Bow Hunting Hawkins county.

[Wayne T]

My son and I are planning to bow hunt in Hawkins county (Surgoinesville) the 23rd and 24th of October and I need some advice. I grew up in East TN. We make our home in NW Florida. So I haven't hunted up there since the 1980's as a teenager. What would be a good set up or strategy? What would be the main source of food, acorns? How far off is the rutt? One important question what will the temp be like. In Florida you have cool temps, maybe a litle cold. But I am expecting a big difference.
Thanks

 

[backstraps]

Welcome to the site Wayne

As far as a set up or strategy.. really depends on the land you are going to hunt. Food source would be the strategy to hunt. Coming in without any scouting, will you be using topos or prior knowledge of the land?
Acorns, will be on the ground by then. Will you be hunting field edges, or in the trees?
You should be in the early pre rut stages by then. The rut normally hits around the 2nd and third weeks of Nov locally.
The temps, NE Tennessee can still be plenty hot. I would imagine you could see highs in the mid-low 70's. Best of luck! Hope you guys have a great hunt.

 

[Toxophilite Phil]

From observations deer are fixing to change their routes during that time frame. Food sources will be a good bet but if the acorns are spotty then the field edges will be the ticket. Unless someone close to your hunting spot is doing some supplemental feeding, then hunting may be tough. I live and hunt right down the road from Surgoinsville, in Rogersville.