March 21, 2026
The global hunting apparel market was valued at approximately USD 3.24 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.13 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.06%, according to Fortune Business Insights. North America dominates the segment with more than 95% of global market share, driven by deep hunting culture and demand for performance-driven camo, blaze orange, scent-control, and base-layer systems. Tennessee retailers selling hunting clothing must obtain a standard business license, the initial registration fee is $15, paid through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) at tntap.tn.gov, and collect Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax on clothing purchases at point of sale.
The national commercial environment described here sets the stage for Tennessee’s local market. Tennessee is one of the premier hunting states in the United States (U.S.), ranking fourth nationally for total paid hunting license holders with more than 728,000 licenses sold, representing roughly 10 per every 100 residents. The state’s population reached approximately 7.23 million in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, providing a large and growing consumer base for hunting apparel retailers. Demand for technical hunting clothing, including scent-control base layers, waterproof outer shells, and camouflage pattern systems, has grown alongside national trends showing a 26% increase in hunters from 2016 to 2022, per the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
A federal regulatory framework operates in tandem with the state dynamics described above. Tennessee’s hunting apparel market is shaped by oversight from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the state body responsible for setting seasons, bag limits, and safety regulations. Under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 70-4-124, every person hunting big game (except turkey) during gun hunts must wear outer garments of daylight fluorescent orange color, commonly called blaze orange, of not less than 500 square inches on the upper body and head, visible from both front and back. Retailers stocking compliant vests, jackets, and hats help customers meet this statutory requirement. At the federal level, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry’s trade association at nssf.org, sets voluntary product standards and supports retailer education across the hunting apparel supply chain. Violations of TCA § 70-4-124 constitute a Class C misdemeanor.
Understanding these regulatory factors gives Tennessee buyers a more complete market picture. Tennessee’s diverse hunting clothing market gives buyers access to a wide spectrum of quality and price. Confirming that any hunting apparel purchased meets the 500-square-inch blaze orange standard required by TCA § 70-4-124 before heading into the field is an essential step for Tennessee buyers. When evaluating retailers, verifying that garments carry accurate fiber-content labels as required by federal care-labeling rules, that listed sizes and warmth ratings are not exaggerated, and that return policies are clearly stated before purchase reduces the risk of a disappointing purchase. Under TCA § 47-18-104, Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act of 1977, sellers are prohibited from making false representations about the grade, quality, or standard of goods, giving buyers legal recourse against misleading product claims. For additional guidance on consumer rights when purchasing hunting apparel, visit tn.gov/consumer. Current TWRA season dates and required blaze orange regulations at tn.gov/twra define the legal requirements that govern hunting apparel selection, and a garment’s noise rating and scent-control technology affect concealment effectiveness against specific game species across Tennessee’s varied terrain.
Top Hunting Clothing Providers in Tennessee
Bass Pro Shops — Nashville
- Address: 323 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
- Phone: (615) 514-5200
- Website: https://stores.basspro.com/us/tn/nashville/323-opry-mills-dr.html
- Description: Bass Pro Shops at Opry Mills in Nashville is Tennessee’s largest single-destination hunting and outdoor retailer, carrying brands such as RedHead, Under Armour, Cabela’s, Columbia, and Carhartt across a full range of hunting apparel categories. The store stocks blaze orange vests, camo jackets, scent-control base layers, and waterproof hunting pants suited to Tennessee’s variable whitetail-deer and turkey seasons. Staff are trained to assist hunters in selecting garments that meet TWRA safety requirements, and Tennessee hunting licenses are available for purchase on-site.
SITKA Gear — Knoxville
- Address: 11337 Parkside Dr, Suite 420, Knoxville, TN 37934
- Phone: (865) 427-2883
- Website: https://www.sitkagear.com/knoxville-store
- Description: SITKA Gear’s Knoxville retail location at The Pinnacle at Turkey Creek offers the brand’s full line of performance hunting apparel engineered for serious hunters. Products include the brand’s Gore-Tex waterproof outer layers, Merino-wool base layers with scent-management properties, and species-specific systems for whitetail deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunting in Tennessee. Knowledgeable in-store staff assist customers in building complete layering systems and can discuss which SITKA patterns, including Open Country and Subalpine, are best suited to Tennessee’s varied terrain.
Sportsman’s Warehouse — Chattanooga
- Address: 6241 Perimeter Dr, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- Phone: (423) 892-6300
- Website: https://stores.sportsmans.com/sportsmans-warehouse/us/tn/chattanooga/6241-perimeter-dr
- Description: Sportsman’s Warehouse in Chattanooga has served East Tennessee hunters since 2006, stocking a broad selection of hunting apparel from brands including ScentLok, Nomad, Under Armour, and Mossy Oak. Located near Lookout Mountain and Lake Chickamauga, the store is well positioned to serve deer, turkey, and dove hunters throughout the surrounding region. In addition to clothing, the store offers bow-tuning services, rifle-scope mounting, and gun-cleaning, making it a full-service destination for hunters preparing for Tennessee seasons.
Academy Sports + Outdoors — Knoxville
- Address: 145 Moss Grove Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37922
- Phone: (865) 357-3450
- Website: https://www.academy.com/storelocator/tennessee/knoxville/store-0142
- Description: Academy Sports + Outdoors on Moss Grove Boulevard in Knoxville offers hunters a value-oriented selection of hunting apparel from brands such as Magellan Outdoors, Mossy Oak, Realtree, and Under Armour. The store carries a full range of camouflage patterns and blaze orange vests designed to meet the 500-square-inch TWRA requirement under TCA § 70-4-124, along with affordable base-layer and mid-layer options for East Tennessee’s cooler hunting seasons. Competitive pricing and extended hours, including early weekday openings, make this a practical stop for last-minute gear needs before heading to the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Tennessee hunting clothing retailers register their business and collect sales tax?
Retailers subject to Tennessee’s business tax must register through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) and pay a $15 initial business license registration fee at the county or city clerk’s office. All hunting clothing sold in Tennessee is subject to the state’s 7% sales tax, which retailers remit electronically through TNTAP. For complete registration instructions and filing guidance, visit tntap.tn.gov.
Is hunting clothing subject to Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday?
Yes. Tennessee holds an annual sales tax holiday on the last weekend of July each year, during which general apparel items priced at $100 or less per item, including hunting shirts, pants, and base layers, are exempt from state and local option tax. Specialty items such as hunting boots priced above the $100 threshold do not qualify.
What is Tennessee’s blaze orange requirement for hunters, and what does it mean for purchasing hunting clothing?
Under TCA § 70-4-124, hunters pursuing big game (except turkey) during gun seasons must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange color on the upper body and head, visible from both the front and back. Blaze orange camouflage patterns qualify as long as the total fluorescent orange area meets the 500-square-inch threshold. A violation of TCA § 70-4-124 is a Class C misdemeanor.
What industry organization supports hunting clothing standards and retailer education?
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is the trade association representing hunting apparel manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The NSSF provides educational resources on product safety, retailer compliance, and hunter outreach programs, and sponsors the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, where new apparel technology is introduced. For member resources and retailer guidance, visit nssf.org.
What federal requirements apply to hunting clothing labels?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that all textile wearing apparel sold in the U.S. carry a permanent care label disclosing regular care instructions, and that fiber content be disclosed in order of predominance by weight under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. Manufacturers and importers must also include a registered identification number or company name on each label.
What consumer protections apply if a Tennessee hunting clothing retailer misrepresents product quality?
Under TCA § 47-18-104, part of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, it is unlawful for any seller to misrepresent that goods are of a particular standard, quality, grade, or style when they are not. Buyers who suffer a loss due to such misrepresentation may file a complaint or bring a private legal action for actual damages, and courts may award up to three times actual damages for willful violations. To file a consumer complaint or learn more about your rights, visit tn.gov/consumer.
What are the return and warranty terms for hunting clothing purchased in Tennessee?
Hunting clothing is generally returnable within 30 days at Tennessee outdoor and sporting goods retailers if the garments are unworn, with all original tags attached, and free of odors such as scent-control sprays, campfire smoke, or field conditions. Once hunting clothing has been worn in the field, treated with scent-elimination products, or shows signs of use such as burr snags, blood stains, or dirt, most retailers will not accept a return. Camouflage patterns and sizes specific to particular hunting seasons may have limited exchange options. Manufacturer warranties on hunting clothing vary by brand: premium brands like Sitka, First Lite, and Kuiu offer limited warranties of one to three years covering defects in waterproofing, insulation failure, seam taping, and zipper breakage, but exclude normal wear, abrasion from brush and thorns, and fading from UV exposure. Tennessee buyers hunting in the state’s varied terrain should verify that the clothing’s waterproof and insulation ratings match the expected conditions and retain receipts for warranty claims.