Old Hickory WMA
Directions and Description
Directions: Access is primarily via water, but a couple of good areas points can be accessed by vehicle. Barton Creek can be accessed from Denny Road. The Headquarters area can be accessed via Canoe Branch Road. Headquarters via Canoe Branch Rd- Lat-Long: 36.34462, -86.28169 Barton Creek via Denny Rd - Lat-Long: 36.29860, -86.35861
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, note hunting seasons. General access is free, however some license fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 2 Office: 1-615-781-6622, Toll-Free: 1-800-624-7406, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager: Michael Bobel 1-615-444-6673
Description: The WMA consists of approximately 6,000 acres of Old Hickory WMA, only 1,000 acres are accessible from public access locations. The remainder is accessible only by boat. There are patches of hardwood forest of oak, hickory, and maple, and riparian forest of Black Willow and sycamore along the shoreline of parts of the lake. These forested areas are mixed with cropland that is flooded for waterfowl in winter.
There is public access via gravel roads, which can be driven or walked. Old Hickory WMA is part of The Cordell Hull Conservation Opportunity Area Waterfowl are abundant in winter. Early successional birds are common in summer, including Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Towhee, and Yellow-breasted Chat. Sparrows of various species may be seen throughout the winter. There are approximately a dozen heron rookeries around Old Hickory Lake.
Regulations & Dates
Special Use - Areas consist of 6,000 huntable acres in narrow strips of land along the 21,700 acres of water on Old Hickory Lake. Of the 6,000 acres, only 1,000 acres have public land access. The remaining 5,000 acres are primarily accessible by water.
Unit I
Highway 109 upstream to River Mile 267, Excluding Lock 5 Refuge
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted below.
Small game hunting is closed after 3 p.m. during the duck season occurring in Nov. – Feb. The sub-impoundment units as posted are closed to all types of activity five (5) days prior to the opening of the first segment of the duck season occurring in Nov. – Feb. Raccoon and opossum hunting, trapping and fishing are prohibited in sub-impoundments during the late waterfowl season.
Dove - Sept. 6, 2025, on Barton’s Creek. Youth only (6-16) must be accompanied by a licensed non-hunting adult. Hunting begins at 6 a.m (CST).
Dove - Sept. 8, 2025, and every Wednesday and Friday-Sunday thereafter during the first segment of the statewide season.
Turkey - Same as statewide spring season. Bag limit of one (1) male turkey during the first 14 days for the statewide season, and not to exceed two (2) for the season.
Waterfowl - Same as statewide season. Hunting is permitted only from registered blind sites and staked temporary blind sites during the duck/goose season occurring in Nov. - Feb. Legal shooting hours end at 3 p.m. (CST) except on the last day of each season segment when statewide hours apply.
Waterfowl (wheelchair-bound only blind site) - Applications must be received by the TWRA Region II Office by noon on the fourth. Friday in October 25, 2025. Persons holding a permit for another blind are not eligible. Old Hickory Wheelchair Blind Application must be received at the Region II office, (615) 781-6622.
Dog training - Sept. 1, 2025 - March 15, 2026, except closed during duck seasons.
Unit II
Hwy. 109 downstream to Old Hickory Dam
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted below. except centerfire rifles prohibited.
Turkey - Same as statewide spring season. Bag limit of one (1) male turkey during the first 14 days for the statewide season and not to exceed two (2) for the season.
Waterfowl - same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Hunting from registered blind sites only, except during the early duck season. All goose hunting is from registered blinds only.
Unit III
From River Mile 267 upstream to the Old Lock 6 site at River Mile 281
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
Turkey - Same as statewide spring season. Bag limit of one (1) male turkey during the first 14 days for the statewide season and not to exceed two (2) for the season.
Waterfowl - same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Hunting from temporary blinds only. Decoys must be picked up each day.
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