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BIG SOUTH FORK TENNESSEE: Hog Heaven!

By
Real Estate Agent with Tennessee Recreational Properties

Wild Boar Are Hunted In Big South Fork AreaBig South Fork is well known for its trail riding and hiking and, among kayakers and whitewater rafters, for its Class IV and V rapids. It is also one of only a few National Park Service units legislated to allow hunting.

Wild Boar is a popular big game species and an extended season for hog hunting runs from January 20 through February 28 in both Tennessee and Kentucky every year. A $5 permit is required to hunt hogs during this season in Big South Fork in addition to a valid hunting license.

One of my favorite trail rides is to the Charit Creek Hostel. Most riders do not know that the hostel was once a hunting preserve called "The Hog Farm" that operated in the early 1970's to accomodate hunters in an old long hunters' camp in the pre-park Big South Fork backcountry. Over the years, pigs escaped the reserve, interbreeding with the Russian Boar that had been brought into the area for hunting and with the few indigenous Razorback Hogs.

A group of hogs is called a "sounder."

Wild boar are wary by nature, with poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. They are known for their vicious temperament and razor-sharp tusks. At present, they are considered a nuisance and are few in number as eradication efforts here have lowered the total number to fewer than 500 in the entire park. It is illegal to use dogs to hunt hogs or to bait them, but there are authorized hunting access routes where hunters may drive ATV's while actively hunting boar or other big game.

Wild hogs usually stay deep within the park's boundaries, well off from the beaten path and they are nocturnal by nature. The Big South Fork's terrain is very rugged which makes hunting on foot difficult, with bluffs and boulders, deadfalls and thickets of overgrown underbrush.

There are outfitters in the vicinity of Big South Fork, such as the Clarkrange Hunting Lodge, which opened in 1955 and is the state's oldest and largest commercial hunting operation, for those who would like to give it a try but who don't want to go it alone.Private Outfitter in Big South Fork Area

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com

Comments (9)

Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Leslie, amazing post. I don't think it is for me but I love the entire history you have provided. Nice Post!

Jan 26, 2010 12:10 AM
Calvin Cowles
Cowles Home Inspection Services Inc. - Newnan, GA

My wife and I have ridden horses around Big South Fork. East Fork Stables was our home for a week just about every year. Never had the pleasure of meeting a wild boar but the rest of the scenery is magnificant!

Jan 26, 2010 12:15 AM
Eldon Hendrix
Hendrix and sons Home Inspections - Holiday, FL

Great information Leslie.  Brings back memories of the days at Peason Ridge at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  There were smaller wild boars there on a government preserve.  They were nocturnal also, but we saw them many times during late evenings.  Have a great week.

Eldon

Jan 26, 2010 12:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a great localism piece this is!  I would not want to come across one of these hogs in person!  Do they scare the horses?

Jan 26, 2010 01:32 AM
Sue Neff
Tennessee Real Properties - Jamestown, TN
Principal Broker, Jamestown, TN

I need to do a blog on the early days in BSF.  Old Joe Simpson owned the Parchcorn Hunting Lodge ( Hog Farm). I was down there in 1979 before it was bought out.  If I can get my slides in digital format, you will see how it used to look.

Jan 26, 2010 09:59 AM
Daniel Moore

If you still follow this, Sue, I put one up for you .  .  .  .

Aug 27, 2021 08:53 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Everyone. I was just driving along, minding my own business, when I saw the sign that said, "Clarkrange Hunting Lodge." I've seen it many times but never paid attention but now, I'm always looking for what Charlie Buell calls "blog fodder," so I turned ariund and went down the dirt road to see what was what.

I was actually expecting a lodge catering to upland bird hunters so I was surprised to see the picture of the boar on the next sign. As is often the case, a picture suggests a post so here is is!

I have never seen a boar in Big South Fork and I hope I never do!

 

 

Jan 26, 2010 11:04 AM
Anonymous
Mr

"Old Joe Simpson?" I don't think that's a very nice way of referring to Joe Simpson. Yes, Mr. Simpson owned the place that's now called Charit Creek Lodge, and yes, it was called the Parchcorn Hunting Lodge, but was referred to as the hog farm. It was a favorite place for those of us who used Jeeps as recreational vehicles. If anyone needs to do a blog on the area before the COE and NPS days, it needs to be a local, not a former COE person.

Sep 25, 2011 12:15 AM
#7
Anonymous
Anonymous

Dear Mr. No Name - are you afraid to identify yourself?????

Did you know Joe, - I surely did - we spent many hours together at the hunting camp. He would laugh at your indignation......

Sep 25, 2011 02:56 AM
#8
Daniel Moore

For those who were there, it was some good hog hunting. I know the proud hunter on the right; anyone identify the guide on the left?  Hog Farm (Parchcorn Creek) - Early 70's? ;-)

Aug 27, 2021 08:51 AM
Daniel Moore

Use the slider to see the whole image.

Aug 27, 2021 08:53 AM