Tennessee Releases Deer Harvest Numbers
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency published final deer harvest numbers for the 2025-26 season, with Sumner, Giles, Franklin, Lawrence, and Henry counties leading the state. Ohio is also making hunting news with its annual wildlife lottery now open for fishing and turkey hunting permits this month.
The total preliminary deer harvest for Tennessee's 2025-26 season is hovering around 159,082, pending final tallies from the concluding Young Sportsman's hunt. This figure suggests a potentially significant increase over the 152,862 deer harvested in the 2024-25 season. Giles County is once again expected to be the top county for deer harvest, with some reports indicating a total of 4,087. The consistently high harvest numbers in counties like Giles, Sumner, and Henry are a reflection of healthy deer populations in those regions. Sumner County, in particular, has a history of producing trophy bucks, including the state's record non-typical white-tailed deer, a 47-point buck taken in 2016. Henry County also consistently ranks in the top ten for harvest numbers. A key factor influencing deer hunting in Tennessee is the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has established a CWD Management Zone encompassing several counties, primarily in the western part of the state. The discovery of CWD in a county can influence hunter participation and harvest numbers, as was seen in Henry County in previous seasons. For the upcoming 2026-27 season, a new Deer Bait Privilege License will be introduced, allowing baiting on private land in counties outside of the CWD Management Zone. Deer hunting is a significant economic driver in Tennessee. A February 2026 report from the TWRA highlighted that outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, generates nearly $5.8 billion in annual income for the state and supports over 214,000 jobs. This economic activity is crucial for many rural communities and businesses. In Ohio, the Division of Wildlife's controlled hunt lottery for 2026 includes opportunities for both fishing and turkey hunting. Anglers can apply for a chance to fish at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery, while turkey hunters can enter lotteries for permits in various wildlife areas. The application period for these popular spring hunts typically runs through the month of March.
