37 S.

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North Cherokee WMA - Bear Reserves

2026-27 season, part of North Cherokee WMA. Andrew Johnson (southwest of Hwy. 70, east of Hwy. 107 and north of Hwys. 25–70), Kettlefoot (north of Hwy. 421, east of South Holston Lake, south of the Tennessee-Virginia line, west of Hwy. 91), Laurel Fork (south of Hwy. 321, west of Poga Road, west of the Tennessee-North Carolina line, north of Hwy 19E) and Unicoi (west of U.S. Hwy. 23 and Devils Fork Road, north of the Tennessee/North Carolina line, east of Horse Creek Road to Hwy. 107 and south of Hwy. 107 to Erwin). Check the area map for exact boundaries.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in 2026-2027 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Guide. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Bear

Closed this season.

In the guide: “Bear hunting is not permitted in the following bear reserves unless a special exception is provided by proclamation.”

Raccoon

Closed Oct 2–23, Oct 30 – Nov 1, Nov 8–16, Nov 20–24, Nov 29 – Dec 16.

In the guide: “Opossum, Raccoon: Season closed in bear reserves: Oct. 2–23, Oct. 30–Nov. 1, Nov. 8–16, Nov. 20–24, Nov. 29–Dec. 16.”

Area rules

Bear hunting is not permitted in the bear reserves unless a special exception is provided by proclamation (the Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork private-lands reserve hunt is on page 73). Wild hog season is closed during bear season.

Nearby areas

Nolichucky WMA around 30 miles away

Joachim Bible Waterfowl Refuge Unit around 40 miles away

Lick Creek Bottoms around 45 miles away

Kyles Ford WMA around 45 miles away

Rankin WMA around 50 miles away

Most WMAs are open with statewide seasons except as noted in their listing; on those, the season dates, bag limits and legal weapons of the county the WMA is in apply. WMAs marked BG, SG or WF need a Big Game, Small Game or Waterfowl WMA permit on top of the license (Sportsman and Lifetime license holders are exempt). The August archery deer hunt is closed on WMAs open with statewide seasons, except certain Unit 1 WMAs. On WMAs open with statewide seasons, quail season runs Nov. 7 to Jan. 15. Hunters may not enter more than two hours before sunrise and must be out one hour after sunset. Legal hours are 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, except turkey and migratory birds, which end at official sunset. Youths may hunt ducks and geese Feb. 6 and 13, and veterans and active military Feb. 7 and 14. A light goose conservation season runs Feb. 15 to Mar. 31 with a free permit. Unless a listing says otherwise, furbearers may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with a statewide furbearer season, with the weapons legal for that hunt (page 81).

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