National Wildlife Refuge · Tennessee · FWS Region 4

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge lies in Stewart County, Tennessee, with about 6,582 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 8,181 huntable acres.

4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
8.2Khuntable acres
6.6KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Cross Creeks NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Cross Creeks NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

About 75 miles from Nashville, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge offers a great public hunting opportunity along 12.5 river miles of the Cumberland River.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Tennessee regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 8,181 (93%)Closed: 617 (7%)8.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations8,181 ac 93%
  • Closed617 ac 7%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Area 1
2,684 ac
Hunt Area 3
2,423 ac
Hunt Area 2
1,970 ac
Hunt Area 4
1,104 ac
No Hunt Zone
617 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Area 1
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,684 Required
Other		 All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15
Hunt Area 2
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,970 Required
Other		 All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15
Hunt Area 3
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,423 Required
Other		 All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15
Hunt Area 4
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,104 Required
Other		 All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15
No Hunt Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 617 Required
Other		 All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15

Cross Creeks NWR by the numbers

With about 8,181 huntable acres, Cross Creeks NWR ranks #6 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Tennessee and #219 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 93% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Hunt Area 1 (2,684 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Hunt Area 4, covers 1,104 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 617 acres is closed to hunting (No Hunt Zone). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Cross Creeks NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Tennessee sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters over the age of 17 must purchase annual hunt permit for $15

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Tennessee hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Cross Creeks NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted in refuge impoundments and reservoirs, March 16-November 14. Fishing is permitted year-round in waters of Lake Barkley. Predominant species are sunfish, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Cross Creeks NWR

Navigate

Destination: Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
36.46812, -87.73908
DMS
36°28′05.2″N 87°44′20.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Clarksville, TN21 mi W of town
  • Paris, TN35 mi E of town
  • Nashville, TN57 mi W of town
  • Paducah, KY64 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • BNA Nashville Intl64 mi
  • MEM Memphis Intl160 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Cross Creeks NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM7:21 PM12h 60m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:00 PM12h 28m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM6:36 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:16 PM11h 19m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:43 AM6:13 AM4:55 PM10h 43m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM4:43 PM10h 16m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM4:36 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM4:36 PM9h 42m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM4:45 PM9h 43m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:31 AM7:01 AM4:57 PM9h 55m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:23 AM6:53 AM5:15 PM10h 22m

Computed for 36.468, -87.739 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Cross Creeks NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Cross Creeks NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Cross Creeks NWR?

Yes. Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (8,181 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Cross Creeks NWR?

Yes — Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov) or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Cross Creeks NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Cross Creeks NWR located?

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge is in Stewart County, Tennessee, about 21 miles W of Clarksville, TN (straight-line). GPS: 36.46812, -87.73908.

What are legal shooting hours at Cross Creeks NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Tennessee NWR

Henry County, TN · 23 mi W

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🎣

49.5K huntable acres

Clarks River NWR

Marshall County, KY · 39 mi NW

8 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.7K huntable acres

Reelfoot NWR

Obion County, TN · 89 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Lake Isom NWR

Lake County, TN · 94 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🎣

1.8K huntable acres

Cypress Creek NWR

Alexander County, IL · 95 mi NW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Green River NWR

Henderson County, KY · 100 mi N

3 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Tennessee →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.