Wolf River WMA (and Ghost River SNA)

Fayette County • 11,200 acres
On Hwy. 57 east of Memphis, south of LaGrange
Brandon Gilbert (901) 878-0855

Ghost River Natural Area is open the same as Wolf River WMA.

Hunting or access to hunting from the boardwalk structure is prohibited.

Turkey - Two weekly hunts (Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun) each week of spring turkey season. All hunts will be quota hunts and will be drawn prior to turkey season. Hunter quota 25 per hunt. One bearded turkey per hunt,  counts toward statewide bag limit. 

Turkey (Young Sportsman) - Same as statewide season and bag limit.

Unit I (The Portion South of  Hwy. 57)

Big  Game, Small Game, and Trapping are the same as statewide seasons (read the guide) except as noted.

Closed to Quail hunting; 

Closed to Fall Turkey season.

All Small Game Hunting is closed during Young Sportsman deer hunts.

Dove - Sept. 1 at noon and every day thereafter during the remainder of the statewide dove seasons.

Rabbit - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024

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. Temporary blinds only.

Firing range open for rifle sight-in during the whole month of Oct. Coordinates of the range are (GPS N35.0026.63, W89.1759.93).  Find out more on the Firing Rage page.

Deer -Deer seasons follow Unit CWD dates and bag limits, including the August G/M/A Hunt.

Dog training - Sept. 1, 2023,  - Jan. 31, 2024.

Unit II (The Portion North of Hwy. 57)

Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping and Dog hunting are the same as statewide seasons (read the guide) except as noted.

Deer -Deer seasons follow Unit CWD dates and bag limits, including the August G/M/A Hunt.

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. Temporary blinds only.

Site Description: The majority of the Wolf River Wildlife Management Area lies along the unchannelized portion of the Wolf River from the Tennessee/Mississippi state line to the Bateman Bridge. Upland areas are characterized by agricultural fields/pastures and scattered stands of upland hardwoods.

The Wolf River WMA consists of 4,236 acres of which 2,400 acres are in the Wolf River floodplain and 1,667 acres in open agricultural and pastures. The forested acreage is >80% bottomland hardwood/swamp forest.

The Ghost River State Natural Area is a 2,220-acre, 14-mile section of the Wolf River from the parking area near La Grange to the Bateman Bridge. Here, the Ghost River section of the Wolf is unchannelized and meanders through bottomland hardwood forests, cypress-tupelo swamps, and open marshes.  Some of the most impressive trees are oaks that include Cherrybark, Water Willow, and Swamp Chestnut.

The low ridges above the river bottoms support Tulip Poplar, beech, and White Oak with Northern Red Oak infrequently occurring. The natural area also includes significant uplands and sandy hills adjacent to the floodplain.

The Ghost River section of the Wolf River received its name from the loss of river current as the water "flows" through open marshes and bald cypress-water tupelo swamps.

A canoe trail has been blazed through the disorienting maze of Virginia Willow, cypress, tupelos, and stunted Pumpkin Ash.  This trail includes a 600-foot boardwalk in the Minnow Slough area.

Wildlife to Watch: Neotropical migratory songbirds are common in summer, including Acadian Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Wood Thrush. 

NOTE:  Some areas are used for recreational purposes.  Please use these links before visiting the location.

• Tennessee Fishing Guide
  
• Ghost River Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area
• Wolf River - Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks
• Wolf River Conservancy