37 S.

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Watts Bar WMA

2026-27 season. Primarily on islands and access areas on Watts Bar Lake. 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.

Deer

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Archery: Sep 26 – Oct 30, Nov 2–6
  • Young sportsman: Oct 31 – Nov 1, Jan 9–10
  • Muzzleloader: Nov 7–20
  • Gun: Nov 21 – Jan 3

In the guide: “Big Game: Same as statewide seasons, 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: “Big Game: Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.”

Ducks and geese

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Ducks and teal: Sep 12–16, Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Jan 31
  • Geese: Sep 1–20, Oct 10–22, Nov 28–29, Dec 5 – Feb 14

In the guide: “Waterfowl: Same as statewide season, except as noted. Waterfowl hunting allowed from temporary blinds only. No blinds, blind materials, boats, or decoys may be left overnight.”

Small game, grouse, woodcock, dove, and raccoon

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Squirrel: Aug 22 – Mar 15, May 8 – Jun 13
  • Rabbit: Nov 7 – Feb 28
  • Quail: Nov 7 – Jan 15
  • Grouse: Oct 10 – Feb 28
  • Woodcock: Nov 14 – Dec 6, Jan 10–31
  • Dove: Sep 1–28, Oct 10 – Nov 1, Dec 8 – Jan 15
  • Raccoon: Sep 18 – Mar 15

In the guide: “Small Game: Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.”

Area rules

Waterfowl hunting allowed from temporary blinds only; nothing may be left overnight. Dog training Sept. 1–March 15.

Nearby areas

Watts Bar WMA - Iron Hill Island, Long Island and Thief Neck Island Units within this area

Paint Rock around 6 miles away

Mt. Roosevelt WMA around 8 miles away

Luper Mountain around 15 miles away

Oak Ridge WMA around 20 miles away

Keyes-Harrison WMA around 20 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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