Oak Ridge Reservation and WMA

Roane/Anderson counties • 36,000 acres
Shannon Young (865) 576-2380 (Check station); 865-574-7052

Shotguns, muzzleloading rifles, and archery equipment only.

On big game quota hunts and on approved scouting days, for all areas, except behind all security checkpoints, a non-hunting juvenile under the age of 16 may accompany an adult hunter (21 years old or older) who has a valid Oak Ridge WMA quota permit. However, these non-hunting juveniles may not accompany hunters into any area requiring entry through a Security Portal or Security Police Officer Check Point (e.g. Tower Shielding Facility, Chestnut Ridge/Park City Road, or any badged-only hunting areas).

During deer hunts, non-hunting juveniles must also comply with blaze orange regulations specified for legal hunters.

No boat access during deer hunts except to access Haw Ridge Park.   Boat access only for waterfowl hunters accessing Solway and Freels Bend on or during the designated Sept. and Oct. hunting dates.

All Hunters must carry, at all times, a hunting license and permit, valid picture identification (youth excluded), and a signed current hunt map.

During Oct., Nov., and Dec. big game hunts all hunters must wear daylight fluorescent orange (blaze orange) including archery hunters in the Archery-Only Zones.

Dog training is prohibited.

All Hunters are required to check in big game and coyotes at the WMA check station.

Coyotes may be taken on any hunt with weapons legal for that hunt.

Deer (Shotgun/Muzzleloader/Archery) (Zone 1)  Three hunts: Nov. 4 - 5, 2023, Nov. 11-12, 2023,  and Dec. 9 - 11, 2023. Hunter quota 225. Three deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).

Deer (Archery) (Zone 2) - Three hunts: Nov. 4–5, 2023, Nov. 11–12, 2023, and Dec. 9–10, 2023. Hunter quota 300. Three deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer). While deer hunting, one bearded turkey may be harvested and will count toward your statewide bag limit.

Deer (Archery) (Zone 2) - Three hunts: Nov. 4–5, 2023, Nov. 11–12, 2023, and Dec. 9–10, 2023. Hunter quota 300. Three deer, antlerless only (bonus deer). While deer hunting, one bearded turkey may be harvested and will count toward your statewide bag limit.

Scouting dates: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2023, for the Nov. 4–5, 2023 hunt and the Nov. 11–12, 2023 permit holders; on Dec. 2 for the Dec. 9–10, 2023 permit holders.

Waterfowl - One-half hour before sunrise to noon - hunting on Solway and Freels Bend only from the shoreline to Solway Bend Farm Road and from the shoreline to Freels Bend Farm Road. Access by boat only. Hunting from temporary blinds only.

Canada Goose - Sept. 4, 9, 10, 16, 17, 2023 and Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 2023.

Wood Duck/Teal - Sept. 9–10, 2023.

Turkey - Two hunts: April 13–14, 2024, and  April 20–21, 2024. Hunter quota 225. One bearded turkey counts toward statewide bag limit. Hunting ends at noon daily. Successful hunters must be at the check station by 1 p.m.

Turkey scouting date: 7 a.m. to noon EST on April 6, 2024, for the April 13–14, 2024, and April 20–21, 2024 permit holders and approved youths only. 

All listed times are in the Eastern time zone.

Site Description: The Oak Ridge Reservation, 37,000 acres, has large expanses of mature hardwood forest, unbroken by development or farmland; brushy corridors and cutover forest; abandoned pastures; grasslands; cedar glades and barrens; and wetlands.

These habitats make the area attractive to a large and diverse number of species. Several access points open to the public are available for hiking and bird watching. Visitors must heed warnings when encountering road or area closed signs.

Wildlife to Watch: Woodland birds are common to abundant across Oak Ridge. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chuck-will's-widow, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler, and Summer Tanager are found commonly in summer.

Brown-headed Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, and other resident woodland birds are common year-round.