East TN Deer

[archer19]

I just got back from a two day hunt in the mountains of Unicoi. I consider myself to be in decent shape and I feel absolutely whooped. My entire body is sore like I just completed a spartan beast race but it was all worth it. I ended up with a decent size 8pt that took me almost 3hrs to pack out. To me I enjoy the challenge and the reward is great even if it isn't the biggest buck I have ever taken. It makes me feel like more of hunter when I am able to harvest one of those mountain deer that just seem more wild to me then the ones at the farm

Welcome to my home county

 

[archer19]

Son just put one down.
Which means I'll not be getting out of bed tomorrow.
Work getting ready to start

 

[Shooter77]

Son just put one down.
Which means I'll not be getting out of bed tomorrow.
Work getting ready to start

congrats to him

 

[DoubleRidge]

Son just put one down.
Which means I'll not be getting out of bed tomorrow.
Work getting ready to start

Congratulations to your son!! And while it is work getting a deer out....what awesome memories you and your son are making! Enjoy the process....Congrats to you both!

 

[Tenntrapper]

99 percent of my hunting has been in E TN. This thread makes me feel better...I thought it was just my age that made it such a hard hunt. Guess I was just used to it....if it's all you know....you know??

 

[JN]

Welcome to my home county

I love it here and is why I stayed in this area after going to ETSU. I have lived in Unicoi since about 2008. My wife grew up here.

 

[Sasquatch Boogie Outdoors]

I need to clarify, when I say tough to hunt I meant tough to be successful. Now don't get me wrong it can be brutal physically but being in shape ain't killin these deer, you better have some Jeremiah Johnson swag or you'll be a starvin pilgrim in a week.

 

[Levee Jumper]

Anyone ever hunted tougher Deer to kill than East TN deer?

Just shoot them through the front shoulders.

 

[EastTNHunter]

How many people are going to pack a deer out 2 miles out of a mountain Laurel hell hole? I say come try it.

THP kinda did in north GA. Of course they have a posse that goes around with them, so the pack out isn't bad after they quarter it out and divide amongst a small army

 

[timberjack86]

THP kinda did in north GA. Of course they have a posse that goes around with them, so the pack out isn't bad after they quarter it out and divide amongst a small army

If they can get it done on public land in the mountains they earned it! And they have my respect!

 

[tnhunter62]

I carry pulley and rope for some of the places i hunt in east tn

 

[JN]

Here is the one I got the other day. Plan on posting the story up later tonight. Short story he came off a ridge (approx. 3500' elevation) working his way to a trail that lead down a point.

 

[younggun308]

View attachment 156830

Here is the one I got the other day. Plan on posting the story up later tonight. Short story he came off a ridge (approx. 3500' elevation) working his way to a trail that lead down a point.

Congrats! Looking forward to reading the story!

 

[Snake]

Aint gonna happen.

Roger Raglin hunted Catoosa once and actually killed a buck.

 

[Snake]

View attachment 156830

Here is the one I got the other day. Plan on posting the story up later tonight. Short story he came off a ridge (approx. 3500' elevation) working his way to a trail that lead down a point.

Nice buck brother , congrats.

 

[tndeerman]

Nice deer good mass

 

[41Magnum]

I've been hunting these mountain deer since I was 16, I'm 64 now, without a doubt they are the toughest deer to hunt. I've hunted in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Middle and West Tennessee, nothing compares to East Tennessee mountain deer.

 

[TN1BUCK]

The wind drives me crazy around these hills! Then when it lays you better be playing the thermals.

 

[JN]

The wind drives me crazy around these hills! Then when it lays you better be playing the thermals.

Yes, it always seems like it is swirling. I hunted a spot last year that had the correct wind but the wind would stop you would get a slight breeze from the thermals which caused me to get busted by a doe that had a nice large buck following her.

 

[recurve60#]

I burned a lot of my best years hunting public land swamps in Central Florida. Mosquito and alligator infested. Poisonous snakes and wild pigs. Bears and panthers were a real possibility. The land was thick, and flooded more often than not. And hot. Just seeing a deer was a successful hunt; any kill was a trophy. And justifiably so. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but I'll take East Tennessee whitetails any day of the week, and twice on Sunday before I ever go back to hunting Florida.

Ever hunted Cherokee National Forest?

Roger Raglin hunted Catoosa once and actually killed a buck.

In 1984?