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WMA · Middle Tennessee

Eagle Creek WMA

22,000 acres of wildlife management area in Wayne County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

22,000Acres
Middle TNRegion
Unit 2Deer unit
3Species

Photo: Don Sniegowski (CC BY 3.0)

Hunting on Eagle Creek WMA

Leased timber land of clearcuts and pine with hardwood hollows northwest of Waynesboro. Statewide seasons; primitive camping during deer and turkey seasons in the designated campground.

Eagle Creek WMA is listed for deer, turkey and small game. The main county is Wayne County, which sits in deer Unit 2. Wayne County is a CWD-positive county, so carcass and baiting rules apply.

Official Eagle Creek WMA page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.

22,000 acresSize
WayneCounties
TWRAManaged by
NoQuota or permit hunts

Gear for hunting Eagle Creek WMA

Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.

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Safety

Blaze orange vest

Not needed on archery-only hunts, but Tennessee requires 500 sq in of orange or pink when an archery-only deer season overlaps a big game gun season such as bear, and during combined muzzleloader or gun seasons.

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Required by law

Blaze orange hat

The 500 sq in orange or pink requirement covers the head as well as the upper body, so a hat is part of meeting the rule.

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Safety

Full-body safety harness

Tree stand falls cause many serious hunting injuries; a full-body harness worn from the ground up keeps a slip from becoming a fall.

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Optics

Binoculars

Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.

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Eagle Creek WMA seasons and rules for 2026-27

What can be hunted here under the current guide, and the county rules that come with it.

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. Covers squirrel, rabbit and other small game where the area allows them. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.

Deer limits in Unit 2

3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.

CWD rules for Wayne County

Whole carcasses may not leave the CWD Management Zone, and baiting and feeding are banned in these counties. Earn-A-Buck applies in CWD-positive counties.

Blaze orange

Big game hunters wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and head, except during archery-only and turkey hunts.

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 Eagle Creek WMA right now

Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Wayne County, with what is open today marked. Tennessee hunting laws covers legal weapons, baiting, trespass and what you cannot hunt.

  • Deer: August (archery only, velvet)Aug 28 to Aug 30, 2026
  • Deer: ArcherySep 26 to Oct 30, 2026
  • Deer: ArcheryNov 2 to Nov 6, 2026
  • Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026
  • Deer: Young Sportsman (gun/muzzleloader/archery)Jan 9 to Jan 10, 2027
  • Deer: Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 7 to Nov 20, 2026
  • Deer: Straight-wall cartridge rifle (new)Nov 14 to Nov 20, 2026
  • Deer: Gun/Muzzleloader/ArcheryNov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
  • Turkey: Spring Young SportsmanMar 27 to Mar 28, 2027
  • Turkey: Spring general seasonApr 3 to May 16, 2027
  • Ducks: Wood duck & teal (September)Sep 12 to Sep 16, 2026
  • Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
  • Ducks: Ducks, coot & mergansers (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027
  • Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 6, 2027
  • Waterfowl: Youth waterfowl daysFeb 13, 2027
  • Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 7, 2027
  • Waterfowl: Veterans and active military daysFeb 14, 2027
  • Canada goose: SeptemberSep 1 to Sep 20, 2026
  • Canada goose: OctoberOct 10 to Oct 22, 2026
  • Canada goose: Regular (segment 1)Nov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
  • Canada goose: Regular (segment 2)Dec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
  • White-fronted goose: RegularNov 28 to Nov 29, 2026
  • White-fronted goose: RegularDec 5, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
  • Brant: All segmentsSep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
  • Light geese: Regular (same splits as Canada goose)Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
  • Light geese: Conservation orderFeb 15 to Mar 31, 2027
  • Dove: Segment 1Sep 1 to Sep 28, 2026
  • Dove: Segment 2Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026
  • Dove: Segment 3Dec 8, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027
  • Woodcock: Segment 1Nov 14 to Dec 6, 2026
  • Woodcock: Segment 2Jan 10 to Jan 31, 2027
  • Snipe: SeasonNov 14, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Rails (virginia, sora): SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
  • Gallinule and moorhen: SeasonSep 1 to Nov 9, 2026
  • Crow: SegmentSep 1 to Sep 7, 2026
  • Crow: SegmentSep 11 to Dec 20, 2026
  • Crow: SegmentJan 1 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Crow: SegmentJun 11 to Jul 11, 2027
  • Squirrel: Fall/winterAug 22, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
  • Squirrel: SpringMay 8 to Jun 13, 2027
  • Rabbit: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Quail: SeasonNov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Grouse: SeasonOct 10, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Raccoon: Private landsYear-round Year-round
  • Raccoon: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
  • Opossum: Taking seasonSep 18, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027
  • Coyote: DaytimeYear-round Year-round
  • Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jan 16 to Mar 14, 2027
  • Coyote: Night season (with bobcat)Jun 5 to Aug 8, 2027
  • Bobcat: Private landsSep 26 to Nov 19, 2026
  • Bobcat: SeasonNov 20, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027
  • Feral hog: Private land controlYear-round Year-round

From the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 9, 2026. WMAs can set shorter dates; check the area listing.

Map of Eagle Creek WMA and nearby public land

The orange marker is Eagle Creek WMA (approximate center from the TWRA hunting map). Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. Nearest towns: Waynesboro (3 mi), Hohenwald (20 mi), Savannah (26 mi).

WMA

Tie Camp WMA

About 8 miles away (straight line) in Wayne County. 3,280 acres.

WMA

Browntown WMA

About 13 miles away (straight line) in Wayne County. 6,336 acres.

WMA

Cypress Pond Refuge

About 14 miles away (straight line) in Decatur County. 585 acres.

Public Hunting Area

Laurel Hill Lake

About 15 miles away (straight line) in Lawrence County.

WMA

Laurel Hill WMA

About 16 miles away (straight line) in Lawrence County. 14,952 acres.

Public Hunting Area

VFW Lake

About 18 miles away (straight line) in Lawrence County.

Processors, taxidermists and shops near Eagle Creek WMA

Businesses in Wayne County and the neighboring counties.

Stults Custom Cuts

Iron City, Wayne County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: Opens Oct. 1st 2027

Tim Cummings Taxidermy

Waynesboro, Wayne County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Call before you go.

Horns & Hides Taxidermy

Collinwood, Wayne County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: By Appointment – 7 days/week

Grant's Butcher Shop & Deer Processing

Linden, Perry County · about 12 mi away

Hunters for the Hungry participating processor; accepts donated deer

Lighthouse Meats

Summertown, Lewis County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Robertson Meat Processing

Lawrenceburg, Lawrence County · about 22 mi away

Hunters for the Hungry participating processor; accepts donated deer

Primal Custom Meats

Decaturville, Decatur County · about 24 mi away

Hunters for the Hungry participating processor; accepts donated deer

Cregg's Taxidermy

Savannah, Hardin County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: 8am – 4pm

Troyer's Processing

Olive Hill, Hardin County

Custom processor (TDA permitted)

Randy Smart Taxidermy

Bath Springs, Decatur County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program

McCormic's Deer Processing

Parsons, Decatur County

Deer processing

Dallas Luna

Ethridge, Lawrence County

Participates in TWRA CWD sampling program; hours: Accepting

Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.

Deer harvest in the counties around Eagle Creek WMA

County totals, not numbers from this area alone.

CountyDeer 2023-24Deer 2024-25Deer 2025-26Rank
Wayne County2,1232,8432,015#25 of 95

Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.

Eagle Creek WMA questions

Where is Eagle Creek WMA?

Eagle Creek WMA is in Wayne County, in TWRA's Middle Tennessee region. The official area page has maps and access points: TWRA listing.

How big is Eagle Creek WMA?

Eagle Creek WMA covers about 22,000 acres, the figure on the managing agency's page.

What can I hunt on Eagle Creek WMA?

The area is listed for deer, turkey and small game. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.

Do I need a WMA permit to hunt Eagle Creek WMA?

Hunters 16 to 64 need a WMA permit or an annual sportsman license to hunt TWRA wildlife management areas, on top of the right hunting licenses. Federal refuges and some areas add their own permits.

Are there quota hunts on Eagle Creek WMA?

No quota hunts are listed for this area in the current guide. Check the area listing each year, since that can change.

Which deer unit is Eagle Creek WMA in?

Wayne County is in deer Unit 2. Antlerless limits follow that unit: 3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt.

Is Eagle Creek WMA in a CWD county?

Yes. Wayne County is CWD-positive, so carcass transport limits and the baiting ban apply.

What other public land is near Eagle Creek WMA?

The closest listed areas are Tie Camp WMA (about 8 miles), Browntown WMA (about 13 miles) and Cypress Pond Refuge (about 14 miles).

Where can I get a deer processed near Eagle Creek WMA?

Processors listed nearby include Stults Custom Cuts, Grant's Butcher Shop & Deer Processing and Lighthouse Meats. Call ahead, since many work only in season.

When must I check in a deer or turkey?

Check in big game by midnight on the day of harvest through the TWRA On The Go app, online or at a check station, and before the animal leaves the state.

Plan a hunt on Eagle Creek WMA

Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Eagle Creek WMA listing before you go.