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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Chickamauga WMA
4,000 acres of wildlife management area in Bradley County, Rhea County, Meigs County, McMinn County and Hamilton County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Don Sniegowski (CC BY 3.0)
Chickamauga WMA overview
Many separate units along Chickamauga Lake in Rhea, Meigs, McMinn, Hamilton and Bradley counties. Some units are archery-only for deer, and waterfowl sites and dates on some units are allocated by computer drawing.
Hunters come to Chickamauga WMA for deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. A TWRA quota draw decides who hunts some of the seasons here. Deer rules follow Unit 5 because the area is mainly in Bradley County.
Read the official Chickamauga WMA listing for its map, current dates and any permits.
Before you head to Chickamauga WMA
Four items from the deer rifle hunting checklist.
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Seasons and limits at Chickamauga WMA
The game listed for this area, with 2026-27 statewide dates and the county rules that apply.
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.
Small game
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel, rabbit and similar small game count here when the area allows them. The area listing can cut that window down.
Deer bag, Unit 5
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. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Wearing orange
Fluorescent orange or pink, 500 square inches on the head and upper body, is required for big game except in archery-only and turkey seasons.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
What you can hunt in Chickamauga WMA right now
For bear, Bradley County counts as zone Transitional. Deer baiting on private land in Bradley 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
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 9, 2026.
Map of Chickamauga WMA and nearby public land
Chickamauga WMA shows as the orange marker, placed at its approximate center from the TWRA hunting map. In gold are the other public areas no more than about 70 miles away. Nearest towns: Cleveland (8 mi), Benton (14 mi), Dayton (16 mi).
Hiwassee Refuge
Meigs County and Rhea County, about 10 miles from here in a straight line. 6,000 acres.
Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA
Bradley County and Polk County, about 14 miles from here in a straight line. 495 acres.
Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Polk County and Monroe County, about 23 miles from here in a straight line.
North Chickamauga Creek WMA
Sequatchie County and Hamilton County, about 28 miles from here in a straight line. 5,400 acres.
Where to process, mount and resupply near Chickamauga WMA
Drawn from Bradley County, Rhea County, Meigs County, McMinn County and Hamilton County plus the next counties over.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Recent deer harvest near Chickamauga WMA
Numbers are for each county as a whole rather than this tract. Bradley County ranks #64 of 95 counties for reported deer harvest.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley County | 1,327 | 1,347 | 1,237 | #64 of 95 |
| Rhea County | 2,009 | 2,001 | 1,921 | #30 of 95 |
| Meigs County | 1,348 | 1,471 | 1,394 | #55 of 95 |
| McMinn County | 1,883 | 1,840 | 1,810 | #35 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Chickamauga WMA questions
Where is Chickamauga WMA?
Chickamauga WMA is in Bradley County, Rhea County, Meigs County, McMinn County and Hamilton County, in TWRA's Plateau Tennessee region. The agency page shows the map and where to get in.
Is a WMA permit required on Chickamauga WMA?
Yes, if you are 16 to 64: a WMA permit or an annual sportsman license, plus the hunting licenses for your game. Some areas and federal refuges require more.
What is huntable at Chickamauga WMA?
Listed game: deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. Expect area dates that can trim the statewide seasons.
Is there a draw for hunting Chickamauga WMA?
Some are. TWRA draws quota permits for those hunts before the season opens.
What is the size of Chickamauga WMA?
About 4,000 acres, according to the managing agency.
Do CWD rules apply on Chickamauga WMA?
No. For 2026-27, Bradley County is neither CWD-positive nor in the Management Zone.
What are the deer limits on Chickamauga WMA?
It follows Unit 5, the deer unit for Bradley County. The antlerless bag here is set per season: 4 in archery, 2 in muzzleloader and straight-wall week, 2 in gun, 2 total for Young Sportsman, and 0 in the August hunt. Limits do not reset when you hunt another county in the same unit.
Which processors are close to Chickamauga WMA?
Try Creekside Custom Butchering, Sale Creek Deer Processing and Middle Valley Deer Processing. Call ahead, since many work only in season.
Where else can I hunt near Chickamauga WMA?
Closest public areas by straight line: Hiwassee Refuge (about 10 miles), Charlotte Ann Finnell Neal WMA (about 14 miles) and Yuchi Refuge (about 18 miles).
How soon do I have to check in my deer?
Use the TWRA On The Go app, the online system or a check station. The deadline is midnight on the harvest day, and it must happen before the animal crosses the state line.
Planning a trip to Chickamauga WMA
Area rules and limits are revised each year, so confirm them in the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing.