I've spent alot of time in Cades Cove chasing deer but have not been there quite this late in the year. You can usually find deer in the fields as you drive the loop and they are very approachable. They practacally ignore you except they often keep their backsides turned your way. I prefer to walk the creek in areas out of site of, or at least far away from the road. Check the north side of the creek in the last section. Go Past Hyatt Lane and stop in the overlook parking area to get oriented and possibly spot bucks with your binoculars in the fields below. Then drive to one of the next parking areas and walk across the fields to the creek.
The Cemetary trail is one of the best ways to acess this area. The trail is not marked. After the overlook parking lot and after the next large parking area but before the wooden bridge, there is a small pullover on the left at a"Fence-wire Gate". Park and walk the mowed trail past the two cemetaries into the lower fields. Also leave the trail and walk into the trees along the creek. There is also a beaver pond behind the second cemetary but it is surrounded by bamboo and is difficult to see.
Be on the lookout for wild Hogs in this area. I was there in October and November and encountered a group of about 8 hogs both times.
One of my favorite hidden areas is on the south side of the creek. Cross the wooden bridge and where the road turns right to Abrams Falls, park and walk the small trail to the left (Fence-wire Gate) along the south side of the creek. It's very bushy and secluded in this area and many bucks hide there during the day. Knee high rubber boots are also handy in this area.
You can also park on Hyatt lane and walk over the hill to some nice secluded area where bucks like to hang out.
Good Luck
Posted by Josh Anderson on January 9, 2007 at 11:52 PM
Thanks for the great information Paul. Very much appreciated.
Posted by Cindy Nowlin on February 19, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Hi Josh
Just saw your post. Im a little behind. I live just outside Cades Cove area and go there at least once or more a week. The deer are all over the place, especially the bucks right now. I get lots of great photos each time. There are even some doing a little sparing still. I have seen more the last 2 months than I did in Oct/Nov when I am told thats when rut is. Also several great coyote sightings. Hopefully the bears will be back out very soon. Right now the road is closed due to snow we got saturday night. went out yesterday and it was closed, went back out there this morning and still closed. Hopefully it will open soon, but the snow will be gone. Im ready for spring anyways...
Posted by Leann Greene on February 23, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Cindy,Paul-
Are the bucks bald yet? They seem to be holding on to their racks long here.
Discussion
4 repliesThanks in advance!
Josh
I've spent alot of time in Cades Cove chasing deer but have not been there quite this late in the year. You can usually find deer in the fields as you drive the loop and they are very approachable. They practacally ignore you except they often keep their backsides turned your way. I prefer to walk the creek in areas out of site of, or at least far away from the road. Check the north side of the creek in the last section. Go Past Hyatt Lane and stop in the overlook parking area to get oriented and possibly spot bucks with your binoculars in the fields below. Then drive to one of the next parking areas and walk across the fields to the creek.
The Cemetary trail is one of the best ways to acess this area. The trail is not marked. After the overlook parking lot and after the next large parking area but before the wooden bridge, there is a small pullover on the left at a"Fence-wire Gate". Park and walk the mowed trail past the two cemetaries into the lower fields. Also leave the trail and walk into the trees along the creek. There is also a beaver pond behind the second cemetary but it is surrounded by bamboo and is difficult to see.
Be on the lookout for wild Hogs in this area. I was there in October and November and encountered a group of about 8 hogs both times.
One of my favorite hidden areas is on the south side of the creek. Cross the wooden bridge and where the road turns right to Abrams Falls, park and walk the small trail to the left (Fence-wire Gate) along the south side of the creek. It's very bushy and secluded in this area and many bucks hide there during the day. Knee high rubber boots are also handy in this area.
You can also park on Hyatt lane and walk over the hill to some nice secluded area where bucks like to hang out.
Good Luck
Just saw your post. Im a little behind. I live just outside Cades Cove area and go there at least once or more a week. The deer are all over the place, especially the bucks right now. I get lots of great photos each time. There are even some doing a little sparing still. I have seen more the last 2 months than I did in Oct/Nov when I am told thats when rut is. Also several great coyote sightings. Hopefully the bears will be back out very soon. Right now the road is closed due to snow we got saturday night. went out yesterday and it was closed, went back out there this morning and still closed. Hopefully it will open soon, but the snow will be gone. Im ready for spring anyways...
Are the bucks bald yet? They seem to be holding on to their racks long here.