Laurel Hill WMA

LAWRENCE COUNTY • 14,952 ACRES
WEST OF LAWRENCEBURG OFF HWY. 64
CHECKING STATION: 74 VFW ROAD

Special Use - ATVs are allowed on roads open to motor vehicle traffic only.

All hooved animals must be ridden on designated trails or roads open to motorized vehicles.

Hooved animals and ATV riding on trails and roads are prohibited during all big game seasons.

Hooved animal riding and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use are permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.

The use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunset and sunrise. 

Horse riding is closed during all scheduled deer hunts, and turkey season.  

Dove - Same as statewide season except closed during deer hunts.

Small Game - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.

Small game hunting is closed at sunset the day before and during big game hunts.

Coyote may be taken during daylight hours only during any open season with weapons specified for that season.

Bobcat may be taken on big game hunts that coincide with statewide season dates and may be taken with weapons legal for that hunt.

Fox Chasing - No fox chasing permitted.

Opossum - Raccoon - Sept. 1, 2023 - Feb. 29, 2024. Bag limit 2 raccoons per person per night. Opossum: no limit.

Special Antlered Deer Regulations apply on all deer hunts: Antlered deer must have at least four antler points on one side or a 15-inch minimum outside spread.

Deer (Archery) - One hunt: Sept. 16 - Oct. 1, 2023. Three deer, either sex, only one antlered (bonus deer).

Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Oct. 14 - 15, 2023. One deer, either sex. No antler restrictions (bonus deer.) WMA Check Station open.

Deer (Muzzleloader) - One hunt: Oct. 19 - 22, 2023. Hunter quota 500. One deer, antlered only (bonus deer). WMA Check Station open.

Deer (Gun) - Two hunts. Nov. 10 - 12, 24 - 26, 2023. Hunter quota 500. One deer, antlered only (bonus deer). WMA Check Station open.

Deer (Gun) - One hunt. Dec. 1 - 3, 2023. Hunter quota 500. One deer, antlered or antlerless. (bonus deer). WMA Check Station open.

Turkey - Same as statewide season.

Waterfowl - Jan. 13-28, 2024. On the WMA, goose (not waterfowl) hunting is permitted and only in the fields.  On Laurel Hill lake, waterfowl hunting (duck and goose) is allowed by boat only.  Same as statewide bag limits.

Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024.

Trapping - Dec. 5, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024.

Dog training - Sept. 1, 2023– March 15, 2024, except during big game hunts, daylight hours only.  Open during deer and turkey seasons to any hunters who are actively hunting the WMA.

SHIELDS FARM UNIT

Big Game, Small Game, Trapping, and Dog Training - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited.

Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024.

Site Description: Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area is owned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and is in northwest Lawrence County Tennessee.  It consists of 14,952 acres. 

Eighty-five percent of the property is mature hardwoods, the remaining acreage is managed openings of early successional grass or brushy areas, planted food, and cover plots ranging from clover, corn, milo, millet, lespedeza, native warm-season grasses which provide hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, and dove. 

There are 30 miles of chert gravel roads which provide good access throughout the property.  There are also approximately 30 miles of horse-riding trails. 

The Little Buffalo River runs through the middle of the property and there are numerous other small streams that run into the Little Buffalo. 

There are two agency lakes within Laurel Hill WMA that provide excellent Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, and Crappie fishing opportunities.  The largest is Laurel Hill Lake which is 325 acres, and the VFW lake is 22 acres. 

There is one campground in the WMA for hunters that is primitive camping, so no electrical or water hookups.  It is across the street from 276 Napier Rd., Lawrenceburg TN 38464, no sign-in or registration is required. 

Laurel Hill also has 3 deer hunting blinds to assist hunters with disabilities.  

Special Use – ATV/UTV’s allowed only on roads open to motor vehicle traffic.  All hooved animals must be ridden on designated trails or roads open to motorized vehicles. Hooved animals and ATV riding are prohibited during all big game (deer, turkey) seasons.  Hooved animal riding and ATV use permitted only by individuals possessing a license valid to hunt the WMA OR a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.  The use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Wildlife to Watch:    Neotropical migratory bird species are common in summer, including Summer and Scarlet Tanager, Worm-eating Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler. Cerulean Warblers also nest here, one of the few locations in the western highland rim where they can still be found nesting. Loggerhead Shrikes are rare, but regular nesting in the area. Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird, and Belted Kingfishers are regularly seen year-round.

On Laurel Hill Lake, Common Loons, Mallards, Gadwall, Wood Ducks, and Bufflehead can be abundant in winter. Spring migration can yield a wide variety of migrant birds including Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Bay-breasted Warbler.

Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer, squirrel, rabbit, and other game species are abundant.