Home › Tennessee › Counties › Williamson County
Middle Tennessee
Williamson County Hunting
Public land in and near Williamson County, its deer and turkey numbers, the 2026-27 season rules, and processors close by.
Photo: Dana Beveridge (CC BY 2.0)
Williamson County covers 583 square miles of land. In the 2025-26 season hunters reported 1,261 deer here, which ranked 62nd of 95 Tennessee counties. That works out to about 2.2 deer per square mile of land. About 0.8% of Tennessee’s reported deer came from this county.
Where to hunt public ground around Williamson County
There is 1 TWRA-listed area touching Williamson County and 8 more a drive away. County areas show as orange pins.
Williamsport WMA
About 21 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Maury County. 1,722 acres.
Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area
About 22 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Rutherford County. 185 acres.
Yanahli WMA
About 23 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Maury County. 12,800 acres.
Duck River Complex State Natural Area
About 23 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Maury County. 2,612 acres.
Long Hunter State Park
About 24 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Davidson County and Rutherford County.
Cheatham WMA
About 24 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Cheatham County. 20,810 acres.
Percy Priest WMA
About 25 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Rutherford County and Davidson County. 10,768 acres.
Fate Sanders Barrens State Natural Area
About 25 miles from the center of Williamson County, in Rutherford County. 230 acres.
What to pack for Williamson County
Four items worth checking before this hunt, from the deer rifle hunting list.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Deer and gobbler counts in Williamson County
Last season’s count of 1,261 deer trailed the 2024-25 figure by 14%. Ten years of reports average out to 1,588 deer per season. Across the ten seasons the peak came in 2016-17 (1,886) and the trough in 2025-26 (1,261). WMAs supplied 15 of last season’s deer; the rest came off private land. For turkeys, the county ranked 16th in 2026 spring with 543 checked.
Source: TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox harvest reports, county totals including WMA harvest. Deer seasons run July 1 to June 30. Recent seasons can still be revised slightly by TWRA.
In season at Williamson County today
Bear hunting is closed in Williamson County. Williamson County carries CWD carcass rules. No baiting or feeding is allowed in Williamson 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.
2026-27 rules for Williamson County
Bag limits for Unit 2
Antlerless limit: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none during the August hunt. Two antlered deer per season, one per day, anywhere in Tennessee.
Deer seasons in Williamson County
Statewide 2026-27 dates apply: archery from Sep 26, muzzleloader Nov 7 to Nov 20, 2026, gun Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Williamson County: CWD-positive
CWD-positive status means no baiting, restricted carcass movement and an Earn-A-Buck option tied to testing antlerless deer.
Turkey in the fall, Williamson County
Fall turkey is open: archery with the deer archery dates and shotgun Oct 17 to 30, 2026, 1 male turkey for the fall.
From the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 12, 2026. Read the guide.
When you can shoot in Williamson County this week
Legal hunting hours for big and small game run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Turkey and migratory birds end at sunset.
Times calculated for the center of Williamson County in Central time. Turkey and migratory bird hunting ends at sunset. Shooting hours for every county.
Deer processors, taxidermists and shops near Williamson County
Sorted with Williamson County businesses first and neighbors after.
Listings come from TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, state permit lists and business pages. Call before you drive; seasonal hours vary.
Where to shoot near Williamson County
Inside Williamson County: 4 ranges, checked October 2026.
Pistol and rifle on site; open to the public.
Pistol, rifle, shotgun, trap on site; call ahead about access.
Upcoming matches
| Date | Event | Type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17 until Oct 18, 2026 | RK Gun Show Franklin | Gun show | Details |
Williamson County neighbors
Also fishing the county? Williamson County fishing spots.
Around Williamson County sit 7 counties, 6 with higher deer totals in 2025-26.
What hunters ask about Williamson County
Can you hunt over bait in Williamson County?
Not here. The county is under the no-bait, no-feed rule.
Has CWD been found in Williamson County?
The county is CWD-positive, so the full set of CWD rules applies.
Is there a bear season in Williamson County?
No. The county is not in a bear zone, so it is closed.
When is fall turkey season in Williamson County?
Yes, with a one male limit, by archery on deer archery dates or by shotgun from Oct 17 to 30, 2026.
Is there a deer processor near Williamson County?
The list includes C & F Meat Co., Vaught's Deer Processing and Williams Meat Processing, in or next to the county.
What are shooting hours in Williamson County?
Shooting light runs 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset; turkey and waterfowl stop at sunset itself.
How many deer do hunters take in Williamson County?
TWRA recorded 1,261 deer for 2025-26, placing the county 62nd.
Where is public ground to hunt around Williamson County?
You can hunt Haley-Jaqueth WMA without leaving the county. Close by are Williamsport WMA, Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade State Natural Area and Yanahli WMA.
Which TWRA deer unit covers Williamson County?
For 2026-27, Unit 2. You can take 3 antlerless deer per day in every season here except the August hunt, which is antlered only.
Plan your Williamson County hunt
Season dates and area rules change each year; verify them for 2026-27.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); NJ Tech Teacher (CC BY 2.0); fredsharples (CC BY 2.0); Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0); Bonesaw 0311 (CC BY 2.0); Lisa Zins (CC BY 2.0).