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East Tennessee
Hunting Near Mountain City, TN
Public hunting land within driving distance of Mountain City, with the 2026-27 season dates that apply and the processors and shops closest to town.
Photo: Intermountain Region US Forest Service (Public domain)
Mountain City public land by distance
At about 12 miles, Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF is the first public area you reach from Mountain City. Inside 30 miles there are roughly 693 public acres across 3 areas. For the most room, Lick Creek Bottoms WMA has 1,400 acres about 74 miles out. Mileage is measured from the middle of Mountain City in a straight line.
| Area | Distance | Type | Acres | Species | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 12 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer; turkey; dove; small game; bear | Carter, Johnson |
| Big Springs PHA | 20 mi | Public area | n/a | deer; turkey; dove; small game; bear | Sullivan |
| Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area | 26 mi | State Natural Area | 693 | deer; turkey; small game | Carter |
| North Cherokee National Forest & WMA | 33 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer; turkey; dove; small game; bear | Carter, Johnson |
| Henderson Swamp PHA | 45 mi | WMA | n/a | deer; turkey; dove; small game; bear | Washington |
| Holston Army Ammunition Plant | 47 mi | Military | n/a | deer | Hawkins |
| Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee NF | 52 mi | National Forest | n/a | deer; turkey; dove; small game; bear | Unicoi, Cocke |
| Nolichucky WMA | 65 mi | WMA | 1,000 | deer; turkey; waterfowl; small game | Greene |
| Kyles Ford WMA | 68 mi | WMA | 1,000 | deer; turkey; small game; bear | Hancock, Hawkins |
| Lick Creek Bottoms WMA | 74 mi | WMA | 1,400 | deer; turkey; dove; small game | Greene |
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Mountain City
Short drives from Mountain City
Start with these four, then check each one’s page for dates and rules.
2026-27 seasons for Mountain City hunters
Mountain City deer bag
Johnson County falls under Unit 6. Here the antlerless bag is set per segment, 4 in archery and 2 each in the youth hunt, the muzzleloader and straight-wall week, and gun season. Limits are per unit, not per county.
Johnson County CWD rules
CWD rules do not cover this county, so licensed baiting on private land is allowed.
Licenses and hunter ed
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 28, 2026.
Johnson County near Mountain City season check
Johnson County hunters follow zone BHZ1 bear rules. With a Deer Bait Privilege License, bait is legal on private land in Johnson County.
- 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.
Mountain City legal light by day
Deer and small game hours run a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
Calculated for Mountain City in Eastern time.
Where to process a deer near Mountain City
Sorted by county, starting with Johnson.
Shooting ranges near Mountain City
The three closest listed ranges, straight-line miles from town.
Open to the public. Listed for rifle and pistol.
Open to the public. Listed for rifle and pistol.
Members and their guests. Listed for rifle / pistol / skeet / trap / 5-stand / archery.
Mountain City: quick answers
What is the deer harvest near Mountain City?
TWRA counted 1,042 deer from Johnson County in 2025-26.
Do WMAs near Mountain City need a permit?
For ages 16 to 64, yes. Annual Sportsman holders already have it.
How much public land is around Mountain City?
Within 30 miles: 3. Within 75 miles: 10.
Which public hunting area is nearest Mountain City?
About 12 miles to Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee NF.
What are the doe limits near Mountain City?
Unit 6. Doe limits in Tennessee are set by unit.
Mountain City is in what county?
County rules for Johnson County apply. Johnson County hunting has more on the county.
Can I take a turkey in the fall near Mountain City?
Yes. Fall archery and the Oct 17 to 30 shotgun season are open in Johnson County, 1 male turkey for the fall.
When does gun season start near Mountain City?
Gun season is Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, after archery opens Sep 26, 2026.
What deer processors are close to Mountain City?
Johnson County Meat Processing, H&H Market and Pierce's Custom Butcher Shop are listed nearby.
Before you hunt near Mountain City
Hunting from a nearby town? Hunting near Elizabethton, Hunting near Johnson City, Hunting near Erwin.
Other photos on this page: Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0).