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WMA · West Tennessee
C.M. Gooch WMA
Obion County: 7,000 acres of wildlife management area under the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: US Forest Service – Southern Region (Public domain)
Hunting C.M. Gooch WMA
Bottomland forest and swamp along the Obion River in Obion County; Unit A has gravel roads, other units are boat or walk-in only, and high water can flood the whole area. Unit E waterfowl hunting is allocated by computer draw.
Species open on C.M. Gooch WMA include deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. Part of the hunting here is by quota, with permits drawn through TWRA ahead of time. Obion County holds the bulk of the area and falls in deer Unit 1. Obion County is in the CWD Management Zone, so carcass and baiting rules apply.
Maps, dates and permit requirements are on the official area page.
C.M. Gooch WMA: gear to bring
Four picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist, with links to current prices.
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2026-27 seasons on C.M. Gooch WMA
What can be hunted here under the current guide, and the county rules that come with it.
Deer
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Turkey
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Waterfowl
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Small game
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. That includes squirrel, rabbit and other small game the area permits. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Unit 1 deer limits
Archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle, gun and Young Sportsman hunters may each take 3 antlerless deer per day here. The August hunt has no antlerless allowance. Two antlered deer per season is the statewide cap, with 1 allowed per day.
Obion County and CWD
Whole carcasses may not leave the CWD Management Zone, and baiting and feeding are banned in these counties. Earn-A-Buck applies in CWD-positive counties.
Hunter orange
Wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist and on the head when hunting big game; archery-only and turkey hunts are exempt.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 12, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
C.M. Gooch WMA season check
Obion County sits outside every bear zone. Obion County sits in the CWD management zone. Bait and feeders are off limits in Obion County.
- Deer
- Turkey
- Ducks
- Waterfowl
- Canada goose
- White-fronted goose
- Brant
- Light geese
- Dove
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Rails (virginia, sora)
- Gallinule and moorhen
- Crow
- Squirrel
- Rabbit
- Quail
- Grouse
- RaccoonYear-round
- Opossum
- CoyoteYear-round
- Bobcat
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 12, 2026.
Nearby hunting land and the C.M. Gooch WMA map
The orange marker is C.M. Gooch WMA (approximate center from the TWRA hunting map). Each gold marker is another public hunting area inside a 70 mile radius. Nearby towns by straight-line distance: Union City (13 mi), Martin (17 mi), Dyersburg (20 mi).
Obion River WMA
In Weakley County and Obion County, roughly 11 miles off as the crow flies. Listed at 8,500 acres.
Reelfoot-Indian Creek Watershed Lakes
In Obion County, roughly 11 miles off as the crow flies.
Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area
In Weakley County, roughly 14 miles off as the crow flies.
Maness Swamp Refuge
In Gibson County and Weakley County, roughly 14 miles off as the crow flies. Listed at 1,200 acres.
Hunting services near C.M. Gooch WMA
These are in Obion County or an adjoining county.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Deer harvest in the counties around C.M. Gooch WMA
Figures cover entire counties; area-only harvest is not broken out. The ranking puts Obion County #57 out of 95 for deer harvest.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obion County | 1,279 | 1,262 | 1,294 | #57 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
What hunters ask about C.M. Gooch WMA
Which species can be hunted on C.M. Gooch WMA?
You can hunt deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game, on the dates the area listing gives rather than the statewide calendar.
Where exactly is C.M. Gooch WMA?
TWRA places C.M. Gooch WMA in its West region; the ground is in Obion County. For access points and a map, use the area listing.
Do I need a WMA permit to hunt C.M. Gooch WMA?
Hunters 16 to 64 need a WMA permit or an annual sportsman license to hunt TWRA wildlife management areas, on top of the right hunting licenses. Federal refuges and some areas add their own permits.
How many acres is C.M. Gooch WMA?
C.M. Gooch WMA covers about 7,000 acres, the figure on the managing agency's page.
Which antlerless unit applies on C.M. Gooch WMA?
Obion County is in deer Unit 1. Three antlerless a day is the cap across Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun hunts, with no antlerless deer in the August hunt.
Are hunts on C.M. Gooch WMA drawn by quota?
Yes, certain hunts are by quota, with permits drawn through TWRA ahead of the season.
What is the deadline to check in big game?
Big game must be checked in the same day, by midnight, through TWRA On The Go, online or at a station, and before leaving the state.
Is C.M. Gooch WMA in a CWD county?
CWD rules apply: Obion County is in the zone, so baiting is banned and carcass movement is limited.
Where do I take a deer from C.M. Gooch WMA for processing?
Nearby processors on our list: Brown's Meat Plant. Call to confirm they are taking deer, as many run seasonally.
Are there other WMAs near C.M. Gooch WMA?
On the map, the closest are Three Rivers WMA (about 4 miles), Hop-In Refuge (about 8 miles) and Obion River WMA (about 11 miles).
Before you hunt C.M. Gooch WMA
Read the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the C.M. Gooch WMA listing before each trip; dates and limits change yearly.