The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has established new daily access and traffic rules at the Beech River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which covers portions of Henderson and Decatur counties, for the upcoming duck season. Waterfowl hunters will be required to cease hunting each day at 3 p.m. during the November–February duck season, with the exception that on the last day of the season normal sunset-based closing will apply. In addition, no access for waterfowl hunters is permitted before 4 a.m., and all water traffic on the WMA is prohibited after 5 p.m.

TWRA manages the Beech River WMA and sets these operational rules to align waterfowl hunting activities with broader public-safety and conservation objectives. The agency also directs hunters to review statewide deer and small-game dates because seasons can overlap; applicable bag limits and chronic wasting disease (CWD) transport rules remain in force for all hunters using the WMA.

For local residents and the hunting community, the measures will reshape daily hunting routines and the timing of on-water recreation. The morning access cutoff requires hunters to schedule arrivals after 4 a.m., while the afternoon closures place an earlier limit on hunting opportunities than a sunset-based schedule would on most days. Recreational boaters and anglers who use the Beech River and adjacent public areas should be aware of the 5 p.m. restriction on water traffic to avoid penalties and to reduce conflicts with hunting activities earlier in the day.

These rules also intersect with public-health and conservation policy. CWD transport restrictions are intended to limit the spread of a fatal neurological disease affecting deer and other cervids, and adherence to bag limits is a cornerstone of sustainable wildlife management. The enforcement of time-based access and traffic rules reflects TWRA’s authority to regulate use of WMAs to balance recreational access, safety, and long-term wildlife conservation.

The new schedule raises institutional and civic questions about implementation and oversight. Effective enforcement will depend on TWRA staffing and coordination with local law enforcement. Clear signage at access points, timely communication to license-holders, and outreach to businesses that serve hunters will be important to reduce confusion. Residents who wish to engage on these policies can review regulation details on TWRA’s website and participate in agency comment periods or local meetings where wildlife-management policies are discussed.

The changes will have immediate practical effects on hunting patterns, local outdoor recreation economies, and wildlife health protections in Decatur and Henderson counties. Hunters and residents should confirm specific season dates, bag limits, and CWD transport rules before heading to Beech River WMA.