Tennessee night hunting for coyotes used to exist in a gray area. Everyone knew it happened. Nobody was quite sure what the rules were. The TWRA looked the other way, mostly, and hunters made their own calls about what was legal.
That changed when the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to create a dedicated nighttime coyote and bobcat season. Now there's a written, official set of rules — specific season dates, explicit equipment permissions, and clear restrictions. The gray area is gone. You're either legal or you're not, and the difference matters.
This article covers exactly what the rules say, what they mean on the ground, and what light setup keeps you legal in a Tennessee field after dark.
Tennessee's night hunting season for coyotes and bobcats is real, specific, and legal — with significant restrictions.
2026 Dates: January 17–March 8 and June 6–August 9 · Hours: 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise · Weapon: Shotgun only, no slugs · Land: Private only, written permission required · Lights: Spotlights, night vision, and thermal allowed — but NOT from or attached to a vehicle, and NOT cast from a public road · Calls: Electronic calls permitted · Dogs: Prohibited · Limits: 1 bobcat per night, no coyote limit
1. What Changed and Why
Before the new season, Tennessee law prohibited most night hunting for wildlife. Coyotes could be hunted year-round during daylight hours — 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset — on both public and private land. After dark, the rules got complicated and largely unfavorable for predator hunters.
In April 2024, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to create a formal nighttime predator season. The TWRA's stated goal was straightforward: give hunters a legal window for pursuing coyotes after dark while keeping specific controls in place to prevent cover for deer poaching — the main reason Tennessee had been cautious about night hunting for so long.
The structure of the season reflects that reasoning directly. It opens the day after deer season closes, eliminating the risk that a rifle in the field at night could be attributed to predator hunting while actually targeting deer. It runs through March and then reopens in June through August, staying entirely outside the fall deer hunting calendar.
Tennessee moves from "tolerated" coyote night hunting to an official, regulated season with explicit equipment permissions. That matters because hunters who were previously operating in legal gray areas now have documented authority — and hunters who were following the rules now have clarity on exactly what those rules allow.
2. 2026 Season Dates and Legal Hours
| Season Window | Open Date | Close Date | Legal Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Season | January 17, 2026 | March 8, 2026 (2nd Sunday) | 30 min after sunset → 30 min before sunrise |
| Summer Season | June 6, 2026 (1st Saturday) | August 9, 2026 (2nd Sunday) | 30 min after sunset → 30 min before sunrise |
The season structure is intentional and consistent year to year. The winter season opens the day after the close of deer season and runs through the second Sunday in March. The summer season reopens the first Saturday in June and runs through the second Sunday in August. Both windows deliberately avoid overlap with the fall deer season — which typically runs from late October through early January.
3. Complete Rules at a Glance
| Rule Category | What the TWRA Says | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Legal species | Coyotes, bobcats | Legal |
| Land type | Private land only | Condition |
| Landowner permission | Required — written, text, or email | Required |
| Hunting license | Valid Tennessee hunting license required | Required |
| Weapon | Shotgun only | Restricted |
| Ammunition | Buckshot and smaller shot only — no single projectile (no slugs) | Restricted |
| Handheld spotlight | Explicitly permitted | Legal |
| Head-worn light | Permitted | Legal |
| Shotgun-mounted light | Permitted (weapon-mounted on shotgun only) | Legal |
| Night vision | Explicitly permitted | Legal |
| Thermal imaging | Explicitly permitted | Legal |
| Vehicle-mounted lights | Prohibited — lights cannot be from or attached to a motorized vehicle | Illegal |
| Illuminating from public road | Prohibited — lights cannot be cast from a public road | Illegal |
| Electronic calls | Explicitly permitted — wounded prey or coyote calls | Legal |
| Hand/mouth calls | Permitted | Legal |
| Dogs | Prohibited during night season | Illegal |
| Centerfire rifle/handgun | Prohibited sunset to sunrise (including night season) | Illegal |
| Suppressor | Legal with valid NFA tax stamp — follows same weapon rules (shotgun only) | Condition |
| WMAs / public land | Night hunting not permitted | Illegal |
| Coyote bag limit | No limit | Unlimited |
| Bobcat bag limit | 1 per night (separate from daytime limit of 1) | 1 per night |
4. Lights, Thermal, and Night Vision — What's Actually Legal
This is the section that most hunters get wrong — either assuming more is prohibited than actually is, or misunderstanding the vehicle restriction.
Tennessee's TWRA regulations for the night season are more permissive on optics and lighting than most hunters expect. The explicit language permits spotlights, night vision, and thermal imaging devices. This puts Tennessee on the more permissive end of the southeastern states — Georgia doesn't explicitly authorize thermal for coyote night hunting, and several other states leave the question ambiguous.
The Vehicle Rule — The Restriction That Actually Matters
The one light restriction that catches hunters is this: lights cannot be from or attached to a motorized vehicle, and cannot be cast from a public road.
In practice, this means:
- Legal: Handheld spotlight carried on foot or standing still in a field
- Legal: Headlamp worn while calling from a tree line or field edge
- Legal: Light mounted on your shotgun via a rail mount (you're carrying it, not the vehicle)
- Legal: Tripod-mounted spotlight set up away from the vehicle in a field
- Illegal: Sweeping a field from your truck cab, even with the engine off
- Illegal: Using a truck-mounted roof spotlight while driving or parked on the roadside
- Illegal: Illuminating from a truck bed, even if you're standing in the bed
- Illegal: Any light cast from a public road, regardless of where you're standing
Tennessee's vehicle rule is designed to prevent the most common form of deer poaching: driving roads at night with a spotlight. Getting out of the vehicle and hunting on foot or from a stationary position on private land is the legal approach — and it's also the more effective approach for coyote calling, since vehicle noise is one of the biggest factors that pushes called coyotes short of shooting range.
5. Shotgun-Only: What That Actually Means in the Field
The shotgun restriction is the rule that generates the most frustration in Tennessee predator hunting forums. Hunters who pursue coyotes with suppressed AR-15s or .223 rifles on private land under the old informal framework now have to make a choice: switch to a shotgun for the night season, or stop hunting coyotes after dark.
The rationale, from a TWRA wildlife management perspective, is anti-poaching. A centerfire rifle in a field after dark creates enforcement ambiguity — the same rifle that legally takes a coyote at 200 yards under the new season can also take a deer. A shotgun with buckshot has a practical effective range on a coyote of 40–70 yards, significantly reducing the window for cover shooting at deer-sized targets at deer-typical distances.
Ammunition Rules
- Legal: Buckshot (#00, #0, #1, #2, #3, #4 buck)
- Legal: Smaller shot (birdshot, heavy turkey loads — effective coyote range of 20–40 yards)
- Illegal: Slugs (single projectile)
- Illegal: Sabot slugs
- Illegal: Any single-projectile load
Can You Suppress a Shotgun for the Night Season?
Yes. Suppressors are legal in Tennessee with proper federal NFA documentation (Form 4 tax stamp). During the night season, a suppressed shotgun follows the same ammunition and access rules as any other shotgun. The suppressor does not change the legal requirements.
6. What Stays Off-Limits at Night in Tennessee
The new night season adds legal opportunity — it does not expand or change the rules for other species or situations. These restrictions remain in effect regardless of the night coyote season:
- Deer: No night hunting. Zero exceptions. Centerfire rifles and handguns prohibited sunset to sunrise statewide.
- Turkey: Daylight only (30 minutes before sunrise to official sunset).
- Bear: Daylight only.
- Elk: Daylight only.
- Public land (WMAs): Night hunting season does not apply on Wildlife Management Areas, state forests, or any public land.
- Drones: Prohibited for hunting any wildlife, any species, any time.
- Centerfire rifles/handguns: Prohibited after sunset in all night hunting contexts, even during the night coyote season.
7. Legal Gear Setup for Tennessee Night Hunting
Working within Tennessee's rules — shotgun only, private land, no vehicle lights, handheld or gun-mounted lights legal — the gear setup is actually well-suited to the way effective coyote calling works anyway. Here's how to build a legal kit that performs.
The Scanning and Approach Light
🔦 Brinyte T28 Artemis — Handheld Spotlight (Legal in Tennessee)
Tennessee requires handheld or body-carried lights — not vehicle-mounted. The T28 is the right tool for this: 125,000 cd white spot / 700m+ throw for scanning fields from a stationary calling position on foot, with a rotary color switch to drop to red (19,500 cd / 280m) for the approach once a coyote has been spotted. The stepless dimmer lets you control exactly how much light reaches the target — relevant when a coyote hangs up at 80 yards and you need to read body language without fully committing the shot.
- Carry it handheld or set it on a tripod — both legal in Tennessee
- Do NOT attach to vehicle, ATV, or any motorized equipment
- White spot for initial scan and ID; red mode to hold the animal once located
- 21700 battery: full white runtime ~160 min; red runtime ~295 min — enough for a full summer night session
Shotgun-Mounted Light (Legal in Tennessee)
🔦 T28 Artemis + BRM12 Rail Mount — Weapon-Mounted (Legal)
Weapon-mounted lights are permitted in Tennessee during the night season — the restriction is on vehicle-mounted lights, not gun-mounted ones. The T28 Artemis with the optional BRM12 quick-release Picatinny mount and remote pressure switch gives you hands-free operation when you're calling with an electronic call in one hand and need the light on the shotgun barrel for the shot. The remote pressure switch activates the light without taking your hand off the shotgun.
- BRM12 mount is an add-on option, not included in the base kit — order it separately
- Use red mode while the coyote is approaching; switch to white for the shot if needed
- The shotgun is a fixed position — this setup works well from a field edge or tree line
Navigation Headlamp
🔦 Brinyte HL28 Artemis — Headlamp for Setup and Movement
You still need to walk to your calling position, set up your decoy or electronic caller, and potentially move between setups during a night session. The HL28 in red mode (80 lm) handles all of this without blowing your night vision or announcing yourself across the field before you're in position. TIR zoom lets you tighten the beam to navigate a fence row and open it to flood for close-in gear work. Runtime in red mode: 295 minutes.
- Red mode for all movement and setup — switch off entirely once in position
- White mode available if you need it for a post-shot check or gear repair in the dark
Full Legal Gear Checklist
| Item | Why | Legal in TN Night Season |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Tennessee hunting license | Required for all hunting | Required |
| Written landowner permission (text/email counts) | Private land requirement | Required |
| 12 or 20 gauge shotgun | Only legal firearm for night season | Required |
| Buckshot or smaller shot (#4 buck or smaller) | No single projectile (no slugs) | Required |
| Handheld spotlight (T28 Artemis) | Finding and approaching coyotes | Legal |
| Shotgun-mounted light + rail mount (BRM12) | Shot illumination | Legal |
| Night vision or thermal scope | Explicitly permitted in night season | Legal |
| Electronic call | Wounded prey or coyote calls permitted | Legal |
| Headlamp (HL28 Artemis) | Setup and movement navigation | Legal |
| Suppressor (NFA tax stamp) | Legal with proper documentation | NFA required |
| Decoy (coyote or prey decoy) | No prohibition on decoys during night season | Legal |
| Centerfire rifle | Prohibited after sunset statewide | Illegal |
| Vehicle-mounted light | Explicitly prohibited | Illegal |
| Dogs | Prohibited during night season | Illegal |
8. Other Night-Legal Species in Tennessee
The dedicated coyote and bobcat night season is the new addition, but Tennessee has always permitted night hunting for certain other species. These rules exist independently of the new predator season:
🦝 Raccoons
Raccoons have historically been legal to hunt at night in Tennessee and remain so. The raccoon night hunting season has its own separate rules, typically involving the use of dogs (unlike the coyote/bobcat season, dogs ARE permitted for raccoon hunting). Artificial lights are permitted for raccoon hunting. Tennessee's coon hunting tradition is one of the largest in the Southeast — this is a dedicated subculture with its own equipment and seasonal calendar.
🐾 Opossums
Opossums may also be taken at night in Tennessee outside of the general restriction that covers big game and most small game. They follow the same nighttime framework as raccoons.
🐸 Bullfrogs
Bullfrogs are year-round and night-legal in Tennessee. Gigging and catch-by-hand are common methods. Lights are a standard part of bullfrog hunting and are legal.
🐗 Feral Hogs
Feral hogs on private land in Tennessee are treated as a nuisance species with year-round take permitted. Night hunting for feral hogs on private land does not require the dedicated coyote/bobcat season — it operates under separate provisions. However, weapons used at night for hogs still follow the general centerfire prohibition at night (shotgun or archery only for night use), unless TWRA issues separate guidance for feral hog methods. Check current TWRA guidance on hog-specific weapon rules before hunting.
9. Bottom Line
The key constraints are real: shotgun only (no centerfire rifles), private land only with written permission, and no vehicle-mounted or road-cast lights. Work within those rules and you have access to spotlights, thermal imaging, night vision, and electronic calls — one of the more permissive technology frameworks in the Southeast.
The 2026 summer season runs June 6 through August 9. If you're hunting Tennessee predators after dark, that window is open now.
📚 Related Content
- Night Hunting Laws by State 2026 — 15-State Legal Database — Tennessee alongside Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, and 10 more
- 2026 Night Hunting Legislation Updates — New Seasons, Thermal Bans, Bills to Watch — Tennessee's new season in context with West Virginia, Idaho, and Massachusetts H1062
- T28 Artemis Field Test — Spotlighting on Dark Water — same handheld spotlight setup, different species, same legal framework
- T5X SPECTRA Blood Tracking Field Test — post-shot recovery after a night predator hunt
Build Your Tennessee Night Hunting Kit
T28 Artemis for handheld spotlighting and shotgun mounting. HL28 Artemis for setup and navigation. Both legal under Tennessee's night season rules.
T28 Artemis Spotlight → HL28 Artemis Headlamp →10. Frequently Asked Questions
Is night hunting legal in Tennessee in 2026?
Yes, for coyotes and bobcats on private land during the designated night season. The 2026 season runs January 17–March 8 and June 6–August 9, with legal hours from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Night hunting for all other species — deer, turkey, bear, elk — remains prohibited statewide.
Can you use a spotlight for coyote hunting at night in Tennessee?
Yes — spotlights are explicitly permitted during the Tennessee night season. The critical restriction: lights cannot be from or attached to a motorized vehicle, and cannot be cast from a public road. Handheld spotlights, head-worn lights, and shotgun-mounted lights on the firearm itself are all legal. Sweeping a field from your truck or illuminating from a road shoulder is not.
Is thermal imaging legal for night hunting in Tennessee?
Yes, during the dedicated coyote and bobcat night season. The TWRA regulations explicitly permit thermal imaging devices during the nighttime season. Outside that season, thermal devices are prohibited when in possession of a firearm between sunset and sunrise. Tennessee joins West Virginia as one of the more permissive Southeastern states on thermal imaging for predator hunting.
Can you use a rifle for coyote night hunting in Tennessee?
No. During the night season, only shotguns are permitted. Centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, statewide, including during the dedicated coyote season. Buckshot and smaller shot are legal; single projectiles (slugs) are not. If you're hunting coyotes with a rifle, that's a daytime-only activity in Tennessee.
Can you night hunt coyotes on Tennessee public land or WMAs?
No. The dedicated night hunting season is private land only. WMAs, state forests, national forests, and other public lands are not included. Hunters must have landowner permission in writing, by text, or by email before hunting. Verbal permission is not sufficient under Tennessee's Hunting by Written Permission law (TCA 70-4-106) on posted land.
What is the bobcat limit for Tennessee night hunting?
One bobcat per night, separate from the daytime limit of one bobcat. A hunter can legally harvest one bobcat during daylight and one during the night season — they are counted separately. There is no limit on coyotes during either the day or night season.
Are electronic calls legal for Tennessee night hunting?
Yes, during the night season. Electronic calls imitating wounded prey or coyote vocalizations are explicitly permitted during the designated nighttime coyote and bobcat season. Outside that season, predator calls while night hunting are prohibited. Hand and mouth-operated calls are also permitted during the night season.
Do I need written permission for Tennessee night hunting?
Yes. The night season is private land only and requires landowner permission in writing, by text, or by email before hunting. Tennessee's Hunting by Written Permission law (TCA 70-4-106) requires hunters to carry that permission on properly posted land. Keep the text or email on your phone and accessible — wildlife officers can ask for it.
About Brinyte
Ethan — Brinyte Field Test Engineer. Seven years of product field testing across hunting, tactical, and search-and-rescue applications. Joined Brinyte in March 2024. This article is based on the official 2025–2026 TWRA Hunting & Trapping Regulations, Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, TWRA Rule 1660-01-18, and verified reporting from WATE 6, WJHL, and eRegulations.com. Regulations change annually — verify current rules at tn.gov/twra before hunting. Brinyte was founded in 2009 and holds ISO9001 certification and 50+ patents.
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