Jackson Swamp WMA

Directions and Description

Site Directions:  Travel north on Hwy 111/294 from Livingston Tennessee, for about 11 miles.  The WMA is approximately 4.2 miles from Livingston, you will stay on 294 and turn left and travel another 5.2 miles.  Turn left onto Independence Road and drive past the old Independence Community Center, driving 0.4 miles. The WMA entrance is on the right and is marked with signage.  There is a large old community center at the intersection. The road into the WMA is 0.2 miles from Hwy 294 on the right. Signage is present.   Lat: 36.492267°N Long: -85.300276°W

The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours only, excluding applicable hunting seasons.   License fees may apply.  

TWRA Contact Information: Region 3 Office: 1-931-484-9571, Toll-Free:  1-833-402-4698, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager: Johnny Poston 1-615-342-9307

Jackson Swamp WMA is a 203-acre property located in Overton County that is managed primarily for dove hunting but has a couple of other features.  It has multiple agricultural fields/food plots on the property.  There are some fields where early successional vegetation is being maintained for wildlife that utilize a grassland ecotype. Bottomland hardwoods that are flooded at times are located past the WMA entrance sign and down the hill.  Old farm roads lead to these wetlands.

A relatively large variety of wildlife are possible to see here because of the existence of agricultural fields, grasslands, and bottomland hardwoods. Of course, deer and turkey utilize the area as they are generalists, but you can also possibly see grassland birds such as Eastern Meadowlarks, Indigo bunting, and field sparrows. Although acreage is small, because of the bottomland hardwoods and agricultural fields, you may also see waterfowl such as Wood Duck, mallards, and Canada geese and other birds, such as the Red-headed Woodpecker and Red-shouldered Hawks. Forest edges, provide cover for brown thrashers, Eastern towhees, and winter sparrows.

Regulations & Dates

Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Quail - Closed.

Dove - Sept. 1, 2024, by hand-held drawing.  Drawing to be conducted on Aug. 24, 2024. at Independence Community Center.  Drawing sign-up begins at 4 p.m. local time.  The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. local time.  Hunters must be present to be drawn.

Dove - Sept. 2, 2024, through the remainder of the statewide season, same as statewide regulations.

Dog training - Sept. 1, 2024 - March 15, 2025.