• Help Support TNDeer:

Tennessee bucks

BSK said:
Why do you think that is PickettSFHunter? Fewer hunters? Fewer deer? Both?
Click to expand...
I suspect that a decline in deer population is attributed to coyotes. I was told that Biologists put a camera on a coyote den near Catoosa . They counted 27 fawns carried to the den in one spring. I own property close to Catoosaa. The last 2 years we've seen fewer deer, even with good food plots. I've saw a bear twice this year, and we have lots of hogs as well. I shot a big hog that walked within 75 yards of a doe, and she didn't seem the least bit worried. Cades Cove has lots of bear, and deer. I would think the deer population there would be low, if bear were a major threat. I'm curious if there's been any studies on the effect bear have on deer.
 
BSK said:
It boggles my mind how many classmates - male classmates - of my college-age daughter are freaked out by her hunting. Honestly, being a gun-owner and avid hunter has greatly reduced the "pool" of guys who are interested in dating her. But that doesn't seem to bother her in the least. Good for her. Back in my day, guys would have been lined up wanting to date a girl that deer hunts.
Click to expand...
Probably intimidated by her!
 
dr said:
I suspect that a decline in deer population is attributed to coyotes. I was told that Biologists put a camera on a coyote den near Catoosa . They counted 27 fawns carried to the den in one spring. I own property close to Catoosaa. The last 2 years we've seen fewer deer, even with good food plots. I've saw a bear twice this year, and we have lots of hogs as well. I shot a big hog that walked within 75 yards of a doe, and she didn't seem the least bit worried. Cades Cove has lots of bear, and deer. I would think the deer population there would be low, if bear were a major threat. I'm curious if there's been any studies on the effect bear have on deer.
Click to expand...
There is a study out of Pennsylvania that shows high fawn mortality due to bear predation. I don't really need a study when I've seen it though! You all don't have bears at the level we do…..yet! We were doing well with the coyotes and hogs we had before the bear explosion. The hogs were worse back then as well.
 
BSK said:
It boggles my mind how many classmates - male classmates - of my college-age daughter are freaked out by her hunting. Honestly, being a gun-owner and avid hunter has greatly reduced the "pool" of guys who are interested in dating her. But that doesn't seem to bother her in the least. Good for her. Back in my day, guys would have been lined up wanting to date a girl that deer hunts.
Click to expand...
That weeds out the bad ones for her! 😉
 
PickettSFHunter said:
There is a study out of Pennsylvania that shows high fawn mortality due to bear predation. I don't really need a study when I've seen it though! You all don't have bears at the level we do…..yet! We were doing well with the coyotes and hogs we had before the bear explosion. The hogs were worse back then as well.
Click to expand...
Do you have trail cam pics of the deer killed by bear, and if not, how do you know conclusively the number they killed ? Not doubting, just looking for indisputable evidence why deer sightings are down in my area of TN. 27 deer killed by one coyote is a lot... We have been getting bear pics for more than 10 years. And, they are not transients. I saw one big male twice in two weeks, and have trail cam pics of him, and three others.
 
dr said:
Do you have trail cam pics of the deer killed by bear, and if not, how do you know conclusively the number they killed ? Not doubting, just looking for indisputable evidence why deer sightings are down in my area of TN. 27 deer killed by one coyote is a lot... We have been getting bear pics for more than 10 years. And, they are not transients. I saw one big male twice in two weeks, and have trail cam pics of him, and three others.
Click to expand...
Here's a good read on this. They found that bears are killing just as many if not more fawns than coyotes. When you add that to the predation already seen by coyotes, you have a problem.


The evidence for me is in bear crap during the fawning season. It's very common to see deer hair in crap during fawning season. You should feel fortunate you only have pics of that few bears. We are in ground zero north of you since 1996 and it is way worse than that. We are usually the top archery bear county in the state during archery season even when factoring in those Far East counties.
 
I for one think the best is yet to come. I think it'll continuously get better.
 
PickettSFHunter said:
Here's a good read on this. They found that bears are killing just as many if not more fawns than coyotes. When you add that to the predation already seen by coyotes, you have a problem.


The evidence for me is in bear crap during the fawning season. It's very common to see deer hair in crap during fawning season. You should feel fortunate you only have pics of that few bears. We are in ground zero north of you since 1996 and it is way worse than that. We are usually the top archery bear county in the state during archery season even when factoring in those Far East counties.
Click to expand...
Wow, I had no idea bear preyed on that many fawns. Thanks for the info. I've wondered how many deer hogs kill as well. Do you see Elk up there? Hog Guide from Fentress Co. used to be a member, and said that when he started seeing Elk, the deer disappeared on the properties he hunted. He thought the Elk scared them away. I haven't saw any Elk, but know there are some in Cumberland CO. An old guy killed a 6x6 near me several years ago, when he mistook it for a deer. Makes you wonder If TWRA is trying to reduce deer population by bringing back bear, and Elk? They also released Mountain Lions in the Smokies. This should concern all hunters in TN. If you don't have bear, hogs, and elk yet, it's just a matter of time.
 
Last edited:
BSK said:
Back in my day, guys would have been lined up wanting to date a girl that deer hunts.
Click to expand...
Especially if her parents had a good place to hunt 😁

I believe my oldest daughter is about the same age as yours, she just turned 21. She's definitely old enough to hunt on her own, but she only wants to go with me. I'm fine with that, and I'll take it as long as I can. I know there will come a time she won't be able to.
 
BSK said:
It boggles my mind how many classmates - male classmates - of my college-age daughter are freaked out by her hunting. Honestly, being a gun-owner and avid hunter has greatly reduced the "pool" of guys who are interested in dating her. But that doesn't seem to bother her in the least. Good for her. Back in my day, guys would have been lined up wanting to date a girl that deer hunts.
Click to expand...
Half of them think soy is a meat, and the other half are worried she is going to shoot their target bucks.

🤪
 
RS said:
Especially if her parents had a good place to hunt 😁

I believe my oldest daughter is about the same age as yours, she just turned 21. She's definitely old enough to hunt on her own, but she only wants to go with me. I'm fine with that, and I'll take it as long as I can. I know there will come a time she won't be able to.
Click to expand...
Yup, my daughter is 20. I'll hunt with her as long as she wants to!
 
BSK said:
At college, I don't think she has met a single guy who hunts. Not one.
Click to expand...
From what I've seen lately, and its not much, many of today's "adult onset hunters" don't look/dress/act like what I'm used to.
One thing though, tell her if any "bro" with a flat bill and wears more than two logo brands, tells her he is a hunter, she should immediately mace him, yell fire and run. She, nor you, got time for that. You'll be field dressing his deer and stopping for frozen carmel mocha dairy free coffees on the way to your hunting spot, be warned.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top