South Cherokee Deer

[Chickencoop96]

Howdy!,

I'm new to this group, and I have been doing a lot of research on South Cherokee Deer. I normally hunt up around North Cumberland, but I live in Maryville now, which is pretty far if I want to hunt more frequently. I know that South Cherokee is known more for bear, but I cant help but wonder if there are any good deer still there. Really looking for some insight on what I might expect if I were to deer hunt South Cherokee.

Thanks!

 

[arickettsjr]

Howdy!,

I'm new to this group, and I have been doing a lot of research on South Cherokee Deer. I normally hunt up around North Cumberland, but I live in Maryville now, which is pretty far if I want to hunt more frequently. I know that South Cherokee is known more for bear, but I cant help but wonder if there are any good deer still there. Really looking for some insight on what I might expect if I were to deer hunt South Cherokee.

Thanks!

You and me both friend, lol. I'm new around here as well. Best of luck to you.

 

[Chickencoop96]

You and me both friend, lol. I'm new around here as well. Best of luck to you.

Seems like I might have to do some scouting to get an answer, lol. not much info on it and what info I have found is pretty old. thanks man

 

[cbhunter]

I'm from the other end of the state so i'm zero help but welcome to the fire!

 

[Chickencoop96]

I'm from the other end of the state so i'm zero help but welcome to the fire!

I used to hunt west Tn years and years ago, awesome deer hunting! and thanks!

 

[Volbuck777]

Hey bud welcome to the forum. I live just up from you in sevier co. I personally haven't ever hunted s Cherokee but I know a few guys that have. If you don't have good hiking boots you'd better buy some. They said there is deer in the area but it's a dang trek to get to most of them. They seem tucked in pockets and they have to contend with bear and hogs. Honestly if I was wanting to kill an old mountain buck I'd try it out but if I wanted to go and see a bunch of deer and stay interested in the hunt I'd think about hunting anywhere else. Lol. Anyways this is just hearsay from others but they've been reliable in the past. Good luck in whatever you come up with.

 

[cbhunter]

I used to hunt west Tn years and years ago, awesome deer hunting! and thanks!

Which county(s) did you hunt out here? We are blessed with a lot of deer for sure

 

[Chickencoop96]

Which county(s) did you hunt out here? We are blessed with a lot of deer for sure

Henry and Obion Counties. it weren't nothing to see 6 or 7 deer in a day.

 

[Chickencoop96]

Hey bud welcome to the forum. I live just up from you in sevier co. I personally haven't ever hunted s Cherokee but I know a few guys that have. If you don't have good hiking boots you'd better buy some. They said there is deer in the area but it's a dang trek to get to most of them. They seem tucked in pockets and they have to contend with bear and hogs. Honestly if I was wanting to kill an old mountain buck I'd try it out but if I wanted to go and see a bunch of deer and stay interested in the hunt I'd think about hunting anywhere else. Lol. Anyways this is just hearsay from others but they've been reliable in the past. Good luck in whatever you come up with.

I certainly do have a great pair for hiking/hunting( living so close to the Smokies). I have always wanted to take an old mountain buck. and thanks for the info man, greatly appreciated!

 

[DoubleRidge]

Hunted Cherokee once years ago while in East TN visiting family....we saw deer...and tons of bear sign....but that's been many years ago....so living in Middle TN I don't have much to offer....but good luck hunting and welcome to the forum.

 

[younggun308]

There's definitely deer there, but the density is pretty poor. You'll see tons of uneaten acorns.
I tended to find more deer sign (and deer) at higher elevations, strangely. Not saying go to isolated high points with absurdly steep ridges. But I am saying proximity to creek bottoms is more likely to yield bear and turkey (and in some areas, hog) sign rather than deer. You have to look for the right geographic features that accommodate travel more than food sources.

You can find where they've done selective clear cutting, but those areas are so darn thick you might as well forget about walking through them. Still potentially productive areas to poke around the perimeter of for sign to figure out a trail.

 

[Snake]

There are some really great bucks taken in South Cherokee know of a couple taken as a crow flies not too awful far from Benton but deer are scarce and scouting is a must .

 

[Chickencoop96]

There's definitely deer there, but the density is pretty poor. You'll see tons of uneaten acorns.
I tended to find more deer sign (and deer) at higher elevations, strangely. Not saying go to isolated high points with absurdly steep ridges. But I am saying proximity to creek bottoms is more likely to yield bear and turkey (and in some areas, hog) sign rather than deer. You have to look for the right geographic features that accommodate travel more than food sources.

You can find where they've done selective clear cutting, but those areas are so darn thick you might as well forget about walking through them. Still potentially productive areas to poke around the perimeter of for sign to figure out a trail.

That is strange, considering creek bottoms in a lot of other WMA's tend to be the spot for deer trails, but I guess if they have to share the area with hogs and bear then they would have to separate themselves to get what they need. Thanks for the info!

 

[Chickencoop96]

There are some really great bucks taken in South Cherokee know of a couple taken as a crow flies not too awful far from Benton but deer are scarce and scouting is a must .

Benton is a pretty good distance from Maryville, but I live 30 minutes from Chilhowee Lake. If I'm not mistaken, I believe parts of South Cherokee border the bottom side of the lake.(might be worth checking out) I think there needs to be a lot more deer habitat management in the area. kind of crazy the amount of focus on bear for such a big place.

 

[timberjack86]

South Cherokee buck 2019

 

[timberjack86]

The hunting ain't bad, just straight up and straight down. Be prepared to pack em out on your back.

 

[Snake]

South Cherokee buck 2019
View attachment 83508

Nice buck

 

[Chickencoop96]

South Cherokee buck 2019
View attachment 83508

that's a stud man! I would definitely have to plan on packing one out

 

[Willysman]

Hunted the South Cherokee for 59 years. The terrain is tough and the deer population is low but it is my favorite place to hunt. If you do kill a deer it is well worth it but better have lots of help to get it out. The TWRA concentrate mostly on the bear any very little if any management for the deer. By the way I am 75 years old and the ridges have become steeper.

 

[Lost Lake]

South Cherokee buck 2019
View attachment 83508

I love that pic. Those mountain bucks are special. I usually make the journey East and spend a few days a year there, deer and bear hunting.

You EARN game in that country.