Catoosa WMA
Directions and Description
Site Directions: From I-40, take exit 320, Genesis Road, and travel north 8 miles to the entrance to Catoosa WMA.
For specific locations and access points:
Wartburg entrance: Take Catoosa Road from Wartburg for eight miles to Old Catoosa Campground. Once inside the WMA, there are several campgrounds, wildlife, and scenic opportunities. If you would like more information, go to the check-in station via the following directions. Turn left at Catoosa Campground and go five miles to Bi-color Station. Old Catoosa Entrance Lat/Long N 36.0538 W -084.6728, Bicolor Entrance N 35.993 W -84.678, Bicolor Road Checking Station access - Lat-Long: 35.9938, -84.6776
Peavine Road entrance - From I-40 take exit 322 Peavine Rd, travel north on Peavine Road for 1.8 miles, and make a left onto Firetower Road. Once on Firetower Road, travel 2.8 miles to the end of the pavement and continue 0.6 miles more to a gate (Google Maps show the road as Otter Creek Road). This is the entrance to Catoosa WMA. Follow the road for 3.1 miles to the savanna restoration site. Travel 8.2 miles past the gate to the Devil's Breakfast Table area (or 14.7 miles from turning onto Firetower Road).
Devil's Breakfast Table area - Follow the previous Peavine Road entrance directions. Devil's Breakfast Table parking area is on the right just across the bridge. There is a trailhead about 40 yards down the road. Devil's Breakfast Table, Lat-Long: 36.058796,-84.792257, - Lat-Long 36.07356, -84.96071,
Oak savannah restoration locations and directions: from Genesis Road (Hwy 298), go east on Potter's Ford until the road comes to a T (Otter Creek Road). Make a left and go about a mile until you reach the open savanna habitat. There are approximately 3000 acres of open savanna in the area. Several side roads provide access to other areas of open woodlands. SW access road Lat-Long 36.03199, -84.927887, Genesis Rd Checking Station access Potters Ford Rd - Lat-Long: 36.08204, -84.94926
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, with access dependent on 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: Don Chance 1-931-456-2479
The rolling hills of the Cumberland Plateau are managed in this area for all types of wildlife. Across Catoosa WMA, visitors can find mature hardwood forest, young hardwood forest, dense vegetation along with crystal clear streams, and open oak savanna. The oak savanna area is actively managed to maintain open woodlands and native grass systems that historically occurred in the region before the fire was removed from the system and forests dominated the area.
Other areas appear in transition due to pine bark beetle infestations and extensive loss of pine trees. Auto viewing is a good way to see wildlife at Catoosa WMA. The Obed Wild and Scenic River runs through Catoosa and can be explored from road crossings, however, there are no trails along with most river access points.
The Devil's Breakfast Table is one spot to see. It is a wonderful stopping point with a great view of Daddy's Creek (home to the Tangerine Darter) as well as nice wildflower opportunities. Additionally, the area of the Catoosa WMA located west of the Devil's Breakfast Table is home to a substantial Oak Savanna Restoration Project. As this project progresses, there will be unique opportunities to see birds, wildflowers, and butterflies in this area.
The Wartburg entrance leads to a scenic drive that is very different from the oak savanna restoration areas. There are opportunities to get out and take in the quiet woods and birdsong or view the rivers and streams in the area. While not in possession of especially large trees, the forest understory is outstanding, hosting high densities of bigleaf magnolia, eastern redbud, slippery elm, devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa), sourwood, and evergreen rhododendron. The forest canopy is dense, creating a dim, mysterious air throughout the far eastern portion of the site.
The oak savanna area provides habitat for uncommon birds on the Cumberland Plateau, including Red-headed Woodpecker (very high densities), Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, and Common Yellowthroat. Thick streamside may yield a Swainson's Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, or a river otter. Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer, and Ruffed Grouse are present.
Regulations & Dates
- Special Use - Hooved animal riding, bicycling and OffHighway Vehicle (OHV) use permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.
- OHVs are permitted from the fourth Saturday in August through the second Sunday in June.
- OHVs, bicyclists, and hooved animal riders may not enter the area except through gated TWRA access points.
- Closed to all access during big game hunts, the area is open only to legal big game hunting participants.
- Guides are prohibited on all hunts.
- Hunters and Wild Hog control participants are required to check out big game and wild hogs at WMA check stations when in operation.
- Wild Hog Hunters are encouraged to be cautious when handling harvested hogs due to multiple documented cases of Brucellosis at Catoosa.
- All hunters are required to tag their harvest with paper transportation tags prior to transporting it to the nearest check station.
- Catoosa WMA will be closed to all users Feb. 1 through the last Friday in March except for walk-in small game hunting and trapping from Feb. 1 - last day of Feb.
- Closed to all hunting March 1 - the fourth Friday in August, except during turkey and spring squirrel seasons.
- Attention Cumberland Trail Corridor users: Pedestrian access through the Catoosa WMA on the Cumberland Trail corridor will be allowed year-round.
- During all deer, turkey, and wild hog control hunts, all users within the Cumberland Trail corridor must wear visible fluorescent clothing and remain within 100 feet on either side of the trail.
- All users: unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunrise and sunset.
Small Game, Deer, Turkey, and Bear - are the same as statewide seasons except for closes at sunset the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless otherwise noted.
Spring Squirrel - No Dogs are permitted.
Trapping and Small Game - Closed during wild hog control season.
Quail - Closed.
Dog Training - Closed.
Beaver, Bobcat, Foxes, Coyotes, Groundhogs and Crows - Rifles and handguns using center-fire ammunition are legal for hunting only during big game seasons, and the hunter must be a licensed legal big game hunter.
Coyotes - may be taken with any weapon legal for that hunt, during big game hunts
Fox, Coyote, or Bobcat - Chasing with dogs is not permitted.
Opossum - Raccoon - Nov. 1 to sunrise Dec. 31, except closes at sunset on the day before and during scheduled big game hunts.
Deer - On all hunts, antlered deer must have a minimum of four (4) points on one (1) antler or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread.
Wild Hogs - may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.
Deer/Bear (Archery) - One (1) hunt: Oct. 5 – Oct. 13, 2024. Archery equipment only. Area checking stations operated. The entire area is open. Two (2) deer no more than one (1) antlered (deer counts towards statewide bag limit). Bears may be taken with any weapon legal for the hunt. One (1) bear, counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Deer (Muzzleloader) - Oct. 24 – 26, 2024. Station quota per hunt: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. One (1) deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Deer (Gun) - Two (2) hunt: Nov. 14 – 16, 2024 and Nov. 21 - 23, 2024. Station quota: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. One (1) deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - One (1) hunt: Oct. 19 – 20, 2024. Two (2) deer, no more than one (1) antlered (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Deer (Gun) - One (1) hunt: Dec. 5 – 7, 2024. The entire area is open. One (1) deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Wild Hog (Control Season - Dogs Permitted) - Dec. 11 – 15, 2024 and Dec. 18 – 22, 2024. The entire area is open. No limit, either sex. All participants in the hog control season must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, visible front and back. Participants may use any legal weapon and ammunition that is legal for taking deer, bear, or elk. Legal hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Checking stations open on Catoosa–all hogs must be transported whole to the checking stations for data collection.
Bullfrog - April 1 – Sept. 1. No hunting during turkey hunts.
Fall Turkey - April 19 - May 18, 2025. One male bearded turkey per day counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Turkey (Young Sportsman) - One hunt: April 5 - 6, 2025. One male turkey counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Trapping - Dec. 15, 2024- last day of Feb 2025.
Firing Range (Genesis Checking Station) - Open daily except during deer archery hunts and turkey hunts. Daylight hours only. Permit required.
Shooting Range (Peavine Campground) - Open April 1 - Jan. 31, except closed during deer archery hunts and turkey hunts. Daylight hours only. Permit required. See tnwildlife.org for details.
Camping - During big game hunts, camping is allowed for big game hunters only.
Crooked Fork Unit, Morgan County 1,600 acres
Rifles and handguns using center-fire ammunition are prohibited.
Small Game and Trapping - same as statewide seasons except as noted
Closed to all hunting from March 1 through the fourth Friday in August, except during turkey and spring squirrel seasons.
Fox, Coyote, or Bobcat - Chasing with dogs is not permitted.
Big Game - same as statewide seasons, except deer season is closed after Dec. 13, 2024. Archery equipment, shotguns, and muzzleloaders only for deer hunting.
Wild hogs - may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.
Dog Training - Closed.
Quail - Closed.
Pine Orchard Unit, Morgan County Tennessee, 1,114 acres, 1-40 Airport Road, Exit
Small Game - Same as statewide season, except as noted.
Quail - Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan. 15, 2025.
Big Game -Same as statewide season.
Trapping - Same as statewide season.
Dog training - Closed.
