New Hunter / Priest Tips

[RageBow]

So. I'm a fairly new hunter. This makes my 3rd season. First two I had two seperate leases. This year on WMA. I've been trying to learn as I go, teaching myself and learning here. I finally got my first climbing stand.

Anyways. I have yet to see a deer during deer season. For whatever reason. This year I am hunting priest WMA where I saw several deer during turkey season. Being archery season. I just take my stand, some water, rope and my crossbow (I know I know, but I'm not accurate with a bow and don't want to cripple or just injure a deer...)

Any tips?

 

[catman529]

they are hot on the acorns lately. haven't seen many white oaks dropping where I hunt, but they prefer those IF they are ripe and dropping. If not, they will tear up the red oaks. If there are red oak acorns everywhere you go, the hunting can be tough. If you have a hard time finding a good tree, keep looking because when you do find it, it will probably be HOT, and the deer will be there very often. Some fresh sign I really like is well worn trails full of fresh tracks, and fresh turds under oak trees. Cut corn fields can be good too but I don't like to bow hunt fields so much as the woods leading to them. Creek crossings are another great funnel. Say you have thicket on one side and some crops or oaks on another side, and a shallow riffle with a well defined trail going down the bank on both sides. That can be a great place to catch deer coming to or from feeding/bedding and shoot one right under your tree. Good luck

 

[RageBow]

Thanks Cat! Always super helpful.

I think I am going to scout some new areas of priest after work. There does not seem to be a lot of sign where I set up. I saw deer almost every evening during turkey season, just not a big enough area where I was hunting.

I found about three different areas to go look at after working, going to try and find some acorn droppings where I can take my stand.

 

[catman529]

take the bow when you scoutl. Been plenty of times I found myself in range of a deer while scouting, or walking out. Doesn't always happen but better to have the bow and not need it... you get what I'm saying. Hope you find a couple of good spots.

 

[RageBow]

Oh I plan to, Im headed there today once I get off work.

I think the problem I am having is finding how to access some of these spots. I have found quite a few spots I want to check, just no idea of how to get in there or where to park.

 

[tree_ghost]

Oh I plan to, Im headed there today once I get off work.

I think the problem I am having is finding how to access some of these spots. I have found quite a few spots I want to check, just no idea of how to get in there or where to park.

A good thing in my opinion...most hunters won't put in,the effort to get to those places...you can bet your backside that the deer will however!

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[RageBow]

I guess one of my questions is: Do people just park wherever they can on the side of the road? Or are you supposed to find some parking lot and walk in? Im talking at least a mile plus walk to some of these spots.

 

[Ten37122]

I guess one of my questions is: Do people just park wherever they can on the side of the road? Or are you supposed to find some parking lot and walk in? Im talking at least a mile plus walk to some of these spots.

Boat?

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[RageBow]

Nope no boat. I mean I do see dirt roads, but most of the time when I drive by they are gated off.

 

[catman529]

If it's a dirt road on the wma just park by the gate and walk in. I've hunted plenty of public spots where I had to park on the side of the road.


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[RageBow]

True, I went to one spot where there was a gate, but absolutely no room to park. I am scouting 3 spots tonight, if you guys want to give some feedback on what I collect.

 

[Dbllunger]

Cat is spot on in my opinion about things to look for such as creek crossings, deer scat and whatnot.

Another thing I like to look for this time of year also when I am trying to find how deer move through the woods is to survey the browse. When you watch deer walk through the woods they are constantly eating as they travel through and nibble all the plants and bushes. When you look through some sections of open woods the browse will be knee or waist high everywhere and all of a sudden you walk across a place where a large section is shin high. Stop and look closer and it will be apparent that deer are constantly moving through this area either going or coming from bedding/food source.

In areas where there is an overpopulation of deer you can throw that out the window as everything will be eaten and no browse will be found. Most places in Tennessee aren't that way.

I feel that deer are like fish in respect to the fact that 90% of deer are found in 10% of the woods. Maybe not that ratio exactly but I think there are huge sections of woods that just don't get REGULAR deer activity.

 

[RageBow]

I can definitely see that Dbllunger, as where I have hunted seem to not produce activity. I need to do some scouting and find those producing sections of wood. Thats why these tips are greatly appreciated. I really want to take my first deer this season.

 

[RageBow]

So I just got done scouting. I have a video journal of it. If you guys can stand my cell phone recording and I can get it uploaded. I found 3 spots I'm deciding on setting up in. One is not long after walking in. A lot of hardwood trees. Didn't find acorns. But plenty of oak trees. Second spot is closer to the river and can look between the river and woods. Third spot is open field between river and woods. Saw some trails there and tracks.

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[Ladys man]

I probably wouldn't post your video unless you can send it private I'd hate to see ur hard work lost just my opinion but lots of good advise given here

 

[RageBow]

Thats true. I do trust just about everyone here. Had a ton of great experiences with the people on this site.
Let me ask then. What option sounds best? From 1-3 it starts near the entrance to 3 further away.

1. Standing trees with hardwoods on both sides of a walking trail. Not far from the entrance at all. A few game trails. No acorns or tracks seen.
2. One side is the river. Other side of the trail is woods and standing timber.
3. A bit far out. Opens up to some fields. Now can see some tracks and droppings. Hard to find a good tree to climb.

Which would you set up in?

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[catman529]

Thats true. I do trust just about everyone here. Had a ton of great experiences with the people on this site.
Let me ask then. What option sounds best? From 1-3 it starts near the entrance to 3 further away.

1. Standing trees with hardwoods on both sides of a walking trail. Not far from the entrance at all. A few game trails. No acorns or tracks seen.
2. One side is the river. Other side of the trail is woods and standing timber.
3. A bit far out. Opens up to some fields. Now can see some tracks and droppings. Hard to find a good tree to climb.

Which would you set up in?

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that third spot and if you really can't find any tree to climb then sit under a cedar tree and make sure no branches or weeds are in the way of drawing back and shooting, make sure you are sitting in full shade and deer will pass by in the open, make sure any shooting lanes are straight ahead or to the left (if you shoot right handed) and be very still, only hunt the correct wind and draw back slowly when the deer look away. Bow hunting from the ground takes a bit more attention to detail and if you can find a tree then climb it. Tracks and droppings are a good sign to go by.

 

[catman529]

Cat is spot on in my opinion about things to look for such as creek crossings, deer scat and whatnot.

Another thing I like to look for this time of year also when I am trying to find how deer move through the woods is to survey the browse. When you watch deer walk through the woods they are constantly eating as they travel through and nibble all the plants and bushes. When you look through some sections of open woods the browse will be knee or waist high everywhere and all of a sudden you walk across a place where a large section is shin high. Stop and look closer and it will be apparent that deer are constantly moving through this area either going or coming from bedding/food source.

In areas where there is an overpopulation of deer you can throw that out the window as everything will be eaten and no browse will be found. Most places in Tennessee aren't that way.

I feel that deer are like fish in respect to the fact that 90% of deer are found in 10% of the woods. Maybe not that ratio exactly but I think there are huge sections of woods that just don't get REGULAR deer activity.

Good observation on the browse, never really thought of that.

 

[RageBow]

Thanks a lot!

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[Bone Collector]

I meant to weigh in a few days ago, but I got side tracked. All the advice so far has been good. Yes you can park on the side of the road, just make sure you are completely off it, not trespassing, and don't get stuck. Parking by gates is fine, but technically you are not supposed to block the gate. Some areas that doesn't matter as there are no crop fields and they are mainly used by the farmer to access the fields. The good news this year I think only one field got planted, so the farmer probably won't need to access the field.

This year the trick is finding the acorns IMO. They are few and far between it seems at least where I have been on the WMA. Places that generally produce acorns even in bad years did not produce a lot this year. I have sat 5 of my 6 sits on Priest so far and due to wind direction I only have 2 stand locations I can hunt. Fortunately one of those is dropping red oak acorns and has been a hot spot. I've seen 19 deer in 4 sits there. One time I sat at the other location that is a big acorn producer, but there are hardly any there this year and I saw 0.

Also keep in mind what DBLlunger said about browse. with few acorns, the deer have to eat something and there is still plenty of browse out there. If you find something like he mentioned, you may not need to look any further.

 

[RageBow]

Thanks Bone Collector. This is exactly why I love coming to TN deer, all the great feedback. Really some great tips, that I need and helps build confidence.

I found a new spot on Priest, did not find any acorns but did find a bit of browse I think.

 

[Jackal_xbow_Hunter]

I'm always out at the priest lake WMA by Poole Knobs. I usually have to walk half a mile or more to get to a decent spot and if you want to hunt the other side where the gates are you should park on the opposite side of the road and walk across the street. The very first gate there is a really big field and tracks everywhere. I just went to that spot today, but had to call the day short.

Also, if you are going to hunt the field trial area where all the dog trainers/dog hunters are go find a spot that is deep in cause they have a tendency to run their dogs right through where you're hunting. They haven't cut down the corn stalks yet either so the areas are very limited as to where you can hunt in that area.

 

[RageBow]

I actually checked on the Poole Knobs area, but could only find areas that were Unit 1, for dog training. I can mainly only hunt during weekends, and they are closed during the week.

 

[Jackal_xbow_Hunter]

I actually checked on the Poole Knobs area, but could only find areas that were Unit 1, for dog training. I can mainly only hunt during weekends, and they are closed during the week.

You can hunt the dog trial area during the week but not during the weekend. I'm not sure about the area right before where the national guard is right behind. I believe that is unit 2, but from the sign it looks like they have dove hunts on the weekend, but if I remember correctly you can hunt that area on the weekend as well.

You could call Glen Rogers @ 615-355-0914 to find out for sure.

 

[RageBow]

Yeah I called Glen, what I gathered from our conversation, but have to check, that entire area is Unit I.

 

[RageBow]

I just double checked on the WMA maps, the entire area outside the dove area is unit I. But I do plan to get out there during the week to check it out.

 

[Jackal_xbow_Hunter]

Percy Priest Unit 1 and 2
In Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson Counties. 14,500 acres. Unit II surrounds Percy Priest Lake. Islands are open for hunting. A map is necessary to view safety (off limit) areas. Good big and small game hunting, plus good small game hunting. Lots of hardwood timber, but also fields on the area. Waterfowl hunting also allowed, but from temporary blinds. Includes a big dog training area on Unit I. This unit has limited hunting, but is also adjacent to Percy Priest Lake. Directions: The WMA is the Corps of Engineers property around the Percy Priest Lake. Unit I is in the Lavergne area, near Poole Knobs Recreation Area. The rest of the WMA is Unit II. No check station. Access from various points around the lake or by water.
The area you can hunt is in green.

Edit: Not sure if you have it, but here is the link to the map: https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 81,38.6449

 

[RageBow]

Yeah, if you click on the area you plan to hunt, it shows if its unit I or II. The only portion that is II on that image is the wooded area by the lake, which I believe may be the dove area.

 

[Jackal_xbow_Hunter]

Ah yes.
Looks like I was on unit one today across the road by the lake. Looks like if you go down right at poole knobs rec area where the archery range is you can walk into the woods and that is unit two. Honestly I wouldn't recommend going down to unit 2 then cause I've heard gun shots up there before and this area is usually only archery except for certain times.

 

[RageBow]

Yeah, LaVergne is somewhat far from me, and I have decided on some other areas within Priest to hunt.