Home › Tennessee › Public land › Horns Bluff Refuge
WMA · West Tennessee
Horns Bluff Refuge
Wildlife management area covering 1,890 acres in Crockett County and Gibson County, run by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 4.0)
Getting to Horns Bluff Refuge
What to know about Horns Bluff Refuge
Early successional forest, farmland and bottomland forest in Crockett and Gibson counties northeast of Alamo off Hwy 54. Closed Nov. 15–Feb. 15 except weekend waterfowl hunting on the North Unit; walk-in only.
Game listed here: deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. The area is chiefly in Crockett County, which TWRA places in deer Unit 1. Chronic wasting disease has been found in Crockett County, which brings carcass and baiting limits.
The managing agency’s page for Horns Bluff Refuge carries the map, dates and permit details.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Horns Bluff Refuge
Horns Bluff Refuge seasons and rules for 2026-27
Listed species and the 2026-27 statewide seasons, followed by county-level rules.
Deer
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Turkey
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Waterfowl
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Small game
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Covers squirrel, rabbit and other small game where the area allows them. Check whether the area shortens it.
Deer limits in Unit 1
The daily antlerless bag is 3 in every season from Young Sportsman through gun, straight-wall rifle included. The August hunt allows no antlerless deer. Bucks: 1 per day and 2 per season under statewide rules.
CWD in Crockett County
Feeding and baiting deer are prohibited in these counties. Whole carcasses may not be carried out of the CWD Management Zone, and positive counties add Earn-A-Buck.
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 Horns Bluff Refuge today
There is no open bear season in Crockett County. Fall turkey hunting is closed in Crockett County. Crockett County is on the CWD positive list. Baiting and feeding are banned in Crockett 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 28, 2026.
Horns Bluff Refuge map and neighboring areas
Look for the orange marker for Horns Bluff Refuge, 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 Dyersburg (20 mi), Jackson (21 mi), Brownsville (21 mi).
Tigrett WMA
Straight-line distance is about 12 miles; it is in Dyer County and Gibson County. About 7,629 acres.
Fort Ridge WMA
Straight-line distance is about 12 miles; it is in Haywood County. About 1,570 acres.
Parker Branch WMA
Straight-line distance is about 13 miles; it is in Gibson County. About 263 acres.
South Fork Waterfowl Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 17 miles; it is in Madison County. About 778 acres.
Spring Creek Wetland PHA
Straight-line distance is about 23 miles; it is in Madison County. About 439 acres.
Maness Swamp Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 24 miles; it is in Gibson County and Weakley County. About 1,200 acres.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Horns Bluff Refuge
Listings from Crockett County and Gibson County and the counties that border it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Horns Bluff Refuge area deer harvest by county
These are whole-county totals, not harvest from this area by itself. Of 95 counties, Crockett ranks #90 for reported deer.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crockett County | 470 | 544 | 506 | #90 of 95 |
| Gibson County | 1,787 | 1,629 | 1,578 | #43 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 Horns Bluff Refuge: questions
How do I find Horns Bluff Refuge?
The area is in West Tennessee, in Crockett County and Gibson County. Maps and access points are on the official area page.
How big is Horns Bluff Refuge?
The managing agency gives 1,890 acres as its size.
What game is open on Horns Bluff Refuge?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. The area sets its own dates for each, sometimes tighter than the statewide ones.
Do I need a special permit for Horns Bluff Refuge?
TWRA requires a WMA permit, or the annual sportsman license that includes it, for hunters 16 to 64, on top of the licenses for the game hunted. A few areas and the federal refuges add separate permits.
Is Horns Bluff Refuge a quota hunt area?
Not in the current guide. Quota hunts can be added, so look at the listing every year.
What deer unit covers Horns Bluff Refuge?
Deer limits come from Unit 1, which covers Crockett County. Antlerless deer: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none in the August hunt.
Can I bait or move whole carcasses from Horns Bluff Refuge?
CWD rules apply: Crockett County is positive, so baiting is banned and carcass movement is limited.
What public hunting land is close to Horns Bluff Refuge?
Nearest on this site: Tigrett WMA (about 12 miles), Fort Ridge WMA (about 12 miles) and Parker Branch WMA (about 13 miles).
Is there a deer processor near Horns Bluff Refuge?
Processors listed nearby include Dorsett Processing, Fisher Brothers Meat Processing and Choice Cut Deer Processing. 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 Horns Bluff Refuge
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Horns Bluff Refuge listing before you go.