• Help Support TNDeer:

Hat’s-off to the mountain buck Hunter

D

DC219

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2020
Messages
266
Reaction score
530
Location
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
I live in Hamilton Co. and have hunted mountain bucks off and on over the years. However, the vast majority of my focus has been on farm land bucks in middle Tennessee. Three years ago, I committed to trying to kill a decent size mountain buck on state forest near where I live. Let me say it for the record, and let it be chiseled in stone; anyone who consistently kills 3.5 plus year old bucks in the East Tennessee mountains is a dang good hunter. The first year of this quest resulted in deer sightings for only 3 of over 20 hunting days. Last year, I somehow managed to limit out on two deer 4.5 years old or over. I thought I had broken the code. This year I've pounded the woods every single day since opening day of muzzleloader without seeing anything over 2.5 years old. It's been quite the challenge, but I love it. This year has taught me that not only did I NOT crack the code, but I got lucky last year. As PWoody said in another thread, there nothing much sexier than a big mountain buck. To anyone who hasn't taken on this challenge, it's worth trying. You'll quickly learn that there is still some big woods adventure out there and that it can be a real test of your hunting skills. You mountain hunters have my respect!
 
I have been hunting the mountains for around 42 years. Its tough hunting for sure. As I sat in my treestand waiting on daylight this morning. I was thinking about how many more years I will be physically able to hunt the mountains the way I have most of last 42 years. This morning was the third morning in a row waking up at 3am , riding a ATV 25 minutes back in the mountain then about a mile hike down the side of the mountain and then all up hill hike back out. Back to work tomorrow so I can rest up for the end of the week to do it again.
 
It's very tough hunting without zero doubt. I live in east Tn in region 4. It will absolutely wear you out just getting yourself in and out.and big woods it is for certain. These deer never see people for the most part. They are much smarter then farmland deer. And will leave the area completely if they smell your scent more than a few times. And I'm not talking about being busted. I'm talking about never knowing they were there to begin with just due to scent. Farmland deer or foothill deer in general smell human scent everyday. They are also smart just not as skiddish to a humans scent. Due to that kind of challenge most people give up before the season is over and never come back. I'm 41 years old and still trying to figure it out. But Pickett who is on here has absolutely perfected it. I've noticed that he isn't just lucky he is a very good hunter. I've never met him but over the years he has proven that for sure.
 
It is the challenge that brings me back each year. I get enjoyment out of just seeing deer and knowing that the area I have picked is where the deer are at. I also get enjoyment out of hunting areas I like to think no one else hunts mainly because who would be crazy enough to hike a mile through a creek bed with mountain laurel and rhododendron so thick you are crawling on your hands and knees. Where a lot of the mountainous terrain is mature hardwoods I feel like you have to hunt terrain features that work as a funnel to increase your odds of seeing deer as well as getting them in range with a bow if that is what you are using. I know people in my area of NE tn that consistently kill big deer in the mountains but have also heard rumors of them using bait as well. Of course it may be people that are jealous of their success.
 
catman529 said:
If I could get the time off work I'd love to make a week or two trip to the mountains to deer hunt. It's on the bucket list for sure
Click to expand...
I would welcome you too Unicoi/ Carter county then sir I know of a place you can camp and be at the start of North Cherokee Right at your camp site I plan to camp in there like my father and his family did back in the day during deer season.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top