Ground Zero: Tennessee's Record Bucks

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Check out this video to learn how to manage your small track of land to bag your trophy buck.

STEWART COUNTY

While most of this part of the state is short on public land, Stewart County is the exception. Over the years, Dale Grandstaff has scored many trophy bucks from the county, the majority of which were harvested near the Cumberland River. These fertile river bottoms are maintaining quality habitat. That habitat, along with isolated pockets of woods, and steep topography, mean that the possibility of taking a hideaway trophy is always there.

Many agencies have acquired land in Stewart. A portion of Fort Campbell is in the eastern section of the county while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manage portions of Lake Barkley. The bulk of the Corps land is called Barkley WMA and falls under the Management of TWRA. The Tennessee Valley Authority owns large sections along Kentucky Lake on the west side of the county.

While the county does have a wide range of public land managed by numerous state and federal agencies, there are some to key in on for the possibility of taking a trophy.

To take a famous example, Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and has hunting seasons ranging from general open hunts for archery hunters to quota gun hunts. LBL is a national recreation area that extends north into Kentucky and hunters will find sufficient acreage for archery or gun deer hunting.

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge is open for archery hunting and the refuge has two quota gun hunts during October and November each year. Archery hunting runs concurrent with statewide season until the middle of November when the refuge is closed to all public access to provide a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl. The refuge lies on both sides of the Cumberland River and hunters will find a good mix of crops, including corn and soybeans. Although these crops are planted for the waterfowl, you will find good numbers of deer around the crop areas. Most of the hunting will be walk-in only from designated gates and parking lots. As is the case in most public hunting, those willing to walk may have the best opportunity. During the early hunt it would be worth investigating the walk-in areas around Bull Pasture or Commissary Ridge.

Barkley WMA located near Dover is primarily a waterfowl hunting area, but deer hunting is allowed except for five days prior to opening of each waterfowl season.

Stewart State Forest is located near Cumberland City and even though it is not well known, Stewart State Forest receives heavy hunting pressure. While the possibility is there for a trophy, the odds are not as good on this public land because of heavy hunting pressure it receives during the season.Hunters will find a wide range of amenities in the county seat of Dover, including fast food and good home-cooked meals. One location for lodging is Dixieland Cabins where you will find five cabins that sleep from two to six people, plus RV hookups. LBL also has a wide range of camping from basic tents to full RV hookup.

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