squirrel hunting on WMA

[fishman731]

Thinking of hunting squirrels on WMA land this year and I have a question. If a WMA is open "Same as statewide season" for deer and small game can you hunt squirrels during deer season?

 

[Andy S.]

My experience has been "yes you can", as long as it is not explicitly stated that "you cannot" in the H&T Guide.

 

[MickThompson]

Yes, just give everyone plenty of room and they'll usually do the same for you, and remember your orange.

 

[TheLBLman]

Although often legal, it's not always the best idea, due to the potential for conflict between deer hunters & small game hunters.
There are ways to reduce this potential, but it's still there, and I say that "sadly" from a perspective of my believing TWRA places too much emphasis on deer hunting while not enough on small-game hunting.

In fact, this is one of my biggest complaints with TWRA's "velvet" deer hunt,
which coincides statewide with the opening weekend of squirrel season.

Some of the better ways of avoiding conflicts include waiting until good light before parking, and not parking anywhere near another vehicle. Most deer hunters will then beat you into the woods, allowing you more opportunity to give them a wide berth. You have just as much "right" to be there hunting squirrels, as they deer, but you may have more opportunity to prevent a conflict than a guy sitting in a treestand.

Even though not required during archery deer segments, I'd highly recommend your wearing an orange hat.
Wearing an orange cap/hat will have little effect on how many squirrels you get.
If that idea others you, consider an orange "camo" cap instead of solid orange.

If muzzleloader or gun season is open, you need an orange vest/coat and hat.

Also, consider there can be a camouflaged hunter sitting high in a tree,
somewhere in the background of those squirrels you're about to shoot.
This is a big concern whether you're that archery deer hunter or that ground-covering squirrel hunter.

I've had some scary moments myself when squirrels were cutting above my head,
then noticed a squirrel hunter slipping my way, getting ready to shoot a squirrel in the same tree I was sitting.

 

[fishman731]

I am most likely going to hunt after the morning deer hunt and before the evening hunt. Unless I have an abundance of squirrels moving around me at daylight then I am prone to switch gears rather quickly. I like squirrel hunting more than deer. Most Alabama WMA's doesn't allow squirrel hunting on days with deer hunts so I wanted to catch up on the rules in Tennessee. Thanks for the information.

 

[MickThompson]

... Most Alabama WMA's doesn't allow squirrel hunting on days with deer hunts so I wanted to catch up on the rules in Tennessee. Thanks for the information.

It's the same here for WMAs with quota hunts and most with short nonquota hunts. WMAs open same as statewide usually are t too terribly busy on weekdays and non-opening days.

 

[Andy S.]

The new 2019/2020 Hunting Guide may shed some light on the exact WMA you are interested in. Also, give the WMA Manager a call if you have any specific questions. I typically leave a message with my name and phone number, and they call me back in a day or two.

http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/hunting/

 

[Levee Jumper]

I am most likely going to hunt after the morning deer hunt and before the evening hunt. Unless I have an abundance of squirrels moving around me at daylight then I am prone to switch gears rather quickly. I like squirrel hunting more than deer. Most Alabama WMA's doesn't allow squirrel hunting on days with deer hunts so I wanted to catch up on the rules in Tennessee. Thanks for the information.

I would encourage you to get after them the first few hours of daylight in the first 4 weeks or so before deer season. Thats by far the best time to hunt them and you don't have to worry about the deer hunters. The first 2 or 3 weeks of season is just about the only time your going to catch 10+ in one big hickory tree and thats where its at for me.