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WMA · Plateau Tennessee
Tellico Lake WMA
8,000 acres of wildlife management area in Monroe County and Loudon County. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0)
Tellico Lake WMA at a glance
Several units along Tellico Lake in Monroe and Loudon counties. The Tellico West Unit has quota archery deer hunts; a field trial permit is required, and blinds and decoys can't be left overnight.
Hunters come to Tellico Lake WMA for deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear and feral hogs. Some hunts here are by quota permit, drawn in advance through TWRA. Deer rules follow Unit 6 because the area is mainly in Monroe County.
For the area map, hunt dates and permit rules, see the official Tellico Lake WMA page.
Gear for hunting Tellico Lake WMA
From our deer rifle hunting list, four that are easy to forget.
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Hunting seasons for Tellico Lake WMA
Each card below covers one listed species or one rule that applies to this county.
Deer
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Turkey
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Dove
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. The area listing can cut that window down.
Small game
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Small game here means squirrel, rabbit and the others the area listing allows. The area listing can cut that window down.
Bear
Statewide season dates for 2026-27: Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Zone rules govern bear, and a few areas close to bear hunting entirely. The area listing can cut that window down.
Feral hogs
Hogs may be taken here only under this area’s own listing in the TWRA guide.
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: BHZ3
BHZ3 covers Monroe County. Zone description: McMinn (east of Hwy 411), Monroe, Polk, excluding South Cherokee WMA.
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 12, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
Seasons open around Tellico Lake WMA
Zone BHZ3 bear dates apply in Monroe County. Monroe County allows deer bait on private land with a Deer Bait Privilege 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 12, 2026.
Public land around Tellico Lake WMA
Tellico Lake WMA 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: Maryville (15 mi), Tellico Plains (17 mi), Townsend (22 mi).
Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF
Monroe County, about 13 miles from here in a straight line.
South Cherokee National Forest & WMA
Monroe County and Polk County, about 24 miles from here in a straight line.
Local services for a hunt on Tellico Lake WMA
Businesses in Monroe County and Loudon County and the neighboring counties.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Deer checked in around Tellico Lake WMA
County totals, not numbers from this area alone. Statewide, Monroe County is #54 of 95 for deer checked in.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 1,065 | 1,341 | 1,406 | #54 of 95 |
| Loudon County | 1,640 | 1,589 | 1,688 | #41 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 Tellico Lake WMA
Which part of Tennessee is Tellico Lake WMA in?
Monroe County and Loudon County, in the Plateau Tennessee region used by TWRA. The official area page has maps and access points: TWRA listing.
What can I hunt on Tellico Lake WMA?
Its listing covers deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear and feral hogs. Dates come from the area listing and may be shorter than statewide.
Which deer unit is Tellico Lake WMA in?
Monroe 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 Tellico Lake WMA?
No CWD county rules apply in Monroe County for 2026-27; it is outside the zone.
Which licenses cover Tellico Lake WMA?
For ages 16 to 64, carry a WMA permit or annual sportsman license along with the right hunting licenses. Some areas, and federal refuges, have permits of their own.
Do any hunts on Tellico Lake WMA need a quota permit?
There are quota hunts here; the permits come from a pre-season TWRA draw.
What acreage does Tellico Lake WMA have?
Its listed size is about 8,000 acres.
What other public land is near Tellico Lake WMA?
The closest listed areas are Kyker Bottoms Refuge (about 4 miles), Foothills WMA (about 6 miles) and Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee NF (about 13 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 Tellico Lake WMA?
The nearest listed processors are D & C Morgan's Meat Processing, Keith's Butcher Shop and Rick Hill Taxidermy & Processing. Most keep seasonal hours, so check by phone.
Tellico Lake WMA trip planning
Confirm the 2026-27 dates and any area rules in the TWRA guide and the Tellico Lake WMA listing ahead of your hunt.