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Plateau Tennessee
Hunting Near Carthage, TN
WMAs and other public ground sorted by distance from Carthage, plus 2026-27 dates, limits and nearby processors.
Photo: mrksteele04 (Public domain)
WMAs and public ground near Carthage
The closest listed public hunting area to Carthage is Cordell Hull WMA, about 9 miles away. Together, the areas within 30 miles cover about 49,838 acres. Cordell Hull WMA is the biggest nearby tract, 25,000 acres at roughly 9 miles. The table uses direct-line miles; roads add distance.
| Area | Distance | Type | Acres | Species | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordell Hull WMA | 9 mi | WMA | 25,000 | deer, turkey, small game | Jackson, Smith |
| Long Branch PHA | 12 mi | Public area | n/a | deer, turkey, small game | DeKalb |
| Old Hickory WMA | 14 mi | WMA | 6,000 | deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, small game | Wilson, Trousdale |
| Edgar Evins State Park | 16 mi | WMA | 6,000 | deer, turkey, small game | DeKalb |
| Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge | 16 mi | WMA | 600 | deer, turkey, small game | Jackson |
| Old Hickory Lake Lock 5 Refuge | 17 mi | WMA | 900 | deer, turkey, small game | Wilson, Trousdale |
| Blackburn Fork WMA | 22 mi | WMA | 600 | deer, turkey, small game | Jackson |
| The Boils WMA | 22 mi | WMA | 119 | deer, turkey, small game | Jackson |
| Pea Ridge WMA | 24 mi | WMA | 2,000 | deer, turkey, small game | DeKalb, Cannon |
| Cedars of Lebanon State Forest | 25 mi | State Forest | 5,329 | deer, turkey, small game | Wilson |
| Cedars of Lebanon State Natural Area | 27 mi | State Natural Area | 2,690 | deer, turkey, small game | Wilson |
| Hampton Crossroads PHA | 29 mi | Public area | n/a | deer, turkey, small game | White |
| Headwaters WMA | 29 mi | WMA | 600 | deer, turkey, small game | Cannon |
| Anderson Pond PHA | 29 mi | Public area | n/a | deer, turkey, small game | White |
Before you head to near Carthage
Four items from the deer rifle hunting checklist.
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Top picks close to Carthage
The four nearest public areas on the list, with links to each area’s seasons, map and rules.
Carthage season dates and limits
How many deer near Carthage
TWRA puts Smith County in Unit 3. You can take 3 antlerless deer per day in every season here except the August hunt, which is antlered only.
CWD and baiting, Smith County
Not CWD-positive and outside the management zone. Baiting on private land needs the Deer Bait Privilege License.
Before you buy a license
The $165 Annual Sportsman license covers residents 16 to 64 for every season and includes WMA permits. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 needs hunter education.
Statewide dates from the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 12, 2026.
What you can hunt in Smith County near Carthage right now
Smith County sits outside every bear zone. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Smith 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.
Legal shooting light in Carthage this week
You can shoot big and small game from 30 minutes ahead of sunrise until 30 minutes past sunset.
Calculated for Carthage in Central time.
Carthage processors and taxidermists
Shops in Smith County are listed first.
Where to shoot near Carthage
Nearest listed ranges with straight-line miles from the town center.
Sporting clays · trap · skeet · 5-stand. Call ahead about access.
Rifle · pistol · trap · long range rifle. Members and their guests.
Hunting near Carthage questions
Is Smith County good for deer?
Hunters reported 2,318 deer in Smith County in 2025-26, 15th of 95 counties.
Where is the closest public hunting land to Carthage?
Cordell Hull WMA tops the list at 9 straight-line miles.
How many WMAs are within 30 miles of Carthage?
There are 14 inside 30 miles and 14 inside 75.
What county do I check for Carthage?
Smith County covers Carthage. Smith County hunting has harvest numbers and county rules.
How many antlerless deer can I take near Carthage?
For 2026-27, Smith County and Carthage fall in Unit 3.
When can I bow hunt near Carthage?
The first archery day is Sep 26, 2026 and the gun season covers Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Does Smith County have fall turkey?
Yes, Smith County is open: bow during deer archery, shotgun Oct 17 to 30, one male bird.
Where can I drop off a deer near Carthage?
Options include Mink's Deer Processing, Flat Rock Processing and PawPaw's Place.
Does the Sportsman license cover WMAs?
It is required between ages 16 and 64; Sportsman license holders are covered.
Next steps from Carthage
Other towns in the area: Hunting near Lebanon, Hunting near Cookeville, Hunting near Gallatin.
Other photos on this page: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0); Brian Stansberry (CC BY 2.5); User:JeremyA (CC BY-SA 2.5); US Forest Service – Southern Region (Public domain).