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Martha Sundquist State Forest
State forest covering 2,001 acres in Cocke County, run by the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
Photo: Missvain (CC BY 4.0)
Getting to Martha Sundquist State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Martha Sundquist State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Trailhead ParkingParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Chestnut Branch Trail TrailheadTrailhead · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Big Creek Horse TrailheadTrailhead · 5.9 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Martha Sundquist State Forest at a glance
Mature mountain and cove hardwood forest in Cocke County, surrounded on three sides by Cherokee National Forest. The Division of Forestry says hunting is allowed during Cocke County's bear season as on private land, and that North Cherokee WMA rules don't apply on the state forest.
Game listed here: bear. The area is chiefly in Cocke County, which TWRA places in deer Unit 6.
For the area map, hunt dates and permit rules, see the official Martha Sundquist State Forest page.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Martha Sundquist State Forest
Hunting seasons for Martha Sundquist State Forest
Each card below covers one listed species or one rule that applies to this county.
Bear
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Zone rules govern bear, and a few areas close to bear hunting entirely. Check whether the area shortens it.
How many deer in Unit 6
Gun season allows 2 antlerless deer, muzzleloader and straight-wall week 2, archery 4 and the four Young Sportsman days 2 combined. No antlerless deer may be taken in the August hunt, and hunting a second county in the unit does not add to the total. No more than 1 antlered deer a day, or 2 a season, anywhere in the state.
Bear zone: BHZ1
BHZ1 covers Cocke County. Zone description: Carter, Cocke (north of I-40), Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington.
Orange or pink rule
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 28, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Seasons open around Martha Sundquist State Forest
Cocke County hunters follow zone BHZ1 and BHZ2 bear rules. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Cocke 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.
Public land around Martha Sundquist State Forest
Martha Sundquist State Forest is the orange point; its position is an approximate center from TWRA mapping. Other public hunting areas within roughly 70 miles appear in gold. Towns closest to the area: Newport (15 mi), Gatlinburg (27 mi), Greeneville (28 mi).
Nolichucky WMA
Straight-line distance is about 21 miles; it is in Greene County. 1,000 acres in all.
Rankin WMA
Straight-line distance is about 22 miles; it is in Cocke County and Hamblen County. 1,975 acres in all.
Lick Creek Bottoms WMA
Straight-line distance is about 25 miles; it is in Greene County. 1,400 acres in all.
Henderson Island Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 26 miles; it is in Jefferson County. 525 acres in all.
Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Straight-line distance is about 30 miles; it is in Unicoi County and Cocke County.
Local services for a hunt on Martha Sundquist State Forest
Businesses in Cocke County and the neighboring counties.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Deer checked in around Martha Sundquist State Forest
County totals, not numbers from this area alone. Statewide, Cocke County is #81 of 95 for deer checked in.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocke County | 773 | 780 | 826 | #81 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Common questions on Martha Sundquist State Forest
Which part of Tennessee is Martha Sundquist State Forest in?
Cocke County, in the East Tennessee region used by TWRA. The official area page has maps and access points: TWRA listing.
What can I hunt on Martha Sundquist State Forest?
Its listing covers bear. Dates come from the area listing and may be shorter than statewide.
Which deer unit is Martha Sundquist State Forest in?
Cocke County, and so this area, is in Unit 6. Young Sportsman days carry a combined antlerless limit of 2, archery 4, the muzzleloader and straight-wall week 2, and gun 2. None are allowed in the August hunt, and the limit applies across the unit rather than per county.
Does CWD affect hunting on Martha Sundquist State Forest?
No CWD county rules apply in Cocke County for 2026-27; it is outside the zone.
What permit do I need for Martha Sundquist State Forest?
Martha Sundquist State Forest is managed by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Check that agency's page for any area permit, and carry a valid Tennessee license.
Do any hunts on Martha Sundquist State Forest need a quota permit?
None appear in the current guide for this area. Recheck the listing each season.
What acreage does Martha Sundquist State Forest have?
Its listed size is about 2,001 acres.
What other public land is near Martha Sundquist State Forest?
The closest listed areas are Nolichucky WMA (about 21 miles), Rankin WMA (about 22 miles) and Lick Creek Bottoms WMA (about 25 miles).
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.
Who processes deer near Martha Sundquist State Forest?
The nearest listed processors are Mantooth's Custom Meat Cutting, Carter Custom Meats and Snapp Ferry Packing. Most keep seasonal hours, so check by phone.
Martha Sundquist State Forest trip planning
Confirm the 2026-27 dates and any area rules in the TWRA guide and the Martha Sundquist State Forest listing ahead of your hunt.