37 S.

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Tellico Lake WMA - Chota Refuge Unit

2026-27 season, part of Tellico Lake WMA. The portion from LTRM 26.0 upstream to the Hiwassee-Alcoa powerline at LTRM 29.7. 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.

All hunting

Closed Nov 15 – Feb 28.

In the guide: “Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15 through last day of Feb., except in designated observation areas. All seasons closed during the refuge closure dates.”

Deer

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Archery: Sep 26 – Oct 30, Nov 2–6
  • Young sportsman: Oct 31 – Nov 1
  • Muzzleloader: Nov 7–14

In the guide: “Chota Refuge Unit · Big Game: Same as statewide, except as noted.”

Turkey

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Fall archery: Sep 26 – Oct 30, Nov 2–6
  • Fall shotgun: Oct 17–30
  • Spring young sportsman: Mar 27–28
  • Spring: Apr 3 – May 16

In the guide: “Chota Refuge Unit · Big Game: Same as statewide, except as noted.”

Rabbit and quail

Oct 31 – Nov 6

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Rabbit, Quail: Oct. 31–Nov. 6.”

Squirrel, grouse, woodcock, dove, ducks and geese, and raccoon

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Squirrel: Aug 22 – Nov 14, Mar 1–15, May 8 – Jun 13
  • Grouse: Oct 10 – Nov 14
  • Woodcock: Nov 14
  • Dove: Sep 1–28, Oct 10 – Nov 1
  • Ducks and teal: Sep 12–16
  • Geese: Sep 1–20, Oct 10–22
  • Raccoon: Sep 18 – Nov 14, Mar 1–15

In the guide: “Chota Refuge Unit · Small Game: Same as statewide, except as noted. Steel shot is required for doves.”

Area rules

Wild hogs may be taken during any deer or bear hunt by legal deer or bear hunters. Steel shot is required for doves; nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for small game hunting as posted. Dog training and dog field trials March 1–Oct. 31 (field trial permit from the Region III office, 30 days in advance).

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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