So i just moved to knoxville and never hunted east Tennessee. I grew in north ga and hunted mid to north ga most of my life. Really excited about learning a new area. Never really hunted this extreme of elevations. I am developing my plans and i am wondering what to expect this season. I will be hunting mostly tva land from a boat and i drew a catoosa mz tag and an oak ridge archery tag. Here are some questions that i have. What is a good public land buck? How crowded is the public land? (Primarily a bow hunter) When does most peak rutting occur? Is it worth effort to drive westward? Any other things to consider would be great.
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What to expect
- Thread starter Shim71
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Blockhouse
Well-Known Member
I'm new in East TN as well and hunted/explored last year. Big change for me was the terrain and lack of agriculture. Some of these public areas are unwalkable. I've been going to north Cumberland wma. It's big and if you go in deep you won't see a sole particularly during the week. Much more season than Catoosa. Bad news is I saw little sign and few deer. I understand the area is still recovering from the hemorrhagic outbreak. Good luck
Before you take the shot, you better have a plan on tracking and retrieving your buck from some of the most challenging terrain in the US. I never quartered a deer in the field in my life until I hunted here. Injured bucks like to run downhill, and there are some pretty steep (45-50 degree or more) and deep (800 ft plus) ravines in my area.
I got oak ridge archery too. Got to sit all day when people leave mid day they will push them deer around. Use other hunters to your advantage. Hunted tva twice last year saw 1 guy during muzzleoader. An other time didnt see no one
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Here in East TN, EHD hit hard 3 summers ago in the higher elevations. The herd is slowly growing. I have some private acres to hunt bordering upper North Cumberland. Before the outbreak, I saw deer every time I went. I've only seen a few deer since. I've lived here all my life and am used to it but It is rugged up there. I wouldn't be opposed to having a reliable, honest hunting partner who wouldn't bring in their buddies. I live in Clinton.
South of I40, the herd suffered much less.
South of I40, the herd suffered much less.
Blockhouse
Well-Known Member
I'm in Clinton as well. I have more deer in the yard than I've seen in wma!
If you would like to talk my email is [email protected]
Email me at [email protected] if you want to compare notes on oak ridge
ElDuderino
Member
Hey there Shim, would it be alright if I emailed you and asked you a few questions about North Cumberland?
