velvet hunt

[JAY B]

Any word on a 2020 August velvet hunt, if so any date ideas? I assume it would be 28-30th if it happens but that's just a guess,

 

[Andy S.]

Last few years it has mirrored squirrel opener, which is 4th Saturday in August. If so, I would think the velvet hunt dates would be Aug. 21-23. This is about as early as it can be so the bucks should still be on a very predictable pattern in the ag fields. Good for the hunters, bad for the deer.

 

[TheLBLman]

Last few years . . . . .

:?
Did I miss some years?
Thought 2019 was the only year this had been perpetrated upon on?

 

[Andy S.]

TN velvet hunt started in 2018.

 

[swd]

That would be awesome if it did open that weekend. My Idaho elk hunt is the last weekend of August and first week of September. I'm greedy! I want to hunt the velvet hunt too.

 

[TDW05]

I haven't got to hunt it since they made the hunt. Hopefully I can this year.

 

[dirtyhands]

Yes there have already been two velvet hunts. I remember because I missed both of them

 

[Trnr]

I've missed them both too (no private land to hunt). I'd like to see them opened up to public land, but that could just be me.

 

[Ski]

I've missed them both too (no private land to hunt). I'd like to see them opened up to public land, but that could just be me.

I don't really understand the hunt nor the politics & lobbying that went into creating it. Honestly, I haven't made up my mind yet if I really like it or not. It's an exciting & tempting notion. It undoubtedly brings in some new revenue from out of state hunters in the way of license sales, leases, and guided hunts. But it seems unfair to non land owner residents. An easy fix I suppose would be open WMA's for residents only, but again I have no real knowledge of the politics & lobbying involved.

I do participate, albeit thus far unsuccessful, and not for lack of opportunity. I see a lot of bucks. The reason I haven't shot one yet is because of the rush I'd have to be in to get the deer handled and in the freezer before meat spoilage. It will have to be a deer that I really really want to pay a taxidermist to hang it on my wall. I won't shoot a buck just because it has velvet. With archery things often go unplanned. In August there's no letting the deer go overnight before tracking. You gotta put it down immediately, retrieve it immediately, and process it immediately. It's gotta be a real brute to make the reward worth the risk.

 

[TheLBLman]

It undoubtedly brings in some new revenue from out of state hunters.

And there you have 99% of why it was created.
99% of resident hunters aren't participating.
We're mostly just working, or if we have time, going fishing, etc.

For residents, this does more harm than good,
and is in fact bad for the future of hunting.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

There were YouTube noNresidents that traveled to hunt public land in TN for the velvet hunt last year. You can bet that'll get some attention from their viewers. No different than the youtubers and their turkey antics.

 

[Mike]

The twra recommendation to the commission was for august 28, 29, and 30. The last full weekend in august lands a week later this year. The first juvenile hunt is also a week later this year.

 

[Andy S.]

The twra recommendation to the commission was for august 28, 29, and 30. The last full weekend in august lands a week later this year. The first juvenile hunt is also a week later this year.

Interesting, thanks for sharing. That will be somewhat better for the deer starting to stray from their summer patterns, but not much. If approved, it will be first year it did not coincide with squirrel opener (4th Saturday in August) and free hunting day.

 

[TheLBLman]

If approved, it will be first year it did not coincide with squirrel opener (4th Saturday in August) and free hunting day.

Previously coinciding with squirrel opener and free hunting day was part of why I said this "velvet" hunt has been detrimental.
It still is, more harm than good overall.

 

[Andy S.]

The twra recommendation to the commission was for august 28, 29, and 30. The last full weekend in august lands a week later this year. The first juvenile hunt is also a week later this year.

I just found this graphic that speaks to your comment. It appears someone may have inadvertently left Saturday Aug. 1 off the August calendar, which may have led some to believe the 4th full weekend in August was Aug. 29-30, when really it is Aug. 22-33. The velvet hunt has traditionally mirrored squirrel opener and free hunting day, which should be Aug. 22-23 this year.

Wonder if this was an oversight on TWRA's part? See the red markups on the pic below. The August calendar is missing Saturday August 1.

 

[Andy S.]

To provide clarity and put this to bed, I emailed Chuck Yoest with TWRA. See his reply below:

"The regulation establishing deer season states that the August Hunt is the "Fourth Friday of August through the following Sunday" making it Aug 28-30 for the 2020-21 deer season. This is the same language as used in previous years."

It will be 2025 before it opens the earliest; August 22 that year if the hunt is still on the books.

 

[megalomaniac]

Thanks for the info! Now I know when to take off. Nice to reward those who are feeding the deer all summer long with an opportunity before they shift off several miles away to other properties.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the velvet hunt. I haven killed a buck, although I had a shot each year on a 3.5 yo in the 125 to 130in range. I'm not releasing an arrow unless I can get on a buck that is 4.5 and at least 140 (my personal standard for a velvet buck I would mount).

Its a lot cheaper and easier to satisfy my big game hunting itch between turkey season and the November rut without having to travel out west. Plus it gives me an excuse to come up to TN to run trail cameras and check stands for the fall.

I also enjoy how concentrated the movement is... in my experience, just an hour after daylight and the last hour before dark. No need to feel that if you give up at 9am you are missing out.

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Thanks for the info! Now I know when to take off. Nice to reward those who are feeding the deer all summer long with an opportunity before they shift off several miles away to other properties.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the velvet hunt. I haven killed a buck, although I had a shot each year on a 3.5 yo in the 125 to 130in range. I'm not releasing an arrow unless I can get on a buck that is 4.5 and at least 140 (my personal standard for a velvet buck I would mount).

Its a lot cheaper and easier to satisfy my big game hunting itch between turkey season and the November rut without having to travel out west. Plus it gives me an excuse to come up to TN to run trail cameras and check stands for the fall.

I also enjoy how concentrated the movement is... in my experience, just an hour after daylight and the last hour before dark. No need to feel that if you give up at 9am you are missing out.

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

Agreed. I love it. I killed one in 2018 and my tactic was to just hunt the last 1.5 hours of daylight. Had them patterned and killed 20 minutes after getting in the stand. How often does that happen? It's fun and the few that want to put in the work, why not? We have 98% hardwoods, so patterning deer is non-existent. Sometimes, an easy one is a relief. Most everyone has a slow couple of years. Who hasn't? What's wrong with a change of pace?

But to add on...I also take this advantage to make sure stands, food plots, cameras and all other habitat management practices are in check. It makes my hour drive to our place more compelling, not only to me, but also my wife :?

 

[Andy S.]

My biggest disgust for the hunt has been the temps/humidity in SW TN the last two years during the hunt. I just cannot get energized when it is blazing hot and humid and I have to pack a climber in and climb. I look like a sweaty drowned rat by the time I am in the tree and my confidence level is next to nil from a scent perspective. If I recall correctly, the first year of the hunt (2018, private lands only, archery only), TWRA estimated 8-10k hunters participated and 800 velvet bucks were killed, so minimal impact from a resource position. I do not recall the exact numbers last year, but it seems like fewer bucks were killed statewide, maybe 600 or so.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I'm looking forward to finally having a chance to hunt the velvet season. The first year I was hunting out west and last year, we closed on our house and I moved halfway across the state. I'm now within an hour drive from both farms, so I can't wait until bucks start growing antlers and I can start glassing.

 

[Ski]

I'm looking forward to finally having a chance to hunt the velvet season. The first year I was hunting out west and last year, we closed on our house and I moved halfway across the state. I'm now within an hour drive from both farms, so I can't wait until bucks start growing antlers and I can start glassing.

They're growing! Just saw some on camera today with new knobs.

 

[megalomaniac]

My biggest disgust for the hunt has been the temps/humidity in SW TN the last two years during the hunt. I just cannot get energized when it is blazing hot and humid and I have to pack a climber in and climb. I look like a sweaty drowned rat by the time I am in the tree and my confidence level is next to nil from a scent perspective. If I recall correctly, the first year of the hunt (2018, private lands only, archery only), TWRA estimated 8-10k hunters participated and 800 velvet bucks were killed, so minimal impact from a resource position. I do not recall the exact numbers last year, but it seems like fewer bucks were killed statewide, maybe 600 or so.

I found out last year that hunting spot and stalk off the ground is actually quite effective once you have patterned their travel routes to their evening food sources. I probably would hunt from a treestand over a water source if it was extremely dry, but other than that, I found it quite enjoyable to try to sneak in on unpressured deer as they transitioned from food to bed. The only other time I thought I had a reasonable chance of successfully pulling this off on a whitetail with archery tackle was on the PI hunt.

But yes, the heat and humidity can suck, but the bugs are way worse. Permethrin soaked clothes are a godsend!

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I'm seeing where a local landowner is selling spots for the 3 day hunt for $2000 each from Aug 28-30 so I assume that's the dates as well. 2k in East TN for a 3 day hunt....what has hunting come to.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I'm seeing where a local landowner is selling spots for the 3 day hunt for $2000 each from Aug 28-30 so I assume that's the dates as well. 2k in East TN for a 3 day hunt....what has hunting come to.

:lol: INSANITY :drool:

 

[Headhunter]

I think it is ironic. From what I see on here no one wants a ONE buck limit because that it is TROPHY mentality, but then, from what I can see, many love the velvet hunt because of the TROPHY opportunity.

I don't care for the velvet hunt. To me it is not hunting as much as it is shooting, since that time of the year, even a truly large buck, can be so easy to pattern.

 

[Rakkin6]

Kudos to you guys that can get out and handle the heat and bugs in August. I just can't do it. Just not fun for me sitting in a stand with sweat dripping down my backside and listening to those mosquitoes. Best of luck to you guys this season and stay safe

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

[catman529]

I've missed them both too (no private land to hunt). I'd like to see them opened up to public land, but that could just be me.

I don't really understand the hunt nor the politics & lobbying that went into creating it. Honestly, I haven't made up my mind yet if I really like it or not. It's an exciting & tempting notion. It undoubtedly brings in some new revenue from out of state hunters in the way of license sales, leases, and guided hunts. But it seems unfair to non land owner residents. An easy fix I suppose would be open WMA's for residents only, but again I have no real knowledge of the politics & lobbying involved.

I do participate, albeit thus far unsuccessful, and not for lack of opportunity. I see a lot of bucks. The reason I haven't shot one yet is because of the rush I'd have to be in to get the deer handled and in the freezer before meat spoilage. It will have to be a deer that I really really want to pay a taxidermist to hang it on my wall. I won't shoot a buck just because it has velvet. With archery things often go unplanned. In August there's no letting the deer go overnight before tracking. You gotta put it down immediately, retrieve it immediately, and process it immediately. It's gotta be a real brute to make the reward worth the risk.

the meat really won't spoil that fast. Even in December a dead deer will stay warm for hours. Just drag it out and quarter it like normal and put it on ice or in the fridge. Flies and yellowjackets will be the biggest problem, but they're also a problem in September and October.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[catman529]

If approved, it will be first year it did not coincide with squirrel opener (4th Saturday in August) and free hunting day.

Previously coinciding with squirrel opener and free hunting day was part of why I said this "velvet" hunt has been detrimental.
It still is, more harm than good overall.

honestly it doesn't do any harm at all. It's a 3 day hunt when temps are usually near 100 degrees, and most people I talk to are not interested in the heat or a buck with velvet antlers. I thought the public land in unit CWD would be hammered, being opened to muzzleloaders and all, but I was surprised to find out there was almost nobody there. People just don't care that much for hunting deer in the summer time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[JCDEERMAN]

My biggest disgust for the hunt has been the temps/humidity in SW TN the last two years during the hunt. I just cannot get energized when it is blazing hot and humid and I have to pack a climber in and climb. I look like a sweaty drowned rat by the time I am in the tree and my confidence level is next to nil from a scent perspective.

HA I totally get it. I can't stand the heat. I sweat if I even think about sweating. However, during the 2018 hunt, the temps were in the upper 50's that Friday afternoon with a slight SE wind (Hickman County). It was perfect for one of my setups. I remember walking in and just could NOT believe how good it felt. It did warm up some over the weekend.

I don't even think about hunting the mornings during these velvet hunts - just afternoons. I'll do work all day around the place, then slip out for the last 2 hours of light and get in the stand. Would have worked out last year, as I had 2 bucks I would have been happy to take in the same bachelor group. They likely died from EHD - had consistent pics of them, then they just stopped completely a few days before the hunt, never to be seen again. We lost most all of our 2.5 yo and older deer. They literally all vanished. I don't have high expectations for this year - there are two 3.5's I know of that likely made it through the season

 

[MUP]

It still is, more harm than good overall.

honestly it doesn't do any harm at all. It's a 3 day hunt when temps are usually near 100 degrees, and most people I talk to are not interested in the heat or a buck with velvet antlers. I thought the public land in unit CWD would be hammered, being opened to muzzleloaders and all, but I was surprised to find out there was almost nobody there. People just don't care that much for hunting deer in the summer time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro[/quote]

I'm in this camp.