Ernest Rice WMA
Directions and Description
Directions: if you are coming from Dyersburg, take Hwy 104 West approximately 10 miles to sign for Ernest Rice WMA. Two points of access can be reached on the south side of Hwy 104. Area signs are posted. Lat: 36.06089°N Long: -89.60340°W
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, with access dependent on hunting seasons. License fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 1 Office 1-731-423-5725, Toll-Free: 1-800-372-3928, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager is Josh Emerson 1-731-285-6124
Description: The area contains 2000 acres of mature bottomland hardwood forest. There are also 500 acres of early successional fields, reforestation, and some farmland. Access is by a primary all-weather gravel road. Roads are well maintained. Access may be limited by the level of the Mississippi and Obion Rivers, which can flood over the roads. Do not attempt to drive through flood waters.
Forest songbirds are common in summer, including Summer Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher, and resident species such as Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse. In grassy fields, deer, turkey, and Grasshopper Sparrows are found. Mississippi Kites gather and forage over the forest and fields. Horned Larks and Killdeer are especially common in winter. Northern Harriers frequent the fields around Ernest Rice WMA in winter.
Regulations & Dates
Special Use - Dog training is closed. Hunters (except raccoon, opossum, and turkey hunters) may not enter WMA prior to 2 hours before sunrise and be off WMA by one hour after sunset or legal hunting/shooting time.
CWD Carcass Transportation Regulations Apply
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping is the same as statewide season, except small game hunting is closed during the big game gun hunt and except as noted. Closed to Fall Turkey hunting.
Waterfowl, Raccoon, Opossum - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Waterfowl, raccoon, and opossum seasons are not closed during the big game hunts. Waterfowl hunting from temporary blinds only. No blind materials, boats or decoys may be left overnight.
Deer - Open with statewide season dates but restricted to Archery Equipment Only - no hunting with muzzleloaders or guns for deer except in 7-day gun season listed below. Archery season is closed during the young sportsman gun hunts. Antlered deer must have nine (9) antler points or a minimum outside beam spread of twenty (20) inches. Archers must comply with legal blaze orange/pink requirements during regular statewide Muzzleloader and Gun Season dates.
Deer (Gun) - Dec. 20-26, 2025. One (1) deer, antlered only. Antlered deer must have nine (9) antler points or a minimum outside beam spread of twenty (20) inches.
Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Open with statewide seasons. No antler restriction.
Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman): Special hunt Oct. 18-19, 2025. No antler requirement. Either sex.
Spring Turkey - April 11 - May 3, 2026. Bag limit of one male bearded turkey counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Spring Turkey (Young Sportsman) - Same as statewide season.
