Quick Answer
Quota hunts are most popular in Tennessee's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) with high deer densities and favorable habitat conditions, particularly in areas with large tracts of public land and agricultural fields.
Top WMAs for Quota Hunts
Tennessee’s WMAs offer quota hunts for white-tailed deer, with the most popular being the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which has a quota of 1,000 deer tags. The area’s mix of hardwood forests and agricultural fields creates an ideal environment for deer hunting. Hunters must apply for a quota hunt permit through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) online system.
Key WMAs for Success
Other WMAs with high quota hunt success rates include the North Cumberland WMA, which has a quota of 800 deer tags, and the South Cumberland WMA, which has a quota of 600 deer tags. Both areas offer a mix of forest and field habitats that attract deer. In the North Cumberland WMA, hunters can expect to encounter large bucks, with a average rack size of 125 inches. In the South Cumberland WMA, hunters can expect to encounter a mix of bucks and does.
Strategies for Success
To increase their chances of success, hunters should focus on applying for a quota hunt permit during the early archery season, which typically takes place in mid-September. This allows hunters to target deer in their pre-rut phase, when they are most active. Hunters should also consider using a combination of stand placement and scent control to avoid spooking deer. Finally, hunters should be prepared for a long and physically demanding hunt, as many of these WMAs are remote and require a significant amount of hiking to reach hunting areas.
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