control hunts at Enterprise South park September 29, 2011 Tennessee

Floods tough on wildlife December 31, 2011 Tennessee

Hunters have only a week left in deer season December 24, 2011 Tennessee

Insurance for deer December 14, 2011 Tennessee

Proposal to allow commercial deer farming in Tennessee likely dead this session April 22, 2011

Red Deer: TWRC Holds Final Meeting Of The Year Dec. 8-9 December 1, 2011 Tennessee

Residents ask county commissioners to stop deer hunts at Enterprise SouthSeptember 23, 2011 Tennessee

Tennessee Deer Harvest Slightly Behind '08-'09 Season January 7, 2011

This season's Tennessee deer harvest ranks best in five years January 29, 2011

TWRA Fights Deer Imports Bill April 13, 2011 Tennnessee

TWRA want red deer removed from the wild December 30, 2011 Tennessee

DEER DAMAGE IN TENNESSEE: LANDOWNER PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES 1993 University of Tennessee

Tennessee Estimated 2000 and 2001 Deer Harvest

White-tail Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, Tennessee