Looking forward to my trip

[RichMc]

In about two weeks I will be traveling to SE Tennessee (Etowah, McMinn county) to visit my brother for a week long hunting trip. My brother will be a first time hunter, and I being out of state (PA), have a few questions.

Since we will be hunting mostly public land, what can I expect (i.e. hunting pressure, access, etc.)?

Any input as to how to expect deer to pattern in your region 2nd week of December.

What can I expect as far as weather?

Any constructive feedback will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RichMc]

Wow! Thanks for the responses, I appreciate all the feedback. All kidding aside, I can appreciate not wanting to open up to a "foreigner". Here in PA, our rifle season opens tomorrow, and we get inundated with idiot flat-landers from New Jersey and Philadelphia for two weeks. That last thing I want is one of those clowns in my area, and in your position, it's an assumption I would make about me as well. Anyways, it's starting to look my brother is going to flake out on me. Since I already have my license in hand, this trip is going to happen. Without my green brother, I can bring my Summit, and make the best of my week. I figure I'll scout and get a read on the topography for the first day and a half and then hit it hard. I have a couple ideas but will make a decision on what WMA I want to work when I get back from camp next week. Looks like I will have to pack like late archery here in NE Pennsylvania. From what I am understanding, the warmer weather can keep your rut in as far as February My gut instinct is to start by working like it's early rut here in Pa or Wi.

Again, any constructive feedback from the locals will be much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[biglefty20]

I'm not in that area so dont know much about it but the weather is a toss up...was like 68 this past week and weekend high was in 40's .. I would check closer to time about weather

 

[Backstrapcrazy]

Not sure where you will be hunting on WMA, however there seems to be a lot of pressure do to more hunters than deer in east tn WMA, there are deer there just alot of hunters moving around all day having the deer starting to go nocturnal

 

[Good time Charlie]

Sorry man, we are a little more friendly then this.
I am in East Tenn up around Cumberland Gap.

Do not know where you will be hunting ..but it sounds like you will be here for the secondary rut Good luck.

 

[102]

I don't know about the secondary rut in McMinn, I have yet to see the FIRST rut. I am guessing you will do well on that week. Hunt THICK area borders.

 

[Bobs8pt]

New to the area I am learning alot about eastern TN. I can tell you I am not impressed with the wma's that I hunted but I guess Hunting Ohio and NY I am a little spoiled. I am use to seeing A LOT more deer then what I have been seeing. If you can find some private farm land then that would be the way to go. Good Luck and Happy Hunting

 

[102]

I agree with that Bobs8pt.
But it isn't just the WMA, it is probably the carrying capacity of the County it is in.

WMA's further West in Tennessee are an entirely different story.

In fact, it never ceases to amaze me how vastly different Tennessee hunting can be in different Counties.