bigtex
Well-Known Member
I started hunting there in the late 60's. Was Central peninsula then. Back in those days the place was overrun with deer. You could see 15+ deer on every sit. but because they were so overpopulated the deer were tiny by todays standards. Climbing stands hadn't been invented then but it was legal to build permanent stands. Me and my hunting buddies would go up in the Summer to scout and build stands. They were finally outlawed after so many hunters fell out of the old rotting stands.
The archery hunts were non quota but the first two days were buck only. Compound bows weren't around then either, it was either recurve or long bow only.
I never killed a big buck there but it was a fun hunt and I always looked forward to going. Many great memories sitting around the campfire sipping on moonshine that would somehow show up.
TWRA started a trapping program to restock deer in the state and there were traps everywhere. Pi$$ed a lot of people off and I can remember seeing several traps turned over and one that had been burned lol.
My favorite area was Levi Evans Spring, second was Big Loop, third Forks of the river.
Most of my hunting buddies lost interest in bow hunting and the trips to "CP" became fewer and fewer over the years. I quit hunting Management areas entirely when I got a lease in Middle Tn. I had the lease for 20 something years and gave it up several years ago when I got tired of the hassle of the trespassers and poachers.
For old times sake I put in for the first archery hunt there a couple of years ago and was drawn for it. I drove up a month or so before the hunt to scout and was shocked and saddened to see what had become of the place. I'm not against logging and know that it can be very beneficial to wildlife but what they have done to Chuck Swan is akin to raping of the land. I was disgusted with what I saw. My favorite spot [Levi Evans] looks like it had been clear cut 20 years ago and was unrecognisable.
Since I had a tag I hunted it anyway. Spent the first night sleeping in my truck in "the line" was the third truck in line. They finally opened the gate and the race was on lol. I got to my spot and as I was gathering my gear two other trucks pulled in behind me and the occupants jumped out and literally ran into the woods. It was then that I remembered why I stopped hunting WMA's and found a lease. Anywho, I headed to my stand which I had put up the day before and was flashlighted the whole time. The so called "hunters" started coming out of their stands after two hours. I sat all day and saw a total of one doe. When the sun set I climbed down, took my stand off the tree, walked back to the truck, and came to the house.
The archery hunts were non quota but the first two days were buck only. Compound bows weren't around then either, it was either recurve or long bow only.
I never killed a big buck there but it was a fun hunt and I always looked forward to going. Many great memories sitting around the campfire sipping on moonshine that would somehow show up.
TWRA started a trapping program to restock deer in the state and there were traps everywhere. Pi$$ed a lot of people off and I can remember seeing several traps turned over and one that had been burned lol.
My favorite area was Levi Evans Spring, second was Big Loop, third Forks of the river.
Most of my hunting buddies lost interest in bow hunting and the trips to "CP" became fewer and fewer over the years. I quit hunting Management areas entirely when I got a lease in Middle Tn. I had the lease for 20 something years and gave it up several years ago when I got tired of the hassle of the trespassers and poachers.
For old times sake I put in for the first archery hunt there a couple of years ago and was drawn for it. I drove up a month or so before the hunt to scout and was shocked and saddened to see what had become of the place. I'm not against logging and know that it can be very beneficial to wildlife but what they have done to Chuck Swan is akin to raping of the land. I was disgusted with what I saw. My favorite spot [Levi Evans] looks like it had been clear cut 20 years ago and was unrecognisable.
Since I had a tag I hunted it anyway. Spent the first night sleeping in my truck in "the line" was the third truck in line. They finally opened the gate and the race was on lol. I got to my spot and as I was gathering my gear two other trucks pulled in behind me and the occupants jumped out and literally ran into the woods. It was then that I remembered why I stopped hunting WMA's and found a lease. Anywho, I headed to my stand which I had put up the day before and was flashlighted the whole time. The so called "hunters" started coming out of their stands after two hours. I sat all day and saw a total of one doe. When the sun set I climbed down, took my stand off the tree, walked back to the truck, and came to the house.
