Here are some south Cherokee deer any you guys want to tag alone I can show you around but like others have said they are like ghost
South Cherokee Deer
- Thread starter Chickencoop96
- Start date
Stumpsitter
Well-Known Member
One of my best buddies lives in the CNF. Reliance to be exact. He owns 25 acres and his uncle has a pretty good size parcel, I believe over 100 acres. He has killed some nice deer. Every year he sends me some pictures of some absolute toads especially during the rut. He has a bear that frequents the are that is huge. Lots of hogs from time to time. I've hunted there a time or two with him several years ago on a buck only and hog hunt. Never had any luck myself but his cousin connected on a nice hog while we were there. We were better than a mile from the road I think it was on star mountain (maybe) it's a very primitive area especially when you get in there. But, y'all are absolutely right about the deer there they are in pockets and the age class help them get to their genetic potential.
Those are some nice bucks Travis, good luck with them this year!!
I can't wait till deer season!
My advice for hunting south Cherokee would go like this, if your not familiar with the area, a good topo map is your best friend. Find a area where the geographic's look good BUT not accessible from a gated road or hiking trail. You will find good areas in those locations and think no one has been there in ten years only to find three other trucks parked there on opening day. Pre scout any areas you find on the map and make sure there is food sources and more importantly not a rhododendron thicket from haitees. The deer population is better than it has been in years and some true studs exist as seen in the above posted pics. It is however getting more crowded due to lack of private land to hunt and high prices or unavailability of local leases. And lastly (and this won't help you this year) the absolute best time to scout is the day after deer season closes.
Nsghunter
Well-Known Member
There are deer, not as many as other areas though. It's fun hunting. If you decide to go in cold park at the gate if any of the logging roads and take your time on a still hunt. I've seen deer while doing this for turkey scouting.
also, familiarize yourself with the area, at least the roads, at nearly 300,000 acres "South Cherokee" is a huge area and it's not all the same terrain.
Also, South Cherokee is not the same as statewide season. Be mindful of a unique deer season.
also, familiarize yourself with the area, at least the roads, at nearly 300,000 acres "South Cherokee" is a huge area and it's not all the same terrain.
Also, South Cherokee is not the same as statewide season. Be mindful of a unique deer season.
Yes learn the area good advise couple years ago I went in in the fog with a dead GPS long story short I came out to a road I was 8 miles from the truck and had to hitch a ride back to the truck
That's makes two of us man!
Thank you! I did not know their season was not the same as statewide
Man that is amazing
those are once in a lifetime bucks right there! I'd love to tag along if I ever get time. something else I came across on my ONx app was a large tract of timber company land up by Chilhowee lake. I'm not sure if it's accessible but the terrain looks great in that area.
Pm me we can talk
email? or here? I don't know where to write new messages on here
I will pm you
Madbowh
Well-Known Member
I think they are still there but the past few years they have been cutting back on the early bow hunt. Pretty sure it used to be bonus bucks and started first week of September. If your in Maryville check out foothills wma I've had good luck in there anywhere right up against the mountain. They are definitely in there and nice. ones. Only reason I don't hunt there anymore is I got some spots in middle tennesse now. Also I enjoyed when the bear hunters came in with they're dogs I would sit all day on those days might mess up a buck you've been watching on the day they are there but no telling what you'll see/ not see because of those dogs they get everything moving.
thats pretty cool man! i didnt know that there were so many bear hunters until recent years. but i was told by a few folks that the foothills wma is a bit overhunted? i dont know how true that is.
Buckwild64
Member
I've hunted there like 10 times over the years. Usually early bow opens a week before regular bow season. So like anywhere scouting is a definite odds improver. Went today 1st 2 spots no good sign. Found good sign where there's good cover an lot's of browse and acorns, So few people hunting me an 2 other hunters. Have only seen 3 deer in 10 hunting trips. I found if you hunt close by the streams and follow the guts to where ridges slope down intersect 2 or 3 together, improves your odds. Have taken 1 out the 3 i seen.
My buddy took a deer as well several years ago. Got into good sign today but not till late morning to warm deer not moving.
Foothills WMA is fairly close a few more deer possibly. I like them both cause deer, bear, hog are a an option. TVA recreation lands are close as well and allow hunting in Loudon and Monroe county. Do your scouting and fill your tags. Good luck!
Len
I've got 2 spots that produce every year, I ate tag soup last year because I missed but I see deer almost every trip. I'm convinced there's more areas on South Cherokee that will produce almost every trip. Most involve an HR hike straight up hill thru thick rough country or a 2-3 mile hike down a forest service Rd. I don't really hunt till the November hunt and December hunt when bucks are on their feet. I usually pass small bucks because of the work getting them to the truck.
Cherokee
Well-Known Member
Ditto to all the posts. They are scattered, very cautious, and you will get your exercise!
If you approach the activity as one where you will enjoy the hunt and appreciate the area regardless of the outcome it will be fun. If going with the attitude that you will be disappointed if you don't get anything - you will. I have gone for years and not seen a deer while hunting. But they are there and will make mistakes every note and then. That is what keeps bringing me back.
If you approach the activity as one where you will enjoy the hunt and appreciate the area regardless of the outcome it will be fun. If going with the attitude that you will be disappointed if you don't get anything - you will. I have gone for years and not seen a deer while hunting. But they are there and will make mistakes every note and then. That is what keeps bringing me back.
