First Year of Deer season in TN

[inthebox30lbs]

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[inthebox30lbs]

THis should have been with the photo (SORRY)

Well my first year of deer season I ended today despite another few days left. THis was the first full year of deer season for me in Tn. Being a school teacher I hunt quite a bit after school, vacations and all weekends. I hunted a couple of suburban areas around CHatt. area and had a great season. I only am a bowhunter hunting right through all of the muzzle loader and rifle seasons with the bow. Sept. started very slowly but by mid Oct things really picked up. I killed a nice 7 point on Oct 16, and Doe on the 26th and another Doe on Nov. 3. 90% of the deer I saw in the woods this year came between Oct. 15th the the 10th of Nov. I did pass on a couple small spikes. After the Nov. 3rd Doe the next shot at a deer I had was Dec. 6th at a nice 8 point that i had seen on several ocassions earlier in the year. Unfortunately I hit him smack in the shoulder blade, very little blood , see ya later. After that I saw very few deer and no shots. THe rut that I waited for never really showed at least where I was hunting. Very few rubs or scrapes despite the fact that there was plenty of bucks. Overall it was a great season, this is the most bow shots I have ever had in 14 years of bowhunting. I topped off the season with a pig hunt in FLa as s christmas present. Just wondering how all of you guys rated your seasons. Happy new year.
scott

 

[Jmax]

This was the first year for me hunting deer in TN as well. I would rate it slow to fair but you have to consider I was learning the areas I was hunting. Is that your seven point? It looks like an eight? Nice bow deer. I have to say your a die hard to stick to a bow all year. I usually try to get one with each. I may try that next year now that I know the areas better. Good job and thanks for sharing.emoThumbsup Jmax

 

[inthebox30lbs]

Ya thats him he is a 7 point the left side he has one big Y. I started years ago hunting places that gun hunters couldnt hunt because of houses etc. and i started seeing a lot more deer and in return killing alot more. So I just let my guns sit in the gun cabinet. I grew up in NE pennsylvania were there is a ton of hunters and just got sick of a ton of guys in the woods. I started bowhunting behind my grandparents house just a few acres, but no pressure and it was full of deer and no hunters. If you look at this area, growing, new subdivsions in rural areas, its a back yard buck bananza for the bowhunter, if thats what you are interested in. Some people love it and others need space and big woods. You would be surprised how many people would let you bowhunt in suburban settings. It only takes one winter and $3000 of thier landscaping to allow you to hunt.
scott

 

[churly]

This is the end of my 11th season hunting in TN. This has been my worst season ever as far as putting horns in the truck. I hear that many hunters accross the state have also had a down year. Crazy weather, drought, and EHD seems to have the deer stressed out which resulted in a trickle rut, instead of the 2 weeks of intense action we usually see. I have passed on a ton of young bucks this year. Several years ago I made a commetment to not shoot young bucks and I have been rewarded by killing some fine deer the past few years. I commend you on letting the young one's walk!!! All I can say is next year should be a better year all around! I keep telling myself that you have to have a bad season in order to call one good!