New to hunting!

[RiceShooter]

Hello ppl! I'm new to TN and hunting,so I wanted to ask a couple questions. I researched online and found a variety of opinions about deer hunting calibers, I have a cooper 54 .308 with leupold 3-18x44 on order and was wondering what your opinions would be on that combinations such as too much or good for deer. I live in east TN and wondering if there are any hunting clubs or areas that are good for deer hunting so I can get involved and learn. Hope to hear some good replies!

 

[TNRino]

You should definitely have more rifle than u should need for east tn since most areas are mountainous or rolling hills and ridges that don't produce long shots. In most cases in this area 3x9 is sufficient for a scope. Not knocking ur set up at all. Should be excellent. My dad used a 308 for years and loved it. What part of eat tn are u in? There is alot of public land you just have to be willing to put in the time and get off the beaten path. There are more hunting clubs in west tn than east tn imo.

 

[FOX FIRE]

Cooper is top notch equipment, a .308 is great round & about as perfect for deer as it gets, scopes are a personal thing, if it works for you then your in business.

 

[plinker22]

Welcome to the wonderful world of deer hunting RiceBurn. You have found a wonderful tool for becoming a better hunter thru this website.

Your gun is overkill, but who cares. Deer is dead & if a rhino happens to walk through you can kill ot too. jk.

I know of no clubs, but read listen and learn here. Where are u in E. TN?

 

[RiceShooter]

Thanks for the great replies ppl, I live just outside Johnson City. As for the rifle, I just figured that the set up would let me hunt more than just deer with it. I want to get a rifle for my wife as well, I was told 7mm-08 is good for her as she is about 125lbs. Would anybody say that is correct? Again thank you for the replies.

 

[Bow Hunter]

Welcome to the site and that Cal should fit your wife just fine.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

welcome aboard.cant beat a .308

 

[RiceShooter]

I'm sure I'll love it. What do ppl normally do for deer hunting, tree stands, blinds stalking ect in east tn?

 

[L.C. Kid]

Welcome to the site.

 

[RUGER]

I would say you are good to go.
.308 is a great round for deer.

 

[leader]

That's a great caliber for the wife too....

 

[TRIGGER]

Welcome. No such thing as too much gun IMO a well placed shot won't ruin any meat. Don't know about east tn hunting but do know you have found where the mother load of information is. This site will help you tremendously.

 

[in the dog house]

Welcome!! Imo ( I live in west Tn.) you cant beat a climber. Just practice with it. It will allow you to get away with more being up in the air. But that said any of what you stated will work, just always play the wind and you cant go wrong. This site is one big family, and everyone will always help you with anything you need. Just ask

 

[TNRino]

I live in johnson city as well. A far a tree stands, blinds, and stalking everyone is different. I use a different tactic almost everywhere I hunt. It also depends on how far I have to walk and the terrain. If I can use my climber I will. Again your rifle should do you wonders.

How much shooting has your wife done? Does she understand recoil? How does she handle pain? Sorry just trying to get a better understanding of her before I answer the 7mm question.

 

[RiceShooter]

she shoots my 12 gauge and ar15 with no issues, ppl told me to go with 260 or 7mm-08 for her. I still have to go around and find places to hunt there hopefully hunting areas are relatively close.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

You need to ate sure and come by the meet and greet on April 27th. There is a thread about it at the top of the general forum. The east side meet and greet is in knoxville.

 

[Plateau Hunter]

Your .308 is perfect-your scope will work but I would prefer something more like a 2x7 or 3x9 at the most in a hunting rifle-ymmv. A 7/08 or .260 would be great for your wife. Welcome to TN and good luck.

 

[trealtree]

Welcome, here are a few links that will help you out with public areas to hunt and keep you legal. Sometimes regulations change yearly so be sure to get the updated hunting guide in August.

http://www.tn.gov/twra/gis/R4_WMA.html

http://www.tn.gov/twra/biggamehunt.html

http://www.tn.gov/twra/deermain.html

http://www.tn.gov/twra/wmas.html

http://www.tn.gov/twra/pdfs/wmaseasons.pdf

 

[TNRino]

I would consider a 270. There should be plenty close. Go by a forestry service building and get some maps. I know mahoneys in jc has some as well. there is a lot of national forest.

 

[RiceShooter]

I wish I could, I work overseas and won't be home for vacation till May, if there is a meet and greet sometime then I could make it.