Ground Zero: Kentucky's Record Bucks - Game & Fish - Game & Fish You should have pretty good luck there. Number of Fields: 6+ Crop: 20+ acres, Sunflower. West Kentucky WMA | Kentucky Hunting Access is available in all areas of Rich WMA. Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. In my experiences, most hunters do not do this at Rich WMA. The fishing is outstanding, and the waterfowling is at least acceptable. July 26, 2022 By Bernie Barringer. At any time, you can drop off down a ridge and go looking for more deer sign. Find season dates and bag limits here. Heard something about an open hunt. (10) If a hunter has purchased the appropriate permits, a hunter may take unlimited antler-less deer in: (a) The West Kentucky WMA gun hunt; (b) WMA quota hunts in Zone 1; and (c) State Park quota hunts in Zone 1, except as established in Section 8 of this administrative regulation. Four other counties had an impressive season, each with a harvest of more than 1,500 deer. Most hunting and fishing opportunities align with Kentucky state seasons and bag limits. West Tennessee Region 1 Total Harvest 2020: 25 Bucks: 13 Does: 12. This WMA is vast, covering more than 16,000 acres in Osage County. Size: 8,600 acres For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I would scout three spots in three different areas just in case they are useing it. Im hoping those bucks made it through the season and they come back bigger and better, but its not likely when hunting public land. In some areas, a user permit is required. 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Kentucky | Field & Stream My group got picked for the West Kentucky WMA Quota Deer Hunt December 15-18. West Kentucky WMA While I often e-scout a public land area on OnX before Kentucky public land deer hunting, Doug Travis is so diverse, I think a person needs to see it first-hand before walking in with their bow. Several counties in the Green River Region offer excellent deer hunting opportunities. Fall 2020-'21 harvest: 24,809 mule deer, 24,849 whitetails Overall outlook: Rick Ward, deer and elk coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, says the statewide mule deer outlook is fair to good and improving depending on the area. Five Underrated Areas for Kentucky Public Land Deer Hunting - Eastern How are they doing the gun hunt in West Ky this year? Give a Gift The man reportedly shot his wife in the chest then . This year, we visited the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, and we were able to get a close-up, hands-on look at [], Photo by Ron Foltz Kentuckys spring squirrel season will be open May 15 June 18. Go get em. 2 deer a day from October 15 through January 31, but only 3 total bucks. More than a quarter-century ago, Kentucky followed neighboring Ohio's lead and implemented a single-buck-per-year bag limit. Areas designated as no hunting (pink areas on the maps) are open to year-round visitation. Hunters may register for the hunt starting at 8 a.m. (CST) on Jan. 4 by calling the West Kentucky WMA office at 270-488-3233 or sending an email to weston.mason@ky.gov. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. when you hunted was the wma divided into tracts? Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. Feb 16, 2015 #2 G grasskiller Member Good wma not much pressure and a lot of places for a big buck to hide. Terrain: Moderate; Hill country, with steep ridges in places. Antler restrictions at the Cumberland Plateau site have limited the harvest for the. 8Z on Kodiak Island was second with 4,797. Sept. 30. WMA Management Levels Wildlife Management Areas Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are properties owned or managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for conservation and public access. Deer. Good luck. For details, see individual WMA schedules, contact any Field Office, or visit our website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.; 2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season So perhaps it really is the combination of scouting technology and having just one buck tag that results in a far more selective hunting public. I know they are there. At 195-inches there's good reason why. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife owns, leases, or manages more than 85 wildlife management areas (WMAs) for public use. Find entry trail and be there come opening weekend. But a clearly defined chunk of Kentucky is a great place to start your search. The report *will be* updated to include results for bear-only and bear/deer hunts at a later date. There is a lot of good places to hunt. Land that once gave up coal to huge strip mine shovels now regularly yields 120- and 130-class bucks. I am sure a lot has changed. The Green River Region has long been regarded as a trophy buck host area, with the best counties being Ohio, Logan, Hopkins and Todd, according to Game and Fishing magazine. To hear many serious trophy bowhunters tell it, Kentucky must be a figment of someone's fertile imagination. In addition, archery hunters will for the first time have the run of Ballard from September 1 to October 14; after that, all but 400 acres will close to provide refuge to migrating waterfowl. Regulations Wildlife Management Areas | eRegulations - Official Hunting & Fishing Same as some already said. You are using an out of date browser. You must log in or register to reply here. Hunters are willing to pass up younger deer because they know older ones are around.". My group got picked for the West Kentucky WMA Quota Deer Hunt December 15-18. David Yancy, a wildlife biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), refers back to the white-tailed deer restoration efforts between 1946 and 1999. Because of that, I prefer to hunt Rich. We hunt all over Alabama (private and public). Honestly man and I dont mean this in a bad way but Ive been very fortunate and taken nice deer on public land in a couple different states so I feel like my advice might help you. I live near Miller-Welch. Write, email or call Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for additional information. Good wma not much pressure and a lot of places for a big buck to hide. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Under strict harvest restrictions since 1993 that allowed only 10 percent of hunters to harvest a buck, Ballard this year is one of two Kentucky public lands to newly adopt an outside spread minimum of 15 inches. And the first of those reasons is the number of hunters. In February, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources bought nearly 1,200 acres along the Pond River to add to the Peabody . Never hunted there, curious to see if anyone had any information on the place (what tract to hunt, what to setup on, etc.) Hunting during rifle season, or late muzzleloader, will likely be the easiest path to finding a big buck at Kentucky Ridge Forest. "Catoosa is one of the more popular public hunting areas in the state for big deer," according to Ratajczak. For a $24 license, you may kill 3 antlered deer and 213 does. I really can't see anyone coming in blind & having great success. You must log in or register to reply here. good luck, Thanks guys for all your info. Lace your boots up and put some time in now. Kentucky Elk Guides Ask for Changes for 2022 Season, Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA Offers Great Hunting in Northern Kentucky, The only thing I find more fun than killing a gobbler each spring is getting my hands on all of the new products that I can take with me into the woods. Doug Travis WMA Size: 4,132 acres Location: Carlisle & Hickman Counties Total Harvest 2020: 30 Bucks: 16 Does: 14 Terrain: Diverse; Easy to moderate; Wetlands and open water make up 34% of land Can anyone tell me when archery season will open in West Ky? Quota and firearm deer hunting for the 2022 season is over. But, I also do not think I was nearly aggressive enough in pursuing a mature buck on the property. I know nothing about this state and being this far away I would be going by your guys help. Deer Hunting Regulations - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife CLOTHING - Get 10% off Legendary Whitetails gear w/code THP18 http://bit. Whatever the reason, Kentucky has indeed managed to find the "sweet spot" of hunting opportunity for trophy deer. Of course, trail cameras now are in wide use in many states and provinces that lack Kentucky's reputation for huge bucks. October 22, 2021 6:19 PM Timothy Ring, a 55-year-old hunter in rural western Tennessee, told his family on Tuesday morning that he was going to work on his deer stand, according to the sheriff. If you head out to Rich WMA this season, dont sit back and wait. Louisiana Hunting Seasons & Rules | eRegulations The deadline to register by phone is 3:30 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 5. You must log in or register to reply here. I do agree.that first time will be more learning than success. WMA Management Levels - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Ballard Wildlife Management Area Location: west Kentucky Size: 8,600 acres ZIP: 42056 Ballard has the best buck-to-doe ratio of any By Some hunts are mentored hunts for youth and accompanying adults. Asking that question in an open forum is problematic for two reasons: (1) any answer is likely to draw otherwise unwanted attention to a public WMA hunter's spots (even accidentally), and (2) there is likely no one on this forum who has hunted every WMA and can give an honest answer (I know which WMAs that I have hunted and prefer--I have taken deer on six different WMAs, Ft Knox and DBNF--but it is a far cry from every WMA) How do you ask such a question and not check in lol, posted at 10:32 am not seen since 10:32 am. ", Game and Fishing Magazine: Kentucky Deer Hunting Forecast for 2014, Game and Fishing Magazine: Best Counties for Hunting Deer in 2013, Game and Fishing Magazine: Best Places for Trophy Bucks in Kentucky in 2013, Outdoor Life: Best Deer Hunting State: Kentucky Takes Top Spot in New Whitetail Scale. I'd think I'd start there. The Bluegrass State's production of older bucks quickly began to rise. The archery areas on Campbell were like hunting in a park. 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky. They have tons of deer as well. Do what i did, go through every wma on KDFW website, write down name, # or acres. Location: Breckinridge, Grayson & Hardin Counties, Total Harvest 2020: 39 Bucks: 24 Does: 15, Terrain: Moderate;; Most hunting areas consists of hills and ridges. Then, once it's known a big buck frequents an area, cameras can assist hunters in patterning the deer.With only one buck tag per season, and the knowledge big bucks are out there, it's possibly led to even more selective harvest. In Oklahoma, Osage county holds the record for most bucks harvested during the archery season with 681 bucks during the 2019-20 season . And that public land is found throughout the state, in areas big and small. Our deer and turkey hunting are both the best in the nation, far as I'm concerned. One of the better areas for quail hunting in the state. best wma to hunt for 1st hunt to kentucky (bowhunters) - Kentucky Hunting The 10-day firearms season in early November is popular with out-of-state hunters, but bowhunters will find pressure light. Hunters may register for the hunt starting at 8 a.m. (CST) on Jan. 4 by calling the West Kentucky WMA office at 270-488-3233 or sending an email to weston.mason@ky.gov. Other than that, put on a good pair of boots, pack light, and give it your best shot. JavaScript is disabled. Or you could shoot 216 does and no bucks. Sept. 1. Be sure to always check regulations before an adventure Kentucky public land deer hunting. 2022-2023 WMA Deer Hunt results | GON Forum Peabody wma is 46k + acres in west central Ky, good deer and turkey population I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy Feb 3, 2020 #3 bfriendly Senior Member That sounds like a great time! The Blue Grass Region is the best area in the state of Kentucky for deer hunting, with Owen county leading the pack. Location: west Kentucky During the 2013 deer season, hunters bagged a record 4,069 deer, which was more than in any other county. They only ones I know anything about is in the bluegrass region! With nearly a third of the area covered in water, you can bet that youll find bucks bedded near some swampy, nasty places. Timber Tract With Opportunities For Deer And Turkey Hunting "Camera use facilitates trophy whitetail production in two ways," he points out. New this year, WK WMA will have both Quota Gun Hunt and a "Open" Gun Hunt. The Deer Tour has begun! Others do not. West Kentucky Whitetails, LLC offers free range deer hunts in Western Kentucky. The Purchase Region was the only area besides Blue Grass where more than 3,000 bucks were bagged in a single county and it had the second largest harvest in the state. "PRIVATE" lodging and family style meals included. Deer and Small Game Hunting and Trail Cams. Dove Hunt on These Public Land Areas in Kentucky Salt River Outfitters in Kentucky is located on the " Bourbon Trail ." As an added bonus, as you stay with us, you can tour many of the bourbon distilleries on the "Bourbon Trail" that are located within 30 minutes of us. The cards must be visible from the windshield of each hunters vehicle while hunting and returned to a drop box at a designated location on the WMA. Here's his full story. ; KY archery and crossbow deer hunting for the 2022-2023 season has ended. Hardin County was the number one deer producing county in the entire state of Kentucky last season. Can you field dress in a WMA and discard the remains in the WMA in Georgia? . For a long time it's been a consistent producer of quality bucks on both public and private land. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. ZIP: 42327. Dog-Deer "Also, deer population density averages about 20 animals per square mile. Trained as a high school English teacher and coach, Scott Bestul left that lucrative field to pursue anotheras a full-time freelance writer in 1990. Map reading is probably one of my best qualities in bowhunting.(served 8 years in the army). Be safe hunting!! Location: west Kentucky Kind of an eerie place with all the nuclear signs and fall out shelters. Kentucky is one of the premier deer hunting states in the country, with many regions experiencing a year-by-year increase in deer population and harvest. Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife conducts quota hunts for deer, pheasant and migratory birds (waterfowl and mourning doves). I think I have 2 priority points. Photo Gallery See all Photos What Animals Can You Hunt in Kentucky? 8 Common Game Species Last season, there were 30 deer harvested at Doug Travis, with 16 of them being bucks. or one of the WMAs that are open without a draw. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Which WV deer-hunting counties can truly be considered 'the best?' Top 5 Kentucky Public Hunting Area - YouTube