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TVA Lands Open to Hunting in Tennessee
Undeveloped TVA shoreline land on 19 Tennessee reservoirs is open to hunting under statewide seasons.
No TVA permit; a Tennessee license and TWRA statewide seasons apply. Hunting is allowed unless posted, but not on dam or power plant reservations, substations, campgrounds or day-use areas; boundaries are marked with orange paint and small metal signs.
| Reservoir | Counties | Region | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Reservoir | Sullivan, Washington | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Cherokee Reservoir | Hawkins, Grainger, Hamblen | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Chickamauga Reservoir | Hamilton, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn | Plateau | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Douglas Reservoir | Jefferson, Sevier | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Fort Loudoun Reservoir | Blount, Loudon, Knox | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir | Sullivan | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Guntersville Reservoir (Tennessee portion) | Marion | Plateau | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Kentucky Reservoir (Tennessee portion) | Benton, Perry, Henry, Decatur | West | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Melton Hill Reservoir | Anderson, Knox, Loudon | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Nickajack Reservoir | Marion | Plateau | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Nolichucky Reservoir | Greene | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Normandy Reservoir | Coffee | Middle | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Norris Reservoir | Campbell, Union, Claiborne, Grainger | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Pickwick Reservoir (Tennessee portion) | Hardin | West | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| South Holston Reservoir | Sullivan | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Tellico Reservoir | Monroe, Loudon | Plateau | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Tims Ford Reservoir | Franklin, Moore | Middle | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Watauga Reservoir | Johnson, Carter | East | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
| Watts Bar Reservoir | Roane, Rhea, Meigs | Plateau | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game |
From TVA’s land use maps and hunting rules and the TWRA guide, checked October 9, 2026. TVA dam reservations and posted tracts are closed. TVA hunting rules.
What TVA hunting land looks like
Boone Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Boone Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Cherokee Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Cherokee Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Chickamauga Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Chickamauga Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. Chickamauga WMA units and Hiwassee Refuge cover other tracts on this reservoir. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Douglas Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Douglas Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Fort Loudoun Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Fort Loudoun Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. TVA land on the river between miles 638.5 and 649.5 is Fort Loudoun WMA, which is waterfowl-only on set days. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir Lands
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Guntersville Reservoir Lands (Tennessee portion)
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Guntersville Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. Only the small Tennessee part in Marion County is included; TVA also maps a bow-hunting-only reservation on this reservoir. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
Kentucky Reservoir Lands (Tennessee portion)
Undeveloped TVA shoreline tracts mapped as dispersed recreation land on Kentucky Reservoir, some of them islands or tracts without road access that need a boat. Only the Tennessee part is included; Land Between the Lakes and Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge on the same lake have their own permits. The point falls on one of the tracts; use TVA's Undeveloped Recreation map to find the others.
TVA land hunting questions
Can you hunt on TVA land in Tennessee?
Yes, on undeveloped TVA land not posted closed, with a Tennessee license and statewide seasons.
Do I need a TVA permit?
No separate TVA permit is required for hunting on open TVA land.
Can I hunt near a TVA dam?
No. Dam reservations are closed to hunting.
Are some TVA lands managed as WMAs?
Yes. Many TVA tracts are part of TWRA wildlife management areas with their own rules; see the WMA list.
Can I leave a tree stand on TVA land?
Check TVA rules; permanent stands and damaging trees are not allowed.
How do I reach island tracts?
By boat. Many tracts have no road access.
Are TVA lands open to waterfowl hunting?
Yes, during statewide waterfowl seasons, outside posted refuges.
Where are the maps?
TVA publishes reservoir land plans and maps on its website.