East Tennessee hunting runs from Cumberland Plateau ridges to the hardwood hollows below the Smokies, and most of it is on foot. When a young or smaller hunter heads out for gun season, a rifle that is light and fits right makes a long morning easier. That is the idea behind the Fierce Firearms Mini Rogue rifles.

Fierce built this family for youth, women and smaller-framed hunters, with a shorter length of pull and an adjustable comb or cheek piece. Carbon fiber stocks shave weight for the climb, and the CT Mini Rogue XP adds a titanium action and C3 carbon barrel at about 6 lb. For Tennessee whitetail, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 are steady choices. Hunters who draw into bear country often look at 308 Winchester for the extra weight of bullet.

308 Winchester is the classic all-round hunting round: proven on deer, hogs and black bear, with factory ammunition available everywhere. In a rifle this light, 308 recoil is noticeable for a small shooter; a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08 is the gentler start.

Second-generation Mini Rogue: TriggerTech trigger, drop box magazine, Fierce C3 carbon barrel and an Arca-Swiss forend, built around the same dual-lug action with a 70-degree bolt throw.

This rifle has a 20 in barrel. Finish: Black / Forest.

Shooting from a ladder stand on a cold morning, a smaller hunter in a thick jacket needs a stock that is shorter, not longer. Check the length of pull with hunting clothes on. Next, set the comb height so the eye meets the scope without lifting the head. Keep the starter cartridge gentle, 22 or 6.5 Creedmoor, and graduate to 308 later.

Tennessee has no permit to purchase and no state waiting period. Your rifle ships to the Tennessee dealer you choose, from Knoxville and Maryville to Morristown, and the dealer runs the TICS background check at pickup. Ammo and hunting gear go straight to your door. Live price and stock are checked again when you place the order.

Questions buyers ask: Which caliber is a good start for a young Tennessee deer hunter? 6.5 Creedmoor is a common first pick: enough for whitetail at woods ranges and easy on the shoulder. 7mm-08 Remington is a close second. What check happens when I pick up a rifle in Tennessee? The Tennessee FFL runs a TICS check when you collect, and the state adds no permit or waiting period. What caliber is this Fierce rifle? 308 Winchester.

Specifications come from Fierce Firearms' published data for part number ROGM2308WIN20BF, UPC 853418413760.