Home › Tennessee › Public land › Old Hickory WMA
WMA · Middle Tennessee
Old Hickory WMA
6,000 acres of wildlife management area in Wilson County, Trousdale County and Sumner County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: User:JeremyA (CC BY-SA 2.5)
What to know about Old Hickory WMA
About 6,000 huntable acres in narrow strips along Old Hickory Lake; only about 1,000 acres are reachable by land and the rest mostly by boat. Sub-impoundments close before duck season.
Hunters come to Old Hickory WMA for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Certain hunts require a quota permit from a TWRA draw held before the season. Deer rules follow Unit 3 because the area is mainly in Wilson County.
The managing agency’s page for Old Hickory WMA carries the map, dates and permit details.
What to pack for Old Hickory WMA
Four items worth checking before this hunt, from the deer rifle hunting list.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Old Hickory WMA seasons and rules for 2026-27
Listed species and the 2026-27 statewide seasons, followed by county-level rules.
Deer
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Turkey
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Waterfowl
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Dove
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Small game
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Covers squirrel, rabbit and other small game where the area allows them. The area listing can cut that window down.
Deer limits in Unit 3
Antlerless deer: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none in the August hunt. Bucks: 1 per day and 2 per season under statewide rules.
Blaze orange rule
Outside archery-only and turkey hunts, big game hunters need 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the head and upper body.
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.
In season at Old Hickory WMA today
No bear zone covers Wilson County. Wilson 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 12, 2026.
Old Hickory WMA map and neighboring areas
Look for the orange marker for Old Hickory WMA, an approximate center drawn from the TWRA hunting map. Gold points show the other public land within about 70 miles. For supplies, the nearest towns are Carthage (14 mi), Lebanon (16 mi), Gallatin (18 mi).
Old Hickory Lake Lock 5 Refuge
Wilson County and Trousdale County, about 7 miles from here in a straight line. About 900 acres.
Cordell Hull WMA
Jackson County and Smith County, about 20 miles from here in a straight line. About 25,000 acres.
Cedars of Lebanon State Natural Area
Wilson County, about 24 miles from here in a straight line. About 2,690 acres.
Cedars of Lebanon State Forest
Wilson County, about 24 miles from here in a straight line. About 5,329 acres.
Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge
Jackson County, about 25 miles from here in a straight line. About 600 acres.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Old Hickory WMA
Listings from Wilson County, Trousdale County and Sumner County and the counties that border it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Old Hickory WMA area deer harvest by county
These are whole-county totals, not harvest from this area by itself. Of 95 counties, Wilson ranks #6 for reported deer.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | 2,862 | 3,007 | 3,030 | #6 of 95 |
| Trousdale County | 760 | 762 | 761 | #83 of 95 |
| Sumner County | 3,509 | 3,824 | 3,753 | #1 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Hunting Old Hickory WMA: questions
How do I find Old Hickory WMA?
The area is in Middle Tennessee, in Wilson County, Trousdale County and Sumner County. Maps and access points are on the official area page.
How big is Old Hickory WMA?
The managing agency gives 6,000 acres as its size.
What game is open on Old Hickory WMA?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. The area sets its own dates for each, sometimes tighter than the statewide ones.
Do I need a special permit for Old Hickory WMA?
TWRA requires a WMA permit, or the annual sportsman license that includes it, for hunters 16 to 64, on top of the licenses for the game hunted. A few areas and the federal refuges add separate permits.
Is Old Hickory WMA a quota hunt area?
Yes. Some hunts here are quota hunts, and permits are drawn through TWRA before the season.
What deer unit covers Old Hickory WMA?
Deer limits come from Unit 3, which covers Wilson County. 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.
Can I bait or move whole carcasses from Old Hickory WMA?
As of 2026-27, Wilson County is not a CWD county and is not in the Management Zone.
What public hunting land is close to Old Hickory WMA?
Nearest on this site: Old Hickory Lake Lock 5 Refuge (about 7 miles), Cordell Hull WMA (about 20 miles) and Cedars of Lebanon State Natural Area (about 24 miles).
Is there a deer processor near Old Hickory WMA?
Processors listed nearby include Country Boy Trades, WSB Outdoors and PawPaw's Place. Hours shift with the season, so call before heading in.
How do I check in a deer or turkey?
By midnight on the day it is taken, using the TWRA On The Go app, the website or a check station, and always before it leaves Tennessee.
Plan a hunt on Old Hickory WMA
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Old Hickory WMA listing before you go.