Elk viewing area

[my82cam]

Not quite hunting but elk related :pleased:   My wife and I will be in Gatlinburg for several days at the end of the month, we are thinking about going to an elk viewing area to try and see some elk.  Has anyone here ever gone? worth the drive and hike?  Is there one closer to Gatlinburg than others?

[Lumber_Jack]

Honestly most of the Elk live in the Cataloochee Valley across the NC border, which is not close to Gatlinburg.  Is there an advertised "Elk Viewing" area near Gatlinburg? 

[my82cam]

Yeah, the Hatfield Knob Elk viewing area.  They have a tower and a big food plot to bring them in.  It looks like it is an hour away or more from where we will be.

[peejman]

We've seen lots of them in the fields adjacent to 441 near the Oconaluftee visitor's center.   I don't know that the elk are there regularly, but that's where we've seen them. 

[Lumber_Jack]

Yeah, the Hatfield Knob Elk viewing area.  They have a tower and a big food plot to bring them in.  It looks like it is an hour away or more from where we will be.

 

 

Oh damn, that one,  Yes you can see elk there.  Plan to go early or late.  The cooler it is the better, and if its overcast that can help too.  So that will take about 2 hours from downtown Gatlinburg to the Tower at Royal Blue.  

 

 

 

 

 

I would definitely look at driving into the Cataloochee Valley in the GSMNP.  Its essentially like Cades Coves with Elk and less people.  You drive out to I-40 head East to exit 20, go right, .2 miles turn right on Cove Creek Road and then follow that for 11 miles and it will dump you into a valley with mowed pasture fields and high chances of seeing Elk.  I would go there 10:1 vs going to the tower at Royal Blue.  One main reason is Royal Blue is a WMA and it will be hunitng season PUBLIC hunting.  The other is I feel pretty strong that you have a higher chance of seeing Elk in Cataloochee.  And if you don't you've seen some of the prettiest scenery in the GSMNP

 

[my82cam]

Thanks, Lumber Jack!

[my82cam]

If I am going into the national park, is it legal to carry my handgun on me and a rifle in my truck?  I have heard that we are aloud to carry in parks but don't know if that extends into national parks? I would assume it does, because of bears and whatnot. 

[Lumber_Jack]

Yes National park is same as the state which it resides. So if you drive to the NC side check those laws.

[runco]

About a month ago I had to drive to Greenville, SC, and had extra time and drove through Gatlinburg and Cherokee from the Maryville area.   When I got to Cherokee, there were a least 2 dozen Elk there at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on 441 (the large field on your left as you come into civilization).  Those animals are very large.

 

About 2 months ago, 1 elk was spotted in Cosby (about 30 miles east of Gatlinburg) it made the news.  If any Elk are in Gatlinburg, the local media (print and tv) would be all over it.

Edited December 30, 2015 by runco

[Wingshooter]

I saw 5 or 6 standing along side I75 near Royal Blue about 3 years ago. They were awesome to see, but I was glad they stayed out of the road.

[Possumslayer]

Be careful around elk....

[runco]

Seeing Elk in west side of the smokies will make news, here is the story about the one in Cosby:

 

http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/Elk-may-be-seen-in-more-places-than-just--354018771.html

 

COSBY, Tenn. (WVLT)- Growing up in Cosby, there's no shortage of wildlife for Nathan and Chase Joyce.

But on Tuesday, they saw a first.

"Elk ... it was big." said Nathan.

Their mom spotted it about 100 yards from Highway 321.

"He was right there and she (mom) just slammed her brakes," said Chase.

Keeping a safe distance and making sure not to startle the 1,000 pound animal, the family snapped some photos.

"I'd say he (elk) was on his way home," said Chase.

He's probably right. Elk were reintroduced into the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park more than ten years ago.

"When we reintroduced the elk to that part it was the best place for them to go the Cataloochee valley," said Brent Everitt, a ranger with GSMNP.

So seeing one about 50 miles away in Cosby is something new.

"They're looking for food in different areas. So, they'll move a good distance. We haven't seen that in the past so we are studying their patterns." he said.

Which means they may be in other parts close to the park.

"They will charge. So you want to stay close to your vehicle in case you need to get back in."

Or do what the Joyce brothers did and stay in the car.

They reintroduced about 25 elk to the park in 2001. Now they estimate there may be as many as 200.

[Lumber_Jack]

Do not approach elk. I believe it's illegal to be within 50 feet of one in Tennessee.

[Westwindmike]

If you are ever near Jackson Hole WY in the winter, be sure to visit the Elk Sanctuary. You can see 5000 elk or more in one place. They come down from Yellowstone for the winter and get fed there. You can ride a horse drawn sleigh right into the herd. Worth the trip.

[my82cam]

 Elk are massive creatures, I have had a pack of cows be 10 or so feet from me when elk hunting.  Don't have any plans to make it a petting zoo! lol