East TN New Guy

[Joe2Kool]

Hey Spur, welcome aboard! I'm from coastal NC also - Sampson County - but have lived in Knoxville the last 30+ years. I mostly hunt the North Cumberland WMA, which might be a little farther than you'd like to drive. Anyway, don't know who said it on here, but game retrieval can be a bigger deal than in the flatlands of NC. Mountains can make it a bit more complicated.

I don't know much about public land near Chattanooga, but there is a lot of it in TN. It seems like each piece has its own regulations. Some are open with statewide seasons. Some are draw only, Some are draw on certain weekends but open on others. Some are anterless only. List goes on and on.

I'll offer two suggestions: 1) Get the TWRA Regulations guide (yes, I'm old school! but it is available online as well) It lists all the WMA's by region. Find something that sounds interesting and check it out. 2) Look at the quota hunts in and around Chattanooga and apply for one of them. In general, most hunts can be drawn with 1 point, meaning you'd get drawn next year. I'm sure some are more, and some are less, but if you find one you like, ask on here how many points it took. I think the deadline to apply is July 23rd, with an emphasis on THINK.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

 

[Stalkhunter]

East TN hunting is like hunting the foot hills and Mountains of the Adirondack in NY, we're I was born and raised.
As other said getting deer out can be a chore. I have been hunting East Tn now since 2000. Get to know the area's you want to hunt and get away from people. These deer cover ground and density is low is spots and better in others.

These mountain deer have potential to be big once they get above 3.5 years old. I have seen bucks here in the mountains that compare to back home and they are elusive. You can go dry easily.

I hunt NC when I was stationed at Camp Lejeune. This is a big shock lol, but very enjoyable.
Good luck hunting this season and stay safe out there.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Lol

I remember at Bragg they called it the Land of the Longleaf Pine.

I had to recite this when I was in Robin Sage.

Here's to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State!

Now that brings back grade school memories! And memories of the C-130's on maneuvers at what seemed like just over treetop high.

 

[trout]

Consider applying for the TWRA WMA quota hunts which closes July 23rd. Prentice Cooper is large tract with good hunting. The early muzzleloader hunt is a good draw. My recommendation is hunt an oak flat on a travel path to one of the fields as the best bucks will avoid the food plots until after dark.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[Johndeere!]

Try North Cherokee WMA. Get away from public lands that in close proximity to bigger and more populated cities. Try the most northern east tn land near NC border. A lot of smaller cities and towns there. Pm me for more info.

 

[Johndeere!]

I UNDERSTAND some of your all's post about East tn high pressure , low deer numbers , etc etc . But my experience is there is plenty plenty plenty of deer in East Tn on public lands and some really really nice ones !! IF your not too afraid to really put in the work or are not afraid to get in more remote areas due to work it requires . My suggestions, Try North Cherokee - WMA OR TVA LAND in the NORTHEAST TN AREA , NEAR THE NC LINE. Get away from your larger cities and towns. Search out more remote public lands , scout scout scout AND then SCOUT SOME more and then hunt the best days , once or maybe twice in that area. Play the wind to your advantage , esp on Access and upon leaving the area.

 

[Johndeere!]

!!

 

[Johndeere!]

!!

 

[Johndeere!]

!just a few pics from two different pieces of public in north Cherokee WMA. I try to put my cameras far away from bedding area just to see what's in the area. I'm ok with night pictures. I'm just taking inventory at this point. Then I make my move toward the bedding area on the day I choose to hunt that area . Playing the wind to my favor on hunt day and not laying any scent down just to place a camera , seems to be a good strategy. Also , Scouting public bedding areas late winter early spring. After season , maybe place camera in the bedding area for inventory of what made it thru the season , try to do this on a rainy day as to help wash scent away .

 

[Johndeere!]

ALSO , in Tenn , on public you can place a a mineral rock , salt etc… even on public . I use this for camera and inventory purposes.

 

[timberjack86]

I could help you with South Cherokee but it ain't got nothing on North Cherokee

 

[Johndeere!]

I could help you with South Cherokee but it ain't got nothing on North Cherokee

Timberjack — Meaning south Cherokee isn't good hunting ?

 

[BubbaGoneWild]

Hey welcome to the campfire. I'm not sure what hunting is like in coastal Carolina but I've hunted Fl, Ga, Al, Ky, Oh, In, and all over the great state of Tennessee. I'm from East Tennessee so I hunt here regularly and I'll say it's by far the hardest, the other places mentioned don't compare. We don't have near the herd but have as many hunters as the rest of these places. I guess by saying that you know that means the deer get heavy pressure. I hunt my own place, plus public ( TVA and WMA's) it's not for everyone, most of the guys I know gave up along time ago. First thing you need to know is don't let other people walking around the woods bother you. It's going to happen. Second, if you see deer, any deer, you're doing good. Lol, reading that back to myself makes me want to quit hunting East Tennessee. Just kidding. I promise, I'm not trying to discourage you but give you honest insight. There's a lot of pride in taking a mountain buck. It's by far my favorite. I've been lucky enough to drop a few ranging from 110 to 140s. I'll also say to see deer you may have to go against the grain. What that means is don't be a tv hunter. Where I hunt, blinds are useless, 4wheelers turn them nocturnal, if you use scents, you have done educated them and if it's possible don't use a light to walk to or from your stand. I can do that most anywhere else and it doesn't matter but not this region. Good luck to you.

I'm from knoxville and hunted here my whole life. And, I will second that!!

 

[timberjack86]

Timberjack — Meaning south Cherokee isn't good hunting ?

It can be if you don't mind working your butt off for it!

 

[Chief44]

Welcome

 

[SwampChicken]

I'm from coastal SC and moved to east TN two years ago. I only hunt public as well and feel like I've got it dialed in pretty good. PM me and I'm happy to share some of my experiences with ya

 

[SpurChaser]

I'm from coastal SC and moved to east TN two years ago. I only hunt public as well and feel like I've got it dialed in pretty good. PM me and I'm happy to share some of my experiences with ya

SwampChicken,

I would love to get some insight from you on whatever you're willing to share. Not real sure how to get a new PM going, might be cause I'm on the mobile app. Feel free to message any time. Thank you!

 

[tndeerman]

Welcome