West TN NWR Quota Hunts

[Andy S.]

Chickasaw - got drawn for first adult hunt, April 6-9.
Lower Hatchie - denied
Reelfoot - denied

What about you?

 

[timberghost35]

Denied on LH and Chickasaw. Got drawn for Lower lats yr and Chickasaw the yr before. Killed birds on both. Chickasaw should have had a decent hatch last yr.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

I got drawn for Chickasaw 4th hunt (20-23).

 

[SKFOOTER]

Denied on all 3. First time that's ever happened. Good luck to those who were drawn!!

 

[Hawk]

Chickasaw - got drawn for first adult hunt, April 6-9.
Lower Hatchie - denied
Reelfoot - denied

What about you?

Ditto!!!!! 4/6-9

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I missed the deadline for applications. I was upset with myself but if anyone needs a camera man lol

 

[callemquacktn]

Like Freak, I forgot to draw till too late. Uppertully got the second adult hunt at Chickasaw

 

[TreyB]

Same... are these hunts usually before statewide opens?

 

[Andy S.]

^^^They have been a FEW times in the past, but that is not the norm.

 

[timberghost35]

I have never gotten the early hunt. I usually have to deal with everyone elses bird they done screwed up!! HAHA Id love to hunt Chickasaw early tho. Lower Hatchie hunt was dang near a bust last yr. Cold and windy. Birds didnt gobble very much. Kinda lucked into one... Now Chickasaw the yr before was prolly one of the best hunts I had ever been on. Absolute text book hunt. Gobbled on roost, flew down and was on shoulder before 7am. But beware if you hunt Chickasaw, the sqeeters are like dang pterodactyls down in those bottoms!!

 

[Andy S.]

But beware if you hunt Chickasaw, the sqeeters are like dang pterodactyls down in those bottoms!!

You are NOT lying, darn things look like a helicopter coming through the woods. I expect them to be AWFUL this year with the warmer temps we are already having.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

I got my permit and brochure in the mail yesterday. It says no lead shot is allowed for anyone hunting with a shotgun on Chickasaw. Cannot be in possession of lead shot. I shoot tungeston anyway, but I feel like most still use lead for turkeys. If so and you drew this hunt, better try out some HTL loads and leave the longbeards at home for thst weekend.

 

[SKFOOTER]

Yep. That is a requirement on all of the Federal Refuges.

 

[Andy S.]

Yep. That is a requirement on all of the Federal Refuges.

x2, been that way for many years for west TN refuges.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

My first time. It was news to me.

 

[SKFOOTER]

Got to remember that these Federal Refuges are primarily Waterfowl Refuges, thus the requirement for non-toxic shot. And best of luck to you on your hunt.

 

[Andy S.]

Waaaaay back in the day, I legally squirrel hunted these refuges with lead shot, but that has been so long ago, it is just a faint memory in my mind.

 

[Andy S.]

For those not tracking, the MS River is rising pretty fast and may impede access to some parts of these refuges mid April time frame. Just a heads up for those drawn for these hunts.

 

[timberghost35]

For those not tracking, the MS River is rising pretty fast and may impede access to some parts of these refuges mid April time frame. Just a heads up for those drawn for these hunts.

MS River wont really affect the Lower Hatchie hunts. You have to watch the Hatchie for it. The big river wont really hurt Chickasaw unless it gets 22 ft or so. Then the sloughs and stuff start backing out into the woods. I think it was 23 ft a couple yrs ago when I got drawn for Chickasaw and there was plenty of ground out, yet the bird I killed was standing in water. I got a guy I work with who got the Lower Hatchie this wknd and has scouted some and has 2 gobbles in 2 days... Hopefully it will pick up for yall, but with this front moving in tom, it may get worse...

Andy S I sent you an email, hit me back up.