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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Cordell Hull WMA
Wildlife management area covering 25,000 acres in Jackson County and Smith County, run by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Andrew Neel andrewtneel (CC0)
Hunting on Cordell Hull WMA
Corps of Engineers land along Cordell Hull Lake in Smith and Jackson counties. Closed to quail; the Defeated Creek Unit is archery-only for deer, and one zone is for wheelchair-bound hunters only.
Game listed here: deer, turkey and small game. The area is chiefly in Jackson County, which TWRA places in deer Unit 3.
Before going, open the agency page for this area, which lists dates, permits and the map.
Packing list for Cordell Hull WMA
Start with these from the deer rifle hunting list.
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What is open on Cordell Hull WMA in 2026-27
Species open on this ground, their statewide windows, and the local deer and county rules.
Deer
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Turkey
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Small game
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Applies to squirrel, rabbit and any other small game this area opens. Check whether the area shortens it.
Unit 3 bag limits
The daily antlerless bag is 3 in every season from Young Sportsman through gun, straight-wall rifle included. The August hunt allows no antlerless deer. 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 12, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Open seasons for Cordell Hull WMA
No bear zone covers Jackson County. Jackson 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.
Cordell Hull WMA on the map
Orange marks Cordell Hull 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: Carthage (9 mi), Cookeville (19 mi), Celina (23 mi).
Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 7 miles; it is in Jackson County. Covers 600 acres.
The Boils WMA
Straight-line distance is about 13 miles; it is in Jackson County. Covers 119 acres.
Blackburn Fork WMA
Straight-line distance is about 13 miles; it is in Jackson County. Covers 600 acres.
Edgar Evins State Park
Straight-line distance is about 19 miles; it is in DeKalb County. Covers 6,000 acres.
Old Hickory WMA
Straight-line distance is about 20 miles; it is in Wilson County and Trousdale County. Covers 6,000 acres.
Businesses that serve Cordell Hull WMA hunters
Each one is in Jackson County and Smith 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 Cordell Hull WMA area
Read these as county numbers, since the area’s own harvest is not reported separately. By reported deer harvest, Jackson County places #21 among 95 counties.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 1,720 | 2,542 | 2,167 | #21 of 95 |
| Smith County | 2,310 | 2,450 | 2,318 | #15 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 Cordell Hull WMA
How large is Cordell Hull WMA?
The agency lists it at roughly 25,000 acres.
What county is Cordell Hull WMA in?
It lies in Jackson County and Smith County, which TWRA counts as Plateau Tennessee. See the official listing for maps and entry points.
What animals can you hunt on Cordell Hull 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 Cordell Hull WMA?
Unit 3, because the area is mainly in Jackson County. Antlerless deer: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none in the August hunt.
What permit do I need for Cordell Hull 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 Cordell Hull WMA?
Try Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge (about 7 miles), The Boils WMA (about 13 miles) and Blackburn Fork WMA (about 13 miles).
Are there quota hunts on Cordell Hull WMA?
No quota hunts are listed for this area in the current guide. Check the area listing each year, since that can change.
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 Cordell Hull WMA in the CWD zone?
Not for 2026-27: Jackson County is outside the CWD Management Zone and not CWD-positive.
Where can I drop off a deer near Cordell Hull WMA?
Close options include Mink's Deer Processing, Whitleyville Station and Flat Rock Processing. Many open only during deer season, so call first.
Get ready for Cordell Hull WMA
Before you hunt, compare the 2026-27 TWRA guide with the Cordell Hull WMA listing. Both change from season to season.