Deer Hunting the Hiwasee Refuge

[Guest Conrad]

I have been drawn for the 3 day muzzleloader hunt on the Hiwasee Refuge and was wondering if any of the members on here have ever deer hunted there because i havent. I am just looking for information on some the good places to hunt. There was a 200 hunter quota for that hunt and am betting it will be crowded. Thanks for any help i may get.

Conrad

[Guest BEARMAN]

I've never have put in for the Hiwasee refuge draw, Conrad.

However, I found out today I got drawn on two rifle Catoosa hunts, Nov. & Dec.

Congrats, Bro.

Bearman

[Guest Conrad]

Congrats to you, good luck at catoosa a friend of mine killed a nice 10 pt there a few years ago

[Wingshooter]

I got picked for a September archery hunt (gonna be HOT!) on the Hiwassee Refuge and a muzzleloader hunt on Catoosa - Bicolor in November. I have never hunted either, but I know Hiwassee has good deer numbers. I am looking forward to it. I've been doing a little Google Earth scouting...

Edited August 14, 2010 by Batman

[Guest Conrad]

Google Earth?..duh why didnt i think of that. Anyway amybe we can get together and do some scouting together Batman. Pm me and let me know what you think.

[Wingshooter]

Absolutely, Conrad. That sounds like a great idea! I'll send you a PM soon, and we can work out the details. My hunt is next month, and I can't believe it's almost deer season again.

The TWRA website has been "updating" the Hiwassee Refuge map for a long time - I wish I knew where all of the boundaries are. I have the old map, but it makes me wonder what the changes are.

Edit: Found this one. http://www.state.tn.us/twra/gis/wmapdf/Hiwassee.pdf

Edited August 14, 2010 by Batman

[Sandman]

Ok here's a random first time hunter question...how do you put your name in to get drawn to hunt?

[Wingshooter]

Ok here's a random first time hunter question...how do you put your name in to get drawn to hunt?

You can do it online or at a license agent. The application period for the WMA deer quota hunts has ended for this year, but the drawing usually occurs in July. This is the first time I have applied for one. Here is the process... July 21 Application Deadline Approaching for 2010 WMA Big Game Quota Hunts | TN.gov Newsroom

[Good_Steward]

JohnnyFox, where are you at in East TN?

[Guest toddshould]

I have done the muzzleloader hiwassee hunt three times now, and I will be there again this year. There are a lot of deer at hiwassee and if you are hunting for meat I cannot think of another place better. A lot of hunters bring a boat and go to the island. In my opinion there are no bad places to hunt. You are very limited on where to hunt if you do as I do and not bring a boat. My last hunt was in 2008 and I had 17 hunters walk by me before daylight. I had three more in my party with similar complaints, but I had two does down 10 minutes after shooting time. I have never seen any big bucks there in the times I have went.