West Sandy WMA
Directions and Description
Site Directions: from Big Sandy, take TN Hwy 69A for approximately 4.2 miles, turn right onto Maberry Road, and follow for 1 mile, continue straight onto Elkhorn Road for 2.5 miles, the entrance to the WMA will be on the right. Various access points for the WMA can be found on TN-HWY 69A, Elkhorn Road, Highway 79, and Graceland Road. Lat: 36.295756°N Long: -88.160417°W
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, some roads may be closed to all access, please note hunting seasons. General access is free however, some hunting, fishing, or recreational license fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 1 Office 1-731-423-5725 Toll-Free 1-800-372-3928 e-mail the office TWRA Area Manager is Evan Gaskin 1-731-593-0588
The WMA consists of 4,319 acres of riverbottom swamps, cropland, and upland hardwoods. Access by vehicle is limited due to the lack of roads; most areas can be accessed by foot before the WMA is flooded in late October for waterfowl hunting. Then it is best explored by boat.
Fall through winter is best for wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for wintering waterfowl. However, deer and turkeys are abundant in the upland portions of the WMA. Multiple bird species such as ospreys and bald eagles nest in and around the swamps yearly.
This WMA is managed in cooperation with The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which oversees the yearly drawdown and flooding of the area. Multiple boat access areas are located at various spots throughout the WMA. ATVs are not permitted.
Regulations & Dates
Springville Bottoms
All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments five (5) days before the opening day of the statewide duck season. Beginning on the opening day of the regular waterfowl season and continuing until the last day of the regular waterfowl season, public access in the sub-impoundment will only be allowed from 4:00 a.m. until two (2) hours after legal shooting hours have ended.
Any temporary blinds, hides, and decoys must be at least 200 yards from any permanent blinds and be removed at the end of shooting hours each day.
Fishing, trapping, and hunting of all species other than waterfowl are prohibited in the sub-impoundments during the duck season occurring in Nov.–Feb.
CWD Carcass Transportation Regulations Apply
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping are the same as statewide seasons except as noted.
Fall Turkey - Closed.
Spring Turkey - One (1) non-quota: April 12 - May 4, 2025. The bag limit of one (1) male bearded turkey counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Turkey (Young Sportsman) - Same as statewide season.
Waterfowl - Waterfowl hunting closes at 3 p.m. (CST) each day of the regular statewide waterfowl seasons, except the last day of duck seasons and remaining goose seasons when hunting closes at sunset. Any temporary blinds, hides, and decoys must be at least 200 yards from any permanent blind and removed at the end of the hunt day.
Waterfowl (Wheelchair-bound Only Blind Sites) - Applications must be received by the TWRA Region I Office by noon on the fourth Friday in October. Persons holding a permit for another blind are not eligible to compete in the wheelchair-bound blind drawing. If the blind is not occupied by shooting time, another wheelchair-bound hunter and 1 to 3 assistants (at least one assistant must be age 16 or older) may occupy the blind for that day. Hunting is restricted to wheelchair hunters and assistants only within the marked wheelchair-hunting zone at designated blinds. Waterfowl Wheelchair Sites.
Quail - Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 15, 2025.
Dog training - Sept. 1, 2024 - March 15, 2025. Closed during the late duck season.
WMA Waterfowl Crops and Blind Information
West Sandy Flooding Update: July 1, 2024
WMAs known for waterfowl hunting are primarily made up of low elevation wetlands. This type of land is prone to flooding and provides both land and aquatic habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife species. TWRA works to provide diverse habitats for wildlife by managing for moist soil plants and planting traditional grain crops like corn and millet. However, because these areas are wetlands, crop production will not be comparable to production agriculture seen on neighboring higher elevation farms.
This WMA is not likely to be planted this year. Water levels are at or just below winter pool levels.
