We snaked through the 800-acre Lewis property, unlocking and locking several gates that crossed the winding trails on their Campbell County property and that of the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area. We finally reached our destination; Tennessee's first and only public viewing area for elk, Hatfield Knob Wildlife Viewing Area.
The State's First, And Only, Elk Viewing Area
Barry Wilson
Source: Tennessee Valley Outdoors
9-16-2005
When Jane Lewis' tire hit the water it seemed most of the frogs had already made it to the edge of the mud.
Being the third vehicle in the convoy, behind an atv and a tractor, was the reason why. There was a fourth vehicle that went by road, Terry Lewis, secretary of the Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association, was driving it, a larger John Deere tractor that would be used for discing food plots.
On another day the bed of the Polaris Ranger Jane was driving might be loaded with tree stands to place on the Lewis' property; today it hauled a few hundred pounds of fertilizer and seed that would join a load that was already in place at the plots. Fertilizing, seeding, and discing would happen in the morning.
We snaked through the 800-acre Lewis property, unlocking and locking several gates that crossed the winding trails on their Campbell County property and that of the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area.
We finally reached our destination; Tennessee's first and only public viewing area for elk, Hatfield Knob Wildlife Viewing Area.
The idea for a public elk viewing area at Hatfield knob came somewhat by accident. One day when University of Tennessee students Jason Lapardus and Jason Kendall asked Terry to help them find an elk collar that was giving off a "mortality"signal. The radio signal was coming from an area close to the Lewis property.
"We found the dropped collar off of a cow, she was still alive, she had just got it caught on an Autumn Olive bush and pulled it off , Terry said. "In the process of finding this collar, I found this area where the elk were just...hanging out."
Although there was evidence of one elk using the food plots on the Lewis property, it was not known at the time as to what extent the elk were using the area.
"One thing led to another. More scouting, more research and pretty soon, I came to the conclusion that this was an awesome place and that they were already here and liked this topography for some reason. There was something here to cause the elk to stay here"
The Hatfield Knob area was once an area that was deep and surfaced mined. Basically the entire top of the mountain was removed.
Terry had an idea, but it would take the blessing of TWRA for the idea to become a reality. After sharing his thoughts and proposals with TWRA officials, Terry received permission to remove brush that had overtaken the Hatfield area. Food plots were soon to follow.
TWRA is in charge of the property at Hatfield Knob as it stands. But they let it be known if the land was going to be cleared someone else would have to do it.
"TWRA gave me permission to mow it...my equipment, my fuel, my labor, because they said they just didn't have the time, and if it was going to get done somebody else would have to do it."
Although TWRA said they didn't have time to work on the area, they have provided materials and assistance and will also do maintenance of roads and patrolling of the area. "They've been real good in helping this be successful up here, real good", Terry said.
Other groups and organizations have also been involved; volunteers from The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Quail Unlimited, the Pine Mountain Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Tennessee Wildlife Federation as well as others have played a role in it's development.
Several TWRA employees thought the cause was good enough to donate their own time to the project. One Terry is frequent to mention is Fred Jordan. The day I met Fred he was busy discing the food plots, getting them ready for planting.
There are approximately 12 acres of food plots at Hatfield Knob, with the possiblility of more acreage to come. The acreage is divided into three main plots that contain a mixture of cool season grasses, oats, and Austrian winter pea. The perimeter contains alfalfa and clover. These plots are strategically located to the north, south, and west of the viewing tower.
The viewing tower is a Cadillac as far as viewing towers go. The 20-foot, covered tower, is roomy and has a built in bench seating along the railing. It was built by Terry, CORA, TWRA, and a group of volunteers over the course of one weekend.
The tower itself is situated amid saplings, Autumn Olives and other brush on the highest point at Hatfield Knob.
"In the process of mowing this thing off I found this hill. "It just so happens that it's to the east so the west wind's in your face, so it's a perfect spot for observation."
Shortly after the tower's construction, Terry and Jane took their video cameras and taped 14 different elk from the tower. "She was able to catch bull #318, a 13-year- old rut in the food plots, chasing younger bulls away, making a scrape in the middle of the field, make lip curl posture as well as try to breed anything that would remotely stand still for his advances."
Unlike the Knoxville Zoo, the animals at Hatfield, including deer, turkey and a wide variety of small game, are wary of humans. A walking trail leads from the gated parking area at Hatfield Knob to the viewing tower. Although those walking the approximate 400 yards on the viewing trail will usually be downwind of the area, it's still advised to be as quiet as possible if you want to view the elk and other wildlife that call Hatfield home.
To get to Hatfield Knob Viewing Area from Knoxville, take I-75 north to Caryville (exit 135) east to Lafollette, go north on 25w approximately 7 miles to the top of the mountain, left at the red gate and then 4 1/2 miles to the Hatfield parking area.
Terry Lewis is a Board Member for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. |
Wildlife Viewing Projects
