12 listed seasons · 2026–27
Hunting seasons & regulations
Every hunt on the area, what you may take, and the rules that apply whether or not a season is open.
Season dates
2026–27 season · verified August 11, 2026 against TWRA
| Quarry | Method | Dates | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer & Bear | Archery | Oct 3–11, 2026 | Two deer, max one antlered; one bear | Archery equipment only. Entire area open, checking stations operated. Bears may be taken with any weapon legal for the hunt. Both count toward statewide bag limits. |
| Deer | Gun — Young Sportsman | Oct 24–25, 2026Disputed — see above | Two deer, max one antlered | Counts toward statewide bag limit. |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Oct 29–31, 2026 | One antlered deer | Station quota per hunt: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. Drawn quota hunt. |
| Deer | Gun | Nov 12–14, 2026 | One antlered deer | Station quota: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. Drawn quota hunt. |
| Deer | Gun | Nov 19–21, 2026 | One antlered deer | Station quota: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. Drawn quota hunt. |
| Deer | Gun | Dec 3–5, 2026 | One antlered deer | Non-quota. Entire area open — the only deer gun hunt you do not have to be drawn for. |
| Wild Hog | Control season — dogs permitted | Dec 9–13 and Dec 16–20, 2026 | No limit, either sex | Entire area open. Minimum 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange/pink on the upper body and head, visible front and back. Any weapon and ammunition legal for deer, bear or elk. Legal hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. All hogs must be transported whole to a checking station for data collection. |
| Opossum & Raccoon | — | Nov 1 to sunrise Dec 31, 2026 | Not stated by TWRA | Closes at sunset the day before, and during, scheduled big game hunts. |
| Turkey | Spring — Young Sportsman | Mar 27–28, 2027 | One male bearded turkey | Counts toward statewide bag limit. |
| Turkey | Spring | Apr 3 – May 2, 2027 | One male bearded turkey per day | Counts toward the statewide bag limit of two. Note the area closes two weeks before the statewide season ends. |
| Bullfrog | — | Apr 1 – Sept 1 | Not stated by TWRA | No hunting during turkey hunts. TWRA lists this one without a year. |
| Trapping | — | Dec 15, 2026 – last day of Feb 2027 | Not stated by TWRA | Closed during the wild hog control season. |
Standing rules
These apply year-round and do not change with the annual proclamation.
- Antler restriction
- On all hunts, an antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one antler, or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread.
- Special use
- Hooved animal riding, bicycling and OHV use are permitted only for people holding a valid hunting and fishing license plus a WMA permit, or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit. OHVs are permitted from the fourth Saturday in August through the second Sunday in June. OHVs, bicyclists and hooved animal riders may not enter the area except through gated TWRA access points.
- Access limitations
- During big game hunts the area is open only to legal big game hunt participants. Guides are prohibited on all hunts. Unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunrise and sunset.
- Winter closure
- Catoosa WMA closes to all users from February 1 through the last Friday in March, with two exceptions: Cumberland Trail corridor users and walk-in anglers; and walk-in hunters and trappers, who are permitted February 1 through the last day of February.
- Spring and summer closure
- Closed to all hunting from March 1 through the fourth Friday in August, except during turkey and spring squirrel seasons.
- Cumberland Trail
- During all deer, turkey and wild hog control hunts, everyone within the Cumberland Trail corridor must wear blaze orange or pink and remain within 100 feet on either side of the trail.
- Checking and tagging
- Deer and hog hunters must check out at WMA checking stations, and must tag their harvest with paper transportation tags before transporting it to the nearest check station.
- Weapon use
- Wild hogs may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters. Chasing fox, coyote or bobcat with dogs is not permitted.
- Dogs and other restrictions
- The area is closed to quail hunting and dog training. Dogs are not permitted during spring squirrel season.
- Camping
- Allowed for big game hunters, during big game hunts, in designated areas only.
Ranges
Genesis Checking Station Range
- Hours
- Daily, daylight hours only
- Closed
- During deer archery hunts and turkey hunts
- Permit
- Permit required
Peavine Campground Range
- Hours
- Apr 1 – Jan 31, daylight hours only
- Closed
- During deer archery hunts and turkey hunts
- Permit
- Permit required