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WMA · Middle Tennessee
Cheatham WMA
In Cheatham County, 20,810 acres of public ground managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) as a wildlife management area.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Hunting on Cheatham WMA
Upland hardwood forest with pine, fields and food plots, with a check station off Hwy 250. Deer gun and muzzleloader hunts are by quota, with a 4-point or 15-inch antler restriction.
The TWRA listing for Cheatham WMA covers deer, turkey and small game. Some seasons are quota hunts, so apply in the TWRA draw beforehand. Its primary county, Cheatham, is in deer Unit 2.
Before going, open the agency page for this area, which lists dates, permits and the map.
Packing list for Cheatham WMA
Start with these from the deer rifle hunting list.
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What is open on Cheatham WMA in 2026-27
Species open on this ground, their statewide windows, and the local deer and county rules.
Deer
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Turkey
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Small game
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Applies to squirrel, rabbit and any other small game this area opens. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Unit 2 bag limits
Hunters in this unit get 3 antlerless deer per day in all regular seasons (Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun), but zero in the August hunt. Statewide, hunters may take 2 antlered deer a season and 1 a day.
Blaze orange
The law calls for 500 square inches of blaze orange or fluorescent pink, worn on the upper body and head, for big game. Turkey and archery-only hunts are the exceptions.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Open seasons for Cheatham WMA
No bear zone covers Cheatham County. Cheatham County allows deer bait on private land with a Deer Bait Privilege License.
- 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 9, 2026.
Cheatham WMA on the map
Orange marks Cheatham WMA, set at the rough center taken from the TWRA hunting map. Public hunting areas within about 70 miles are marked in gold. Closest towns: Nashville (17 mi), Dickson (18 mi), Springfield (24 mi).
Cheatham Lake WMA
Lies in Cheatham County and Dickson County, around 6 miles away by straight line. Covers 5,152 acres.
Shelton Ferry WMA
Lies in Montgomery County, around 17 miles away by straight line. Covers 628 acres.
Cedar Hill Swamp WMA
Lies in Robertson County, around 25 miles away by straight line. Covers 200 acres.
Haynes Bottom WMA
Lies in Montgomery County, around 28 miles away by straight line. Covers 971 acres.
Long Hunter State Park
Lies in Davidson County and Rutherford County, around 31 miles away by straight line.
Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area
Lies in Rutherford County, around 32 miles away by straight line. Covers 185 acres.
Businesses that serve Cheatham WMA hunters
Each one is in Cheatham County or a county next to it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
How many deer come out of the Cheatham WMA area
Read these as county numbers, since the area’s own harvest is not reported separately. By reported deer harvest, Cheatham County places #68 among 95 counties.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham County | 1,308 | 1,575 | 1,163 | #68 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Questions about Cheatham WMA
How large is Cheatham WMA?
The agency lists it at roughly 20,810 acres.
What county is Cheatham WMA in?
It lies in Cheatham County, which TWRA counts as Middle Tennessee. See the official listing for maps and entry points.
What animals can you hunt on Cheatham WMA?
Deer, turkey and small game are listed. Follow the area's own dates, which may be narrower than statewide.
How many deer can I take on Cheatham WMA?
Unit 2, because the area is mainly in Cheatham County. In this unit the antlerless limit is 3 a day for Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall and gun seasons; the August hunt takes none.
What permit do I need for Cheatham WMA?
Anyone 16 through 64 hunting a TWRA wildlife management area needs a WMA permit (or an annual sportsman license) in addition to the hunting licenses. Federal refuges and certain areas set extra permits.
Which public areas are closest to Cheatham WMA?
Try Cheatham Lake WMA (about 6 miles), Shelton Ferry WMA (about 17 miles) and Cedar Hill Swamp WMA (about 25 miles).
Are there quota hunts on Cheatham WMA?
Yes. Apply in the TWRA quota draw before the season for the hunts that need it.
Where do I check in a deer or turkey?
Deer and turkey are checked in by midnight of the day of harvest, before they leave the state, by app (TWRA On The Go), online or at a check station.
Is Cheatham WMA in the CWD zone?
Not for 2026-27: Cheatham County is outside the CWD Management Zone and not CWD-positive.
Where can I drop off a deer near Cheatham WMA?
Close options include Flowers' Deer Processing and C & F Meat Co.. Many open only during deer season, so call first.
Get ready for Cheatham WMA
Before you hunt, compare the 2026-27 TWRA guide with the Cheatham WMA listing. Both change from season to season.