Scott's Gulf Wilderness Hunting

trees in the fall with orange leaves on branches and on the ground

Truck camper parked in a wooded campsite.

Hunting at Scott’s Gulf Wilderness

Around 6,500 acres of the Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park are huntable. 

Hunters must always be aware of what is in front of and behind their target. Please review our safety information prior to visiting the park.

Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park shares its boundary with two units of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). These properties adjoin each other and even share a couple of trails. It is important to be familiar with designated park trails and be mindful of staying on trail while hiking Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park during hunting seasons. These areas are called the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area, and this includes the Big Bottom Unit of the WMA. These two areas, which join the Park and are managed by TWRA, have different management regimes.

Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area is located on the top of the plateau to the east and south of Eastland Road and Scott’s Gulf Road. The Big Bottom Unit begins in Big Bottom off of White’s Cave Road, and extends eastward up into Big Bottom itself. For more details, please reference our park map and the TWRA website.

Hunting Map

Hunting Safety

Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park shares its boundary with two units of Tennessee Wildlife Resources agency (TWRA). These properties adjoin each other and even share a couple of trails. It is important to be familiar with designated park trails and being mindful of staying on trail while hiking Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park during hunting seasons. These areas are called Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area, and this includes the Big Bottom Unit of the WMA. These two areas, that join the park and are managed by TWRA, have different management regimes.

Hunters must always be aware of what is in front of and beyond their target. Other hunters, hikers, vehicles, or buildings could be downrange of a potential target; hunters should stay alert and never shoot in a direction that might have hikers, vehicles, or buildings. Not fully identifying the game target, or indulging in “brush shots” is incredibly dangerous and indicates poor sportsmanship.

Safety Zones: Hunting is not allowed within 100 feet of trails, roads, parking lots, and campsites.

Hiking in Hunting Seasons

Hiking is permitted on Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park trails during hunting seasons. Hikers that are hiking during hunting seasons are advised to wear bright clothing, especially blaze orange for safety reasons. Please stick to the trails when traversing huntable areas.

Tip for Hikers: The gun season portion of deer season normally begins the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. During this opening week of gun season, it is recommended to plan your hike on the non-huntable portion of Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park. The park contains miles of trails on the non-huntable lands where hunter/hiker interactions should not occur.