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WMA · West Tennessee
Bean Switch Refuge
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages this 572-acre wildlife management area in Weakley County.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Getting to Bean Switch Refuge
Parking, trailheads and gates near Bean Switch Refuge
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 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.
About Bean Switch Refuge
TWRA refuge of bottomland hardwoods, cypress-willow swamp and cropland in Weakley County. Closed to all use Nov. 15 through the last day of February; closed to dove, waterfowl and fall turkey hunting.
Bean Switch Refuge is open for deer, turkey and small game under its listing. The main county is Weakley County, which sits in deer Unit 1. Expect CWD carcass and bait limits: Weakley County is a positive county.
Official Bean Switch Refuge page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Bean Switch Refuge
Bean Switch Refuge: 2026-27 dates and rules
Statewide dates for each listed species, plus the limits tied to Weakley County.
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.
Small game
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel and rabbit are the usual quarry, along with other small game the area lists. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Deer limits for Unit 1
Up to 3 antlerless deer a day may be taken in archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle, gun and Young Sportsman seasons. None may be taken in the August hunt. The antlered bag is 1 a day and 2 for the season, statewide.
CWD rules for Weakley County
Rules here: no whole carcass leaves the CWD Management Zone, no baiting, no feeding. In CWD-positive counties Earn-A-Buck applies as well.
Fluorescent orange
Unless the hunt is archery-only or for turkey, big game hunters must show 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the torso and head.
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.
Bean Switch Refuge: what is in season
There is no open bear season in Weakley County. Weakley County is on the CWD positive list. Baiting and feeding are banned in Weakley 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 28, 2026.
Where Bean Switch Refuge is, and what is nearby
The orange pin sits near the middle of Bean Switch Refuge, based on the TWRA hunting map. Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. The nearest towns are Martin (10 mi), Union City (21 mi), Huntingdon (25 mi).
Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area
Around 6 miles as the crow flies, over in Weakley County.
Maness Swamp Refuge
Around 7 miles as the crow flies, over in Gibson County and Weakley County. Size: 1,200 acres.
Obion River WMA
Around 9 miles as the crow flies, over in Weakley County and Obion County. Size: 8,500 acres.
Harts Mill WMA
Around 12 miles as the crow flies, over in Carroll County and Weakley County. Size: 1,758 acres.
Deer processing and shops around Bean Switch Refuge
Sorted by county: Weakley County first, then its neighbors.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
County deer numbers for Bean Switch Refuge
Each row is a full county total and includes land outside this area. Weakley County sits at #8 of 95 in the state deer harvest ranking.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weakley County | 2,825 | 2,927 | 2,901 | #8 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Bean Switch Refuge FAQ
Does Bean Switch Refuge require a WMA permit?
A WMA permit is required for hunters aged 16 to 64 unless they hold an annual sportsman license, and the regular licenses still apply. Watch for added area or refuge permits.
Which game does Bean Switch Refuge allow?
The area is listed for deer, turkey and small game. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.
Where is Bean Switch Refuge located?
You will find it in Weakley County, part of the West Tennessee region. Access points are marked on the map at the area page.
Does Bean Switch Refuge have quota hunts?
The current guide lists none for this area, though that can change from year to year.
Which deer unit does Bean Switch Refuge fall under?
The deer unit is Unit 1, set by Weakley County. The daily antlerless bag is 3 in every season from Young Sportsman through gun, straight-wall rifle included. The August hunt allows no antlerless deer.
How much land does Bean Switch Refuge cover?
Roughly 572 acres, per the managing agency's page.
Where can I get a deer processed near Bean Switch Refuge?
Processors in the area: Birdwell Deer Processing, Dorsett Processing and Fisher Brothers Meat Processing. Phone before you drive over; plenty are seasonal.
Are there CWD restrictions at Bean Switch Refuge?
It is. Weakley County is a CWD-positive county with carcass and baiting restrictions.
Do I have to check in game taken here?
Report it by midnight that day through TWRA On The Go, online or at a check station. It has to be checked before the animal leaves Tennessee.
What other public ground is around Bean Switch Refuge?
The three nearest are Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area (about 6 miles), Maness Swamp Refuge (about 7 miles) and Obion River WMA (about 9 miles).
Heading to Bean Switch Refuge
Dates and bag limits shift each season. The 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing have the current version.