Questions from a newbie

[Gingerbeard93]

I'm going to get right into it. I'm pretty new to deer hunting. I hunted when I was growing up in KY on family land that sadly is no longer in the family. I'm based in knoxville and trying to drop a deer to help make ends meet thanks to the hard times my family is facing due to COVID. I have a solid 4x4 truck, a .308 I'm comfortable with at up to 300 yards, and I have my tags. I just can't seem to find anything out there. I've been hitting north cherokee because it's what is closest to me that looks promising. Any tips, recommendations, or anything that could be useful. I'm trying to at least drop one before season closes to put something in the freezer. I've got experience stalking and moving quietly in the woods, I just can't seem to find anything in the woods. I'm seeing sign, I've seen a few on the trek in before I hit the public land, but nothing when I get in the woods.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[younggun308]

If North Cherokee is anything like South Cherokee you're talking much lower deer densities for much of the property.

However, it could still be worth hunting under the right conditions. Namely, when you've got a steady wind that creates noise. That'll cover the sound of your footfall in the leaves, and make it easy to tell which direction you must walk to keep the wind in your face or across you. I'd slowly walk (and by that I mean, take a few slow steps, stop and scan, take a few more, scan, etc) just under the top of ridges and stop to glass benches and hollers below. Periodically you can very slowly peek over the other side of the ridge. I'd stay away from fields this time of year as those are probably very pressured. But doing the stalk on a windy day gives you a shot of catching a bedded deer or one mozying up a ridge.

Alternatively, especially when you don't have that kind of sound cover, I'd try to find fresh sign crossing a logging road (and by that I don't so much mean rubs—those can be no longer active even if they're yellow—but rather tracks and maybe pellets), and set up on that. You might be in the right place at the right time, you might not, but at least you'll have a shot.

Good luck!

 

[younggun308]

Another thing is, have a plan on how you'll get the deer out. Cherokee can be some rugged country lacking great vehicle access. You probably need to watch videos on how to debone a deer in the field (I'm a huge fan of the "gutless" method), bring a couple good knives and a backpack large enough to carry your gear and a trash bag or 2 full of meat (but realize that in TN you also have to carry out proof of sex—that can be the head for a good buck, but for a button buck or some such you might just want to attach a grocery bag to toss the fishing rod and testicles into, and just tie that onto the outside of the pack). I'd even consider bringing an extra orange vest so your backpack doesn't cover up the one you're wearing.

 

[Rakkin6]

Well I am originally from Wartburg so I know how hard it can be to hunt in that area (I now live in Clarksville middle Tennessee). Deer hunting is a lot different in the areas. At this point I would be looking for food sources in that area some good acorn trees. Also you may want to check out Catoosa, Big South Fork or Gobey in Morgan County. If you can find an old strip mine that may have some new growth I have had luck hunting these areas. Good luck brother

 

[JeepKuntry]

If you have a boat, that will get you to a lot of TVA land. And you can actually hunt from them as well. Just read the regs to know the ins and outs.

 

[rmmonty32]

In my experience in this area the gun season is just terrible for deer sightings on public land. Hunter pressure is high and they seem to stay in thick cover during legal shooting hours. I saw lots of deer early season and first two weeks of November and then POOF they just dissapeared. According to the harvest report North Cherokee seems to be much better than the South.

 

[Trnr]

GB - do you have the ability to travel? Like others have said deer densities may be one of your biggest enemies. When I moved off the Plateau to middle TN I see WAY more deer. There may be someone here that could help you with some freezer meat. I don't own any land, but I'd be happy to try and help out if you find yourself around Percy Priest. If you can't travel, I'd look for food sources (been seeing a lot on the acorns around here lately). Wish I could help more.

 

[DRSJ35]

I hunt the same areas you do but have zero solid advice. Problem with N Cherokee is it's so big. To walk 200 yards off the rd in n Cherokee is like walking 5 miles in less rugged terrain. A bunch of the time looking for acorns will help but a place like that might have a thousand trees still dropping some. It is a very difficult place to hunt. There is deer in there just hard to get in undetected very rough terrain tons of hunters. Good luck keep after it. Maybe look at a topo and find different access points and spots not as rugged to gain distance.

 

[Gingerbeard93]

Thank you everybody for the tips, for now travel is simply limited to any kind of day trip, but next season I'm probably going to be hitting out west for a weekend or two for sure.

I have a member that contacted me and has offered to show me a good spot. I'm going to give it a shot and see what we can make of it, and report back. I've seen so many good solid posts on here, been lurking for a while and finally figured it was time to ask for some advice. Looks like I'll have my 17 year old brother legal and possibly coming with us for his first hunt as well so it looks promising either way it falls. I'll follow up with updates after the weekend.

 

[Deer444]

I'm going to get right into it. I'm pretty new to deer hunting. I hunted when I was growing up in KY on family land that sadly is no longer in the family. I'm based in knoxville and trying to drop a deer to help make ends meet thanks to the hard times my family is facing due to COVID. I have a solid 4x4 truck, a .308 I'm comfortable with at up to 300 yards, and I have my tags. I just can't seem to find anything out there. I've been hitting north cherokee because it's what is closest to me that looks promising. Any tips, recommendations, or anything that could be useful. I'm trying to at least drop one before season closes to put something in the freezer. I've got experience stalking and moving quietly in the woods, I just can't seem to find anything in the woods. I'm seeing sign, I've seen a few on the trek in before I hit the public land, but nothing when I get in the woods.

Any help would be appreciated.

You need to get on my hunting club we have 2 properties roane and crab orchard

 

[Rakkin6]

You need to get on my hunting club we have 2 properties roane and crab orchard

I am all about getting on your hunting club!!! I live in Clarksville but I am from Morgan County originally. Travel there a lot to visit family.

 

[Rakkin6]

just let me know