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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Pickett State Forest & WMA
19,200 acres of wildlife management area in Pickett County and Fentress County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Hunting on Pickett State Forest & WMA
Remote upper Cumberland Plateau forest next to Big South Fork; the state park sits inside Pickett State Forest (TN Division of Forestry). Statewide seasons; bear is archery-only under Bear Hunt Zone 4.
Pickett State Forest & WMA is listed for deer, turkey, small game and bear. The main county is Pickett County, which sits in deer Unit 4.
Official Pickett State Forest & WMA page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Gear for hunting Pickett State Forest & WMA
Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
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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.
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.
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.
Binoculars
Glassing the edges helps you spot deer early enough to get ready for a shot.
Pickett State Forest & 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.
Bear
Statewide 2026-27 dates run Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Bear rules follow the bear hunting zone, and some areas close to bear hunting. Area dates can be shorter than statewide dates.
Deer limits in Unit 4
Young Sportsman 2 total (four days combined); archery 4; muzzleloader + straight-wall week 2; gun 2. None in August hunt. Moving counties within a unit does not add to the limit. Antlered limit is 2 per season statewide, 1 per day.
Bear zone BHZ4
Pickett County falls in BHZ4: Anderson (west of I-75, north of Old Lake City Hwy and Dutch Valley Rd), Campbell (north of Hwy 63, west of I-75), Claiborne (west of 25E, north of Hwy 63), Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, Overton (east of Hwy 111), Pickett, Putnam (east of Hwy 111), Scott, Van Buren (east of Hwy 111), White (east of Hwy 111).
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 Pickett State Forest & WMA right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Pickett 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: Fall archerySep 26 to Oct 30, 2026
- Turkey: Fall archeryNov 2 to Nov 6, 2026
- Turkey: Fall shotgun/archeryOct 17 to Oct 30, 2026
- 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
- Bear: Archery onlySep 26 to Oct 23, 2026
- Bear: Young Sportsman (still hunt)Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026
- Bear: Late seasonDec 12 to Dec 13, 2026
- 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 Pickett State Forest & WMA and nearby public land
The orange marker is Pickett State Forest & WMA (approximate center from the TWRA hunting map). Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. Nearest towns: Jamestown (11 mi), Byrdstown (16 mi), Oneida (19 mi).
Twin Arches State Natural Area
About 5 miles away (straight line) in Pickett County and Scott County. 1,500 acres.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
About 10 miles away (straight line) in Scott County and Fentress County.
Honey Creek State Natural Area
About 14 miles away (straight line) in Scott County. 109 acres.
Skinner Mountain WMA
About 22 miles away (straight line) in Fentress County and Overton County. 18,950 acres.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Pickett State Forest & WMA
Businesses in Pickett County and Fentress County and the neighboring counties.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Deer harvest in the counties around Pickett State Forest & WMA
County totals, not numbers from this area alone.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickett County | 353 | 517 | 448 | #94 of 95 |
| Fentress County | 572 | 600 | 710 | #85 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Pickett State Forest & WMA questions
Where is Pickett State Forest & WMA?
Pickett State Forest & WMA is in Pickett County and Fentress County, in TWRA's Plateau Tennessee region. The official area page has maps and access points: TWRA listing.
How big is Pickett State Forest & WMA?
Pickett State Forest & WMA covers about 19,200 acres, the figure on the managing agency's page.
What can I hunt on Pickett State Forest & WMA?
The area is listed for deer, turkey, small game and bear. 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 Pickett State Forest & 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 Pickett State Forest & 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 Pickett State Forest & WMA in?
Pickett County is in deer Unit 4. Antlerless limits follow that unit: Young Sportsman 2 total (four days combined); archery 4; muzzleloader + straight-wall week 2; gun 2. None in August hunt. Moving counties within a unit does not add to the limit.
Is Pickett State Forest & WMA in a CWD county?
Pickett County is not on the CWD-positive list or in the CWD Management Zone for 2026-27.
What other public land is near Pickett State Forest & WMA?
The closest listed areas are Twin Arches State Natural Area (about 5 miles), Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (about 10 miles) and Honey Creek State Natural Area (about 14 miles).
Where can I get a deer processed near Pickett State Forest & WMA?
Processors listed nearby include Seiber's Backcountry Deer Processing, DCCM Wild Game and Garrett's Custom Slaughter. 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 Pickett State Forest & WMA
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Pickett State Forest & WMA listing before you go.