The Hunt: Application period now open for Tennessee Elk Quota Hunts

The application period for the 2026 Tennessee Elk Quota Hunts has opened and will run through Feb. 25. For those of you who spend each fall hunting whitetails in our neck of the woods, Tennessee's annual elk hunts provide a golden opportunity to smash and bash your way through some of the state's roughest terrain in pursuit of prey that behaves much differently than deer. You can throw all of the caution and patience you practice when hunting deer right out the window when pursuing elk. So what are the main differences between deer hunting and elk hunting? Let's start with the terrain. In Tennessee, an elk quota permit is good for a specific elk hunting zone located in the North Cumberland WMA. This area is incredibly rugged, requiring hunters to scramble up rocks and over downed trees in pursuit of elk. Obviously this would never fly with deer, who are skittish by nature. But elk are noisy animals, and they fully expect to hear sticks breaking and brush moving in their day-to-day life. Some elk hunters actually carry clubs with them to bash trees and simulate the noises elk make as they roam through their natural habitat. Not only can you make noise, you can also move freely when you are in the sightline of an elk. They have terrible eyesight, so as long as you have a good camo pattern, there is a lot more margin for error when you're moving into position to line up your shot. As I mentioned earlier, there will be more movement on your part if you decide to go after elk. Deer tend to distribute themselves fairly evenly across the landscape, but elk travel in herds. So instead of sitting in your blind hoping a deer comes along, you'll be on the move trying to locate herds of elk that cover a lot of ground. If this sounds like your idea of a good time, you'll want to submit your application before the 25th of this month. Applications are available and can be accepted at any Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regional office or through a TWRA license agent. You can also complete your application online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or through the TWRA mobile app. Mailed applications will not be accepted. The elk population has been growing since the first elk hunt was held in 2009, increasing your odds of being selected to participate in a whole new adventure. Best of luck, and happy hunting. Have a hunting story, question, or topic suggestion? Contact dongie@sixriversmedia.com.