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WMA · West Tennessee
Tumbleweed WMA
Wildlife management area covering 5,770 acres in Lake County and Dyer County, run by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Photo: Yellowstone National Park (Public domain)
Hunting on Tumbleweed WMA
Young planted forest, grassland and some farmed fields along the Great River Road in Lake County. Spring turkey is by weekly quota hunts; dove hunting in designated fields only.
Game listed here: deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game. Some seasons are quota hunts, so apply in the TWRA draw beforehand. The area is chiefly in Lake County, which TWRA places in deer Unit 1. Because Lake County is inside the CWD Management Zone, carcass movement and baiting are restricted.
Before going, open the agency page for this area, which lists dates, permits and the map.
Packing list for Tumbleweed WMA
Start with these from the deer rifle hunting list.
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What is open on Tumbleweed WMA in 2026-27
Species open on this ground, their statewide windows, and the local deer and county rules.
Deer
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Turkey
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Waterfowl
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Dove
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Sep 1, 2026 to Jul 11, 2027. Check whether the area shortens it.
Small game
Across the state, 2026-27 seasons open and close within Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Applies to squirrel, rabbit and any other small game this area opens. Check whether the area shortens it.
Unit 1 bag limits
The daily antlerless bag is 3 in every season from Young Sportsman through gun, straight-wall rifle included. The August hunt allows no antlerless deer. Statewide, hunters may take 2 antlered deer a season and 1 a day.
CWD rules here
Carcasses must be processed before they leave the CWD Management Zone, since whole ones may not be moved out. No baiting or feeding, and Earn-A-Buck in positive counties.
Blaze orange
The law calls for 500 square inches of blaze orange or fluorescent pink, worn on the upper body and head, for big game. Turkey and archery-only hunts are the exceptions.
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.
Open seasons for Tumbleweed WMA
Lake County has no bear season. Lake County has no fall turkey season. Lake County is in the CWD management zone. Lake County bans baiting and feeding.
- 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
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 12, 2026.
Tumbleweed WMA on the map
Orange marks Tumbleweed WMA, set at the rough center taken from the TWRA hunting map. Public hunting areas within about 70 miles are marked in gold. Closest towns: Tiptonville (13 mi), Dyersburg (15 mi), Union City (33 mi).
White Lake Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 6 miles; it is in Dyer County. Covers 1,194 acres.
Thorny Cypress WMA
Straight-line distance is about 7 miles; it is in Dyer County. Covers 3,100 acres.
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
Straight-line distance is about 11 miles; it is in Lake County and Obion County. Covers 1,850 acres.
Ernest Rice WMA
Straight-line distance is about 12 miles; it is in Dyer County. Covers 2,900 acres.
Moss Island WMA
Straight-line distance is about 17 miles; it is in Dyer County. Covers 5,119 acres.
Businesses that serve Tumbleweed WMA hunters
Each one is in Lake County and Dyer County or a county next to it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
How many deer come out of the Tumbleweed WMA area
Read these as county numbers, since the area’s own harvest is not reported separately. By reported deer harvest, Lake County places #95 among 95 counties.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 252 | 186 | 205 | #95 of 95 |
| Dyer County | 976 | 934 | 874 | #80 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Questions about Tumbleweed WMA
How large is Tumbleweed WMA?
The agency lists it at roughly 5,770 acres.
What county is Tumbleweed WMA in?
It lies in Lake County and Dyer County, which TWRA counts as West Tennessee. See the official listing for maps and entry points.
What animals can you hunt on Tumbleweed WMA?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove and small game are listed. Follow the area's own dates, which may be narrower than statewide.
How many deer can I take on Tumbleweed WMA?
Unit 1, because the area is mainly in Lake County. Antlerless deer: 3 per day in the Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons, and none in the August hunt.
What permit do I need for Tumbleweed WMA?
Anyone 16 through 64 hunting a TWRA wildlife management area needs a WMA permit (or an annual sportsman license) in addition to the hunting licenses. Federal refuges and certain areas set extra permits.
Which public areas are closest to Tumbleweed WMA?
Try White Lake Refuge (about 6 miles), Thorny Cypress WMA (about 7 miles) and Bogota WMA (about 8 miles).
Are there quota hunts on Tumbleweed WMA?
Yes. Apply in the TWRA quota draw before the season for the hunts that need it.
Where do I check in a deer or turkey?
Deer and turkey are checked in by midnight of the day of harvest, before they leave the state, by app (TWRA On The Go), online or at a check station.
Is Tumbleweed WMA in the CWD zone?
Lake County is in the CWD Management Zone, so carcass transport limits and the baiting ban apply.
Where can I drop off a deer near Tumbleweed WMA?
Close options include Ty's Deer Processing, Circle L Butcher Barn and Brown's Meat Plant. Many open only during deer season, so call first.
Get ready for Tumbleweed WMA
Before you hunt, compare the 2026-27 TWRA guide with the Tumbleweed WMA listing. Both change from season to season.