#340280 - 08/13/07 09:40 PM
Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
Unregistered
|
I moved to Memphis a few years ago and it's tough to find private land to hunt on. I went driving around Shelby Forest today just to look around...to hot to hike/scout. Anyone hunt there much? Not looking for particular areas just trying to get some advice. Does it get a lot of pressure? Thanks for any info can give.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#340488 - 08/13/07 10:43 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: ]
|
Venison1
16 Point
Registered: 01/09/07
Posts: 12022
Loc: United States
|
Offline
|
|
It doesnt really get crowded but some weekends you will notice
several other hunters. Weekday hunt is not bad , usually opening week is worst and then it slacks off.
You also have John Tully WMA about an hour further north.Lower
Hatchie Refuge is another one. or if you go east you have Wolf River WMA also some US Fish and Wildlife areas available to hunt.
_________________________
Your faith is not to help you avoid problems but to go through problems with stability.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#340869 - 08/14/07 09:11 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: Venison1]
|
BigAl
16 Point
Registered: 07/31/01
Posts: 18814
Loc: Fayette County, TN US
|
|
Offline
|
|
I haven't hunted there in many years, so I can't really answer. Remember its bow only most of the time with a few select guns hunts which allow muzzle or shotgun only. Also, all hunting is usually restricted to mon, wed, and sat.
You have your choice to pick from, bottom land hunting or hardwood ridge hunting. I used to hunt the ridges, but I hear there are some nice bucks in the bottoms, but they're very difficult to hunt. Mosquitos are prevelant, so I'd suggest a thermacell.
_________________________
Walls: Leading the way outdoors.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#340947 - 08/14/07 09:54 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: BigAl]
|
BZ911
10 Point
Registered: 09/26/00
Posts: 3520
Loc: TN USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
I have not hunted it. We hear a lot of horror story from people about the vadalism on thier truck by locals and druggies. You will hear story like this is my area.my greatgrand father,grandpappy, father etc hunt this area before you were born routine. There is no such thing as hunters ethics anymore.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#341692 - 08/14/07 01:50 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: BZ911]
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
Unregistered
|
Thanks for the replies. I figured my thermacell would come in handy. Kinda scary about the vandalism. Guess I'll give it a shot as I have no where else to hunt. I'll probably just be bow huntin.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#341714 - 08/14/07 02:03 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: BZ911]
|
4onaside
12 Point
Registered: 02/07/06
Posts: 5053
Loc: Jackson,Tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
Goodwin and BZ911:
I spent almost all of my adult life 13 miles from the park(Raleigh), and it was my favorite destination for many years. I know that times have changed as mentioned, but it was the only source of deer and turkey hunting for most of us for many years. So basically your deer season consisted of one two day hunt, if your were lucky and got drawn. Ditto, for turkeys, and it was the source of much of the restocking efforts in the state of Tennessee. The fact that the deer hunting, I believe to be available nowadays without too much suspense(as in Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) tells me that the popularity has subsided since the old days. That's understandable with hunting opportunites now so widespread. And the warning about the mosquitos aint no joke! They were so bad, particularly during the turkey season, that you could not breath without inhaling a quantity. I have hunted the hills further East for years, primarily as a result of those critters. At any rate, if I lived closer to the park now, I would have to check out the hunting just for old times sake.
_________________________
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#342078 - 08/14/07 04:53 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: 4onaside]
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
Unregistered
|
Ok so looks like the "squitos" are going to be a problem. My thermocell works great when I'm sitting in one spot, but can you do anything else to keep them away when you are moving? Guess I'll hunt out of my ground blind alot too to keep them off of me. I would like to get out there early season I'm going to tuff it out...well at least try to.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#342898 - 08/15/07 12:51 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: ]
|
JohnnyDollar
8 Point
Registered: 07/30/07
Posts: 1173
Loc: tipton co. tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
Goodwin have you looked at Wolf River WMA in Fayette county? There is alot of land out there and they were farming it with corn and beans. I haven't been out there in a couple of years but I believe there are alot more and nicer deer at Wolf River.
_________________________
get the net, GET THE NET!!!
Yours truly, JohnnyDollar
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343177 - 08/15/07 09:10 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: JohnnyDollar]
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
Unregistered
|
Goodwin have you looked at Wolf River WMA in Fayette county? There is alot of land out there and they were farming it with corn and beans. I haven't been out there in a couple of years but I believe there are alot more and nicer deer at Wolf River.
No I haven't checked that out but read a little on it. The only reason I'm so interested in Shelby Forest b/c it's so close to me (I live downtown). I have heard so good things about it though.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343372 - 08/15/07 10:54 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: ]
|
BigAl
16 Point
Registered: 07/31/01
Posts: 18814
Loc: Fayette County, TN US
|
|
Offline
|
|
Ok so looks like the "squitos" are going to be a problem. My thermocell works great when I'm sitting in one spot, but can you do anything else to keep them away when you are moving? Guess I'll hunt out of my ground blind alot too to keep them off of me. I would like to get out there early season I'm going to tuff it out...well at least try to.
Treat your clothes with permanone and wear a headnet to keep them off your face and ears.
_________________________
Walls: Leading the way outdoors.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343406 - 08/15/07 11:11 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: BigAl]
|
shelbydeer
8 Point
Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 1404
Loc: memphis
|
|
Offline
|
|
goodwin.... i have recently moved to memphis in the past six months and have been looking at shelby forrest to hunt. just too hot to scout it now . maybe we can get together and go take a look at it here soon
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343422 - 08/15/07 11:24 AM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: shelbydeer]
|
Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
Unregistered
|
goodwin.... i have recently moved to memphis in the past six months and have been looking at shelby forrest to hunt. just too hot to scout it now . maybe we can get together and go take a look at it here soon
Sounds good man. Where did you move from?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343497 - 08/15/07 12:04 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: ]
|
shelbydeer
8 Point
Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 1404
Loc: memphis
|
|
Offline
|
|
reel foot lake area my family farms up there and got plenty of land to hunt but its about 2 hr drive and was looking for somehintg closer to here for one day hunts
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343508 - 08/15/07 12:07 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: shelbydeer]
|
shelbydeer
8 Point
Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 1404
Loc: memphis
|
|
Offline
|
|
may need to check out wolf river heard alot of good things about it and there are alot of deer and big deer there. I have heard its nohitng to go up there and see 15 does in one morning and one or two big bucks. and it bow only for the most part which is nice
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343557 - 08/15/07 12:37 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: shelbydeer]
|
4onaside
12 Point
Registered: 02/07/06
Posts: 5053
Loc: Jackson,Tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
Check out the TWRA website for the maps of Shelby WMA and Eagle Lake which are continuous. Pretty fair maps, at least to get you started. If you like to hunt in the hills, there is a fair amount of territory that is not in safety zone in Preachers House and Island Forty compartments.
_________________________
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#343957 - 08/15/07 03:10 PM
Re: Shelby Forest WMA....anyone hunt it?
[Re: 4onaside]
|
eddie c
Old School
12 Point
Registered: 08/09/01
Posts: 5836
Loc: jackson, tn
|
|
Offline
|
|
Someone mentioned Hatchie Refuge. I believe there are 2 of those, Uppper Hatchie and Lower Hatchie. Upper is on I-40 near exit 56. these are national refuges so check the regulations. they also have permits you have to sign. I have a friend that used to hunt the one on I40 several years back, had good luck.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: RUGER, Tennessee Todd, Unicam, Cuttin Caller, CBU93, stretch, Bobby G, Outdoor Lady, TurkeyBurd
|
12113 Members
38 Forums
115976 Topics
1412478 Posts
Max Online: 756 @ 11/20/12 09:10 AM
|
|
|
The TnDeer.Com Deer Talk Forum is for Tennessee Deer Hunters by Tennessee Deer Hunters. If you enjoy using our Talk Forum and would like to contribute to help in it's up-keep. Just submit your contribution by clicking on the DONATE button below and paying with PayPal or a major credit card. Any amount is much appreciated. Thanks for your support!
|
|
|
