Cherokee National Forrest

[TauntoHawk]

Anyone ever do any hunting there?

I was planning a trip to NE Tennessee in the Cherokee with a buddy of mine, we always talk about kicking the season off early before NY and PA get under way. After some research needing a state with over the counter tags, all day hunting, sunday hunting, open turkey season between April 6-13 (when we could both make it) it came down to Tennessee.

I picked the North East Corner being the closest drive from PA, plan on camping around lake Holston and hunting between the lake and Shady Valley. I got a big topo map from national Geographic and started pin pointing areas of focus.

We'd have about 3.5-4 days of hunting. Is it worth the time and cost to go on this hunt or am I going to be lucky to hear a bird. My buddy was laid off recently and while he still wants to go I dont want to make him spend money on a tight budget if there aren't birds to chase. We Dont need to tag out to have a worth while trip but If I get ten guys here that tell me its not worth it or good luck finding a gobbling bird I might have to rethink spending valuable vacation time.

[birdyhunter]

While I can't say I've ever hunted around there I have spent the majority of my fall vacations around there and there are plenty of birds around. Always wanted to try it out but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

[Fatbeard]

I haven't hunted that area in a few years. There are lots of birds there its about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from my house. I do hunt the mid section of Cherokee on the Greenville and Cocke county areas! Plent of birds there and not much pressure

[agturkey]

 If you don't mind the slope you will love it.

[TauntoHawk]

If you don't mind the slope you will love it.

I can't say I have much experience hunting them in Steep terrain but I'm intregued by the added challenge

[FullChoke]

 PM sent.

[TauntoHawk]

Full choke that was really helpful, thats actually the same road and area I outlined as a spot to focus on. Now I need to find a place that we can camp in early April. the couple of camprounds I looked up along the Lake say they dont open til the end of April.

[FullChoke]

Consider one of the Tennessee State Campgrounds, (https://tnstateparks.itinio.com/warriors-path).

It is farther to drive to hunt, but the campground is open year round. It is a starting place.

Since Bristol is home to the Bristol Motor Speedway, there are many privately owned campgrounds in that area that cater to the camping needs of traveling racefans. Since you are not intending to hunt during a NASCAR event, the prices will generally be much more reasonable with better availability. Google "campgrounds Bristol, TN" for campground listings and rates.

FC

[ThicketThrasher]

PM Sent

[Holston]

Not sure what areas allow hunting, but I know on the TVA property downstream of the South Holston Dam, there are plenty of birds.

I trout fish down there quite a bit and always see and hear turkeys.  Seems to be mostly private land, but I'll look into it more to see if there's any public hunting around the area.

[WNY Bowhunter]

Is it typically more productive to hunt the season opener or wait until mid April when the pressure dies off?