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WMA · East Tennessee
Kyles Ford WMA
In Hancock County and Hawkins County, 1,000 acres of public ground managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) as a wildlife management area.
Photo: AppalachianCentrist (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to Kyles Ford WMA
What to know about Kyles Ford WMA
Old fields, wetlands, thickets and ridges on the Clinch River in Hancock and Hawkins counties, managed mainly for small game. Small game closes at 4 p.m.; bear is archery-only under Bear Hunt Zone 5.
The TWRA listing for Kyles Ford WMA covers deer, turkey, small game and bear. Its primary county, Hancock, is in deer Unit 4.
The managing agency’s page for Kyles Ford WMA carries the map, dates and permit details.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Kyles Ford WMA
Kyles Ford WMA 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.
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.
Deer limits in Unit 4
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 BHZ5
Bear hunters here follow BHZ5, which takes in Hancock, Hawkins.
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 Kyles Ford WMA today
Bear hunting here falls under zone BHZ5. Hancock County is open to licensed baiting on private land.
- 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.
Kyles Ford WMA map and neighboring areas
Look for the orange marker for Kyles Ford WMA, 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 Rogersville (11 mi), Kingsport (27 mi), Morristown (29 mi).
Lick Creek Bottoms WMA
Lies in Greene County, around 29 miles away by straight line. About 1,400 acres.
Rankin WMA
Lies in Cocke County and Hamblen County, around 36 miles away by straight line. About 1,975 acres.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Kyles Ford WMA
Listings from Hancock County and Hawkins County and the counties that border it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Kyles Ford WMA area deer harvest by county
These are whole-county totals, not harvest from this area by itself. Of 95 counties, Hancock ranks #87 for reported deer.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | 579 | 550 | 653 | #87 of 95 |
| Hawkins County | 2,297 | 2,150 | 2,464 | #14 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 Kyles Ford WMA: questions
How do I find Kyles Ford WMA?
The area is in East Tennessee, in Hancock County and Hawkins County. Maps and access points are on the official area page.
How big is Kyles Ford WMA?
The managing agency gives 1,000 acres as its size.
What game is open on Kyles Ford WMA?
Deer, turkey, small game and bear. The area sets its own dates for each, sometimes tighter than the statewide ones.
Do I need a special permit for Kyles Ford WMA?
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 Kyles Ford WMA 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 Kyles Ford WMA?
Deer limits come from Unit 4, which covers Hancock 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 Kyles Ford WMA?
As of 2026-27, Hancock County is not a CWD county and is not in the Management Zone.
What public hunting land is close to Kyles Ford WMA?
Nearest on this site: Holston Army Ammunition Plant (about 21 miles), Lick Creek Bottoms WMA (about 29 miles) and Mullins Island PHA (about 29 miles).
Is there a deer processor near Kyles Ford WMA?
Processors listed nearby include McCoy Meat Co., Bulls Gap Custom Meats and Jordy and Sons Custom Meats. 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 Kyles Ford WMA
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Kyles Ford WMA listing before you go.