Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA: deer harvest, 2026-27 rules and map
Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA is 24,680 acres of TWRA hunting land in Union and Campbell counties, measured on TWRA's boundary, in its Region 4. Hunters checked in 109 deer from the area in the 2025-26 season, 88 antlered bucks among them (TWRA's Hunter's Toolbox). The first deer hunt in TWRA's 2026-27 guide for the area: Deer/Bear, Archery, Oct. 2–3, Hunter quota 400. One (1) deer, either sex.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: TWRA's 2026-27 guide, page 113. Harvest: TWRA's Hunter's Toolbox, 2015-16 to 2025-26.
Chuck Swan State Forest and WMAOther TWRA hunting landsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 24,680 acres, measured on TWRA's boundary |
|---|---|
| County | Union County, Campbell County |
| TWRA region | Region 4 |
| Deer management unit | Unit 4 |
| Permits | WMA Small Game permit; Big Game (Non-Quota/WMA) or quota permit |
| Deer checked in, 2025-26 | 109 (88 antlered bucks, 8 antlerless males, 13 females) |
| Area manager | Dustin McCubbins (865) 278-3248 |
| Nearest towns | Norris (5 mi), Maynardville (6 mi) and La Follette (6 mi) |
What are the 2026-27 hunting rules on Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA?
TWRA's 2026-27 guide prints these rules and seasons for the area. Where it says statewide seasons, the statewide dates and the county's deer management unit limits apply.
Deer driving, loud noises, and harassment on all deer hunts is prohibited. Entering the WMA from Norris Lake during the deer and turkey hunts is prohibited. Guides prohibited on all hunts. Horses, ATVs, nonlicensed passenger vehicles and motorcycles are prohibited on Main Forest Road. Main Forest Road is defined as the road beginning at the Big Game check station and ending at the intersection of the Back Valley, Forks of the River, and Big Loop roads. ORV, horseback riding, bicycles, and all other vehicles are restricted to roads marked “open to vehicular traffic.” A licensed vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is tagged, registered and insured and is legal to operate on county, state and federal highways. Speed limit is 25 mph. All operators or passengers under the age of 18 of an off highway vehicle are required to wear an appropriate safety helmet. Organized competition events for motorized/ non-motorized vehicles prohibited. Maximum noise limit of 86 dBs for all motorized vehicles as measured at 50 feet from the exhaust. Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Waterfowl hunting is closed as posted. Closed to hunting March 1–the fourth Friday in August, except for Spring Turkey and Spring Squirrel hunting. Small game hunting will close at sunset the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless otherwise specified. Closed to quail hunting. Beaver and coyote may be taken on any hunt with weapon legal for that hunt. Groundhog, fox and skunk may be taken on any small game hunt with weapon legal for that hunt. Bobcat may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with the statewide bobcat season with weapons legal for the scheduled hunt.
- Raccoon: Seven (7) one (1) night hunts. Dec. 13–19. Hunters must check out by 1 a.m. One (1) raccoon per person.
- Coyote: June 7, 2026–Aug. 8, 2026; June 6, 2027–Aug. 14, 2027. No Limit. Centerfire allowed. Call WMA office for free permit. 865-278-3248.
- Deer/Bear, Archery: Oct. 2–3, Hunter quota 400. One (1) deer, either sex. One (1) bear. Deer and bear counts toward statewide bag.
- Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman): Oct. 24–25. Hunter quota 200. One (1) deer, either sex (Bonus deer).
- Deer (Muzzleloader): Nov. 13–14. Hunter quota 650. One (1) deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.
- Deer (Gun): Dec. 4–5. Hunter quota 650. One (1) deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.
- Deer (Gun): Dec. 11–12. Hunter quota 650. One (1) deer, antlered only. Deer counts toward statewide bag.
- Turkey: April 1–3. Hunter quota 25. One (1) male bearded turkey per hunt. No jakes allowed. Turkey counts towards statewide bag limit. Hunting ends at noon each day. Hunter must sign in and out at check station and be out by 1 p.m.
- Turkey: April 15–17. Hunter quota 25. One (1) male bearded turkey per hunt. No jakes allowed. Turkey counts towards statewide bag limit. Hunting ends at noon each day. Hunter must sign in and out at check station and be out by 1 p.m.
- Trapping: Jan. 2–Feb. 28. No raccoons. Quota is one (1) party per compartment. Trappers must apply at WMA office. No snares or conibear traps. Trappers must report catch annually.
- Dog training: Sept. 1–March 15, daylight hours only. Shooting range open Thursday and Friday from noon to sunset and Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Closed during all big game quota hunts. No buckshot allowed on range. Permit required for range. See tnwildlife.org for details.
Source: TWRA 2026-27 Tennessee Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Guide, page 113; TWRA's page for the area. Read every rule in the guide before you go: the guide is the final word.
How many deer are taken on Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA?
Hunters checked in 109 deer from Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA in the 2025-26 season. Over the 11 seasons the Toolbox shows, the area averaged 141 deer a season, from 85 in 2018-19 to 233 in 2015-16.
| Season | Deer checked in | Males | Antlered | Antlerless males | Females |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 109 | 96 | 88 | 8 | 13 |
| 2024-25 | 148 | 131 | 127 | 4 | 17 |
| 2023-24 | 88 | 71 | 68 | 3 | 17 |
| 2022-23 | 107 | 89 | 84 | 5 | 18 |
| 2021-22 | 107 | 92 | 85 | 7 | 15 |
| 2020-21 | 119 | 100 | 95 | 5 | 19 |
| 2019-20 | 142 | 119 | 114 | 5 | 23 |
| 2018-19 | 85 | 70 | 64 | 6 | 15 |
| 2017-18 | 191 | 147 | 44 | ||
| 2016-17 | 221 | 183 | 38 | ||
| 2015-16 | 233 | 182 | 51 |
Source: TWRA Hunter's Toolbox, Deer Harvests by County / WMA, read October 2026. These are deer hunters reported at check-in. Before 2018-19 the Toolbox counts every male as antlerless, so only the male total is shown for those seasons.
Which county is Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA in?
| County | Acres of the area in it | Deer unit | County deer off WMAs, 2025-26 | Rank of 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | 20,359 | 4 | 523 | 88th |
| Campbell County | 4,321 | 4 | 1,020 | 69th |
Acres measured by FilledTag on TWRA hunting lands layer (HuntingAllowed) and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries. County harvest: TWRA Hunter's Toolbox, Deer Harvests by County / WMA. Units: TWRA deer management unit counties.
How do you get to Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: TN 61, TN 170, TN 63 and TN 144. Nearest towns: Norris (5 miles), Maynardville (6 miles), La Follette (6 miles) and Rocky Top (8 miles). Directions and the area map are on TWRA's page for Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA.
The closest other TWRA hunting lands with a page here: Cove Creek WMA (3.1 miles), North Cumberland WMA (5.2 miles), Buffalo Springs WMA (17.7 miles) and Forks of the River WMA (23.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When can you hunt deer on Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA in 2026-27?
TWRA's 2026-27 guide lists these deer hunts for Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA: Deer/Bear, Archery, Oct. 2–3, Hunter quota 400; Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman), Oct. 24–25; Deer (Muzzleloader), Nov. 13–14; Deer (Gun), Dec. 4–5; Deer (Gun), Dec. 11–12. Each hunt's limits and rules are above.
How many deer were killed on Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA last season?
Hunters checked in 109 deer from Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA in the 2025-26 season: 88 antlered bucks, 8 antlerless males and 13 females, by TWRA's Hunter's Toolbox. The 11-season average is 141.
What county is Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA in?
Union County (20,359 acres) and Campbell County (4,321 acres), measured on TWRA's boundary.
What permit do you need to hunt Chuck Swan State Forest and WMA?
TWRA's guide lists these for the area: WMA Small Game permit; Big Game (Non-Quota/WMA) or quota permit. Lifetime and Annual Sportsman License holders are exempt from WMA permits (guide, page 11).
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Where these numbers come from
- Area rules, seasons, size and manager: TWRA 2026-27 Tennessee Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Guide.
- Deer harvest on the area and by county: TWRA Hunter's Toolbox, Deer Harvests by County / WMA.
- Boundary: TWRA hunting lands layer (HuntingAllowed). Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer. National forest and refuges: U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
FilledTag is not part of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Numbers are copied from TWRA or measured from public maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.
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