Anybody else scout Oak Ridge today?

[Black Titan]

Just got home from being out since 8am. Went up several hollers and draws, not finding much of anything. Finally found a spot I think might pan out, couple of scrapes, a bed about 40 yards away, but I have not seen a single rub all year. Even hunting Norris last week, nothing. Did see a few old rubs today, but they were last years it seems.

How did everyone else do?

BT

 

[jcbarnard21]

Saw a lot of rubs and several scrapes. Scouted for about three hours but really covered ground quickly. All was along ridge sides and creek bottoms. Rubs weren't huge but were plenty.

 

[arctic_cat]

Little to no sign where I was but did see a few deer. I feel confident about my spots as long as I can get in before everyone else does

 

[Blockhouse]

How crowded is this hunt typically?

 

[M T Pockets 000]

My buddy and I scouted around. Saw a track or two.

 

[Black Titan]

How crowded is this hunt typically?

Don't quote me but I feel like I read over 600 hunters. I could be wrong. Don't remember if that was just the first weekend archery only or if it included both weekends.

BT

 

[Blockhouse]

All I saw was a bunch of folks wearing orange

 

[deerfever]

The hunt is usually crowded, wait until you get set up and someone walks in right before daylight that scouted after you did and they let you know their stand is already on a tree 50 yards from you .Lol, unless it's changed and they don't let you hang them on scout day anymore . I never did but lots of people usually do . Good luck to all.that got drawn , weather should be way better next weekend.

 

[Shooter77]

The hunt is usually crowded, wait until you get set up and someone walks in right before daylight that scouted after you did and they let you know their stand is already on a tree 50 yards from you .Lol, unless it's changed and they don't let you hang them on scout day anymore . I never did but lots of people usually do . Good luck to all.that got drawn , weather should be way better next weekend.

TRUTH!!!

 

[arctic_cat]

Don't quote me but I feel like I read over 600 hunters. I could be wrong. Don't remember if that was just the first weekend archery only or if it included both weekends.

BT

450 shotgun/ muzzleloader and 600 bow drawn for each weekend.

 

[CrossVolle]

They miss a golden opportunity to make these particular hunts great.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

The hunts are purely for population control to reduce deer vehicle collisions. The hunts cost the taxpayer a lot of $. There is a long term plan that may come to fruition that will improve the hunts for hunters in some areas but many areas will just be the way they are for the foreseeable future.

 

[bigjohn]

Anyone else hear that they are starting to have wild hog problems? My cousin works at ORNL and has been seeing them as he travels to and from work.

 

[Black Titan]

Anyone else hear that they are starting to have wild hog problems? My cousin works at ORNL and has been seeing them as he travels to and from work.

Have not heard this but did hear about a bear running down the railroad tracks along Blair Rd near poplar creek.

I wish we could carry on these hunts because of bear, and now hogs. I hate going into the woods in the dark, unarmed.

BT

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Anyone else hear that they are starting to have wild hog problems? My cousin works at ORNL and has been seeing them as he travels to and from work.

Yes there are some wild hogs now on the ORR.

 

[bigjohn]

Yes there are some wild hogs now on the ORR.

Someone must have transplanted them?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Someone must have transplanted them?

Just simply due to where they showed up at first, yes, they pretty much had to be dropped off.

 

[TheLBLman]

The hunts are purely for population control to reduce deer vehicle collisions.

Exactly.
This acreage really shouldn't even be called a WMA,
and it's baffling why TWRA has an area "manager" assigned to it.

 

[mike243]

Ok there are 37000ac there and all of it can't be hunted but why shouldn't they call it a wma? all property's need somebody to call the shots, can't let it run wild. common sense dictates that.

 

[arctic_cat]

Anyone else hear that they are starting to have wild hog problems? My cousin works at ORNL and has been seeing them as he travels to and from work.

I haven't seen any in person but there was an article on our homepage that had a picture of them and that they were now around. I haven't personally talked to anyone out here that has actually seen them either but per the article they are definitely here on the reservation

 

[TheLBLman]

Ok there are 37000ac there and all of it can't be hunted but why shouldn't they call it a wma? all property's need somebody to call the shots, can't let it run wild. common sense dictates that.

But on this particular tract, exactly WHO is calling the shots?

If the TWRA "manager" there is the "left" hand,
and the Feds there (who routinely patrol the entire area) are the "right" hand,
then the "left" hand is clueless as to whatever is going on at the Oak Ridge WMA?

It would also help if TWRA WMA managers were themselves experienced hunters, instead of only being experienced in identifying species of song birds.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

But on this particular tract, exactly WHO is calling the shots?

If the TWRA "manager" there is the "left" hand,
and the Feds there (who routinely patrol the entire area) are the "right" hand,
then the "left" hand is clueless as to whatever is going on at the Oak Ridge WMA?

It would also help if TWRA WMA managers were themselves experienced hunters, instead of only being experienced in identifying species of song birds.

DOE/NNSA ultimately calls the shots. The TWRA WMA manager does spend a lot of time there. TWRA patrols areas a fair amount and catches some poaching activity, etc. TWRA also deals with a lot of nuisance wildlife calls around the facilities and has done some limited habitat work. If it's anything like other relationships for the ORR, then the DOE/NNSA funds the TWRA for the service out of the many billions that pour in.

 

[arctic_cat]

Did anyone do any good this weekend? I haven't seen many pics of deer killed. Usually see pics of some good ones

 

[Black Titan]

Did anyone do any good this weekend? I haven't seen many pics of deer killed. Usually see pics of some good ones

Saw tons of deer. About 18 on Saturday, all just slightly out of bow range.

Sunday saw 3 all day, see my post "missed the big one" for details lol.

There were quite a few taken from what I understand, with the biggest as of Sunday around 2 being a 9 or 10 point (can't remember what the guy said) the field dressed to 170 something pounds.

BT

 

[arctic_cat]

Sunday saw 3 all day, see my post "missed the big one" for details lol.

I seen that. Sounded like an exciting experience for sure. Hate you didn't put an arrow in him. We have the hunt this coming weekend. I'll have to reach out to a few here at work that usually help work the hunt days and see if I can dig up a few pics. Most of the time the pics are floating around by now

 

[Black Titan]

I seen that. Sounded like an exciting experience for sure. Hate you didn't put an arrow in him. We have the hunt this coming weekend. I'll have to reach out to a few here at work that usually help work the hunt days and see if I can dig up a few pics. Most of the time the pics are floating around by now

Yeah I got drawn for this coming weekend too, ML/Shotgun but I'll be using my bow. Sucks it's doe only though.

The spot I seen this buck, on scout day there wasn't much sign. Couple of scrapes, trails, a bed or two, but no scat or rubs that were from this year. We got to walking around on Saturday afternoon after our morning sit, and in the past week this area has absolutely exploded with sign. Fresh rubs were everywhere. More scrapes, beds, etc. Kinda crazy. I hope I get the draw next year as well, I'll be going right back in there hoping to see that monster again.

BT

 

[PickettSFHunter]

110 deer killed. 189 pounds largest weight buck. 11 points most points. 2 deer retained. That's all I can remember of the stats off the top of my head.

 

[arctic_cat]

This must be the 11 point. Only pic I've been able to dig up from this past weekend