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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Blackburn Fork WMA
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages this 600-acre wildlife management area in Jackson County.
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Getting to Blackburn Fork WMA
Hunting on Blackburn Fork WMA
Ridge top and slope of the Eastern Highland Rim in Jackson County, split by Blackburn Fork, a state scenic river. No motorized vehicles or horses.
Blackburn Fork WMA is open for deer, turkey and small game under its listing. The main county is Jackson County, which sits in deer Unit 3.
Before going, open the agency page for this area, which lists dates, permits and the map.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Blackburn Fork WMA
What is open on Blackburn Fork WMA in 2026-27
Species open on this ground, their statewide windows, and the local deer and county rules.
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. Applies to squirrel, rabbit and any other small game this area opens. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Unit 3 bag limits
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. Statewide, hunters may take 2 antlered deer a season and 1 a day.
Blaze orange
The law calls for 500 square inches of blaze orange or fluorescent pink, worn on the upper body and head, for big game. Turkey and archery-only hunts are the exceptions.
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.
Open seasons for Blackburn Fork WMA
Bear hunting is closed in Jackson County. Deer baiting on private land in Jackson County needs 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
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Blackburn Fork WMA on the map
Orange marks Blackburn Fork WMA, set at the rough center taken from the TWRA hunting map. Public hunting areas within about 70 miles are marked in gold. Closest towns: Cookeville (12 mi), Livingston (14 mi), Celina (16 mi).
Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge
Around 9 miles as the crow flies, over in Jackson County. Covers 600 acres.
Standing Stone State Forest & WMA
Around 11 miles as the crow flies, over in Overton County and Clay County. Covers 8,309 acres.
Cordell Hull WMA
Around 13 miles as the crow flies, over in Jackson County and Smith County. Covers 25,000 acres.
Businesses that serve Blackburn Fork WMA hunters
Each one is in Jackson County or a county next to it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
How many deer come out of the Blackburn Fork WMA area
Read these as county numbers, since the area’s own harvest is not reported separately. By reported deer harvest, Jackson County places #21 among 95 counties.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 1,720 | 2,542 | 2,167 | #21 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Questions about Blackburn Fork WMA
How large is Blackburn Fork WMA?
The agency lists it at roughly 600 acres.
What county is Blackburn Fork WMA in?
It lies in Jackson County, which TWRA counts as Plateau Tennessee. See the official listing for maps and entry points.
What animals can you hunt on Blackburn Fork WMA?
Deer, turkey and small game are listed. Follow the area's own dates, which may be narrower than statewide.
How many deer can I take on Blackburn Fork WMA?
Unit 3, because the area is mainly in Jackson 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.
What permit do I need for Blackburn Fork WMA?
Anyone 16 through 64 hunting a TWRA wildlife management area needs a WMA permit (or an annual sportsman license) in addition to the hunting licenses. Federal refuges and certain areas set extra permits.
Which public areas are closest to Blackburn Fork WMA?
Try The Boils WMA (about 2 miles), Cordell Hull Waterfowl Refuge (about 9 miles) and Standing Stone State Forest & WMA (about 11 miles).
Are there quota hunts on Blackburn Fork WMA?
No quota hunts are listed for this area in the current guide. Check the area listing each year, since that can change.
Where do I check in a deer or turkey?
Deer and turkey are checked in by midnight of the day of harvest, before they leave the state, by app (TWRA On The Go), online or at a check station.
Is Blackburn Fork WMA in the CWD zone?
Not for 2026-27: Jackson County is outside the CWD Management Zone and not CWD-positive.
Where can I drop off a deer near Blackburn Fork WMA?
Close options include Whitleyville Station, Pigg's Deer Processing and Sircy's Deer Processing. Many open only during deer season, so call first.
Get ready for Blackburn Fork WMA
Before you hunt, compare the 2026-27 TWRA guide with the Blackburn Fork WMA listing. Both change from season to season.