The Future of TN Deer & Fish

[Woodman318]

I turn 70 this year, native to East TN. I have hunted and fished throughout the eastern seaboard.
I have not deer hunted nor trout fished in TN in the past 20+ years because TN has the worst wildlife/fisheries management program I have ever witnessed, especially in East TN. Whatever outdoor success we have in TN is due to mother nature, solo.
Our fisheries; TVA lakes and streams should be the envy of the country in all species of game fish. Ever catch a limit of bass or walleye on Tellico Lake, Norris or Chilhowee Lake? Trout fishing in NC makes our "put & take" stockers a joke. Even trout fishing on the Cherokee Rez is better than what we have.
Proper management North of TN (KY-The UP) plus the Midwest states yield the best deer hunting and fishing I've ever experienced. I've killed huge bucks in WI, SD, KY, OH, MI & MT but never in TN.
You are lucky to see a deer at Catoosa. Chuck Swan deer are so inbred few field dress over 100 lbs.
WHY IS TN TERRIBLE?? - lack of funding/resources? poor management? PLEASE help peel back this onion and let's discuss some realistic solutions.
Unfortunately any positive change is left up to us.

 

[knightrider]

When all positions are appointed and not voted on by the outdoorsmen of the state,WE will not positively change anything other than our own properties without the help of the experts

 

[MickThompson]

The Tennessee River system has world class bass, catfish, and crappie

How do you know the fishing and hunting is bad now if you haven't done it for 20 years?

 

[scn]

It sounds to me like you can't really hunt or fish if you are getting those results.

Laughable.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

There are plenty of pictures all over this forum that would suggest that we do indeed have some quality deer and fish in this state. Since you are on the east side, that might contribute to why you'd think that about deer, I know in some places they can be few and far between.

As for trout, I haven't ever fished for them, so I can't say about a difference between put and take stockers here vs what they do in other states. I'm sure there are some folks on here that have more knowledge of them than I do.

 

[scn]

For a first post, that is a shyt stirring deal to start with. You may have found the wrong site.

 

[TX300mag]

I can't speak for east TN, but west and middle TN are great from my experience.

I like the hunting and fishing culture much better than the one here in TX.

But it could be because I measure the experience in its totality rather than antler inches.

 

[Iglow]

As for deer, grouse small game, turkeys, it'd because the chainsaws are absent. Too many 80 -120 year old trees create a barren wasteland for wildlife, almost all wildlife need sunlight hitting the ground to grow food and cover all through the year, those big woods drop some food for a couple of months in the fall then nothing the rest of the year.

 

[peytoncreekhunter]

I turn 70 this year, native to East TN. I have hunted and fished throughout the eastern seaboard.
I have not deer hunted nor trout fished in TN in the past 20+ years because TN has the worst wildlife/fisheries management program I have ever witnessed, especially in East TN. Whatever outdoor success we have in TN is due to mother nature, solo.
Our fisheries; TVA lakes and streams should be the envy of the country in all species of game fish. Ever catch a limit of bass or walleye on Tellico Lake, Norris or Chilhowee Lake? Trout fishing in NC makes our "put & take" stockers a joke. Even trout fishing on the Cherokee Rez is better than what we have.
Proper management North of TN (KY-The UP) plus the Midwest states yield the best deer hunting and fishing I've ever experienced. I've killed huge bucks in WI, SD, KY, OH, MI & MT but never in TN.
You are lucky to see a deer at Catoosa. Chuck Swan deer are so inbred few field dress over 100 lbs.
WHY IS TN TERRIBLE?? - lack of funding/resources? poor management? PLEASE help peel back this onion and let's discuss some realistic solutions.
Unfortunately any positive change is left up to us.

Dang.... if only 50 years ago you would of gotten a job with TWRA you could of kept this whole mess from happening by showing them how to do everything perfectly. Now we have to deal with lousy hunting and fishing Tennessee has to offer.....

 

[Crappieaddict]

I turn 70 this year, native to East TN. I have hunted and fished throughout the eastern seaboard.
I have not deer hunted nor trout fished in TN in the past 20+ years because TN has the worst wildlife/fisheries management program I have ever witnessed, especially in East TN. Whatever outdoor success we have in TN is due to mother nature, solo.
Our fisheries; TVA lakes and streams should be the envy of the country in all species of game fish. Ever catch a limit of bass or walleye on Tellico Lake, Norris or Chilhowee Lake? Trout fishing in NC makes our "put & take" stockers a joke. Even trout fishing on the Cherokee Rez is better than what we have.
Proper management North of TN (KY-The UP) plus the Midwest states yield the best deer hunting and fishing I've ever experienced. I've killed huge bucks in WI, SD, KY, OH, MI & MT but never in TN.
You are lucky to see a deer at Catoosa. Chuck Swan deer are so inbred few field dress over 100 lbs.
WHY IS TN TERRIBLE?? - lack of funding/resources? poor management? PLEASE help peel back this onion and let's discuss some realistic solutions.
Unfortunately any positive change is left up to us.

There are plenty of "put and take" trout areas in East TN….if that's what you want. Personally, give me the mountains and the native trout! As for deer, they're here. Deer hunting in East TN separates the skilled hunter from the wannabe.

 

[Woodman318]

The Tennessee River system has world class bass, catfish, and crappie

How do you know the fishing and hunting is bad now if you haven't done it for 20 years?

Because I listen to all the complaints for 20 years from by buddies who are lifetime outdoorsmen, Mickey.

 

[BSK]

Proper management North of TN (KY-The UP) plus the Midwest states yield the best deer hunting and fishing I've ever experienced. I've killed huge bucks in WI, SD, KY, OH, MI & MT but never in TN.

Hmmm, I've worked in many of those states and don't see their game agencies doing anything to manage for big bucks. However, those states certainly do naturally grow larger antlered deer than TN.

In the ridge-and-hollow hardwoods of Middle TN, the average mature buck grows antlers in the 120-125 range, exactly the same as the famous King Ranch in TX, which experiences the most intense trophy deer management in the world.

 

[MickThompson]

Because I listen to all the complaints for 20 years from by buddies who are lifetime outdoorsmen, Mickey.

Were your out of state hunts all public land or outfitted, woodsie?

I would look for some friends that aren't cry babies

 

[Woodman318]

Look guys, I'm not looking for arguments I'm looking for solutions!

For example...

1) What if all Bass Tournaments were charged for a permit $XX based on the number of entries? Also, the events could be controlled by centralized scheduling which would be published to the public. Casual fishermen could plan to avoid these tournaments.
2) 100% of proceeds go to pay for a comprehensive stocking program. Meaning replenishing waters that are lacking ANY species of fish based on the recommendations from the state biologists. Game fish, bait fish, whatever is needed.
3) WIN-WIN. Tournament fishermen & sponsors should agree to perpetuate their own sport. And you can take you kids on a successful fishing trip.

PS - I know there are a lot of deer in East TN. I feed deer in my back yard although I wouldnt want to shoot one of the poor little things. I'm talking about the managed areas that are supposed to be managed properly.

 

[scn]

This might be a record for the coveted green stripe. It was considered after one post, and confirmed on post #2.

No time for a major loser.

 

[UCStandSitter]

 

[Woodman318]

Hmmm, I've worked in many of those states and don't see their game agencies doing anything to manage for big bucks. However, those states certainly do naturally grow larger antlered deer than TN.

In the ridge-and-hollow hardwoods of Middle TN, the average mature buck grows antlers in the 120-125 range, exactly the same as the famous King Ranch in TX, which experiences the most intense trophy deer management in the world.

KY, WI, VA, MI, SD allows one buck per season in most of the state.
Also, they generally minimize the doe harvest.

Unless you secure a hunting lease in middle TN where can the average hunter go to have a decent chance to tag a 120 inch buck?
How many average hunters can afford to go the KING Ranch in TX?

 

[Woodman318]

Were your out of state hunts all public land or outfitted, woodsie?

I would look for some friends that aren't cry babies

All on public land on my own.

 

[Woodman318]

When all positions are appointed and not voted on by the outdoorsmen of the state,WE will not positively change anything other than our own properties without the help of the expert

 

[Woodman318]

You are exactly correct brother! That is the problem.

 

[Volbuck777]

Our wildlife program is definitely below average. You are right about other states having better management also.You sure came in guns a blazing though which isn't going to gain any friends around here.

 

[deerhunter10]

What have you done to help besides bitc* right out of the gate? You manage or do any habitat work? Or just expect others do to the work and you get the reward? We kill deer over 125 ever year. Do the work or move to another state that you love so much. As far as the fishing from what I understand asian carp has hurt that more then anything on the bass side I don't think that will ever be remedied. Never fished for trout. Try to fix it instead of bitxhing

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

https://www.tn.gov/twra/employment.html

 

[killingtime 41]

On public land for the most part TN manages for opportunities. And not to grow big deer. At least that's how I see it. Other states with a 1 buck rule do manage for bigger bucks. Or else those seasons and bag limits would look more like ours.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

She's back.

I was wondering how long it'd take before tnturkey figured out how to make an account under a different IP address.

 

[timberjack86]

She's back.

I was wondering how long it'd take before tnturkey figured out how to make an account under a different IP address.

 

[scn]

She's back.

I was wondering how long it'd take before tnturkey figured out how to make an account under a different IP address.

Fortunately there is no charge to use the ignore button for the idiots.

 

[deerhunter10]

She's back.

I was wondering how long it'd take before tnturkey figured out how to make an account under a different IP address.

Well the excessive capitalize letters and punctuation is gone for the moment. That's nice.

 

[BSK]

Look guys, I'm not looking for arguments I'm looking for solutions!

Solutions to what? You keep saying the state is terribly managed yet have no data to back up your argument.

 

[BSK]

KY, WI, VA, MI, SD allows one buck per season in most of the state.
Also, they generally minimize the doe harvest.

Minimizing the doe harvest is EXACTLY what you DON'T want to do if you want trophy bucks.

A 1 buck limit has nothing to do with trophy bucks. I'm assuming, you, like so many other hunters who don't understand wildlife biology, think 1 buck limits produce more mature bucks. This may not be correct at all. I census deer populations all over the country and I see no difference in the buck age structure between KY and TN. In fact, in some habitat/terrain types, I see an older buck age structure in TN. However, the soil types common to TN are not conducive to large antler growth. However, in parts of TN that have soil types similar to KY, I see shockingly huge bucks, and I mean in the 180+ range.

Unless you secure a hunting lease in middle TN where can the average hunter go to have a decent chance to tag a 120 inch buck?
How many average hunters can afford to go the KING Ranch in TX?

Northcentral TN, in the Sinkhole Plain. In essence, in that patch of "KY soils" that exist in TN. Also, anywhere along one of our major river systems that have large-scale agricultural bottomlands.