As a civilian, I'm just thankful that I get a chance to hunt the fort.
Although it is not a WMA, it is the best managed public land in the state. It is so big, one could argue it is a smalI County. FC provides high quality food plots, good roads, buck sanctuary, excellent data collection, young buck protection, and great trespasser and hunter access control. It attracts people who can pass a background check and are willing to hunt with a shotgun/muzzleloader. I usually find or see something neat and unusual on a hunt (ammo, parachute, flare canister, barbed wire, etc) Unless you live local, you probably need to drop some change to hunt the place for food and lodging. By the time expenses are totaled, you might be better off to invest in a side of beef or a good lease.
Rarely, can you get the same area on subsequent hunts so you tend to be all in and committed when you do have a spot. In most cases, I have gone in blind most times into a hunting area. I've read all the Elmer Fudd stalking and walking stories....I don't want to be that guy so I always hunt a different area if someone is parked where I wanted to go. Therefore, I have never intentionally invaded someone's space. There is ample space in each area to allow hunting deep and even move around some if you use common sense. But, it happens and happened to us on our last hunt. I felt bad about it, but we would not have killed our deer without moving and it is doubtful they would had any opportunity. This is a story for another time.
If I were planning vacation time to hunt the fort, I would want to maximize my gun opportunities. Choose a week that TN and KY gun seasons overlap. Apply for LBL, TN, and KY WMA quota hunts. If the fort is your main goal, then you at least have a backup plan when you don't get a spot. There are also some good public hunting lands in KY within a 60-90 minute drive from a Clarksville base camp. Choose a week that offers optimum buck movement and before a lot of bucks are killed. Of course, a lot of big bucks are killed late in the season when there are fewer bucks and a late hot doe makes him crazy enough to not leave her side.
There are a couple of motels in the $50-65 range near the mall exit. They have a hot plate, fridge, cable, basic internet, and hot showers which is all you need. McDonald's will hand you two coffees and a sausage buiscuit for your drive into the fort. Your drive to 44a can take an hour once you actually hit fort property. Remember, the speed limit is 45 on the paved roads and the MP's don't mess around. If your a civilian, don't expect a warning ticket and anything 10mph over is reckless and they may just take you to the brig. I can share how I know at a later time. Don't forget to have a full tank of gas, a fully charged phone, a backup battery, and maybe a gps.
You better be in decent shape, because you can't just drive your pickup or ATVs out in the field to retrieve your deer. Don't quarter it, you have to drag it out, so they can weigh it. If you shoot a deer late in the day, you better hustle because you can't just decide to let him lay overnight because you can't go back into the area the next day without somebody escorting you. You better be out before 90 minutes after sunset. Oh, and don't forget to print your passes for winsheld, tagging and license plus bring your gun registrations. You can expect to devote 1/2 a day or more getting these together every year.
Even though the season is long, the reality is that most areas are not open but just a few days a year. At least that is my observation. If you can 2-3 days hunting, then consider yourself lucky.
What would I change?
Change the checkin time from 9pm to 6 or 7 at the latest
Consider a 2 day out area checkin
Increase percentage of civilians that can actually get an area
Allow military to log in an hour early for military spots, and then open all the leftover spots to anyone
Allow those in the field to see what areas may be currently open before checking out, this would allow someone with a car printer to change areas if wanted (as it is now, you are stuck and don't dare checkout and lose your spot for a new evening spot)
Share some information with hunters! It would be nice to see how many bucks and does were taken in areas from year to year
Eliminate fort as a bonus buck for tn and Ky, this would reduce a lot of the competition from civilians
Hopefully, covid will go away and the check station line will come back, I like it
I liked the ID cards, but those are gone too
Get those checkin guys an electric hoist, I don't see how they lift some of those deer onto the racks in cooler
I suspiciously suspect that a lot of areas are full for civilians and not every military spot is taken. I can't see if they are or not. I also suspect a lot of people will get a spot and then not even bother to go and maybe not even checkout till almost dark.
