Hunting is a challenge no matter the species. There is a peacefulness and stillness in the woods. An indescribable amount of adrenaline in the body. Out of sight does not mean out of mind. The deer are always on alert and have a keen sense of hearing and smell. Frustration. Success. Skill. It pays to sit still and blend in. You just never know who is watching. See and not be seen. That is the goal. Most predators fail most of the time, that is what makes a success so rewarding.

Young sportsmen must carefully watch their parents or those who take them hunting in order to learn the necessary skills to be successful on their own. All one can do is keep on trying, waiting until the next season and look back on the lessons, skills, and memories they learned in their hunts.

There is an endless cycle of change in the seasons. Hunting is a tradition that began many generations ago as less of a sport or hobby and more of a way of life and method to put food on the table. Recently, Tennessee’s whitetail deer hunting season kicked off. Union County is in East Tennessee, Region IV. There is a Statewide Bag Limit of two antlered deer, no more than one per day, per hunter and a variance of antlerless limits across the state.

Archery season began back in August and continues throughout the entirety of all other hunts, aside from youth hunts. An October and January young sportsman weekend hunt are set aside each year for youth ages 6-16 only. Recently, on November 9, muzzleloader season kicked off with many Union County hunters punching tags. With winter making an early appearance this year and gun season opening on November 23, hunters should begin to see some bucks in rut.