I believe most of the hiking area is in the old Bowater Pocket Wilderness so no hunting. However most of the land in the general area is part of the Bridgestone WMA where hunting is allowed.
I actually found an entry on Wikipedia about it. Here's what Wiki says:
A number of hiking trails criss-cross Scott's Gulf, with most of the publicly-owned trails on the north side. Some of the trails are poorly-maintained, but well-blazed. Most of the marked trailheads are located along Scott's Gulf Road, which traverses part of Chestnut Mountain a few miles south of U.S. Route 70 between Sparta and Crossville. The trails in the Centennial Wilderness (Polly Branch, Yellow Bluff) are open year-round except during hunting season. Virgin Falls State Natural Area is open year-round.
I assume that means the Polly Branch and Yellow Bluff trails are in a hunting area, since they're closed during hunting season. I think we should hike one of those. If I carry my shotgun, we are hunting and not "hiking," so we are okay. To be extra sure, someone could carry my stuff so that the game warden can clearly see you are all just helping me hunt.
bd