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Plateau Tennessee
Hunting Near Athens, TN
A starting point for hunting out of Athens: public areas within 75 miles, season dates and nearby services.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Where to hunt public land from Athens
Nearest on the list: Yuchi Refuge, around 14 miles out. The 14 areas within 30 miles add up to about 27,531 acres. The largest area on this list is Tellico Lake WMA at 8,000 acres, 29 miles away. Driving distance will be more than the straight-line miles shown.
| Area | Distance | Type | Acres | Species | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuchi Refuge | 14 mi | WMA | 2,634 | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Rhea |
| Chickamauga WMA | 17 mi | WMA | 4,000 | deer · turkey · waterfowl · small game | Bradley, Rhea |
| South Cherokee National Forest & WMA | 21 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Monroe, Polk |
| Hiwassee Refuge | 21 mi | WMA | 6,000 | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Meigs, Rhea |
| Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 23 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Polk, Monroe |
| Paint Rock Refuge | 23 mi | WMA | 1,600 | deer · turkey · small game | Roane |
| Whites Creek PHA | 24 mi | Public area | n/a | deer · turkey · small game | Rhea, Roane |
| Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA | 25 mi | WMA | 495 | deer · turkey · small game | Bradley, Polk |
| Watts Bar WMA | 26 mi | WMA | 3,880 | deer · turkey · waterfowl · small game | Roane, Rhea |
| Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 27 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Monroe |
| McGlothin-Largen WMA | 27 mi | WMA | 112 | deer · turkey · waterfowl · dove · small game | Roane |
| Tellico Lake WMA | 29 mi | WMA | 8,000 | deer · turkey · dove · small game · bear | Monroe, Loudon |
| Kyker Bottoms Refuge | 29 mi | WMA | 525 | deer · turkey · small game · hogs | Blount |
| Harp WMA | 30 mi | WMA | 285 | deer · turkey · small game | Bledsoe |
What to pack for near Athens
Four items worth checking before this hunt, from the deer rifle hunting list.
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Athens: nearest public areas
Area pages list the species, quota hunts and access notes for each.
Hunting seasons near Athens for 2026-27
Antlerless limits near Athens
Unit 5 covers McMinn County. Units 4 to 6 cap antlerless deer by season: 2 youth, 4 archery, 2 muzzleloader and straight-wall, 2 gun. The August hunt has no antlerless harvest.
CWD status for McMinn County
Neither positive nor in the zone. You may bait private ground if you buy the bait license.
What license you need
A resident Annual Sportsman license costs $165 and includes WMA permits for ages 16 to 64. Proof of hunter education is needed for anyone born from Jan. 1, 1969 on.
Statewide dates from the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 12, 2026.
In season at McMinn County near Athens today
McMinn County is in bear hunting zone BHZ3 and Transitional. Private land baiting is allowed in McMinn County with the bait 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
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 12, 2026.
When you can shoot near Athens
Big and small game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Calculated for Athens in Eastern time.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Athens
McMinn County businesses lead, followed by bordering counties.
Athens area shooting ranges
These are the nearest listed ranges to Athens.
Pistol, rifle, skeet, trap, archery on site; members only.
Rifle and pistol on site; open to the public.
Sporting clays on site; open to the public.
Common questions from Athens hunters
What permit do WMAs need?
A WMA permit is required for ages 16 to 64 unless your license is the Annual Sportsman.
Where do I get a deer cut up near Athens?
Processors near town: Creekside Custom Butchering, Watts Bar Wildlife Artistry and D & C Morgan's Meat Processing.
Where can I hunt public land near Athens?
The nearest is Yuchi Refuge at about 14 miles.
How many deer are killed around Athens?
In 2025-26, 1,810 deer, which put McMinn County 35th in Tennessee.
Which county is Athens part of?
Athens sits in McMinn County. McMinn County hunting shows harvest by season and county rules.
How many public hunting areas are near Athens?
14 listed areas are within 30 miles of Athens, and 14 within 75 miles.
What are deer season dates near Athens?
Statewide dates: archery from Sep 26, 2026, gun Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Which deer unit covers Athens?
It is Unit 5 for 2026-27; antlerless limits follow the unit.
Is fall turkey open around Athens?
Open for fall: one male turkey, archery or shotgun Oct 17 to 30.
Plan a hunt from Athens
Neighboring towns: Hunting near Tellico Plains, Hunting near Benton, Hunting near Dayton.
Other photos on this page: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN (Public domain); US Forest Service – Southern Region (Public domain); Missvain (CC BY 4.0); Mason Brock (Masebrock) (Public domain).