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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Yuchi Refuge
A 2,634-acre wildlife management area in Rhea County. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages it.
Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN (Public domain)
Getting to Yuchi Refuge
Parking, trailheads and gates near Yuchi Refuge
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Yuchi Refuge overview
Riverfront, wetland and upland forest at Smith Bend on the Tennessee River in Rhea County. Deer hunts are by quota with a 9-point or 15-inch antler restriction; the Wetland Zone closes Nov. 15 through February.
The area listing names 5 kinds of game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. A TWRA quota draw decides who hunts some of the seasons here. Most of it lies in Rhea County, part of deer Unit 5.
Read the official Yuchi Refuge listing for its map, current dates and any permits.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Yuchi Refuge
Seasons and limits at Yuchi Refuge
The game listed for this area, with 2026-27 statewide dates and the county rules that apply.
Deer
The 2026-27 statewide window is Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Turkey
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Waterfowl
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Dove
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Small game
The 2026-27 statewide window is Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel, rabbit and similar small game count here when the area allows them. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Deer bag, Unit 5
Antlerless limits: Young Sportsman 2 total over its four days, archery 4, muzzleloader plus straight-wall week 2, gun 2, and none in the August hunt. Moving to another county in the unit does not raise the limit. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Wearing orange
Fluorescent orange or pink, 500 square inches on the head and upper body, is required for big game except in archery-only and turkey seasons.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 28, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
What you can hunt in Yuchi Refuge right now
Rhea County has no bear season. Rhea County is open to licensed baiting on private land.
- 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 28, 2026.
Map of Yuchi Refuge and nearby public land
Yuchi Refuge shows as the orange marker, placed at its approximate center from the TWRA hunting map. In gold are the other public areas no more than about 70 miles away. Nearest towns: Dayton (11 mi), Athens (14 mi), Pikeville (21 mi).
Chickamauga WMA
About 18 miles away (straight line) in Bradley County and Rhea County. 4,000 acres.
Mount Roosevelt WMA
About 23 miles away (straight line) in Roane County and Cumberland County. 11,000 acres.
Where to process, mount and resupply near Yuchi Refuge
Drawn from Rhea County plus the next counties over.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Recent deer harvest near Yuchi Refuge
Numbers are for each county as a whole rather than this tract. Rhea County ranks #30 of 95 counties for reported deer harvest.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Yuchi Refuge questions
Where is Yuchi Refuge?
Yuchi Refuge is in Rhea County, in TWRA's Plateau Tennessee region. The agency page shows the map and where to get in.
Is a WMA permit required on Yuchi Refuge?
Yes, if you are 16 to 64: a WMA permit or an annual sportsman license, plus the hunting licenses for your game. Some areas and federal refuges require more.
What is huntable at Yuchi Refuge?
Listed game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Expect area dates that can trim the statewide seasons.
Is there a draw for hunting Yuchi Refuge?
Some are. TWRA draws quota permits for those hunts before the season opens.
What is the size of Yuchi Refuge?
About 2,634 acres, according to the managing agency.
Do CWD rules apply on Yuchi Refuge?
No. For 2026-27, Rhea County is neither CWD-positive nor in the Management Zone.
What are the deer limits on Yuchi Refuge?
It follows Unit 5, the deer unit for Rhea County. The antlerless bag here is set per season: 4 in archery, 2 in muzzleloader and straight-wall week, 2 in gun, 2 total for Young Sportsman, and 0 in the August hunt. Limits do not reset when you hunt another county in the same unit.
Which processors are close to Yuchi Refuge?
Try Watts Bar Wildlife Artistry, Ross Custom Slaughtering and Sale Creek Deer Processing. Call ahead, since many work only in season.
Where else can I hunt near Yuchi Refuge?
Closest public areas by straight line: Hiwassee Refuge (about 14 miles), Harp WMA (about 15 miles) and Whites Creek PHA (about 16 miles).
How soon do I have to check in my deer?
Use the TWRA On The Go app, the online system or a check station. The deadline is midnight on the harvest day, and it must happen before the animal crosses the state line.
Planning a trip to Yuchi Refuge
Area rules and limits are revised each year, so confirm them in the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing.