I also hunt public land now every year in shotgun.
On the other hand I have been scared silly by other peoples drives! I watched one group push a woodlot one day with two standers in the middle and three drivers on each end all driving to the middle!!!
And we are very careful and no one drives with us that has not been with us a good while and deemed more than safe and responsible, and no shots at flying deer, shots are either stopped or walking. I have pushed places my feet never got all the way to the ground cause it was so thick!! Or swamps with water up to my pits to get deer off of little humacks. Swamps and mass blowdowns and greembriar thickets 12 feet tall. And if you think some of the drives we do are easy. They have been very successful at times and a useful tool in hard hunted public land. We do a lot of 2 and 3 guy pushes this way in select areas. Deer moved a lot slower and the drivers saw a lot more deer. And as the years went on we turned the drives more into still hunts with no noise unlike the old day drives with barkers. I did not see any deer that day but a few guys did.Īs the years went on we always did a bunch of drives middle of the day with 4 to 6 guys. I was a rookie and got taken to a stand and that is where I stayed and was given precise directions on where everyone was and so forth. It was extremely organized with the old timers deciding what drives and directions. I remember one I had to be 17 maybe and a guest at my Uncles club, thousands of acres. they usually got the good bucks.īotoom line.let's face it.There are richard noggins in this sport regardless of the hunting style., just don't judge all by actions of a few.īack when I was young and hunted the Dacks, drive hunting was popular. More ofteen than not the big boys tried to slip back through the drivers and we started leaving guys at the start of the drives. sure some were tracked but whit the approach we used they usually weren't on mach 3 when they came out. I can't think of any deer of the top of my head that got wounded and lost.
But they really handled them more like a big still hunting exercize.
Drivers always in line with an occassional "hoot" to know where everyone was. You got dropped off on watch and didn't move until they came and got you. the larger group you had to unchamber your gun unless you were the lead in the line walking. In both groups every thing revolved around safety. It really looked like the old 50's photos at the hunting camp when you looked at the meat pole. We took 12 bucks and 2 bear that weekend. we drove entire mountains on that opening weekend. there were 25-30 guys in their hunting party. I have also been invloved on large scale drives there was a group I hunted with when I lived in Albany and they hunted North of Sacandaga. On my uncles land he had 3 sets of pines and 3 large Cedar swamps. I have been involved in smal groups-3-4 watchers and 2-3 Drivers and we used it in a setting that was thick as hell. If done correctly they can be very productive and safe. It has been 4 or 5 years since we have had enough guys to do it well.
Or feel free to call us at any time for questions or directions at 865-428-DEER (3337).I have participated in drives since I first got into hunting. Please visit our individual attraction pages to learn more about the Zoo, Pony Ride, or the Riding Stables. Our wide and wooded trails are 85% shaded, ensuring a relaxing ride with wonderful views of the Smoky Mountains! We cater to first time and “rusty” riders, and little ones can double up with an adult, or ages 5 and up can ride their own horse with or without the help of a lead line.
Our old-fashioned pony ride is perfect for your littlest riders, and they can enjoy a safe, gentle ride led by Mom or Dad.įor a full family adventure, everyone can ride at our Deer Farm Riding Stables. Your family will have a blast interacting with our critter family, including camels, kangaroos, zebra, goats, reindeer, Rocky Mountain Elk, emu, Fallow and Sika deer, miniature horses, Watusi, Highland cattle, donkeys, zonkies, and so much more!įor horse lovers, we also offer equestrian fun for every member of your family. You’ll do more than just pet the deer at the Deer Farm – you’re invited to walk among them and hand-feed these delicate animals. Start your vacation at The Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and enjoy an unforgettable experience with some of nature’s most graceful creatures. Please note: there is a 250lb max weight limit and all riders will be discreetly weighed. You’re going to love our unique barnyard environment nestled in a 140 acre foothills setting.