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IN-DEPTH:
• Hunting Regulations
• Seasons/Bag Limits
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Hot Spots 2006
TnHunting.Com's 2006 list of Tennessee's Top 10 public hunting destinations has been compiled. The following is not based on any one detail, but on several combined details, including yearly harvest, hunter access and popularity.
10. Royal Blue
At first glance, Royal Blue is far from a turkey hunting haven. At 40,000 acres in size and with 65 birds taken in 2005, do the math: That's just 1.5 birds taken per 1,000 acres. When considering that the Royal Blue season is open with the statewide hunt, those numbers can be depressing for hunters looking to fill their tags quickly. But Royal Blue's yearly harvest continues to increase, posting an 8.3 percent jump in 2005. And it is one of the very few spots in Tennessee where hunters can kill a 100% "true" Eastern wild turkey, earning it recognition on this list.
9. Prentice Cooper
Marion County isn't necessarily known as a turkey hunting hot spot in Tennessee, but Prentice Cooper began to establish itself as a solid WMA for turkey hunting in 2004, posting a 41.2 percent harvest increase in a year that saw most WMAs post significant harvest decreases . . . and a year that saw Marion County also post a significant harvest decrease. Hunters here tagged 48 birds in 2005, up from 34 in 2004. The 2005 seasons are April 4-6, April 7-9, April 11-13, April 20-22, April 25-27 and April 28-30. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
8. Laurel Hill
Located in turkey-rich Lawrence County, Laurel Hill hunters tagged 49 birds in 2005, as the WMA continued to rank near the top of Region 3's WMAs for turkey hunters. The 2006 seasons are April 1-3, April 7-9, April 14-16, April 21-23, April 28-30 and May 5-7. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
7. Chuck Swan
The only strictly-quota public land on our list, Chuck Swan garners mention here because it remains one of the most-sought-after quota hunts in the state. In 2005, it led Region 4 WMAs with 91 birds taken. The 2006 quota hunts are set for March 30-April 1, April 6-8, April 13-15, April 20-22, April 27-29, May 4-6 and May 11-13. There is a 125 quota limit for each hunt. Because these hunts are quota hunts, turkeys taken here are "bonus" birds that do not count towards the statewide bag limit.
6. Catoosa
Traditionally known as a tough hunt, Catoosa WMA nevertheless offers plenty of opportunities for hunters to get into the woods. And despite the wariness of the birds here, it continues to be Region 3's top WMA. In 2005, hunters tagged a total of 108 birds here. The 2006 seasons are April 7-9, April 14-16, April 18-20, April 25-27, April 28-30, May 2-4. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
5. Milan APP
Milan Army Ammunition Plant opened its gates for hunters in 2005 and immediately jumped onto the map in West Tennessee, with 86 birds taken, ranking the reserve at second among public lands in Region 1, behind only LBL. For hunting regulations, call 731-686-6682.
4. AEDC
Just about the only thing knocking AEDC out of third place is the fact that the WMA has fewer nonquota hunting days than Cheatham. AEDC hunters bagged 78 birds in 2004, second among Region 2 WMAs only to Cheatham. 2005 hunting seasons on AEDC are April 1-3, April 7-9, April 21-23, and April 28-30. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
3. Cheatham
Traditionally ranking at the top of the harvest list each year among Middle Tennessee's Wildlife Management Areas, Cheatham hunters tagged 84 turkeys in 2005. Plenty of nonquota opportunities exist on Cheatham. The 2005 seasons are: April 1-3, April 7-9, April 14-16, April 19-23 and April 27-30. The bag limit is one bearded bird per hunt, not to exceed two per year.
2. LBL
Separating #1 from #2 on this list is no easy task. Land Between the Lakes continues to be a "man amongst boys" where WMAs are concerned in Region 1. With 124 turkeys tagged in 2004, LBL ranked second on Tennessee's public lands list, behind only Fort Campbell. LBL offers plenty of time in the woods for nonquota hunts (2005 nonquota seasons are April 17-23 and April 24-30; bag limit is one bearded bird on each hunt), and has two quota hunts for those who want to beat the crowds to one of Tennessee's best WMAs. Website . . .
1. Fort Campbell
With 180 turkeys harvested in 2005, Fort Campbell continues to lead the way among Tennessee's public lands, although the harvest was down significantly from 2004's total of 346. Fort Campbell birds do not count towards Tennessee's statewide bag limit and the season runs from March 25 through May 7, making this military compound a good draw for any hunter. Website . . .
Honorable Mention: Cherokee, Yanahli, Shelby Forest.
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