North Cherokee WMA

Directions and Description

Regulations & Dates

Along the Tennessee - North Carolina State line north of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Some roads normally open to the public travel may be closed from Dec. 15, 2026 - Mar. 31, 2027. Wild hogs may be taken on any big game hunt with the mentohds/fire arms legal for that hunt, except wild hogs may not be taken in the bear reserves during bear season.

Cherokee WMA Non-quota Big Game permit or Sportsman License is required to hunt the non-quota Big Game hunts. Some roads normally open to public travel may be closed from Dec. 15  – March 31.

Shooting Ranges - Open daylight hours only See the Shooting webpage.

Safety Zone - On the Cherokee WMA, hunting or discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, campsite, residence, building, occupied area, across or on a National Forest system road. Contact the appropriate U.S. Forest Service office for more information.

Horseback Riding - Horseback riding on properties owned by the U.S. Forest Service shall be the same as U.S. Forest Service regulations. Contact the U.S. Forest Service (1-423-476-9700). On those properties owned or leased by the TWRA, horseback riding is only allowed upon roads opened for vehicle travel. No riding off-road into openings, fields, trails, or through streams.

Electric Bikes - All electric bicycles are classified as motorized vehicles under 36CFR212 and therefore are not permitted: on gated roads restricting motorized vehicles; on trails or areas designated as non-motorized; or in Wilderness Areas. For more information, please contact U.S. Forest Service (423) 476-9700.

Dog Training - Dog training is prohibited unless otherwise specified. The use or possession of any electronic tracking devices from March 1 - Aug. 15 is prohibited.  

On property owned or leased by the TWRA, ATV and OHV operation is prohibited.

Only pointing breed dogs are permitted in the bear reserve one (1) day before and during bear hunts that allow the use of dogs. During bear hunts that do not allow the use of hounds, small game hunters in the bear reserves are limited to two (2) dogs per vehicle.

Dove, Grouse, Quail, Rabbit, Snipe, Squirrel, Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Small Game hunters (except raccoon and opossum hunters between sunset and sunrise) must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange/pink during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts.

Beaver and Coyote may be taken on any hunt with weapon legal for that hunt.

Groundhog, Fox and Skunk may be taken on any small game hunt with weapon legal for that hunt. Fox closed in Washington County.

Bobcat may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with the statewide bobcat season with methods/firearms legal for the scheduled hunt. No dogs allowed.

Spring squirrel - Season is closed.

Deer - Dates are same as statewide season. Antlered bag limit is two (2) and counts toward statewide bag limit.

Deer (Archery) - Bag limit of four (4) antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Muzzleloader) - Bag limit of one (1) antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Bag limit of two (2) antlerless (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun) - Closed to antlerless hunting.

Turkey - Same as statewide season.

Opossum, Raccoon - Oct. 2, 2026 - last day in February 2027. Season closed in bear reserves: Oct. 2-23, Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, Nov. 8-16, Nov. 20-24, Nov. 29 - Dec. 16, 2026.

Bear - Same as Bear Hunt Zone 1 season, except closed Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2026. Closed to the restrictive bear hunt in the Kettlefoot and Laurel Fork Bear Reserves.

Bear Dog Training Season - Sept. 8 - Oct. 3, 2026. No bears may be harvested. No weapons may be possessed. No training in bear reserves or spring season.

Camping - please refer to US Forest Service district offices.

TN Hunting Season Summary