Daddy's Creek Rock Climbing

The Catoosa Wildlife Management Area is owned and managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. This land is made available to the public for the primary purpose of hunting, fishing and trapping. Other forms of recreation, such as climbing, are allowed but they are more heavily restricted. The WMA is paid for primarily by the sale of hunting licenses so if you want to participate, you have to play by their rules. Don't give them a reason to shut us out.

ABSOLUTELY NO BOLTS! There is a bolting moratorium in place and the TWRA Law Enforcement Officers are well aware of it. No bolts, no exceptions. Not even rap / belay anchors.

Don't enter when there is a big game hunt going on. As you enter through the gates onto the WMA there is a small street sign with big game season dates posted on it. You need to read it every time you drive in because it changes throughout the year. If you drive into the WMA during a big game hunt without an applicable hunting license you will be fined. The Rangers do not need a reason to stop you.

There is also a wildlife rest period that takes place (at the time of this writing) from Feb. 1 through the last Friday in March. During this time the gates are closed and there is no access into the WMA at all.

Here's what this means: Climbing is open for a few weeks in the spring between the end of the rest period and the beginning of turkey season. Then climbing is open all summer between turkey season and deer season. In the fall and winter there are several intermittent closures for deer and wild boar hunts. Check the dates carefully. Read the signs.

You can go to the Catoosa WMA website and check the dates here: tn.gov/twra/wildlife-manage…
You can also email or call them with questions.