Cheatham WMA
Site Directions: Take Hwy 49 toward Charlotte. Cross the river and continue four miles to Hwy. 250.
Turn left onto Hwy 250 and go four miles to the WMA entrance, on your left.
The check station is three miles from the entrance and maps are outside the check station.
Checking Station - Lat: 36.20276°N Long: -87.10089°W
Hours: day light hours
Seasonality: year round
Fees: none
CHEATHAM COUNTY • 20,810 ACRES
SOUTH OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER, NEAR ASHLAND CITY
Special Use - Hooved animal riding is permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.
Riding is allowed in designated areas only, horses and ATVs are only allowed on the main gravel road.
Horses and other saddle and pack animals are prohibited during big game seasons.
Unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
Small Game and Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
Small game hunting closed one day prior and during all big game quota hunts.
Deer (Archery Hunt) - Sept. 30 - Oct. 15, 2023. No quota. 1 deer antlered and 1 antlerless. Antler restrictions apply.
Deer (Young Sportsman Hunt, Non-Quota) - Oct. 21-22, 2023. 1 deer antlered and one antlerless. No antler restrictions.
Deer (Muzzleloader Hunt) - Two hunts: Oct. 27 - 29, 2023 & Nov. 3-5, 2023. Hunter quota 450. 1 deer antlered and 1 antlerless. Antler restrictions apply.
Deer (Gun Hunt) - Two hunts: Nov. 10-17, 2023. & Nov. 18 - 25, 2023. Quota 450. 1 antlered and 1 antlerless. Antler restrictions apply.
Deer (Gun Hunt, Non-quota) - Nov. 26, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024. 1 antlerless deer.
Antlered Restrictions: Deer must have at least four antler points on one side or a fifteen (15) inch minimum outside spread except during the Young Sportsman hunt. All harvested deer count toward the statewide bag limit.
Turkey - Same as statewide spring season. Bag limit one (1) bearded bird during the first 14 days of the statewide season, not to exceed two (2) for the season with one being an adult gobbler.
Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024.
Dog training - Daylight hours only.
Coyote - Centerfire can be used outside of any big game hunt and may be used during the deer gun season. Daylight hours only.
Shooting range - Open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Automatic weapons are prohibited. See tnwildlife.org for details.
Camping - Open during deer and turkey seasons to any hunters who are actively hunting the WMA
Site Description: Cheatham WMA, 20.810 acres, consists of primarily upland hardwood forests with some pine stands present. There are also open fields, scrub shrub, and food plots where wildlife may congregate.
Miles of gates roads and ATV trails are excellent hiking trails and are available in many places off the main gravel roads that snake through the WMA.
Wildlife to Watch: Spring and fall passerine migration can be fantastic, with many warblers, vireos, and tanagers present.
Blackburnian Warbler and Bay-breasted Warbler are possible migrants in spring, while Prairie Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat nest on site.
Cerulean Warblers are uncommon nesting birds. Deer and Wild Turkey are commonly seen from roadsides and in fields year round.
Contact Information
Region 2 Office: 615-781-6622
Toll-Free: 1-800-624-7406
E-mail the office
Area Manager: Eric Tummins (615) 294-5432
Cheatham Archery Range
