Region IV

How to Guide

Using the WMA Icons:

Icons indicate that a season is open. If an icon is listed in a WMA, that season is open with possible restrictions that will be listed. If there is no icon listed in the WMA, the season is closed.

If the Big Game and/or Small Game icon is listed, then all Big Game and/or Small Game species are open with the statewide season unless otherwise noted.

The top line of each WMA is a quick reference guide to see what species are open to hunting during the statewide season.

The WMA summaries supply hunt dates, bag limits and special regulations. There are general regulations that may not be listed but apply to all WMAs (Wildlife Management Area General Regulations). Read ALL regulations before visiting a WMA.

If there are special managed hunts or seasons, these will be listed separately underneath each WMA. Specific dates, bag limits, and or restrictions will be listed here.

Buffalo Springs

Grainger County • 342 acres

Region IV Office (423) 587-7037 • SG, BG

Waterfall parking area closed one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise except as authorized by the WMA manager.

Use or possession of alcohol is prohibited in the waterfall area.

Night time use of all additional WMA access points is prohibited except for raccoon and opossum hunters and scheduled events.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Dove - Sept. 1, 2 and 4 and the remainder of statewide seasons.

Quail hunting closed. Quail dog training only during statewide quail season.

North Cherokee

Along the Tennessee-North Carolina state line north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Region IV Office (423) 587-7037 • bg

Cherokee WMA Non-quota Big Game permit (Type 095, Type 167 or Type 094) or Sportsman License required to hunt the non-quota big game hunts. Some roads normally open to public travel may be closed from Dec. 15–March 31.

Shooting ranges - Open daylight hours only See tnwildlife.org for details.

Safety Zone - On the Cherokee WMA, hunting or discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, campsite, residence, building, occupied area, across or on a National Forest system road. Contact the appropriate U.S. Forest Service office for more information.

Horseback riding - Horseback riding on properties owned by the U.S. Forest Service shall be the same as U.S. Forest Service regulations. Contact the U.S. Forest Service (423-476-9700). On those properties owned or leased by the TWRA, horseback riding is only allowed upon roads opened for vehicle travel. No riding off road into openings, fields, trails or through streams.

Dog Training - Dog training prohibited unless otherwise specified. The use or possession of any electronic tracking devices from March 1–Aug. 15 is prohibited.

On property owned or leased by the TWRA, ATV and OHV operation is prohibited.

Only pointing breed dogs are permitted in the bear reserve one day before and during bear hunts that allow the use of dogs. During bear hunts that do not allow the use of hounds, small game hunters in the bear reserves are limited to two dogs per vehicle.

Wild hogs may be taken on any big game hunt with the methods/firearms legal for that hunt, except wild hogs may not be taken in the bear reserves during bear season.

Dove, Grouse, Quail, Rabbit, Snipe, Squirrel, Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15.

Small game hunters (except raccoon and opossum hunters between sunset and sunrise) must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts.

Beaver and coyote may be taken on any hunt with weapon legal for that hunt.

Groundhog, fox and skunk may be taken on any small game hunt with weapon legal for that hunt. Fox closed in Washington County.

Bobcat may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with the statewide bobcat season with methods/firearms legal for the scheduled hunt. No dogs allowed.

Spring squirrel season is closed.

Deer - Dates are same as statewide season. Antlered bag limit is two and counts toward statewide bag limit.

Deer (Archery) - Bag limit of four antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Muzzleloader) - Bag limit of one antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Bag limit of two antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun) - Closed to antlerless hunting.

Turkey - Same as statewide season.

Opossum, Raccoon - Oct. 6–last day in February. Season closed Oct. 6–20, Oct. 27–29, Nov. 5–13, Nov. 17–21, Nov. 26–Dec. 13 in all bear reserves.

Bear - Same as statewide season, except closed Sept. 23–29 and Oct. 3–6. Closed to the restrictive bear hunt in the Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserves.

Bear Dog Training Season - Sept. 5–30. No bears may be harvested. No weapons may be possessed. No training in bear reserves.

Camping - please refer to US Forest Service district offices.

Chuck Swan State Forest

Union/Campbell counties • 24,444 acres

Near Maynardville

Dustin McCubbins (865) 278-3248 • SG, BG

Closed to bear hunting. Deer driving, loud noises, and harassment on all deer hunts is prohibited. Entering the WMA from Norris Lake during the deer and turkey hunts is prohibited. Guides prohibited on all hunts. Horses, ATVs, non-licensed passenger vehicles and motorcycles are prohibited on the main forest road. The main forest road is defined as the road beginning at the Big Game check station and ending at the intersection of the Back Valley, Forks of the River, and Big Loop roads. ORV, horseback riding, bicycles, and all other vehicles are restricted to roads marked “open to vehicular traffic.” A licensed vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is tagged, registered and insured and is legal to operate on county, state and federal highways. Speed limit is 25 mph. All operators or passengers under the age of 18 of an off highway vehicle are required to wear an appropriate safety helmet. Organized competition events for motorized/ non-motorized vehicles prohibited. Maximum noise limit of 86 dBs for all motorized vehicles as measured at 50 feet from the exhaust.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Waterfowl hunting is closed as posted. Closed to hunting March 1–the fourth Friday in August, except for Spring Turkey and Spring Squirrel hunting. Small game hunting will close at sunset the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless otherwise specified. Closed to quail hunting.

Beaver and coyote may be taken on any hunt with weapon legal for that hunt.

Groundhog, fox and skunk may be taken on any small game hunt with weapon legal for that hunt.

Bobcat may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with the statewide bobcat season with weapons legal for the scheduled hunt.

Raccoon - Seven one night hunts. Dec. 10–16. Hunters must check out by 1 a.m. One raccoon per person.

Coyote - June 4–Aug. 12. No Limit. Centerfire allowed. Call WMA office for free permit. 865-278-3248.

Deer - Archery - One hunt: Sept. 29–30, Hunter quota 400. One deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.

Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - One hunt: Oct. 21–22. Hunter quota 200. One deer, either sex (Bonus deer).

Deer (Muzzleloader) - One hunt: Nov. 10–11. Hunter quota 650. One deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.

Deer (Gun) - Two hunts: Dec. 1–2, 8–9. Hunter quota 650. One deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.

Turkey - Five hunts: April 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 25–27, May 2–4. Hunter quota 150. One turkey per hunt. Turkey counts towards statewide bag limit. Hunting ends at noon each day. Hunter must sign in and out at check station and be out by 1 p.m.

Trapping - Jan. 6–Feb. 29. No raccoons. Quota is one party per compartment. Trappers must apply at WMA office. No snares or conibear traps. Trappers must report catch annually.

Dog training - Sept. 1–March 15, daylight hours only.

Range open Thursday and Friday from noon to sunset and Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Closed during all big game quota hunts. No buckshot allowed on range. Permit required for range. See tnwildlife.org for details.

Cove Creek

Campbell County • 2,450 acres

Keith Thomas (423) 566-8557 • SG, BG

Same as statewide seasons, except where noted.

Deer

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15.

Fall Turkey - Closed to fall turkey season

Foothills

Blount County • 11,000 ACRES

GPS: 35 36.766 BY 084 02.216 W

Matt Jellicorse (423) 587-7037 • SG, BG

Motorized vehicles and horseback riding prohibited The use of and/or possession of any tracking device for dogs from March 1 to Aug. 31 is not permitted.

Blaze orange required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).

Wild hogs may be taken during any hunt with legal hunt devices for that hunt.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Closed to hunting March 1st through 4th Friday in August, except for spring turkey. Closed to quail hunting and dog training.

Deer - Dates are same as statewide season. Bag limit of two antlered deer (count toward statewide limit). Closed to all antlerless hunting except during Young Sportsman deer hunt.

Opossum, Raccoon - Jan. 1–Feb. 29.

Forks Of The River

Knox County • 648 ACRES

East of Knoxville

GPS: 35.952572 N BY 83.858632 W

Matt Jellicorse (423) 587-7037• SG, BG, HI

Special Use - All trails on the area used for bicycling require the High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit except the Perimeter Trail. The Perimeter trail is defined as the Will Skelton Greenway, Whaley Trail, and Western

Perimeter Trail: The Perimeter Trail is open year round. All other trails open only to hunters from Sept. 1–May 31 . No hooved animal riding or motorized vehicles.

Shotguns, Muzzleloader and Archery equipment only.

Area closed one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, except for raccoon and opossum hunters and scheduled events.

Paintball guns and accessories prohibited.

All animals accompanied by a non-hunting person are required to be leashed.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

All hunting is closed from March 1 through 4th Friday in August, except for spring squirrel and spring turkey season.

The early September waterfowl seasons are closed.

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15.

Dove - Sept. 1, 2 and 4 with gate opening at 6:30 a.m. and the remainder of the statewide season is walk in only. All fields return to same as statewide season beginning Sept. 4 and are open to all hunters. Do not block the gate.

Youth/Adult Field Exception - open on Sept. 1 at noon and Sept. 2 and 3 gate opens at 6:30 a.m., youths who must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may also hunt.

Pigeon is open with dove season.

Falconry and Crow - Opens Sept. 9 and runs concurrent with statewide season.

Fort Loudoun

Knox County • 492 acres

Lands owned by the TVA and public waters of Fort Loudoun Reservoir between TRM 638.5 and TRM 649.5 as posted

Region IV Office (423) 587-7037 • NP

Closed to dog training.

Waterfowl - Same as statewide seasons, except open only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, one-half hour before sunrise until noon. Size BBB or smaller required.

Henderson Island Refuge

Jefferson County • 525 acres

On Douglas Reservoir between River Miles 42 AND 44

David Sams (423) 235-4882 • sg, bg

Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15–last day of Feb. Public entry and fishing permitted while in the main river channel passing through the refuge. Horses prohibited. Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required for small game hunting as posted. All small game hunting is Youth/Adult only. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt. Blaze orange required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. All small game hunting and dog training, excluding raccoon and opossum, closes at 4 p.m. Quail season is closed.

Rabbit - Nov. 1–14.

Dog training - Rabbit and Quail - Oct. 1–Nov. 14. All other: March 1–Oct. 31.

Kyker Bottoms Refuge

Blount COUNTY • 525 acres

GPS: 35.602180 BY 84.122143 W

Matt Jellicorse (423) 587-7037 • SG, bg

Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15–last day of Feb. except in designated observation areas. Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required for small game hunting as posted.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. All small game hunting is Youth/Adult only. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt. Blaze orange is required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).

Deer hunting is open during archery and youth only. Wild hogs may be taken on any deer and turkey hunt with hunting devices legal for those hunts.

Turkey is Youth/Adult only April 6–7 and weekends of the statewide season open Friday–Sunday only. Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt.

Rabbit, Quail - Nov. 1–14. Quail bag limit two/day, rabbit and quail hunting closes at 4 p.m.

Raccoon - Sept. 1–2, 8–9.

Dog training - Rabbit and Quail - Oct. 1–Nov. 14. Closes at 4 p.m. each day.

Kyles Ford

Hancock/Hawkins County • 1,000 acres

David Sams (423) 235-4882 • SG, bg

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. All small game hunting and dog training excluding raccoon/opossum closes at 4 p.m. Blaze orange is required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).

Quail - Open to dog training only. Quail dog training open only during quail season.

Rabbit Dog Training - Oct. 1–31.

Lick Creek Bottoms

Greene County • 1,400 acres

David Sams (423) 235-4882 • SG, wf, bg

Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required for small game (including dove) hunting.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. All small game hunting and dog training (excluding raccoon and opossum) closes at 4 p.m. 500 square inches of blaze orange required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts (excluding spring turkey).

Quail - Open to training only. Training open only during the statewide quail season.

Rabbit Dog Training - Oct. 1–Oct. 31.

Dove - Sept. 1 youth/adult only, Sept. 2 is youth/adult only until noon, beginning at noon the field is open to all hunters for the remainder of the season.

Entire Mohawk dove field is non-toxic shot.

Early Waterfowl Seasons Wood Duck/Teal, Teal Only, Canada Goose

Same as statewide seasons.

Late Waterfowl Seasons South Mohawk, Skinner, and Foxgate Units:

Open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays as well as the closing day of the season. Hunting closes at noon. Waterfowl hunting will be allocated by hand-held bi-weekly drawings. Every other Saturday, a hand-held drawing will be conducted at 1 p.m. to determine the following two weeks Tuesdays and Saturdays hunters. The final drawing of the season will also include closing day. The drawing will be held at the Joachim Bible Refuge Maintenance Facility and hunters must be present and have all applicable licenses/permits to enter drawing. Hunting will only be allowed from designated staked positions and/or pools. Hunters drawn may bring up to 3 guests. Note: Drawn hunter must accompany these guests. After the youth/veteran waterfowl seasons, goose seasons to coincide with statewide seasons. No stake/pool restrictions or drawings.

During the late waterfowl seasons, access to the South Mohawk, Skinner, and Foxgate Units is restricted to hunters actively pursuing game and any waterfowl hunters possessing a valid permit for an upcoming waterfowl hunt. Permits are valid from the issue date until the end of the waterfowl hunt listed on the permit. Drawn waterfowl hunters must have their permit in their possession when scouting/hunting. During big game muzzleloader/gun hunts, all scouting hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on the body and head.

Goose season is closed on the area at the end of late waterfowl season. Goose season is open to youth/veteran only during the youth waterfowl seasons. Goose season is open to adults after the youth/veteran waterfowl seasons.

Remainder of Area: Same as statewide seasons. No staked positions/pools.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

Closes each day at sunset.

South Mohawk, Skinner, and Foxgate Units: Same as statewide dates. First come first serve at designated stakes and pools as posted.

Remainder of Area: Same as statewide seasons. No staked positions/pools.

For all seasons, no permanent blinds. All decoys, temporary blinds, blind materials and boats must be removed at the end of legal hunting hours.

Joachim Bible Waterfowl Refuge Unit (that portion of Lick Creek Bottoms WMA between Murray Bridge Road, Bibles Chapel Road, and South Mohawk Road)

Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15–last day of Feb. except in designated observation areas. Closed to waterfowl hunting.

Same as statewide, except as noted. All small game hunting and dog training (excluding raccoon/ opossum) closes at 4 p.m. Closed to quail hunting. Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required for small game (including dove) hunting as posted. All small game hunting is Adult/Youth only. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may also hunt.

Dove - Opens Sept. 2, youth/adult only the entire season.

Rabbit - Nov. 1–14. Bag limit two rabbits/day.

Dog training - Rabbit and Quail - Oct. 1–31. All other: March 1–Oct. 31.

Nolichucky

Greene County • 1,000 acres

Ten miles south of Greeneville

David Sams (423) 235-4882 • SG, wf, Bg

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Waterfowl - Blinds, blind materials and decoys must be removed daily at the end of legal shooting hours. During all waterfowl seasons, boats may not be anchored, moored or aground more than 1 hour after legal waterfowl hunting hours or earlier than one hour before legal shooting hours.

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15

North Cumberland

Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan and Scott counties • 189,000 acres

35 Miles North of Knoxville

Keith Thomas (423) 566-8557 • SG, BG

OHV Information • Rusty Dunn (423) 562-2013

All users should be aware that hazards associated with mining (deep and strip) exist on this area.

(TCA 55-52-201) All operators or passengers under the age of 18 of an off highway vehicle are required to wear an appropriate safety helmet.

Special Use - OHV, hooved animal riding, bicycles and all other vehicles are restricted to roads marked “open to vehicular traffic.” Hooved animal riding, bicycling and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit. Speed limit is 25 mph. Organized competition events for motorized/nonmotorized vehicles prohibited. Maximum noise limit of 86 dBs for all motorized vehicles as measured at 50 feet from the exhaust.

Public use is permitted during all hunts. During daylight hours all users outside of an enclosed vehicle or outside of camp must wear, on the upper portion of their body and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange, visible front and back, during the deer and elk gun and muzzleloader seasons. No person shall remove minerals, including coal, trees, plants (including vines), or building stones from the area without specific authorization.

Camping is permitted on the entire area. Night time use by the general public and raccoon hunters is permitted area wide.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Closed to hunting March 1 through the 4th Friday in Aug., except for spring turkey. Closed to spring squirrel hunting. Coyote hunting with centerfire weapons only allowed during deer gun seasons by licensed deer hunters. Archery hunters will be required to meet legal blaze orange requirements while hunting in the elk zones during the firearms elk hunts. Wild hogs may be taken during any hunt with hunting devices legal for that hunt.

Beaver Trapping - restricted to designated compartments. Contact WMA manager for information. Annual harvest log must be maintained and submitted to WMA Manager by Jan. 15

.

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15.

Dog training - Sept. 1–March 15. Chasing fox, coyotes, and bobcats with dogs is not permitted.

Closed to Fall Turkey Season.

Deer - On the Ed Carter Unit, antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one antler or a fifteen-inch minimum outside antler spread.

Elk hunting information can be found in Elk Regulations and Elk Seasons & Bag Limits.

Same as Statewide BHZ 4 Season. See Bear Seasons & Bag Limits for details.

Ginseng - Sept. 1–Dec. 31.

Open daylight hours 7 days a week. Permit required for range.

Camping - Allowed area wide. Do not block roads, trails, or gates.

Otey Mills Refuge of North Cumberland WMA

Closed to all forms of use and trespass except as noted during big game and small game seasons. Dog training and trapping closed. Prohibited activities: OHV riding, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, hiking, camping, and ginseng hunting. Use and/or possession of alcohol is prohibited.

Special Deer Restriction - Scouting days for deer quota hunts are Mondays prior to hunt dates. Quota hunters are required to check out harvested big game at the Otey Mills Refuge Checking Station when in operation.

Deer/Bear Archery - one two day hunt Oct. 13–14. Hunter quota four. Bag Limit-one antlered deer and one bear. Antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one antler or a fifteen inch minimum outside antler spread. Deer and bear count toward statewide bag limit.

Deer Archery - one two day hunt Dec. 1–2. Hunter quota four. Bag limit-one antlered deer. Antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one antler or a fifteen inch minimum outside antler spread. Deer count toward statewide bag limit.

Young Sportsman Deer Archery - one two day hunt Nov. 4–5. Bag limit - one deer either sex, Antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one antler or a fifteen inch minimum outside antler spread. Antlered deer count toward statewide bag limit.

Small Game-Jan. 1–Feb. 29; closed to quail and spring squirrel seasons. Walk in access only.

Spring Turkey - Youth/Adult only- same as statewide season. Walk in access only.

Fall Turkey - Closed to Fall Turkey Season.

Rankin

Cocke County • 1,975 acres

David Sams (423) 235-4882 • SG, BG

No permanent blinds. All decoys, temporary blinds, blind materials and boats must be removed at the end of legal hunting hours.

Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Small game hunters (except waterfowl) must wear blaze orange during big game hunts. Closed to hunting March 1 through fourth Friday in Aug., except for spring turkey and spring squirrel. Coyotes may be taken on big game hunts with devices legal for that hunt. No dogs allowed while coyote hunting.

Quail - Nov. 4–Jan. 15.

Whites Mill

Blount County • 53 acres

Matt Jellicorse (423) 587-7037 • NP

Closed to all activity from Nov. 15 to the last day of the youth waterfowl season, except legal hunters on Saturdays.

Waterfowl, Snipe - Youth/Adult only - Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may also hunt. Saturdays only from staked positions.

Bullfrog - March 1–Nov. 14, gigs only.