Home › Tennessee › Public land › Cheatham Lake WMA
WMA · Middle Tennessee
Cheatham Lake WMA
5,152 acres of wildlife management area in Cheatham County and Dickson County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Photo by Richard Hines (Public domain)
About Cheatham Lake WMA
Lake, sloughs and marsh along Cheatham Lake managed mainly for wintering waterfowl, including the Dyson Ditch and Pardue Pond refuges. Waterfowl hunting only from registered blind sites; deer is archery-only.
Hunters come to Cheatham Lake WMA for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Deer rules follow Unit 2 because the area is mainly in Cheatham County.
Official Cheatham Lake WMA page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Kit for a day at Cheatham Lake WMA
Part of the deer rifle hunting checklist, priced on Amazon.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Cheatham Lake WMA: 2026-27 dates and rules
Statewide dates for each listed species, plus the limits tied to Cheatham County.
Deer
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Turkey
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Waterfowl
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Dove
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Small game
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel and rabbit are the usual quarry, along with other small game the area lists. The area listing can cut that window down.
Deer limits for Unit 2
Antlerless deer: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none in the August hunt. The antlered bag is 1 a day and 2 for the season, statewide.
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 12, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Cheatham Lake WMA: what is in season
Cheatham County sits outside every bear zone. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Cheatham 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.
Where Cheatham Lake WMA is, and what is nearby
The orange pin sits near the middle of Cheatham Lake WMA, based on the TWRA hunting map. Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. The nearest towns are Springfield (20 mi), Nashville (20 mi), Dickson (21 mi).
Shelton Ferry WMA
Montgomery County, about 12 miles from here in a straight line. Size: 628 acres.
Cedar Hill Swamp WMA
Robertson County, about 19 miles from here in a straight line. Size: 200 acres.
Haynes Bottom WMA
Montgomery County, about 24 miles from here in a straight line. Size: 971 acres.
Long Hunter State Park
Davidson County and Rutherford County, about 34 miles from here in a straight line.
Fort Campbell (Tennessee portion)
Montgomery County and Stewart County, about 34 miles from here in a straight line.
Deer processing and shops around Cheatham Lake WMA
Sorted by county: Cheatham County and Dickson County first, then its neighbors.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
County deer numbers for Cheatham Lake WMA
Each row is a full county total and includes land outside this area. Cheatham County sits at #68 of 95 in the state deer harvest ranking.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheatham County | 1,308 | 1,575 | 1,163 | #68 of 95 |
| Dickson County | 2,177 | 2,622 | 2,132 | #22 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Cheatham Lake WMA FAQ
Does Cheatham Lake WMA 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 Cheatham Lake WMA allow?
The area is listed for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.
Where is Cheatham Lake WMA located?
You will find it in Cheatham County and Dickson County, part of the Middle Tennessee region. Access points are marked on the map at the area page.
Does Cheatham Lake WMA have quota hunts?
The current guide lists none for this area, though that can change from year to year.
Which deer unit does Cheatham Lake WMA fall under?
The deer unit is Unit 2, set by Cheatham County. Hunters in this unit get 3 antlerless deer per day in all regular seasons (Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun), but zero in the August hunt.
How much land does Cheatham Lake WMA cover?
Roughly 5,152 acres, per the managing agency's page.
Where can I get a deer processed near Cheatham Lake WMA?
Processors in the area: Flowers' Deer Processing, Cedar Hill Custom Meat Processing and Jimmy Walker Deer Processor. Phone before you drive over; plenty are seasonal.
Are there CWD restrictions at Cheatham Lake WMA?
Cheatham County is clear of the CWD-positive list and the Management Zone this season (2026-27).
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 Cheatham Lake WMA?
The three nearest are Cheatham WMA (about 6 miles), Shelton Ferry WMA (about 12 miles) and Cedar Hill Swamp WMA (about 19 miles).
Heading to Cheatham Lake WMA
Dates and bag limits shift each season. The 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing have the current version.