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National Forest · Plateau Tennessee
Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
National forest in Monroe County. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Photo: A.M. Kuchling (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Parking, trailheads and gates near Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 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.
What to know about Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Northern half of the southern Cherokee National Forest in Monroe County, covering the Citico Creek, Tellico River and Coker Creek regions, the Cherohala Skyway, Bald River and Indian Boundary. Contains the Tellico Bear Reserve and the four quota party-dog bear hunt compartments (Upper and Lower Tellico, Upper and Lower Bald River); South Cherokee check stations are at North River and Citico Creek. District office: 250 Ranger Station Road, Tellico Plains.
How hunting works here: Hunted as part of TWRA's South Cherokee WMA with a Cherokee WMA non-quota big game permit or Sportsman License. Bear party-dog hunts in the Tellico and Bald River compartments are by quota (75 permits per party); the Tellico Bear Reserve is closed to big game hunting during dog bear seasons.
The parent area is South Cherokee National Forest & WMA; its rules cover this ground as well.
The TWRA listing for Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF covers deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, small game, bear, feral hogs and coyote. Certain hunts require a quota permit from a TWRA draw held before the season. Its primary county, Monroe, is in deer Unit 6.
The managing agency’s page for Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF carries the map, dates and permit details.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF seasons and rules for 2026-27
Listed species and the 2026-27 statewide seasons, followed by county-level rules.
Deer
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Turkey
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Waterfowl
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Dove
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Small game
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Covers squirrel, rabbit and other small game where the area allows them. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Bear
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Which bear zone applies decides the rules, and some areas stay closed to bear. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Feral hogs
Hog hunting here is allowed only as the area listing in the TWRA guide describes.
Coyote
For 2026-27 the statewide seasons cover Sep 26, 2026 to Aug 8, 2027. Expect the area listing to trim some of those days.
Deer limits in Unit 6
Expect per-season antlerless caps rather than a daily one: archery 4, muzzleloader with straight-wall 2, gun 2, Young Sportsman 2 for all four days. The August hunt is closed to antlerless, and the limit covers the whole unit, not each county. Bucks: 1 per day and 2 per season under statewide rules.
Bear zone BHZ3
Bear hunters here follow BHZ3, which takes in McMinn (east of Hwy 411), Monroe, Polk, excluding South Cherokee WMA.
Blaze orange rule
Outside archery-only and turkey hunts, big game hunters need 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the head and upper body.
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.
In season at Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF today
Zone BHZ3 bear dates apply in Monroe County. Monroe County allows deer bait on private land with a Deer Bait Privilege 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
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF map and neighboring areas
Look for the orange marker for Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF, an approximate center drawn from the TWRA hunting map. Gold points show the other public land within about 70 miles. For supplies, the nearest towns are Tellico Plains (9 mi), Athens (27 mi), Maryville (28 mi).
Tellico Lake WMA
Lies in Monroe County and Loudon County, around 13 miles away by straight line. About 8,000 acres.
South Cherokee National Forest & WMA
Lies in Monroe County and Polk County, around 14 miles away by straight line.
Kyker Bottoms Refuge
Lies in Blount County, around 17 miles away by straight line. About 525 acres.
William L. Davenport Refuge State Natural Area
Lies in Polk County, around 26 miles away by straight line. About 120 acres.
Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Lies in Polk County and Monroe County, around 26 miles away by straight line.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Listings from Monroe County and the counties that border it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF area deer harvest by county
These are whole-county totals, not harvest from this area by itself. Of 95 counties, Monroe ranks #54 for reported deer.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 1,065 | 1,341 | 1,406 | #54 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Hunting Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF: questions
How do I find Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
The area is in Plateau Tennessee, in Monroe County. Maps and access points are on the official area page.
How big is Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
There is no published acreage from the agency.
What game is open on Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, small game, bear, feral hogs and coyote. The area sets its own dates for each, sometimes tighter than the statewide ones.
Is a special permit required on Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
Hunted as part of TWRA's South Cherokee WMA with a Cherokee WMA non-quota big game permit or Sportsman License. Bear party-dog hunts in the Tellico and Bald River compartments are by quota (75 permits per party); the Tellico Bear Reserve is closed to big game hunting during dog bear seasons. The U.S. Forest Service runs Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF, so its page lists any area permit. A valid Tennessee license is required either way.
Is Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF a quota hunt area?
Yes. Some hunts here are quota hunts, and permits are drawn through TWRA before the season.
What deer unit covers Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
Deer limits come from Unit 6, which covers Monroe County. Antlerless limits: Young Sportsman 2 total over its four days, archery 4, muzzleloader plus straight-wall week 2, gun 2, and none in the August hunt. Moving to another county in the unit does not raise the limit.
Can I bait or move whole carcasses from Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
As of 2026-27, Monroe County is not a CWD county and is not in the Management Zone.
What public hunting land is close to Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
Nearest on this site: Tellico Lake WMA (about 13 miles), South Cherokee National Forest & WMA (about 14 miles) and Kyker Bottoms Refuge (about 17 miles).
Is there a deer processor near Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF?
Processors listed nearby include D & C Morgan's Meat Processing, Keith's Butcher Shop and Creekside Custom Butchering. Hours shift with the season, so call before heading in.
How do I check in a deer or turkey?
By midnight on the day it is taken, using the TWRA On The Go app, the website or a check station, and always before it leaves Tennessee.
Plan a hunt on Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF listing before you go.