Am I the only one

[Setterman]

Before I pose my question I want to be clear that my intent is not to bash TWRA or the way things are managed in this state.

My question is am I alone in that deer hunting in TN just isn't doing it for me any longer. For a few years I had a nice place on public ground which had some good deer on it, the ATV's showed up and destroyed that place. I own several hundred acres that I've intensely managed for quality deer yet rarely see one over 2.5 years old because my neighbors literally kill every small buck they get the chance at. It's their tags and their choice so it's really none of my business but it has adversely adversely affected me.

Over the past couple of years I can go to any of our neighboring states and have what I consider quality hunts. I see all age classes of bucks including some true giants, the herd dynamics seem to be much better and overall it is a great experience every time I cross the border

When I hunt at home I see bunches of does and a handful of 1.5 yr old bucks, there's basically no chance that I can have any thing close to the hunts I have in GA, AL, Miss, or KH

Am I alone in thinking my days of hunting deer in TN are winding down and it's a better use of my time hunting neighboring states? From my perspective and all the guys I run with the quality of deer is vastly superior once you leave the TN behind and often times just a few miles is all it seems to take.

Anyone feel as I do?

 

[easy45]

No, Quite honestly over the last 10 years I have seen more older age class bucks and way more above average younger bucks than the before that and this year I have seen bucks that aged from 1.5 up to the one I killed that was 5.5+, I hate to hear that the area where you hunt seems to be in decline but the numbers show that the entire state as a whole has done nothing but improve every year.

 

[in the dog house]

I agree with easy45. Must be a localized thing with you Setterman.

 

[Planking]

No man you're not the only one that has some of those feelings. It is what it is, just have to make the best of it. It has gotten better on my place for sure but i haven't hunted my grandpas land in many years because of reasons you mentioned.

 

[catman529]

You either have neighbors that shoot a crap load of deer or you just aren't seeing the good bucks on your place....public land I hunt gets plenty of pressure yet good bucks are killed off it every year. And it's open to statewide, no restrictions. No ATVs either.

 

[woodsman87]

You are not the only one, but I myself enjoy Tennessee deer hunting. IMO, it is better than AL. I haven't hunted any other states enough, but have hunted Alabama from north to south, east to west. In TN, I have only hunted in unit L, no idea what the east is like.

But it is all preference. I think that my area of Tennessee has a good number of mature bucks, but also lots of does and young bucks. I'm not much of a deer hunter, so i like to see deer and kill one or two a year. Turkey hunting is the only thing I really go crazy over to do.

 

[KPH]

Just think back when there was practically no deer in most of Tennessee. I for one think it has came a long way in a short time. If it isn't doing it for you then either quit or move on. I for one am very happy with the way things are. Of course I am not a horn hunter and could care less about hanging one on a wall. A small deer is a lot easer to drag than a big one. For some dang reason I keep shooting the big ones and wonder why.

 

[Setterman]

I'm in East TN for the record and over the years I've killed some great deer in this part of the state. This is a new phenomenon, and it's been bothering me

Right now I'm sitting in GA and have seen 5 bucks this afternoon 3 young ones and 2 solid 3.5 year old 8 Pts along with a handful of does. For where I am in my deer hunting career I enjoy watching deer and seeing a healthy range of age classes. Anymore that just does not exist where I hunt anymore

 

[Outdoor Enthusiast]

Nope I do not feel the same way.

I am honestly enjoying my hunting more now than ever, AND I am seeing improved age structure and the accompanying improved antler growth that comes with it.

I have enjoyed killing (or at least having the chance to kill) quality bucks every year, and it looks like this year offers me the same opportunity.

But your goals and my goals may be quite different. Speaking of which....

What are your goals?

 

[xatxay]

If you are strictly a trophy buck hunter you may be better served traveling. I consider myself lucky to be able to hunt in Tennessee. We have way more hunting days than most states and over the years I've put a few on the wall.

 

[Boll Weevil]

I've been blessed to have hunted the following states: NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, MO, and IL. Is there a greater probability of killing bigger top-end deer in IL and parts of MO? Yes. But all things considered, gimme TN...hands down.

I can only speak to the west-side but as others have indicated, we've really been improving as far as herd/age structure, health, and the quality of top-end bucks.

 

[Setterman]

I'm a true trophy hunter anymore after coming down with the tick Bourne allergy that makes it impossible for me to eat beef, pork, or venison the freezer filling aspect of deer hunting is gone for me. I also worked depredation permits in Bama for years and after killing hundreds of deer the thrill is gone unless they're dang mature.

Like I said I enjoy watching deer and target higher end age class bucks, meaning I want them to be at meat 4.5 yrs old.

I see plenty of deer around here but it dang sure feels as if the chances of seeing quality deer is very slim anymore where I hunt.

 

[Setterman]

I'm happy to come sample some of this awesome hunting you west tn boys have. PM box is empty :D

 

[catman529]

I'm happy to come sample some of this awesome hunting you west tn boys have. PM box is empty :D

even middle TN is great.

 

[Boll Weevil]

I see plenty of deer around here but it dang sure feels as if the chances of seeing quality deer is very slim anymore where I hunt.

We only shoot 4.5 and older bucks as well and I totally with you on this aspect. If the chances of seeing/shooting an older deer every once in awhile was slim to none it'd be a huge downer for me too.

 

[Grill-n-man]

Taking what some call a good deer in east TN is not that easy. Even our brothers and sisters from west TN that have been here will tell you its tough, some won't hesitate a second to tell you they won't be back. Why? East TN is mountainous and the amount of agricultural farms are few and far between. We are citified and touristy. West TN is full of privately owned farms with good agricultural crops with an incredible deer population. 3 a day wow. West TN has been this fortunate for a long time. With that kind of a population getting freezer meat by taking does and letting bucks walk is much more appealing. Now in the east not so. Yes we have non quota hunts but its not the same. Many are out hunting for food especially now that beef is going thru the roof. So for someone with limited time, with a limited choice on what to take for the freezer, with limit opportunities, comes down to not having the luxury of letting that much walk. You hear this in real estate all the time "location location location". So east TN is not that location. Plenty of good deer in east TN you just have to work harder than some to get one. With that said any deer in east TN that makes it to the 3 year mark is one heck of an animal.

 

[megalomaniac]

TN is a great state to hunt 3.5 y/o's and under. Very large managed properties have some success on consistently killing 4.5 y/o's.

But there are many other states than TN where the mentality of multiple landowners in a conglomerate are willing to pass on young bucks until they reach maturity.

I still enjoy coming home to hunt TN because it will always be home to me, but the multiple small tracts of land resulting in excess hunting pressure makes it very unlikely I will take a mature trophy where I hunt.

In short, TN is a great state to kill any deer or 30. If your time is limited, you are much better off hunting GA, MS, or KY. There's just something about climbing in a tree on a property you know has a 150"er. Even if you don't see it, it's still thrilling. Just like it's deflating knowing all the 100"-120" 3.5 y/o's will likely get shot by the majority in TN.

I've been seriously considering just changing the way I hunt this year in TN and start shooting everything 3.5 yrs old and not focus on hunting for a trophy. But I have mixed feelings about that as well... after hundreds of deer killed, I'm not sure I have the desire to rack them up like cordwood just to be donated.

But it's still hunting in TN... one of the most beautiful states in the country. And there is something to be said for that!

 

[BSK]

I fully admit my views are heavily biased by the places where I do the most analyzing of deer herds. I work mostly in the western Highland Rim area (Houston, Humphreys, Hickman, Perry counties region), where larger land-holdings are the norm, hunting clubs are numerous, and the passing of young bucks is commonplace. However, I can't help but comment on the fact that in the last 2-3 years I've seen more 150+ class bucks on trail-camera than I ever thought possible for TN. I'm having a hard time thinking of a property I monitor where I haven't gotten at least one 150+ buck on camera. And most of these properties are just ridge-and-holler hardwoods, not big agriculture. Now their habitat is managed for natural forage production, but these bucks aren't the product of massive cropland.

I'm honestly having to reevaluate what I think is possible in TN. I still don't think regularly producing 170+ bucks is in any way realistic, but a couple of 150s in a given area per year, yup.

 

[muddyboots]

I have a lease in a big chunk of manger property. My other lease is not. If I had to hunt the 2nd lease it would blow. Hunting a mature deer there is way harder.

 

[deerhunter10]

I'm not going to lie we have outstanding farms but with a lot of hard work and the main things is I don't have stupid nrighbors shooting to shoot. So I can let a lit of deer go without a thought. But I would still love to see the regulations revisited and truly gone over. Obviously for me a Two buck limit would be a good place to start IMO. But that's just me. I like to travel also setterman but knock on wood I still have good hunting in my back yard.

 

[turf08]

I'm not going to lie we have outstanding farms but with a lot of hard work and the main things is I don't have stupid nrighbors shooting to shoot. So I can let a lit of deer go without a thought. But I would still love to see the regulations revisited and truly gone over. Obviously for me a Two buck limit would be a good place to start IMO. But that's just me. I like to travel also setterman but knock on wood I still have good hunting in my back yard.

Im with you on this. I also think they need to go back to check stations only. Reason being I believe everyone except on juvy should be required to fill a doe tag prior to getting a buck tag. In order to get a second buck tag a second doe must be taken. This would eliminate a lot of the small bucks being killed if they have to actually work to get a buck tag. IMO

 

[Shed Hunter]

I fully admit my views are heavily biased by the places where I do the most analyzing of deer herds. I work mostly in the western Highland Rim area (Houston, Humphreys, Hickman, Perry counties region), where larger land-holdings are the norm, hunting clubs are numerous, and the passing of young bucks is commonplace. However, I can't help but comment on the fact that in the last 2-3 years I've seen more 150+ class bucks on trail-camera than I ever thought possible for TN. I'm having a hard time thinking of a property I monitor where I haven't gotten at least one 150+ buck on camera. And most of these properties are just ridge-and-holler hardwoods, not big agriculture. Now their habitat is managed for natural forage production, but these bucks aren't the product of massive cropland.

I'm honestly having to reevaluate what I think is possible in TN. I still don't think regularly producing 170+ bucks is in any way realistic, but a couple of 150s in a given area per year, yup.

AG and food plots are overrated. All it takes, IMO, to see a 150" buck every year is knowing what not to shoot. TN also isn't hyped up like the mid west. I know of several 150 to a few 170 class deer never registered.

 

[huvrman]

My 2 cents...

With just a few hundred acres, you aren't going to be able to manage much. Best you can do is not hunt (or even enter) your property for a year or so and let it become a sanctuary for deer trying to get away from the neighboring pressure. Even then you will likely loose some of your bigger deer once the rut hits. Of course, laying off from hunting for a year is hard.

I own 120 acres in Tennessee, and although I see alot of deer early, the bigger deer almost always get picked up on neighboring properties because I am in the woods alot during bow.

On the flip-side though, I have property in Mississippi (179 acres and 90 acres respectively) that goes unhunted until I get there for a week in Nov and a week in Dec. Small acreages by management standards, but hold some really nice deer seeking refuge from surrounding properties.

That's about all you can expect when fellow landowners don't view management the way you do.

 

[deerhunter10]

I fully admit my views are heavily biased by the places where I do the most analyzing of deer herds. I work mostly in the western Highland Rim area (Houston, Humphreys, Hickman, Perry counties region), where larger land-holdings are the norm, hunting clubs are numerous, and the passing of young bucks is commonplace. However, I can't help but comment on the fact that in the last 2-3 years I've seen more 150+ class bucks on trail-camera than I ever thought possible for TN. I'm having a hard time thinking of a property I monitor where I haven't gotten at least one 150+ buck on camera. And most of these properties are just ridge-and-holler hardwoods, not big agriculture. Now their habitat is managed for natural forage production, but these bucks aren't the product of massive cropland.

I'm honestly having to reevaluate what I think is possible in TN. I still don't think regularly producing 170+ bucks is in any way realistic, but a couple of 150s in a given area per year, yup.

AG and food plots are overrated. All it takes, IMO, to see a 150" buck every year is knowing what not to shoot. TN also isn't hyped up like the mid west. I know of several 150 to a few 170 class deer never registered.

I wouldn't say overrated but I agree people don't understand or I guess realize the deer Tennessee has and can have. Everyone thinks there neighbor shoots everything that moves and some cases its true but many is the people aren't doing what it takes to have big mature deer on a pieces of property or they pressure them right off of the property. Tennessee is a hard place to kill mature deer you really have to dot your I and cross you're t's IMO. A lot of hunters in tn just never give the deer a chance to reach there potential IMO because they think it'll get shot. You never know what will or won't survive unless you actually pass it.

 

[bassinbrian]

I hunt East Tn. Scott, Campbell and Fentress county area, every year we have some true bruisers killed here.they are few and far between. I hunt mostly public land and have seen very few Big Bucks. This year we have a crop of spikes, 4's and small 6's. By the end of gun season they will mostly be gone. I have had the pleasure of hunting Mizzo, it's unreal. They have a 4 point on one side rule. I have seen monster 6pts there and have killed a nice 10 and a 11. I would love to see a point restriction for the regular season! Juvies can kill whatever. To many people kill 2 small bucks while waiting for the Big One!

 

[muddyboots]

I'll have to admit if I didn't have the good lease I don't know how much id go.

 

[Mike Belt]

I honestly think Tn has a pretty good age structure of bucks but even so killing 4.5+ year old bucks ( particularly large antlered) isn't an easy feat. For the most part you also need fairly large parcels of land to have much of a chance to manipulate local buck age structuring.

I will agree that there are higher probabilities of taking bigger bucks in some surrounding states for 2 reasons. First, there may be a difference in what they can produce sizewise. Second, you may notice that the surrounding states you're probably thinking of also have a lot of acres set up for pay hunts dedicated to producing the type deer you seem to be after with minimal hunting pressure.

 

[Model70Man]

I hunt East Tn. Scott, Campbell and Fentress county area, every year we have some true bruisers killed here.they are few and far between. I hunt mostly public land and have seen very few Big Bucks. This year we have a crop of spikes, 4's and small 6's. By the end of gun season they will mostly be gone. I have had the pleasure of hunting Mizzo, it's unreal. They have a 4 point on one side rule. I have seen monster 6pts there and have killed a nice 10 and a 11. I would love to see a point restriction for the regular season! Juvies can kill whatever. To many people kill 2 small bucks while waiting for the Big One!

Add Morgan county to your list. I haven't hunted my parents property in 5 years because of all the poachers. They shoot anything that walks. I have seen 2 nice bucks and that's it out there. You are lucky to see a doe anymore. Morgan county has the highest percentage of poachers in the state. It's not uncommon to see piles of pelts and bones on the side of the road to Nemo. It makes me sick. Gonna try to hunt up there this year, but mom and dad say they don't see much.

 

[bigtex]

It's frustrating as all get out. Seems whatever I do on my limited acerage just isn't enough.
Not only am I only seeing a few young bucks but what really worries me is I'm seeing even fewer does.
Here where I live (east tn) we have zero agriculture. The deer depend on mast and browse solely for their food supply. On my farm we had two years with very little hard mast. Last year we had a complete mast failure and the number of deer reflect that. Zero mast + limited browse-no agg=few deer.
I love to hunt it's my passion, but I'll have to admit it gets pretty darn old sitting on stand and not seeing anything, and worse is knowing that there is practically a zero chance of a mature buck even being in the area.
I'm rethinking my strategy for next year. I may forgo hunting at all on my farm in hopes of letting the deer herd rebound and hunt out of state instead. I could look for a different place to hunt locally but anywhere close to where I live would be no different than hunting here on the farm.
Thankfully this year we have the best hard mast crop that I have ever seen, I have logged out an area to hopefully improve browse production, and have improved my food plots. I can only hope that this will help increase the deer population.

 

[HuntingandHarleys]

IMO a shorter season and a one or two buck limit would help some of the younger bucks survive. Sure would like to see it that way for about 5 years and see how much improvement it would make if any. Whatever the twra sets the bag limits at I will continue to hunt like I always have, harvest what I want and let a lot walk waiting on the right one. I love to hunt, just being out there helps me keep my piece of mind. I have never had the opportunity to hunt any other state so I can't really say I had rather be hunting in another state.