PointsAfieldSeason2026–27
Tennessee country
Tennessee countryJames St. John · CC BY 2.0

Tennessee dove season 2026

Opens in 3 days

Tennessee's mourning dove season runs Sept 1 (noon)-Sept 28, 2026; Oct 10-Nov 1, 2026; Dec 8, 2026-Jan 15, 2027, with a daily bag limit of 15/day (possession limit 3x daily bag, except the season's opening day (1x) and second day (2x)). TWRA publishes 59 named public dove fields — here's every one.

The season

When does Tennessee's dove season open?

WindowDatesDays
Window 101 SEP – 28 SEP 202628d
Window 210 OCT – 01 NOV 202623d
Window 308 DEC 2026 – 15 JAN 202739d

As publishedSept 1 (noon)-Sept 28, 2026; Oct 10-Nov 1, 2026; Dec 8, 2026-Jan 15, 2027

Daily bag
15/day (possession limit 3x daily bag, except the season's opening day (1x) and second day (2x))
Shooting hours
The first segment opens at noon on September 1. Standard hours thereafter.
Restricted — these are not standard hours.
Season segments
3 split segments
HIP registration
Required
Public fields
59 named
Public fields

59 public dove fields

TWRA Public Dove Fields Program

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages public dove hunting fields across four regions on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Fields are operated on a first-come, walk-in basis at most locations, with some special-access fields requiring drawings or permit applications. Most fields are designated for opening-day hunts (September 1 noon) and continue through the statewide seasons. All hunters must possess a WMA Small Game Permit and a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit. The field list publishes annually by county in late August as lease agreements finalize.

TWRA publishes the current list here

Bogota WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Bogota WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
BogotaYouth Sept 5 noon; Regular Sept 6LakeWalk-insunflower77

Big Sandy WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Big Sandy WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Big SandyClosed Sept 1-4; Youth Sept 5 noonStewartWalk-inbuckwheat8

Camden WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Camden WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
CamdenOpens Sept 1 noonBentonWalk-insunflower, wheat63

Cypress Pond Refuge · 1 field

Dove fields on Cypress Pond Refuge, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Cypress Pond RefugeOpens Sept 1 noonDecaturWalk-insunflower10

Eagle Lake WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Eagle Lake WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Eagle Lake (Bomprezzi)Opens Sept 1 noonATV/UTV opening week onlyShelbyNot statedsunflower50

Harmon Creek WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Harmon Creek WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Harmon CreekOpens Sept 1 noonBentonWalk-incorn8

Horns Bluff WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Horns Bluff WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Horns BluffOpens Sept 1 noonGibsonWalk-insunflower10

John Tully WMA · 2 fields

Dove fields on John Tully WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
John Tully (Fullen North)Youth Sept 5 noonCarrollWalk-insunflower50
John Tully (Yankee Bar)Opens Sept 1 noonATV opening day onlyCarrollNot statedsunflower50

Moss Island WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Moss Island WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Moss IslandOpens Sept 1 noonDyerWalk-insunflower65

Natchez Trace WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Natchez Trace WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Natchez TraceOpens Sept 1 noonHendersonWalk-inwheat16

Obion River WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Obion River WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Obion RiverOpens Sept 1 noonWeakleyWalk-inwheat23

Parker Branch WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Parker Branch WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Parker BranchOpens Sept 1 noonGibsonWalk-insunflower, millet14

Reelfoot Lake WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Reelfoot Lake WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
ReelfootOpens Sept 1 noonLakeWalk-insunflower30

Thorny Cypress WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Thorny Cypress WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Thorny CypressOpens Sept 1 noonDyerWalk-inmillet41

Three Rivers WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Three Rivers WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Three RiversOpens Sept 1 noonWeakleyWalk-insunflower, millet27

Tigrett WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Tigrett WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
TigrettOpens Sept 1 noonDyerWalk-insunflower6

Tumbleweed WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Tumbleweed WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
TumbleweedOpens Sept 1 noonDyerWalk-insunflower23

White Oak WMA · 3 fields

Dove fields on White Oak WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
White Oak (Field 1)Opens Sept 1 noonHardinWalk-insunflower, millet12
White Oak (Field 2)Opens Sept 1 noonMcNairyWalk-inmillet7
White Oak (Field 3)Opens Sept 1 noonHardinWalk-insunflower, millet12

Wolf River WMA · 2 fields

Dove fields on Wolf River WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Wolf River (Site 1)Opens Sept 1 noonFayetteWalk-insunflower25
Wolf River (Site 2)Opens Sept 1 noonFayetteWalk-insunflower, buckwheat, ragweed35

Bark Camp Barrens WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Bark Camp Barrens WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Bark Camp BarrensOpens noon Sept 1; TWRA assistance 9amCoffeeWalk-inmillet, corn, wheat100

Cheatham WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Cheatham WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
CheathamFirst segment only (Sept 1-28)CheathamWalk-inwheat15

Cheatham Lake WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Cheatham Lake WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Cheatham LakeOpens noon Sept 1; closed Mon/Tue/Fri during late duck seasonCheathamWalk-inwheat12

Haley Jaqueth WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Haley Jaqueth WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Haley JaquethClosed Sept 1; youth Sept 5; limited spots Sept 5 morningWilliamsonWalk-insunflower, wheat27

Haynes Bottom WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Haynes Bottom WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Haynes BottomOpens noon Sept 1MontgomeryWalk-incorn14

J. Percy Priest WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on J. Percy Priest WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
J. Percy PriestStaked positions only; drawing 10am Sept 1RutherfordDrawwheat40

Laurel Hill WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Laurel Hill WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Laurel HillNo entry before 11am opening dayLawrenceWalk-insunflower, millet, wheat65

Mingo Swamp WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Mingo Swamp WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Mingo SwampYouth ages 6-16 only Sept 5Youth only Sept 5MauryWalk-inmillet, wheat, corn20

Old Hickory WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Old Hickory WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Old HickoryYouth Sept 5 only (gate 5am, drawing 6am); staked positions thereafterWilsonDrawwheat20

Shelton Ferry WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Shelton Ferry WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Shelton FerryOpens noon Sept 1DicksonWalk-inmillet12

Yanahli WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Yanahli WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
YanahliNo entry before 11am; no boat ramp parking Sept 1DicksonWalk-insunflower, wheat45

Bridgestone Firestone WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Bridgestone Firestone WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Bridgestone Firestone WMASept 1 at noonWhiteWalk-insunflower, wheat19

Catoosa WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Catoosa WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Catoosa WMASept 1, opens 12 p.m.MorganWalk-inwheat, millet25

Chickamauga WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Chickamauga WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Chickamauga WMA — Shelton BottomsSept 1 at noonMcMinnWalk-inwheat8

Hiwassee Refuge · 2 fields

Dove fields on Hiwassee Refuge, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Hiwassee Refuge — Blythes FerryYouth Sept 12; all ages Sept 1, 17 (noon-sunset)Youth only Sept 12; all ages Sept 1, 17MeigsWalk-insunflower, wheat38
Hiwassee Refuge — Armstrong BendYouth Sept 12; all ages Sept 1, 17 (noon-sunset)Youth only Sept 12; all ages Sept 1, 17MeigsWalk-inbuckwheat, wheat10

Jackson Swamp WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Jackson Swamp WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Jackson Swamp WMASept 1: hand-held drawing (Aug 29); standard after Sept 2OvertonDrawmillet, sunflower130

McGlothin Largen WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on McGlothin Largen WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
McGlothin Largen WMASept 1 (noon), Sept 5 (all day)RoaneWalk-inmillet6

North Chickamauga Creek WMA · 3 fields

Dove fields on North Chickamauga Creek WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
North Chickamauga Creek WMA — Hixon TractOpening day, then Tues/Thurs/SatHamiltonWalk-insunflower, millet8
North Chickamauga Creek WMA — Rogers TractOpening day, then Tues/Thurs/SatHamiltonWalk-insunflower8
North Chickamauga Creek WMA — Varner UnitOpening day, then Tues/Thurs/SatHamiltonWalk-inmillet13

Pea Ridge WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Pea Ridge WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Pea Ridge WMAStandard statewide (closed during big game hunts)DeKalbWalk-inwheat13

Prentice Cooper WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Prentice Cooper WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Prentice Cooper WMASept 1 at noon (closed during big game hunts)HamiltonWalk-inmillet10

Tellico Lake WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Tellico Lake WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Tellico Lake WMA — McGhee Carson UnitYouth only Sept 1, 5, 7 (noon start Sept 1)Youth onlyPolkWalk-incorn, sunflower20

Buffalo Springs WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Buffalo Springs WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Buffalo SpringsSept 1, 5, 7 only initiallySign-in order; enter 10amCampbellPermitsunflower, corn20

Chuck Swan WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Chuck Swan WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Chuck SwanOpens noon Sept 1CampbellWalk-inwheat9

Forks of River WMA · 7 fields

Dove fields on Forks of River WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Forks of River — Field 1Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat3
Forks of River — Field 2Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat4
Forks of River — Field 3Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat4
Forks of River — Field 4Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat4
Forks of River — Field 5Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat8
Forks of River — Field 6Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat13
Forks of River — Field 8Youth/Adult only Sept 1, 5, 7KnoxWalk-insunflower, wheat3

Joachim Bible Refuge · 1 field

Dove fields on Joachim Bible Refuge, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Joachim Bible RefugeYouth only; opens Sept 5 at sunriseYouth + 1 adult onlyGreeneNot statedwheat, buckwheat, sunflower30

Kyles Ford WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Kyles Ford WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Kyles FordOpens noon Sept 1HawkinsWalk-inwheat, sunflower, buckwheat, millet30

Lick Creek Bottom WMA · 1 field

Dove fields on Lick Creek Bottom WMA, as published by TWRA
FieldCountyAccessPlantingAcres
Lick Creek BottomYouth only Sept 1 noon-5; all hunters Sept 5+Youth only Sept 1 noon-5pmGreeneWalk-inwheat, buckwheat, millet20
Where in the state

Reading Tennessee at region scale

TWRA's own mourning dove species page describes the population as abundant and widespread across backyards, farms, forests, and grasslands statewide, with no agency-stated regional density distinction, a genuine uniform-statewide biological answer. TWRA's separate Leased/WMA Dove Field program shows a clear west-to-east gradient in the number of managed WMA dove fields: Region 1 (West Tennessee, headquartered Jackson) lists 18 named fields, Region 2 (Middle Tennessee, Nashville) 11, Region 3 (Cumberland Plateau/southeast, Crossville) 9, and Region 4 (East Tennessee mountains, Morristown) just 6. This tracks the west-to-east decline in row-crop agricultural acreage: Tennessee's Bobwhite Restoration SAFE fact sheet names West Tennessee's row-crop counties as the state's agricultural core.

West Tennessee (TWRA Region 1) - highest concentration of public/leased dove fields

TWRA's Region 1 dove-field list names 18 WMA fields, the most of any region, reflecting West Tennessee's row-crop agricultural base in the Mississippi Valley Loess Plains.

Big Sandy WMA · Camden WMA

Middle Tennessee (TWRA Region 2)

11 named WMA dove fields, the second-highest count, spanning the Nashville Basin and Highland Rim agricultural land.

Bark Camp Barrens WMA · Cheatham Lake WMA

Cumberland Plateau / southeast Tennessee (TWRA Region 3) and East Tennessee mountains (TWRA Region 4)

9 and 6 named WMA dove fields respectively, the lowest counts, consistent with less row-crop acreage and more forested terrain toward the state's eastern end. Doves remain present and huntable statewide; this reflects a real access-opportunity gradient, not an absence.

Catoosa WMA · Chuck Swan WMA

Issuing agencyTennessee Wildlife Resources Agencywww.tn.gov/twraRecord year 2026
The rest of the unit

Seven more states on the same flyway