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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Hiwassee Refuge
6,000 acres of wildlife management area in Meigs County and Rhea County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: TimothyJ (CC BY 2.0)
Hunting on Hiwassee Refuge
About 2,500 acres of land and 3,500 acres of water where the Hiwassee River meets Chickamauga Lake, including Hiwassee Island. Closed to all use Nov. 15 through February except the viewing area; deer hunts are by quota and nontoxic shot is required for small game.
Hunters come to Hiwassee Refuge for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Some seasons are quota hunts, so apply in the TWRA draw beforehand. Deer rules follow Unit 5 because the area is mainly in Meigs County.
Before going, open the agency page for this area, which lists dates, permits and the map.
Packing list for Hiwassee Refuge
Start with these from the deer rifle hunting list.
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What is open on Hiwassee Refuge in 2026-27
Species open on this ground, their statewide windows, and the local deer and county 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. Applies to squirrel, rabbit and any other small game this area opens. The area listing can cut that window down.
Unit 5 bag limits
Archery hunters may take 4 antlerless deer, the muzzleloader and straight-wall week allows 2, gun season 2, and Young Sportsman 2 across its four days. The August hunt allows none, and changing counties inside the unit does not add more. 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 Hiwassee Refuge
Meigs County sits outside every bear zone. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Meigs 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.
Hiwassee Refuge on the map
Orange marks Hiwassee Refuge, set at the rough center taken from the TWRA hunting map. Public hunting areas within about 70 miles are marked in gold. Closest towns: Dayton (7 mi), Cleveland (17 mi), Pikeville (19 mi).
Chickamauga WMA
Bradley County and Rhea County, about 10 miles from here in a straight line. Covers 4,000 acres.
North Chickamauga Creek WMA
Sequatchie County and Hamilton County, about 23 miles from here in a straight line. Covers 5,400 acres.
Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA
Bradley County and Polk County, about 24 miles from here in a straight line. Covers 495 acres.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Bledsoe County and Van Buren County, about 26 miles from here in a straight line. Covers 20,000 acres.
Businesses that serve Hiwassee Refuge hunters
Each one is in Meigs County and Rhea 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 Hiwassee Refuge area
Read these as county numbers, since the area’s own harvest is not reported separately. By reported deer harvest, Meigs County places #55 among 95 counties.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meigs County | 1,348 | 1,471 | 1,394 | #55 of 95 |
| Rhea County | 2,009 | 2,001 | 1,921 | #30 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 Hiwassee Refuge
How large is Hiwassee Refuge?
The agency lists it at roughly 6,000 acres.
What county is Hiwassee Refuge in?
It lies in Meigs County and Rhea County, which TWRA counts as Plateau Tennessee. See the official listing for maps and entry points.
What animals can you hunt on Hiwassee Refuge?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game are listed. Follow the area's own dates, which may be narrower than statewide.
How many deer can I take on Hiwassee Refuge?
Unit 5, because the area is mainly in Meigs County. Gun season allows 2 antlerless deer, muzzleloader and straight-wall week 2, archery 4 and the four Young Sportsman days 2 combined. No antlerless deer may be taken in the August hunt, and hunting a second county in the unit does not add to the total.
What permit do I need for Hiwassee Refuge?
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 Hiwassee Refuge?
Try Chickamauga WMA (about 10 miles), Yuchi Refuge (about 14 miles) and Harp WMA (about 19 miles).
Are there quota hunts on Hiwassee Refuge?
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 Hiwassee Refuge in the CWD zone?
Not for 2026-27: Meigs County is outside the CWD Management Zone and not CWD-positive.
Where can I drop off a deer near Hiwassee Refuge?
Close options include Watts Bar Wildlife Artistry, Sale Creek Deer Processing and Ross Custom Slaughtering. Many open only during deer season, so call first.
Get ready for Hiwassee Refuge
Before you hunt, compare the 2026-27 TWRA guide with the Hiwassee Refuge listing. Both change from season to season.