TnHunting.Com's 2007 list of Tennessee's top 10 public hunting destinations has been compiled. The list is not based on any one detail, but on several combined details, including yearly harvest, hunter access and popularity.
For comparison's sake, last year's top 10 consisted of: 1.) Fort Campbell; 2.) Land Between the Lakes; 3.) Cheatham WMA; 4.) AEDC; 5.) Milan AAP; 6.) Catoosa WMA; 7.) Chuck Swan WMA; 8.) Laurel Hill WMA; 9.) Prentice Cooper WMA; 10.) Royal Blue WMA; Honarable Mention: Shelby Forest, Cherokee WMA and Yanahli WMA.
The 2007 list:
10. Laurel Hill
Located in turkey-rich Lawrence County, the turkey harvest on this 14,000-acre WMA slipped slightly in 2006, as hunters bagged 44 birds, compared with 53 in 2005. But it continues to rank as one of Region II's most successful WMAs for turkey hunters. There are six 3-day seasons in 2007: March 31-April 2, April 6-8, April 13-15, April 20-22, April 27-29 and May 4-6. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
9. Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
The feds opened Tennessee NWR to turkey hunting last year and it immediately shot to near the top of the list for Region I public lands, with 75 birds harvested. The Duck River bottoms are a fantastic location for turkeys, and all-in-all, the 50,000 acres along the Tennessee River make for good hunting. All three units — Big Sandy, Duck River and Busselltown — are open to hunting. A $12.50 annual hunting permit is required and can be obtained by visiting the refuge website. The hunting season is open with the statewide season (March 31 - May 13) and the bag limit is one bearded bird.
8. Milan Army Ammunition Plant
When Milan AAP opened its gates for hunters in 2005, it immediately jumped to second among Region I public lands in birds taken, only behind LBL. That landed it in our top five public hunting destinations a year ago. MAAP slips a bit on our list this year, but that doesn't speak for the quality of hunting there. The 2006 harvest of 90 was actually higher than the 2005 harvest of 86. For hunting regulations at Milan AAP, call 731-686-6682.
7. Cherokee WMA
This listing is vague. At 650,000 acres along Tennessee's Appalachians, this destination could include a number of counties in East Tennessee. The hunting here isn't necessarily easy, but at 247 birds taken in 2006 (up from 113 in 2005), Cherokee is headed in the right direction, and offers one of the state's rare opportunities at a pure-strain eastern bird. The season is open with the statewide season (March 31 - May 13).
6. Chuck Swan State Forest
Chuck Swan is the only public land without a non-quota hunt to make our list. We included it again this year because it remains one of the most popular quota destinations in the state. With 150 birds harvested in 2006 over 91 in 2005, it would seem that the Region IV draw will become harder than ever in years to come. And, Chuck Swan offers Tennessee hunters the elusive "bonus bird." If this 44,000-acre forest seems like the place for you, try a little earlier next year . . . between December and February when quota applications are being accepted.
5. AEDC
Like last year, the only thing putting AEDC behind Cheatham is the number of open hunting days. Second in Region II to Cheatham two years ago, AEDC actually edged ahead in the harvest in 2006, with 99 birds harvested to Cheatham's 98. This year, there will be four 3-day hunts on the WMA, including: March 31 - April 2, April 13 - 15, April 27 - 29, May 4 - 6.
4. Cheatham WMA
Cheatham traditionally ranks at the top of the list among Region 2 public lands, and 2006 was no exception, as the WMA's hunters bagged 98 birds, up from 84 in 2005. This year, there will be five hunts at Cheatham, including: March 31 - April 2, April 6 - 8, April 13 - 15, April 18 - 22, and April 26-29. The bag is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
3. Land Between the Lakes
Typically second on Tennessee's list of public lands in terms of overall harvest, LBL actually slipped to fifth a year ago. Not necessarily because of a lack of birds harvested there — though LBL's harvest did slip from 124 to 110 in 2006 — but because of the rise of other public lands. Separating LBL from other top destinations remains a difficult task. The recreation area offers 14 non-quota hunting days again in 2007 — April 14 - 22 and April 23 - 29. The non-quota hunts follow three quota hunts that will be held on LBL earlier in the season. Website . . .
2. Catoosa WMA
This 80,000 wildlife management area on the Cumberland Plateau may be one of the state's toughest public lands to hunt. Novices will find it difficult to score here without a little luck. But, like Cherokee National Forest, it is one of the only places remaining in the state to harvest a true eastern bird. That, and its continued high popularity among hunters, caused us to re-evaluate Catoosa's position on this year's list and move them into our top five. This year's non-quota hunts will be April 6 - 8, April 14 - 15, April 17 - 19, April 24 - 26, April 27 - 29 and May 1 - 3. A youth hunt will be held April 21 and 22. The bag limit is one bearded bird, not to exceed two per year.
1. Fort Campbell
Although the 2006 harvest data isn't available from Fort Campbell, it's a safe bet that the turkey harvest continued to rank towards the top of Tennessee's public lands list a year ago, as it traditionally does. Fort Campbell's season is open from March 24 - May 6 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The bag limit is two bearded birds per day not to exceed four per year and do not count towards Tennessee's bag limits, making this hunt a good draw for any hunter. Special regulations apply, check their website.
Honorable Mention: Royal Blue/Sundquist WMAs (join to offer hunters 120,000 acres of hunting and, like Catoosa and Cherokee, offer an opportunity at a true eastern bird), Prentice Cooper State Forest (31 birds taken in 2006, down from 48 in 2005) and Yanahli WMA (40 birds taken in 2006, up from 35 in 2005).
