HEREBristol
Bristol
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Sullivan and Game Zone.
Hog: UNK
Turkey: UNK
Dove: UNK
Deer: UNK
Game Zone
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌑
New Moon
Illumination: 98%
10:43 am
12:23 am
64°F
0 mph
Weather as of 8:55 AM ET
Excellent — deer move before dawn and after dusk in total darkness.
Game Zone • Sullivan
Bristol Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Whitetail Deer season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Feral Hog
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Feral Hog season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Spring Turkey
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Spring Turkey season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Mourning Dove
UNK
Season DatesUNK — verify with TWRA.
Bag Limit:UNK — verify with TWRA.
No verified Mourning Dove season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load TWRA canonical dates.
Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from TWRA.
Season dates shown are for Game Zone private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with TWRA before hunting.
Report a Season Update
First Look
Bristol Hunting Weather Now
64F
Fog/mist
Feels like 64°F
as of 8:55 AM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
100%
Pressure
1017 hPa
Moon
New Moon
Location
Bristol, TN
Field Scout Tips
- Nothing is in season today — pure scouting window. Walk property lines, check trail cams, and hang stands for the opener.
- Mild temps — perfect for cutting shooting lanes and pulling cards without spooking game.
- Use closed season to inventory deer, locate gobblers on the roost, and pattern hog sign for when seasons return.
Solunar Index
Bristol Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
64°F
Optimal
Wind Speed
0 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1017 hPa
Normal
Moon Phase
🌑
Prime
Extended Outlook
Bristol Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TONIGHT
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
79° / 69°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
SLOW
THU
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
86° / 70°
8 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
FRI
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
88° / 71°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
SAT
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
89° / 71°
3 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
SUN
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
90° / 72°
5 mph wind • 0% humidity
STAY IN
Public Hunting Lands
Bristol Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas
Six public hunting areas within reach of Bristol — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west.
Cherokee WMA (North Cherokee Unit)
Large multi-unit tract along the TN-NC line acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
black bear
Part of Tennessee's largest WMA complex, spanning national forest land along the North Carolina border with quota bear hunts.
Multiple access points off Hwy 421 and Forest Service roads
Field Tip
Bear hunts on Cherokee WMA are quota-controlled — apply through TWRA's draw well ahead of season.
Kettlefoot Bear Reserve
Part of the Cherokee WMA complex acres
Bear Reserve (managed within Cherokee WMA)
black bear
deer
turkey
A designated bear reserve unit near South Holston Lake, close to Bristol, managed as part of the broader Cherokee WMA system.
Access via Hwy 421 corridor southeast of Bristol, TN
Field Tip
Because this is a bear reserve, check current-year TWRA regulations closely before planning a hunt.
Nolichucky WMA
1,000 acres acres
Wildlife Management Area
deer
turkey
small game
Smaller WMA along the Nolichucky River, a manageable day-trip hunting option from the Bristol/Tri-Cities area.
Contact area manager for specific access points
Field Tip
Contact WMA manager David Sams for current access conditions before planning a trip.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Bristol-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Hunting SpotCommunity Reviews
Bristol Hunting Reviews
Cherokee WMA North (Nolichucky/Watauga districts)
Went back to the Nolichucky District of Cherokee WMA North for a late-season gun hunt and sat a saddle between two ridges where deer funnel through in cold weather. Took a solid eight-point at last light after a quiet morning. This unit rewards patience more than almost anywhere else I've hunted.
Species: Whitetail Deer
Best Spot: Ridge saddle, Nolichucky District
Key Gear: .308 bolt-action, climbing stand
Buffalo Mountain
Worked a hardwood cove on Buffalo Mountain for squirrels with the .22 during a heavy hickory nut year and filled a limit of grays in a couple hours. Steep terrain right on the edge of Johnson City, surprisingly good habitat for how close it is to town.
Species: Gray Squirrel
Best Spot: Hardwood cove, lower slope near the trailhead
Key Gear: .22 rifle
Rogers Ridge
Hunted black bear on Rogers Ridge during archery season, glassing a steep hollow loaded with fresh bear sign — torn-up logs and scat everywhere. Didn't connect but I'll be back before the season closes given how much sign was in that one hollow alone.
Species: Black Bear
Best Spot: Steep hollow below the ridge crest
Key Gear: Compound bow, ground blind
Roan Mountain
Hunted grouse on Roan Mountain with a young Brittany and had three flushes working the high-elevation balds and rhododendron thickets. Cold and windy even in June at that elevation, but the terrain and views made for a memorable hunt regardless of the bag.
Species: Ruffed Grouse
Best Spot: High balds near the rhododendron thickets
Key Gear: 20ga side-by-side, Brittany Spaniel
Share Your Hunt
Hunted a Bristol-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Bag Them Big...
Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Bristol hunters.
Hunted a hardwood bench above a spring seep on the North Unit of Cherokee WMA during opening week. He stepped out mid-morning working a scrape forty yards below the stand. One shot, twenty-yard recovery through the ferns. That buck is the biggest Sullivan County public land has given me in years of hunting up there.
Whitetail Deer 10-point, 184 lbs dressed
Worked a creek bottom near the South Holston arm of Cherokee WMA at last light after finding fresh rooting for two days straight. He came in loud, full of attitude, at twenty-eight yards. Dropped him in his tracks near the water's edge. One less hog rooting up the lakeside bottoms, and a freezer full of meat to show for it.
Wild Hog 200 lb boar
Bowhunted a bottleneck between two ridgelines on Rogers Ridge WMA during the peak rut push. He worked a scrape line for ten minutes before stepping into the lane at seventeen yards. Clean pass-through, short blood trail through the mountain laurel. High-elevation public ground like Rogers Ridge still produces mature bucks for hunters willing to climb.
Whitetail Deer 8-point, 159 lbs dressed
Don't Drink by the Swig...
Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done?
Dropped the buck at the processor and headed to Holy Kakow on State Street. Cold beer flight, quirky decor, the North Unit scrape-line story getting longer with every telling. A good Sullivan County buck deserves a good Bristol finish.
Holy Kakow -- Cold beer flight
Loaded the hog and drove across to 620 State on the Virginia side of the line. Local draft, upscale pub feel, the South Holston bottoms charge getting louder with every retelling. Cherokee WMA hunts deserve a Bristol finish like this.
620 State -- Local draft
Field-dressed the buck and drove to State Line Bar & Grill straddling the Tennessee-Virginia border. Sweet tea, a burger, the rut chase getting retold for the third time standing in two states at once. Rogers Ridge hunts always end better with a stop this unique.
State Line Bar & Grill -- Sweet tea
Coverage
Bristol Hunting News
Local — Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities
Coming Soon
Local
Bristol Hunting Coverage Coming Soon
Local WMA reports, season openers, deer and turkey harvest news, and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities hunting coverage from the HEREBristol newsroom.
National — Whitetail, CWD, and Conservation
Coming Soon
National
National Hunting Coverage Coming Soon
Whitetail news, CWD updates, conservation legislation, gear reviews, and national hunting stories with a Bristol perspective.
More at Outdoor Sports
Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Bristol and East Tennessee / Tri-Cities, TN
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Bristol hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for East Tennessee / Tri-Cities, TN Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…
Decoy
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound….
$13.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…
Optic / Scope
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B….
$1676.85
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount.
$2899.97
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,….
$399.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.
$799.00
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…
Trail Camera
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track….
$99.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer?
Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active hunters across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities.
Learn About Gear AdvertisingGame Zone Key Dates
TN Hunting Season Calendar
Aug 22, 2026
Young Sportsman Deer Hunt (Statewide)
Ages 6-16, either-sex, private lands. TWRA confirms specific dates annually.
Sep 26, 2026
Archery Deer Season Opens
Archery deer season opens statewide. Bag limits vary by unit. Verify against current TWRA Hunt Guide.
Oct 24, 2026
Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens
Muzzleloader (blackpowder) deer season opens statewide.
Nov 21, 2026
Gun Deer Season Opens
Gun deer season opens statewide. Peak rut typically first-second week of November across Middle/East TN. Verify local zone.
Jan 3, 2027
Deer Season Closes (Most Units)
Statewide gun deer season closes on most units. Specific unit variations apply.
Mar 27–28, 2027
Young Sportsman Turkey Hunt
Statewide youth turkey hunt (hunters age 6-16). Dates estimated based on typical TWRA pattern (last weekend of March). Confirm with 2027 TWRA Hunt Guide.
Apr 3, 2027
Spring Turkey Season Opens (Statewide)
Spring turkey season opens. Bag limit 2 per season. Verify against 2027 TWRA proclamation.
May 16, 2027
Spring Turkey Season Closes
Turkey spring season closes statewide (typical 6-week pattern).
TBD — 2026-27 Dove Season
Dove Season Dates Pending TWRA Approval
TWRA approves migratory bird dates annually. Historical pattern is 3 segments Sep-Jan. 2026-27 dates will be posted at tn.gov/twra when approved.
Year-Round
Wild Hog (Private Lands)
Wild hog may be taken year-round on private land with valid TN hunting license. No bag limit. Non-target species per TWRA. Some WMA restrictions apply.
Dates reflect 2026 Tennessee hunting regulations for Game Zone. Always verify with the current TWRA Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season.
Questions and Answers
Bristol Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Bristol area, answered.
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Deer season dates in Game Zone vary by year and land type (private vs WMA). Specific dates for Sullivan have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see https://www.tn.gov/twra for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Public hunting near Bristol is listed in the WMA directory above. TWRA manages all WMAs in Tennessee; a WMA license is required in addition to a basic hunting license.
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Yes. All hunters in Tennessee need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA license. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through TWRA at https://www.tn.gov/twra or at authorized license agents throughout Sullivan.
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Sunday hunting rules in Tennessee vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TWRA and Sullivan before hunting on Sunday.
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Deer bag limits in Game Zone vary by land type (private vs WMA) and by antlered vs antlerless. Limits for Sullivan have not been confirmed against current TWRA regulations for this guide — see https://www.tn.gov/twra for the current Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Bear hunting in Tennessee is regulated by TWRA. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current TWRA hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Sullivan.
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