Overview
If you are looking to photograph white-tailed deer, specifically big bucks in rut, there is no better place than the Smoky Mountains. Explore the Smokies with an experienced guide to help learn the ins and outs of the white-tail herds during the rutting season. Experience bucks in their natural environment and photograph them at their favorite scrape areas scraping their trees.
Watch and photograph interactions between bucks including sparing and possibly a big rut match. There will also be opportunity to photograph bucks with early morning frost on their backs and antlers and the quintessential buck jumping a fence. Occasionally you can walk with a buck following a doe and photograph the lip curl when the buck catches her scent. On rare occasions you can capture the breeding process.
Join us on this Smoky Mountain workshop to photograph these amazing white-tail bucks in their natural habitat with a guide who has over 30 years of experience. The workshop is limited to 5 individuals which allows one on one instruction. Plus, a smaller group provides a better opportunity to capture the bucks acting naturally.
Drive to Townsend or fly into Knoxville, TN and stay in the quaint town of Townsend, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains. A variety of lodging options are available in or near Townsend including cabin rentals, family run hotels, RV camping, glamping, and rustic camping.
We will have a meeting Tuesday night followed by group dinner. So plan to arrive and check into your lodging by 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we will be off to our first workshop destinations. Each day we will go to destinations to capture the big bucks stopping at midday for a lunch break. The workshop will conclude Friday evening.
After registering for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation by email and Welcome Letter which will include additional information and details for planning your trip.
The workshop price includes:
- Guiding services and photography instruction by an experienced local wildlife photographer.
- Transportation during the workshop.
- Park fees including parking pass.
The workshop price does not include:
- Lodging.
- Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
- Flight or travel to and from the area.
- Trip / Travel insurance.
Please, review the Terms & Liability / Statement of Risk and Refund Policy for the workshop on the workshop registration page.
Authorized permittee of Great Smoky Mountain NP.
What You'll See
- 6 to 12 point white-tailed deer bucks
- Bucks scraping, sparing, and lip curling
- Bucks with scenic mountain backdrops
Other Workshops & Tours
Smoky Mountain Big Buck Rut
- Guiding services and photography instruction by an experienced local wildlife photographer.
- Transportation during the workshop.
- Park fees including parking pass.
- Lodging.
- Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
- Flight or travel to and from the area.
- Trip / Travel insurance.
- Wildlife
- December 2 - 5, 2025
- $1,950
Smoky Mountain Waterfalls
- Landscape
- July 6 - 10, 2025
- $3,500
Alaska Brown Bear Experience
- Landscape & Wildlife
- TBA, 2026
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Smoky Mountain Birds
- Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local nature photographer.
- Transportation during the workshop.
- Park fees including parking pass.
- Lodging.
- Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
- Flight or travel to and from the area.
- Trip / Travel insurance.
- Wildlife
- April 15 - 18, 2025
- $1,950
Smoky Mountain Black Bear
- Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local wildlife photographer.
- Transportation during the workshop.
- Park fees including parking pass.
- Lodging.
- Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
- Flight or travel to and from the area.
- Trip / Travel insurance.
- Wildlife
- May 20 - 23, 2025
- $1,950
Jackson Hole & The Grand Tetons
- Landscape & Wildlife
- November 3 - 8, 2025
- $3,500
Lighthouse Land & Sea
- Landscape
- August 11 - 16, 2025
- $3,800
Smoky Mountain Wildflowers
- Guiding services and photography instruction by a skilled local nature photographer.
- Transportation during the workshop.
- Park fees including parking pass.
- Lodging.
- Meals, snacks, and other incidentals during the workshop.
- Flight or travel to and from the area.
- Trip / travel insurance.
- Landscape
- April 1 - April 4, 2025
- $1,950