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National Wildlife Refuge · West Tennessee
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
26,997 acres of national wildlife refuge in Lauderdale County and Dyer County. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Photo: Photo by Richard Hines (Public domain)
Hunting on Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Largest bottomland hardwood forest in Tennessee, in the Mississippi River floodplain in Lauderdale County. Waterfowl hunting follows state dates but ends at noon, spring turkey hunts are three-day quota hunts, and deer has archery, muzzleloader, gun and youth seasons.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge is listed for deer, turkey and waterfowl. Some hunts here are by quota permit, drawn in advance through TWRA. The main county is Lauderdale County, which sits in deer Unit 1. Lauderdale County is a CWD-positive county, so carcass and baiting rules apply.
Official Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Gear for hunting Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
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Blaze orange vest
Not needed on archery-only hunts, but Tennessee requires 500 sq in of orange or pink when an archery-only deer season overlaps a big game gun season such as bear, and during combined muzzleloader or gun seasons.
Blaze orange hat
The 500 sq in orange or pink requirement covers the head as well as the upper body, so a hat is part of meeting the rule.
Full-body safety harness
Tree stand falls cause many serious hunting injuries; a full-body harness worn from the ground up keeps a slip from becoming a fall.
Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge seasons and rules for 2026-27
What can be hunted here under the current guide, and the county rules that come with it.
Deer
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Turkey
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Waterfowl
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Deer limits in Unit 1
3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
CWD rules for Lauderdale County
Whole carcasses may not leave the CWD Management Zone, and baiting and feeding are banned in these counties. Earn-A-Buck applies in CWD-positive counties.
Blaze orange
Big game hunters wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head, except during archery-only and turkey hunts.
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.
What you can hunt in Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Lauderdale County, with what is open today marked. Tennessee hunting laws covers legal weapons, baiting, trespass and what you cannot hunt.
- Deer: August (archery only, velvet)Aug 28 to Aug 30, 2026
- Deer: ArcherySep 26 to Oct 30, 2026
- Deer: ArcheryNov 2 to Nov 6, 2026
- Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026
- Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Jan 9 to Jan 10, 2027
- Deer: Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 7 to Nov 20, 2026
- Deer: Straight-wall cartridge rifle (new)Nov 14 to Nov 20, 2026
- Deer: Gun/Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
- Turkey: Spring Young SportsmanMar 27 to Mar 28, 2027
- Turkey: Spring general seasonApr 3 to May 16, 2027
- Ducks: Wood duck & teal (September)Sep 12 to Sep 16, 2026
- Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027
- Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 6, 2027
- Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 13, 2027
- Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 7, 2027
- Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 14, 2027
- Canada goose: SeptemberSep 1 to Sep 20, 2026
- Canada goose: OctoberOct 10 to Oct 22, 2026
- Canada goose: Regular (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- Canada goose: Regular (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- White-fronted goose: RegularNov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
- White-fronted goose: RegularDec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Brant: All segmentsSep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Light geese: Regular (same splits as Canada goose)Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
- Light geese: Conservation orderFeb 15 to Mar 31, 2027
- Dove: Segment 1Sep 1 to Sep 28, 2026
- Dove: Segment 2Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026
- Dove: Segment 3Dec 8, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027
- Woodcock: Segment 1Nov 14 to Dec 6, 2026
- Woodcock: Segment 2Jan 10 to Jan 31, 2027
- Snipe: SeasonNov 14, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Rails (virginia, sora): SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
- Gallinule and moorhen: SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
- Crow: SegmentSep 1 to Sep 7, 2026
- Crow: SegmentSep 11 to Dec 20, 2026
- Crow: SegmentJan 1 to Feb 28, 2027
- Crow: SegmentJun 11 to Jul 11, 2027
- Squirrel: Fall/winterAug 22, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Squirrel: SpringMay 8 to Jun 13, 2027
- Rabbit: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Quail: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Grouse: SeasonOct 10, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Raccoon: Private landsYear-round Year-round
- Raccoon: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Opossum: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
- Coyote: DaytimeYear-round Year-round
- Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jan 16 to Mar 14, 2027
- Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jun 5 to Aug 8, 2027
- Bobcat: Private landsSep 26 to Nov 19, 2026
- Bobcat: SeasonNov 20, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
- Feral hog: Private land controlYear-round Year-round
From the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMAs can set shorter dates; check the area listing.
Map of Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge and nearby public land
The orange marker is Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge (approximate center from the TWRA hunting map). Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. Nearest towns: Covington (19 mi), Dyersburg (21 mi), Brownsville (29 mi).
Sunk Lake State Natural Area (North Unit)
About 9 miles away (straight line) in Lauderdale County.
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
About 16 miles away (straight line) in Lauderdale County and Tipton County.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Businesses in Lauderdale County and Dyer County and the neighboring counties.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Deer harvest in the counties around Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
County totals, not numbers from this area alone.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauderdale County | 1,274 | 1,375 | 1,290 | #59 of 95 |
| Dyer County | 976 | 934 | 874 | #80 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge questions
Where is Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge is in Lauderdale County and Dyer County, in TWRA's West Tennessee region. The official area page has maps and access points: TWRA listing.
How big is Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge covers about 26,997 acres, the figure on the managing agency's page.
What can I hunt on Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
The area is listed for deer, turkey and waterfowl. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.
Do I need a WMA permit to hunt Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Check that agency's page for any area permit, and carry a valid Tennessee license.
Are there quota hunts on Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. Some hunts here are quota hunts, and permits are drawn through TWRA before the season.
Which deer unit is Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge in?
Lauderdale County is in deer Unit 1. Antlerless limits follow that unit: 3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt.
Is Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge in a CWD county?
Yes. Lauderdale County is CWD-positive, so carcass transport limits and the baiting ban apply.
What other public land is near Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
The closest listed areas are Moss Island WMA (about 8 miles), Sunk Lake State Natural Area (North Unit) (about 9 miles) and Ernest Rice WMA (about 13 miles).
Where can I get a deer processed near Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge?
Processors listed nearby include Hargett's Meat Processing, Ty's Deer Processing and Circle L Butcher Barn. Call ahead, since many work only in season.
When must I check in a deer or turkey?
Check in big game by midnight on the day of harvest through the TWRA On The Go app, online or at a check station, and before the animal leaves the state.
Plan a hunt on Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge listing before you go.