37 S.

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Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and Natural Area

2026-27 season.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in 2026-2027 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Guide. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Deer

Follows the statewide seasons, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.

  • Archery: Sep 26 – Oct 30, Nov 2–6
  • Young sportsman: Oct 31 – Nov 1, Jan 9–10
  • Muzzleloader: Nov 7–20
  • Gun: Nov 21 – Jan 3

In the guide: “Big Game: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday within statewide seasons, except as noted. Closed to Fall turkey hunting.”

Turkey

Mar 27

Any legal weapon. Only for youth hunters.

In the guide: “Turkey (Young-Sportsman): March 27. One male bearded turkey.”

Apr 3–24

Any legal weapon, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.

In the guide: “Turkey: April 3–April 24. Hunt days are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. One (1) male bearded turkey, counts toward statewide bag limit.”

Ducks and geese

Aug 1 – Nov 27

Follows the statewide seasons, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.

  • Ducks and teal: Sep 12–16
  • Geese: Sep 1–20, Oct 10–22

The waterfowl line covers Nov.–Feb. only.

In the guide: “Big Game / Small Game: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday within statewide seasons, except as noted.”

Nov 28 – Feb 14

Follows the statewide seasons, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only. Quota hunt.

  • Ducks and teal: Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Jan 31
  • Geese: Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Feb 14

The draw zone is all areas south of Pleasant View Road (Check Station Road). Hunters are restricted to numbered stakes.

In the guide: “Waterfowl - Waterfowl Hunting (Draw Zone): Hunting during waterfowl season(s) occurring from Nov.–Feb. will be allocated by computer draw and is restricted to temporary blinds. Hunts will be drawn for opening days of the late waterfowl season for each Thurs–Sat of the season including the Saturday youth hunts, and Sunday Veteran and Active Military hunts.”

Nov 28 – Feb 14

Follows the statewide seasons, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

  • Ducks and teal: Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Jan 31
  • Geese: Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Feb 14

The non-draw zone is all land north of Pleasant Land View (Check Station Road) and south of North Road (Boat Ramp Road).

In the guide: “Waterfowl Hunting Non-Draw Zone: Same as statewide seasons on opening day(s) and Thurs–Sat.”

Nov 29

Follows the statewide season (ducks, geese, and teal Nov 29).

In the guide: “Waterfowl Hunting Non-Draw Zone: Same as statewide seasons on opening day(s).”

Small game, grouse, woodcock, dove, and raccoon

Aug 1 – Apr 30

Follows the statewide seasons, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.

  • Squirrel: Aug 22 – Mar 15
  • Rabbit: Nov 7 – Feb 28
  • Quail: Nov 7 – Jan 15
  • Grouse: Oct 10 – Feb 28
  • Woodcock: Nov 14 – Dec 6, Jan 10–31
  • Dove: Sep 1–28, Oct 10 – Nov 1, Dec 8 – Jan 15
  • Raccoon: Sep 18 – Mar 15

In the guide: “Small Game: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday within statewide seasons, except as noted. Closed to Spring squirrel hunting.”

Squirrel

Aug 15

Any legal weapon. Only for youth hunters.

In the guide: “Special Squirrel Hunt (Youth): Aug. 15.”

Closed May 8 – Jun 13.

The statewide spring squirrel season.

In the guide: “Small Game: Closed to Spring squirrel hunting.”

Area rules

All hunters must register and get a free permit at the park headquarters (901) 876-5215. Rimfire rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader and archery equipment only; centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited unless otherwise indicated. Wild hogs may be taken during deer season by licensed deer hunters. Small game hunters must wear blaze orange/pink. Beaver trapping by special permit only; other trapping prohibited. Camping at state park campgrounds.

Nearby areas

Eagle Lake Refuge around 4 miles away

Presidents Island WMA around 15 miles away

John Tully WMA around 25 miles away

Wolf River WMA and Ghost River State Natural Area around 50 miles away

Moss Island around 50 miles away

Most WMAs are open with statewide seasons except as noted in their listing; on those, the season dates, bag limits and legal weapons of the county the WMA is in apply. WMAs marked BG, SG or WF need a Big Game, Small Game or Waterfowl WMA permit on top of the license (Sportsman and Lifetime license holders are exempt). The August archery deer hunt is closed on WMAs open with statewide seasons, except certain Unit 1 WMAs. On WMAs open with statewide seasons, quail season runs Nov. 7 to Jan. 15. Hunters may not enter more than two hours before sunrise and must be out one hour after sunset. Legal hours are 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, except turkey and migratory birds, which end at official sunset. Youths may hunt ducks and geese Feb. 6 and 13, and veterans and active military Feb. 7 and 14. A light goose conservation season runs Feb. 15 to Mar. 31 with a free permit. Unless a listing says otherwise, furbearers may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with a statewide furbearer season, with the weapons legal for that hunt (page 81).

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