Home › Tennessee › Towns › Johnson City
East Tennessee
Hunting Near Johnson City, TN
The nearest public hunting areas to Johnson City, the seasons and deer unit that cover it, and local shops and processors.
Photo: Dana Beveridge (CC BY 2.0)
Public hunting land near Johnson City
From Johnson City, the shortest trip to public land is North Cherokee National Forest & WMA at about 9 miles. About 693 acres of public ground sit within 30 miles of town. At 2,001 acres, Martha Sundquist State Forest (52 miles) is the largest within reach. Miles in the table are measured in a straight line, so expect the drive to be longer.
| Area | Distance | Type | Acres | Species | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Cherokee National Forest & WMA | 9 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear | Carter, Johnson |
| Henderson Swamp PHA | 12 mi | WMA | n/a | deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear | Washington |
| Big Springs PHA | 16 mi | Public area | n/a | deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear | Sullivan |
| Holston Army Ammunition Plant | 19 mi | Military | n/a | deer | Hawkins |
| Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 22 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear | Unicoi, Cocke |
| Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 22 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer, turkey, dove, small game, bear | Carter, Johnson |
| Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area | 23 mi | State Natural Area | 693 | deer, turkey, small game | Carter |
| Nolichucky WMA | 32 mi | WMA | 1,000 | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game | Greene |
| Kyles Ford WMA | 39 mi | WMA | 1,000 | deer, turkey, small game, bear | Hancock, Hawkins |
| Lick Creek Bottoms WMA | 41 mi | WMA | 1,400 | deer, turkey, dove, small game | Greene |
| Mullins Island PHA | 46 mi | Public area | n/a | deer, turkey, small game | Cocke |
| Rankin WMA | 51 mi | WMA | 1,975 | deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game, hogs | Cocke, Hamblen |
| Martha Sundquist State Forest | 52 mi | State Forest | 2,001 | bear | Cocke |
| Henderson Island Refuge | 63 mi | WMA | 525 | deer, turkey, small game, bear | Jefferson |
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Johnson City
Closest wildlife areas to Johnson City
Open any of these for quota hunts, maps and area regulations.
What is open near Johnson City in 2026-27
Deer limits around Johnson City
Washington County is in Unit 6. Antlerless limits: Young Sportsman 2 for the four days, archery 4, the muzzleloader and straight-wall week 2, gun 2, none in August. Crossing into another county in the same unit does not reset the count.
Washington County bait and CWD
No CWD rules apply; baiting private land requires the Deer Bait Privilege License.
Licenses
For residents 16 to 64, the Annual Sportsman ($165) bundles every hunting privilege plus WMA access. Hunter education applies if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1969.
Statewide dates from the 2026-27 TWRA guide, checked October 28, 2026.
Washington County near Johnson City: what is in season
Bear hunting here falls under zone BHZ1. Washington County is open to licensed baiting on private land.
- 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.
Sunrise and legal light in Johnson City
Sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30 minutes is the window for big and small game.
Calculated for Johnson City in Eastern time.
Meat processing and mounts near Johnson City
We start in Washington County and work outward.
Closest gun ranges to Johnson City
Closest first, measured as the crow flies from town.
Shooting here: rifle; pistol; skeet; trap; 5-stand; archery. Members and their guests.
Shooting here: rifle and pistol. Open to the public.
Shooting here: rifle and pistol. Open to the public.
Johnson City hunting FAQ
When does deer season open near Johnson City?
Archery opens Sep 26, 2026 and gun season runs Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 statewide.
Can I hunt turkey in fall near Johnson City?
Washington County allows fall turkey by bow and by shotgun Oct 17 to 30, limit one male.
Who processes deer near Johnson City?
Try Hamilton Meats, Pierce's Custom Butcher Shop and Gap Creek Custom Meat Processing.
Do I need a WMA permit to hunt near Johnson City?
Hunters aged 16 to 64 need one on WMAs; the Annual Sportsman license already includes it.
How does Washington County rank for deer?
The county ranked 44th with 1,553 deer in 2025-26.
How far is public land from Johnson City?
North Cherokee National Forest & WMA is about 9 miles from Johnson City in a straight line.
How many public areas can I reach from Johnson City?
14 within 75 miles, 7 of them closer than 30.
What county covers Johnson City?
Washington County. Washington County hunting covers harvest history and regulations.
What deer unit applies to Johnson City?
Unit 6, through Washington County. The unit decides how many does you can take.
Johnson City hunt planning
Towns close by: Hunting near Elizabethton, Hunting near Erwin, Hunting near Kingsport.
Other photos on this page: ilouque (CC BY 2.0); Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0); Darron Birgenheier (CC BY-SA 2.0); Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0).