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WMA · East Tennessee
Rankin WMA
A 1,975-acre wildlife management area in Cocke County and Hamblen County. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages it.
Photo: Don Sniegowski (CC BY 3.0)
Getting to Rankin WMA
Parking, trailheads and gates near Rankin WMA
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 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.
About Rankin WMA
Islands and floodplain on Douglas Reservoir that are underwater from mid-May through fall. No permanent blinds, and closed to hunting March 1 to late August except spring turkey and squirrel.
The area listing names 6 kinds of game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game, feral hogs and coyote. Most of it lies in Cocke County, part of deer Unit 6.
Official Rankin WMA page has the area map, hunt dates and any permit rules.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rankin WMA
Rankin WMA: 2026-27 dates and rules
Statewide dates for each listed species, plus the limits tied to Cocke County.
Deer
The 2026-27 statewide window is Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Turkey
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Waterfowl
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Small game
The 2026-27 statewide window is Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Squirrel and rabbit are the usual quarry, along with other small game the area lists. The area itself may run a shorter season.
Feral hogs
Hog take is limited to what this area’s listing in the TWRA guide spells out.
Coyote
The 2026-27 statewide window is Sep 26, 2026 to Aug 8, 2027. The area itself may run a shorter season.
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.
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.
Rankin WMA: what is in season
Cocke County is in bear hunting zone BHZ1 and BHZ2. Private land baiting is allowed in Cocke County with the bait license.
- 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 Rankin WMA is, and what is nearby
The orange pin sits near the middle of Rankin WMA, based on the TWRA hunting map. Gold markers are other public hunting areas within about 70 miles. The nearest towns are Newport (8 mi), Morristown (10 mi), Sevierville (23 mi).
Martha Sundquist State Forest
About 22 miles away (straight line) in Cocke County. Size: 2,001 acres.
Deer processing and shops around Rankin WMA
Sorted by county: Cocke County and Hamblen County first, then its neighbors.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
County deer numbers for Rankin WMA
Each row is a full county total and includes land outside this area. Cocke County sits at #81 of 95 in the state deer harvest ranking.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocke County | 773 | 780 | 826 | #81 of 95 |
| Hamblen County | 416 | 516 | 572 | #89 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Rankin WMA FAQ
Does Rankin WMA 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 Rankin WMA allow?
The area is listed for deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game, feral hogs and coyote. Each species follows the dates in the area's own listing, which can be shorter than statewide seasons.
Where is Rankin WMA located?
You will find it in Cocke County and Hamblen County, part of the East Tennessee region. Access points are marked on the map at the area page.
Does Rankin WMA have quota hunts?
The current guide lists none for this area, though that can change from year to year.
Which deer unit does Rankin WMA fall under?
The deer unit is Unit 6, set by Cocke 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 Rankin WMA cover?
Roughly 1,975 acres, per the managing agency's page.
Where can I get a deer processed near Rankin WMA?
Processors in the area: Buckeye's Custom Meat Cutting, Manning's Meat Processing and Mantooth's Custom Meat Cutting. Phone before you drive over; plenty are seasonal.
Are there CWD restrictions at Rankin WMA?
Cocke 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 Rankin WMA?
The three nearest are Mullins Island PHA (about 7 miles), Lick Creek Bottoms WMA (about 10 miles) and Henderson Island Refuge (about 12 miles).
Heading to Rankin WMA
Dates and bag limits shift each season. The 2026-27 TWRA guide and the area listing have the current version.