Cooke Knob - Elk

Elk hunting in Tennessee is one of the rarest opportunities in the East, and Cooke Knob gives drawn tag holders 638 private, gated acres to hunt in Morgan County near Oakdale. Morgan County is one of only five counties where a Tennessee elk quota permit is valid on private land with landowner permission.

The property sits on the Cumberland Plateau, with hardwood ridges separated by drainages. The ridges give you high ground to listen for bugles, and the drainages offer natural travel routes to hunt. The hardwood cover lets you move and set up quietly during the early fall season, and you will be the only party on the property for your entire hunt.

A gated neighborhood entrance leads straight onto the property and the gravel road that runs through it. Trucks and ATVs are allowed on the road, which matters when you are getting an elk out, and two designated parking spots set up your walk in. The northwest corner is walk-in only.

This listing is for hunters holding a Tennessee elk quota permit. Hunts run 5 days for one party of up to two permitted hunters, priced per hunter, during the archery or gun elk season in late September and early October. You can book before the draw, since your first payment is not charged until results post. Lodging and food are in Harriman.

Tennessee's elk herd lives on the northern Cumberland Plateau, where hardwood ridges, drainages, and timber cover make up much of the habitat. Elk seasons fall in late September and early October during the fall breeding period, when bulls are vocal and covering ground. Ridgetops are the place to listen, and drainages are the routes to cut off a moving bull.

After your hunt, you will be sent an automated Harvest Report. To assist Infinite Outdoors in maintaining the quality of properties, and continue to put conservation at the forefront, we require that the harvest report be completely filled out and returned. Failure to fill out the harvest report within 2 weeks of the hunt taking place will result in a $25 fine. If you are unsuccessful in filling your tag, Infinite Outdoors still needs to have that information provided to them. This is how we will make changes to future year's harvest quotas and continue to be the most well managed access and conservation platform in the country.

Tennessee holds a one week archery only elk season in late September, followed by a one week gun, muzzleloader, and archery season in early October. A youth season follows for the resident youth permit holder. Season dates are set each year by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. Check tn.gov/twra for current dates.

You must draw a Tennessee elk quota permit. Apply each February through GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, the TWRA On The Go app, a TWRA license agent, or a regional office. Applications are not accepted by mail. You must be at least 16 to apply, there are no parties, and you can select up to four hunt choices.

Each permit is valid for its assigned Elk Hunt Zone on North Cumberland WMA and on private land in Morgan County with landowner permission. Your IO reservation provides that permission. Hold any additional hunting licenses TWRA requires for your permit.

The bag limit is one antlered elk. Tag your elk immediately, mark the harvest site with GPS, and check it out at the North Cumberland WMA office on the day of harvest. Electronic radio tracking equipment is prohibited. Details: tn.gov/twra/hunting/big-game/elk.html.

Tennessee's elk draw is one of the most competitive in the country. TWRA issues 19 permits a year across archery, gun, one resident youth permit, and one conservation raffle permit.

There are no preference points, so every applicant has the same chance each year. No more than 25 percent of successful applicants can be nonresidents. If you draw, you must wait ten years before applying again.

Your reservation fee is due at booking and is non-refundable. 50% of the outdoorsman fee is charged two weeks after Tennessee posts elk draw results, and the remaining 50% is charged one month before your hunt. If you are not drawn, contact Infinite Outdoors. Bookings made after the draw payment date has passed are processed on the first of the year.

 50% is charged two weeks after Tennessee posts elk draw results and the rest one month before your hunt. If you are not drawn, contact IO. The reservation fee is non-refundable.

If there is a lapse in availability, please do not be discouraged to reach out to IO. All calendars are set and managed by landowners, and unavailability is set by them. However, IO is willing to reach out on your behalf, to check on available dates. Other reasons for unavailable dates include biologist recommended hunter/harvest quotas that landowners implement, as well as state season dates not being released.

You are not legally allowed to access the property, for any adventure, prior to your selected access day. If you try to access the property at all before your selected date(s), without prior approval from IO, you will be subject to trespassing and punishments therein