East TN bear hunting

[decker528]

Anybody on here know anywhere i could hunt bears in the Dec 31 to Jan 3 season in Polk or Monroe county? I might be out that way and ive never been but would love to try it. Doesnt matter if it's public or private lands. I dont know anywhere to go over there

 

[2in1shot]

Not to discourage you, but most of the bears are gone up after this recent snow and cold. Might catch a few boars out but it would probably be a much more successful hog hunt.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

^^^What he said^^^ And even though with the weather, most are ran onto the reserves from the previous dog hunts. Early hunts are always your best bet.

 

[TnSprig]

I live in the Andrew Johnson Bear reserve and I have had from 4-12 bears coming in since July and last week and half and finally they went up, so it be tough hunting this late in the year.

 

[timberjack86]

^^^What he said^^^ And even though with the weather, most are ran onto the reserves from the previous dog hunts. Early hunts are always your best bet.

What catchdawg said, I have had bears on camera all year until October then nothing. They will return towards the end of April.

 

[timberjack86]

If I had to try I would pick somewhere close to a bear reserve

 

[decker528]

I'm not making a special trip to do it. It was just something I wanted to do while I was in East TN. I may wait till next year though and make a special trip. Are there any guided services out there? Ive hunted all my life but bears and mountains are things I'm not familiar with in the western part of the state