EAST TENNESSEE TUSKERS - Chasing Big Hogs in the Mountains with Stick and String, By Chuck Smick
Does a late season bowhunt for big stinky critters excite you? With deer season over; and turkey season a month or two away; do you still have a hankering to pursue big game still? If the answer is a resounding “YES!” then chasing wild hogs in the mountains of East Tennessee is what you may be searching for this winter, for some extra excitement and fun this year. Getting eyeball-to-eyeball with a big tusker will get your adrenalin going… and maybe have you looking for a tree too! Another great attribute to this late season hunt is if you are successful, you’ll have a cooler full of fresh fixings for barbeque and some great breakfast meals too. The terrain in the mountains of East Tennessee is rough and rugged, with steep, rocky hills, mountain laurel and holly choked creek bottoms and thick brush in areas in between the top and bottom of these mountains. Hogs will lie up in these thick areas near water sources during the day; or in the frequent caves that spot the mountainsides. There are some important things you’ll need to consider, before you go on a hunt. A failure on any one of these items can result in failure to bring home the pork; or could result in a serious injury that could side line you for several months Hogs can be very dangerous too. If a big boar charges and you have to get out of the way quick; you’ll need the quickness and strength to do it or risk getting cut up badly by the sharp tusks they carry around with them. Get in Shape. The terrain in the mountains of East Tennessee is TOUGH! You’ll need to start a good exercise regiment several months before you plan to hunt. I was walking three and one-half miles a night, several nights a week and it was not enough. I would try to find some hilly or mountainous areas and walk 4-6 miles daily, and carry a 30-50 pound rucksack to increase my stamina and strength; you’ll need it. A year round walking, biking or running regiment is even a better way to stay in shape for such a hunt. My old paratrooper knees and too many extra pounds around the middle won’t allow me to run anymore, so I power walk to get in shape. When I’m well into my program, I’ll ad the rucksack, loaded with a sand bag to improve my stamina and endurance. The mountains will seriously challenge your heart, lungs and stamina to keep going. You’ll have a greater challenge if you hunt with an outfitter that uses dogs to locate and bay up hogs for hunters. A young guide that grew up in the area will keep you hopping too, trying keep up during a day of hunting. I found this out on a recent hunt! My walking regiment was interrupted frequently this past winter due several snow storms, with a lot of ice. When I went on a hunt recently, I could really tell the difference. I tired very easily, and was worn out after a day of hunting.
