Catoosa WMA

Cumberland/Morgan counties • 79,740 acres 

• Special Use - Hooved animal riding, bicycling and OffHighway Vehicle (OHV) use permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and 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.
• Closed to all access during big game hunts, the area is open only to legal big game hunting participants.
• Guides are prohibited on all hunts.
• Big game hunters are required to check out big game and wild hogs at the WMA check stations when stations are in operation.
• All hunters are required to tag their harvest with paper transportation tags prior to transporting it to the nearest check station.
  
• All hunters are encouraged to be cautious when handling harvested hogs due to multiple documented cases of Brucellosis at Catoosa.
• Catoosa WMA will be closed to all users Feb. 1 through the last Friday in March except for walk-in small game hunting and trapping from Feb. 1 - last day of Feb.
• Closed to all hunting March 1 - the fourth Friday in August, except during turkey and spring squirrel seasons.
• Attention Cumberland Trail Corridor users: Pedestrian access through the Catoosa WMA on the Cumberland Trail corridor will be allowed year-round.
• During all deer, turkey, and wild hog control hunts, all users within the Cumberland Trail corridor must wear visible fluorescent clothing and remain within 100 feet on either side of the trail.
• All users: unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunrise and sunset.

Small game are the same as statewide seasons except for closes at sunset the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless otherwise noted.

Dogs are not permitted during the spring squirrel season.

Trapping and small game hunting are closed during wild hog control season.

Closed to quail hunting and dog training.

Rifles and handguns using center-fire ammunition are legal for hunting beaver, bobcat, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs and crows only during big game seasons and the hunter must be a licensed legal big game hunter.

During big game hunts, coyotes may be taken with any weapon legal for that hunt.

Chasing fox, coyote, or bobcat with dogs is not permitted.

Opossum - Raccoon - Nov. 1 to sunrise Dec. 31, except closes at sunset on the day before and during scheduled big game hunts.

Deer - On all hunts, antlered deer must have a minimum of 4 points on one antler or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread. Wild hogs may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.

Deer/Bear (Archery) - One hunt: Sept. 30 -  Oct. 8, 2023.  Archery equipment only. Area checking stations operated. The entire area is open. 2 deer with no more than one antlered (deer counts towards statewide bag limit). Bears may be taken with any weapon legal for the hunt. One bear counts toward the statewide bag limit.

Deer (Muzzleloader) - Two hunts: Oct. 26 - 28, 2023, Nov. 16 - 18, 2023. Station quota per hunt: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. One deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun) - One hunt: Nov. 9 - 11. Station quota: Genesis 1,000; Bicolor 1,000. One deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - One hunt: Oct. 21 - 22, 2023. Two deer, no more than one antlered (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Deer (Gun) - One hunt: Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2023. The entire area is open. One deer, antlered only (counts toward statewide bag limit).

Wild Hog (Control Season - Dogs Permitted) - Dec. 6 - 10, 13 - 17, 2023 Entire area is open. No limit, either sex.

All participants in the hog control season must wear on the upper portion of their body and head a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, visible front and back. Participants may use any legal weapon and ammunition that is legal for taking deer, bear, or elk. Legal hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Checking stations open on Catoosa–all hogs must be transported whole to the checking stations for data collection.

Bullfrog - April 1 - Sept. 1. No hunting during turkey hunts.

Turkey - Six hunts:  April 19–21, 23–25, April 30–May 2, May 3–5, 7–9, 10–12, 2024.   One bearded turkey per hunt counts toward the statewide bag limit.

Turkey (Young Sportsman) - One hunt: April 27 - 28, 2024. One bearded turkey. Counts toward statewide bag limit.

Trapping - Dec. 15, 2023- last day of Feb 2024.

Firing Range (Genesis Checking Station) - Open daily except during deer archery hunts and turkey hunts. Daylight hours only. Permit required. 

Shooting Range (Peavine Campground) - Open April 1 - Jan. 31, 2024 except closed during deer archery hunts and turkey hunts. Daylight hours only. Permit required. See tnwildlife.org for details.

Camping - During big game hunts, camping is allowed for big game hunters only.

Crooked Fork Unit

Morgan County 1,600 acres

Rifles and handguns using center-fire ammunition are prohibited.

Small game and trapping are the same as statewide seasons except as noted. except as noted.

Closed to quail hunting.

Closed to all hunting from March 1 through the fourth Friday in August, except during turkey and spring squirrel seasons.

Chasing fox, coyote, or bobcat with dogs is not permitted.

Big game are the same as statewide seasons is the same as statewide seasons, except deer season is closed after Dec. 8, 2023.

Archery equipment, shotguns, and muzzleloaders only for deer hunting.

Wild hogs may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.

Dog training - Dog training is closed

Site Description: The rolling hills of the Cumberland Plateau are managed in this area for all types of wildlife.  Across Catoosa WMA, visitors can find mature hardwood forest, young hardwood forest, dense vegetation along with crystal clear streams, and open oak savanna.

The oak savanna area is actively managed to maintain open woodlands and native grass systems that historically occurred in the region before the fire was removed from the system and forests dominated the area.

Other areas appear in transition due to pine bark beetle infestations and extensive loss of pine trees. 

Auto viewing is a good way to see wildlife at Catoosa WMA. 

The Obed Wild and Scenic River runs through Catoosa and can be explored from road crossings, however, there are no trails along with most river access points.

The Devil's Breakfast Table is one spot to see. It is a wonderful stopping point with a great view of Daddy's Creek (home to the Tangerine Darter) as well as nice wildflower opportunities.

Additionally, the area of the Catoosa WMA located west of the Devil's Breakfast Table is home to a substantial Oak Savanna Restoration Project. As this project progresses, there will be unique opportunities to see birds, wildflowers, and butterflies in this area.

The Wartburg entrance leads to a scenic drive that is very different from the oak savanna restoration areas. There are opportunities to get out and take in the quiet woods and birdsong or view the rivers and streams in the area.

While not in possession of especially large trees, the forest understory is outstanding, hosting high densities of bigleaf magnolia, eastern redbud, slippery elm, devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa), sourwood, and evergreen rhododendron.

The forest canopy is dense, creating a dim, mysterious air throughout the far eastern portion of the site.

Wildlife to Watch: The oak savanna area provides habitat for uncommon birds on the Cumberland Plateau, including Red-headed Woodpecker (very high densities), Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, and Common Yellowthroat.

Thick streamside may yield a Swainson's Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, or a river otter. Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer, and Ruffed Grouse are present.