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WMA · East Tennessee
Henderson Swamp PHA
Washington County: wildlife management area under the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Getting to Henderson Swamp PHA
About Henderson Swamp PHA
Small Public Hunting Area (about 29 acres in TWRA's GIS layer) in Washington County. TWRA describes it as a wetland where many of Tennessee's ducks and geese, wading birds, shorebirds and hawks have been recorded, depending on water levels.
Rules on the ground: No WMA permit required; general WMA regulations apply and seasons follow North Cherokee WMA dates. Open year-round during daylight hours.
Species open on Henderson Swamp PHA include deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear, feral hogs and coyote. Washington County holds the bulk of the area and falls in deer Unit 6.
Official Henderson Swamp PHA page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Henderson Swamp PHA
Henderson Swamp PHA: 2026-27 dates and rules
Statewide dates for each listed species, plus the limits tied to Washington County.
Deer
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Turkey
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Dove
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Small game
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel and rabbit are the usual quarry, along with other small game the area lists. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Bear
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Bear hunting depends on the zone, and some areas do not allow it at all. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Feral hogs
Hog take is limited to what this area’s listing in the TWRA guide spells out.
Coyote
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 26, 2026 to Aug 8, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Deer limits for Unit 6
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. The antlered bag is 1 a day and 2 for the season, statewide.
BHZ1 for bear
For bear, Washington County is part of BHZ1 (Carter, Cocke (north of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington).
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 28, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Henderson Swamp PHA: what is in season
Washington County hunters follow zone BHZ1 bear rules. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Washington 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
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Where Henderson Swamp PHA is, and what is nearby
The orange pin sits near the middle of Henderson Swamp PHA, based on the TWRA hunting map. Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. The nearest towns are Johnson City (12 mi), Erwin (13 mi), Greeneville (15 mi).
Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF
In Unicoi County and Cocke County, roughly 13 miles off as the crow flies.
North Cherokee National Forest & WMA
In Carter County and Johnson County, roughly 15 miles off as the crow flies.
Lick Creek Bottoms WMA
In Greene County, roughly 29 miles off as the crow flies. Size: 1,400 acres.
Deer processing and shops around Henderson Swamp PHA
Sorted by county: Washington County first, then its neighbors.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
County deer numbers for Henderson Swamp PHA
Each row is a full county total and includes land outside this area. Washington County sits at #44 of 95 in the state deer harvest ranking.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 1,112 | 1,405 | 1,553 | #44 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Henderson Swamp PHA FAQ
Does Henderson Swamp PHA 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 Henderson Swamp PHA allow?
The area is listed for deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear, feral hogs and coyote. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.
Where is Henderson Swamp PHA located?
You will find it in Washington County, part of the East Tennessee region. Access points are marked on the map at the area page.
Does Henderson Swamp PHA have quota hunts?
The current guide lists none for this area, though that can change from year to year.
Which deer unit does Henderson Swamp PHA fall under?
The deer unit is Unit 6, set by Washington County. 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.
How much land does Henderson Swamp PHA cover?
No acreage is published for Henderson Swamp PHA by its managing agency.
Where can I get a deer processed near Henderson Swamp PHA?
Processors in the area: Hamilton Meats and Snapp Ferry Packing. Phone before you drive over; plenty are seasonal.
Are there CWD restrictions at Henderson Swamp PHA?
Washington 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 Henderson Swamp PHA?
The three nearest are Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF (about 13 miles), North Cherokee National Forest & WMA (about 15 miles) and Holston Army Ammunition Plant (about 18 miles).
Heading to Henderson Swamp PHA
Dates and bag limits shift each season. The 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing have the current version.