NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) - The final numbers are in for the 2023-2024 deer hunting season in Tennessee.
According to data shared by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), a whopping 152,738 deer were harvested this season.
The numbers show out of the thousands of deer that were harvested, 60% were male and 40% were female.
Data shows that Middle Tennessee counties led the way this season, with majority being in the top 10 for the amount of deer harvested.
Top 10 counties in 2023- 2024 season:
- Giles: 3,873
- Sumner: 3,514
- Henry: 3,434
- Maury: 3,305
- Franklin: 3,276
- Lawrence: 3,166
- Montgomery: 3,128
- Lincoln: 3,079
- Fayette: 2,982
- Carroll: 2,949
According to the TWRA, majority — a whopping 107,006 — were harvested via rifles. Archers killed 19,782 deer and 25,950 were shot by muzzleloaders.
Numbers show this year's harvest is slightly down from last year. During the 2022- 2023 season, a total of 163,154 deer were harvested.
Before the season began the TWRA reminded hunters that hunting, trapping, or the possession of albino deer was PROHIBITIED. In 2023, there were several sightings albino deer, including one in Spring Hill dubbed "ghost of the forest."