While it may have been over a “coon’s age” since the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower was constructed, elk remain the target species for viewing by visitors at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. In commemoration, the TWRA will hold special interpretive sessions Oct. 10.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the tower’s construction on Hatfield Knob, which is part of the Sundquist Unit of the NCWMA. The tower continues to be the best location for public elk viewing in Tennessee. Tennessee’s Elk Restoration Program was born in 2000, followed by the release of a small herd of elk on Hatfield Knob in 2003. The herd quickly found and consumed the 2.5-acre food plot of oats and Austrian winter peas that had been planted on the site, signifying that more food was needed if the elk were to stay in the area. It was during this time that TWRAvolunteer Terry Lewis and his wife, Jane, designed and purchased building materials for the tower. The tower was erected with the help from volunteers of the Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, other volunteers, as well as TWRA officers, the Royal Blue Unit crew of the North Cumberland WMA, and TWRA Elk Biologist Steve Bennett. In all, about 40 acres on top of Hatfield Knob have been cleared and consist of food plots for elk grazing and harbor about 35-40 elk daily.

The tower lies in the heart of the elk restoration zone, which encompasses about 670,000 acres in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Scott and Morgan Counties. Research conducted by The University of Tennessee Human Dimensions Lab documents that over 16,000 people annually visit the tower, but it’s likely that thousands more visit the tower, but do not take time to fill out the survey form.

The TWRA welcomes visitors to bring their cameras and binoculars to enjoy elk viewing at the tower, but reminds users that during daylight hours of the deer gun and muzzleloader seasons, everyone outside of an enclosed vehicle or outside of camp must wear, on the upper portion of their body and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, visible front and back. Visitors to the tower are also reminded that the best time to view elk is in the late afternoon or evening and to remain quiet to avoid startling the animals.

Although the elk tower is open year-round, the public is invited to join TWRA biologists for interpretive sessions and walks to the tower on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m. These sessions coincide with the ATV Festival being held in downtown LaFollette on the same day and will likely draw several visitors to the elk tower.

To reach Hatfield Mountain, drive north out of Lafollette on Highway 25W approximately seven miles to the top of the mountain. Turn left at the red gate, just before the road starts to break over the mountain and go down the back side. Proceed on the gravel road approximately 3.1 miles to a fork in the road. Take the right fork approximately 1.4 miles to the parking area. Walk around the closed gate and follow the walking trail approximately 500 yards to the viewing tower.