Home › Tennessee › Towns › Jackson
West Tennessee
Hunting Near Jackson, TN
Public hunting land within driving distance of Jackson, with the 2026-27 season dates that apply and the processors and shops closest to town.
Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock) (Public domain)
Public hunting land near Jackson
The closest listed public hunting area to Jackson is Colonel Forrest V. Durand WMA, about 5 miles away. Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Jackson; road miles run longer.
| Area | Distance | Type | Acres | Species | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel Forrest V. Durand WMA | 5 mi | WMA | 736 | deer, turkey, small game | Madison |
| South Fork Waterfowl Refuge | 5 mi | WMA | 778 | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game | Madison |
| Perry Switch WMA | 9 mi | WMA | 210 | deer, turkey, small game | Madison |
| Spring Creek Wetland PHA | 11 mi | WMA | 439 | deer, turkey, small game | Madison |
| Tull Bottom WMA | 17 mi | WMA | 1,184 | deer, turkey, small game | Chester |
| Parker Branch WMA | 20 mi | WMA | 263 | deer, turkey, small game | Gibson |
| Chickasaw State Forest & WMA | 20 mi | WMA | 11,215 | deer, turkey, small game | Hardeman, Chester |
| Fort Ridge WMA | 21 mi | WMA | 1,570 | deer, turkey, small game | Haywood |
| Horns Bluff Refuge | 21 mi | WMA | 1,890 | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game | Crockett, Gibson |
| Hatchie River WMA | 23 mi | WMA | n/a | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game | Hardeman, Haywood |
| Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge | 24 mi | National Wildlife Refuge | 11,556 | deer, turkey, waterfowl | Haywood |
| Grays Creek WMA | 26 mi | WMA | 288 | deer, turkey, small game | Hardeman |
| Whiteville Lake | 29 mi | Public Hunting Area | n/a | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game | Hardeman |
| Harts Mill WMA | 30 mi | WMA | 1,758 | deer, turkey, small game | Carroll, Weakley |
Gear for hunting near Jackson
Picks from the deer rifle hunting checklist. Buttons search Amazon for current prices.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
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.
Closest wildlife areas to Jackson
The four nearest public areas on the list, with links to each area’s seasons, map and rules.
Hunting seasons near Jackson for 2026-27
Deer limits around Jackson
Madison County is in Unit 1. 3 per day in Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun seasons. None in August hunt.
CWD status for Madison County
CWD-positive county: no baiting or feeding, carcass limits apply, Earn-A-Buck available.
Licenses
Residents 16 to 64 can cover every hunt with the $165 Annual Sportsman license, which includes WMA permits. Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969.
Statewide dates from the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 9, 2026.
What you can hunt in Madison County near Jackson right now
Every 2026-27 statewide season that applies in Madison 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
- 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.
Legal shooting light in Jackson this week
Big and small game: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Calculated for Jackson in Central time.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Jackson
Shooting ranges near Jackson
The three closest listed ranges, straight-line miles from town.
Pistol, rifle, shotgun and archery. Members only.
Hunting near Jackson questions
Where is the closest public hunting land to Jackson?
Colonel Forrest V. Durand WMA is about 5 miles from Jackson in a straight line.
How many public hunting areas are near Jackson?
14 listed areas are within 30 miles of Jackson, and 14 within 75 miles.
What county is Jackson in?
Jackson is in Madison County. Madison County hunting has harvest numbers and county rules.
What deer unit is Jackson in?
Madison County is in Unit 1 for 2026-27. Units set the antlerless limits.
When does deer season open near Jackson?
Archery opens Sep 26, 2026 and gun season runs Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 statewide.
Can I hunt turkey in fall near Jackson?
Yes. Fall archery and the Oct 17 to 30 shotgun season are open in Madison County, 1 male turkey for the fall.
Where can I take a deer to be processed near Jackson?
Nearby listings include Latham's Meat Market, Spring Creek Processing and Custom Deer Processing.
Do I need a WMA permit?
Yes, for hunters 16 to 64 on TWRA wildlife management areas, unless you hold an Annual Sportsman license, which includes it.
Plan a hunt from Jackson
Nearby towns: Hunting near Brownsville, Hunting near Lexington, Hunting near Bolivar.