It's a question a lot of wildlife biologists and trophy hunters in other states probably have asked themselves. they did close a bunch of areas due to 9-11, so maybe all the deer moved into those areas.. hope you have better luck than we did!! 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky. Grant WMA Morgan, Putnam 3C Balls Ferry SP Wilkinson 3D Bartram Forest WMA Baldwin, Wilkinson 3E Camp Thunder VPA Upson 3F Cedar Creek WMA Jasper, Jones, Putnam 3G Clarks Hill WMA Lincoln, McDuffie, Warren, Wilkes 3H Clybel WMA Jasper, Newton 3I Collins Road VPA Burke 3J Di-Lane Plantation WMA He sold his first story to Field & Stream a few years later and has been contributing to the brand ever since. JavaScript is disabled. The changes are necessary to ensure the health and safety of hunters and WMA staff. Still, it's worth asking: Does the biologist feel the top areas for bowhunting trophy bucks are likely to change any time soon? . 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. West Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas (Region 1) *The numbers for each WMA and on the map correspond to the numbers in the hunting guide. Surrounded by private land, there are some pinch points along the fence lines where I have seen deer travel back and forth. Probably wont be able to get in to scout as im in college and i get out that friday before the start of the hunt. There will be pressure any where you go. And the first of those reasons is the number of hunters. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.; 2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season In this edition of "From The Stand," Pat Hogan explains the importance of being aware of proper clearance when using your bow or crossbow out in the field. Speaking from experience. Refer to the pertinent Hunting Guides for specific rules regarding hunting and trapping. Most of Kodiak Island is public (Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge) and accessible by plane or boat. Look forward to hearing how y'all do! 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. Most hunting and fishing opportunities align with Kentucky state seasons and bag limits. State Park Deer. Killed the biggest deer I have "ever" killed there on a quota hunt. When Kentucky public land deer hunting, using a hunting app like OnX, try to find low gap areas, or saddles, that create natural pinch points and traveling corridors for deer. It's that you have to be at least 14 years old in order to ride an eBike on the public road. *Our Gear. Either way..we'll give it 110% effort and just maybe see a good deer come bythanks again and I wish all of you the best this year! Tract 1, Tract 4 and Tract 4A, Tract 5, Other. The 10-day firearms season in early November is popular with out-of-state hunters, but bowhunters will find pressure light. Hardin County was the number one deer producing county in the entire state of Kentucky last season. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. (Author image) Sportsmen and women have it pretty good in my home state of Kentucky. There are deer in there, but the horse people screwing around with their dogs will likely increase the difficulty of a hunt. Search the dept website and check harvest numbers on wmas. Youll find several smaller areas that fall between the water and private land, but a quick paddle can get you there quickly and away from other hunters. Kentucky Hunting Features Forums List Deer Hunting Forum Kentucky Community Forum Waterfowl Hunting Forum Turkey Hunting Forum I know the basics. They have tons of deer as well. Begley of Clay County, Ky harvested a 217 2/8-inch buck on Nov. 14, 2020 in Fayette . In my experiences, most hunters do not do this at Rich WMA. In Oklahoma, Osage county holds the record for most bucks harvested during the archery season with 681 bucks during the 2019-20 season . They are strict on their rules, so read up. As a reminder, results are missing for several 2017/2018 & 2018/2019 seasons hunts. Rough River Lake WMA was not a top producing county for Kentucky public land deer hunting in 2020, but it is still a place where a hunter can get away from pressure and find nice deer. The Bluegrass State's production of older bucks quickly began to rise. With nearly a third of the area covered in water, you can bet that youll find bucks bedded near some swampy, nasty places. I'd think the WMA that lists incentives for killing a bunch of does would be the ones with the highest density. Will take first (300) hunters that show-up and sign in. Easy access in most areas. Therefore, it seems only fitting that his pursuit of a particular giant buck actually began during a rabbit hunt in November 2012. Deer Hunting West Kentucky WMA gung Oct 20, 2004 Oct 20, 2004 #1 gung 8 pointer Jan 29, 2004 690 Graves County I got drawn for a quota here and have never been there.Does anybody know anything about this place any help is appreciated. they are all hard to hunt blind. Ask Perry (PBeyer). It may not display this or other websites correctly. However, I just love the moment to be with my father as we try and tag out. I would hunt in area 4 right across the road from the A area. 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. "At 5-8 per square mile, Kentucky's deer hunter density doesn't place it among the top 12 densest states in whitetail range," Yancy notes. Iowa Bowhunter Goes Stealth Mode with a Tree Saddle to Bag 194-inch Non-typical, Missouri Hunter Shoots 25-point Ozark Giant with Limited Time to Hunt, Hunters Must Lead the Fight Against Invasive Species, Understanding Non-Verbal Whitetail Communication, A Look Back at No. West Kentucky WMA deer hunt spots reduced because of flooding Dave Baker/Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife 800-858-1549 KY FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2020) High water from the Ohio River continues to impact portions of West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in McCracken County. They monitor it closely. That's where i'd hide if I was a deer! Dont rely on info strangers on the internet give you. There is a lot of good places to hunt. "We have a lot of veteran hunters who aren't necessarily eager to shoot the first buck they see anyway," Yancy points out. FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2018) Apply for deer, waterfowl, pheasant and sandhill crane quota hunts offered by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at state wildlife management areas and other public lands now through the end of September. The place almost seems like an international airport for hunting during November. One of the reasons Pennyrile sustains a nice deer herd is because hunting access to the park is not easy. Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 #1 Oct 12, 2018#2 bowhunter26912 pointer 3,973 The shotgun and muzzleloader deer hunt for up to 140 hunters is scheduled Jan. 16-18, 2021. What would you guys consider the best WMA for deer numbers and best chance to get one with a bow ? Rich WMA is often an overlooked public land hunting area because it is the next-door-neighbor to Kleber WMA, a hotbed for deer. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Good wma not much pressure and a lot of places for a big buck to hide. Once you make your way to a good logging road, the walking is pretty easy. Similar hunts are held on West Kentucky WMA each year. First, I would look for pull-offs on these roads that dont lead to easy-to-walk trails, but may give you an access down a ridge to where you can get into thicker woods. I live near Miller-Welch. To hear many serious trophy bowhunters tell it, Kentucky must be a figment of someone's fertile imagination. Eastern Kentucky is not known as the best part of the state to deer hunt, but there are some giants in that part of the state. Most hunters will use the roads that lead to parking areas. I haven't hunted the rest of the states in your list but I can tell you that most of the WMA's in Kentucky are going to be full of gun hunters during your chosen time period. Any info would be greatly appreciated. You are using an out of date browser. But a clearly defined chunk of Kentucky is a great place to start your search. If I remember right, the WMA list on kdfwr has what you can kill, limitations etc. Fee, advance application required of deer, waterfowl hunters. However, there's one rule that we've noticed is active in almost every country. You may be able to find areas in which multiple hollers converge into one open bottom, as well. I've been there a few times on quota hunts and there are alot of deer there, but it seems like there are always twice as many people as deer. They're well equipped to fill buck tags at the time of year when antlered deer are most vulnerable. You must log in or register to reply here. Do your own research and scout some of the places you come up with. I have been putting in for the Land Between the Lakes quota hunt. If Kentucky public land deer hunting is on your list this fall, Rough River Lake WMA would not be a bad starting point. This is a place that is enjoyed by visitors all year round. Within Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, there are four designated hunt areas. In rare cases, wild whitetails can live for Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. I really can't see anyone coming in blind & having great success. With a little research and hard work, metro hunters can successfully . Can you field dress in a WMA and discard the remains in the WMA in Georgia? For one thing, the state doesn't limit buck tags in any way. Horseback riding allowed on maintained roads. Ballard has the best buck-to-doe ratio of any public hunting area in the state at one buck for every two does, Yancy says, and it also has an excellent age-class structure that features a lot of older bucks. Starting this year, more sportsmen will be able to take advantage of these numbers. Photo Gallery See all Photos GEORGIA. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. You are using an out of date browser. In the eastern half of Kentucky deer numbers tend to be much lower, with far less acreage devoted to row crops. With over 14,000 acres, it would be impossible to pinpoint a few to share, but my advice in hunting Pennyrile is to be different. A hunter may only hunt four grouse per day and eight per season using shotguns. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Any resident or nonresident may apply for quota hunts. 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. As the accompanying map illustrates, no single county has them to itself. This will be some of the most difficult terrain to hunt 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. There were tracks that were open to hunting and others closed to hunting. Land that once gave up coal to huge strip mine shovels now regularly yields 120- and 130-class bucks. Maps - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife More Maps Public Lands and Hunting Maps Public Hunting area map* Wildlife Management Area and Public Lands Search Kentucky's Hunting and Fishing Access Sites Game Maps "Know Before You Go" CWD Interactive Map Specific Species Hunting Maps Dove Hunting Field Map Elk Hunting map Elk Hunting map* For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. For another, gun season falls right in the heart of the November rut. The Blue Grass Region is another hot spot, with Pendleton, Garrard, Boone and Henry counties offering the best chances for bagging a trophy buck. I did see an absolute monster on a quota hunt but did not get a shot at him. The Cartecay section of this WMA (about 5,062 acres) is reserved for archers only. Its one of the more difficult tracts of public land to trek in the western part of the state because of its large ridges and thick forests. Make sure your deer is 15in wide or it will cost you. Where's the best place to go looking for one of these big guys in bow season? Hunters in Crittenden took 3,033 bucks during the 2013 season. "Camera use facilitates trophy whitetail production in two ways," he points out. Missouri's metropolitan areas are a complex mix of municipal and county governments, each with its own jurisdiction and set of laws. Map reading is probably one of my best qualities in bowhunting.(served 8 years in the army). This WMA is vast, covering more than 16,000 acres in Osage County. Published Oct 24, 2007 6:19 PM EDT, Ballard Wildlife Management Area According to veteran biologist David Yancy, deer project leader for the Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, there are reasons for the state's continued productivity on trophy bucks. Off Market. While some places around the lake are limited, there are sizable parcels of land that offer land features that attract deer. I know they are there. The best hunting area I have found is Fort Knox military reservation.deer numbers are good (not as good as when I started hunting there in the 1990s though) and the CHANCE for a B&C buck is legitimate (Ft Knox posts lots of pictures of big bucks harvested each year). WMA located approximately 10 miles west of Henderson, KY, consists of 6 units. Instead of in-person signups, registration will be by phone and email only. Deer. You should have pretty good luck there. For details, see individual WMA schedules, contact any Field Office, or visit our website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. All stands are community so you get to hunt the full 16000 acres. They only ones I know anything about is in the bluegrass region! We provide our hunters with an exciting Whitetail deer hunting experience in a true wilderness setting. Just want to try something new this year. 2 deer a day from October 15 through January 31, but only 3 total bucks. I got drawn for a quota here and have never been there.Does anybody know anything about this place any help is appreciated. That's probably because in this region moderate deer numbers live among the state's most optimum juxtaposition of row-crop agriculture and oak-hickory woodlands.". While over the last 20 years we've seen our trophy whitetail production become more evenly distributed across the state, the west-central portion east of Land Between The Lakes and west of I-65 remains our most consistent yielder of trophy contenders. I'll try & drive out there after work today & see if theres any new info at the hunter check station. . Western Kentucky normally produces bigger bucks. You must log in or register to reply here. I remember some of them you get an extra preference point or something for taking does. I heard they might be having an open hunt on Nov 22-23. Hiwassee and Yuchi wildlife refuges have growing deer herds the state would. Hunters can hunt squirrel, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and resident Canadian geese during the specified seasons. 6200 some odd acres. The end result is that we only harvest about 49 percent of the available antlered deer each year.". Kentucky abounds with deer-hunting opportunities, and many would consider it a sleeper state for the DIY hunter. my father and i have been bowhunting for 7 years in Alabama. Oct 20, 2004 #2 G glenmorebuckman 6 pointer Dec 20, 2003 468 Glenmore, Ky, USA. Good luck. Steep hills of the Appalachian Mountains make for limited access and will push even the most physically fit. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Opportunities are abundant in this state, with a population of around 900,000 deer and about seven hunters per square mile. We hunt all over Alabama (private and public). We are located in Crofton, Ky, and have several beautiful properties that are the perfect home for big bucks. (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. Some of these governments allow the use of hunting equipment such as firearms, crossbows, and bows within their boundaries. Total Harvest 2020: 79 Bucks: 56 Does: 23, Terrain: Moderate to Hard; Most hunting areas consists of hills and ridges. Likely, youll find them with their backs to the water and their vantage points set to access areas or popular walking routes. But I had so much property off base it was just easyer to hunt around Clarksville or Oak Grove. . "I woke up this morning and I thanked God that I did" Rush Limbaugh RIP Tethered Life Feb 4, 2020 #4 Thunder Head Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Good deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game hunting. West Kentucky WMA offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including horseback riding trails, a skeet range, a mobility impaired archery range and hiking trails. 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. 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. Rich WMA consists of ridge after ridge, with some low bottom areas where deer like to travel. Application with up to five hunters allowed. Deer: Balancing Expectations for Small Properties, Get to Know Your Neighbors for Better Deer Herd Management, Big Buck Profile: Reid Crawford Kansas Buck, Choosing Correct Magnification for Rifle Scope, Big Buck Profile: Troy Metzger's East Illinois Giant. If any old whitetail just won't do and you're on the hunt for trophy bucks, Kentucky has you covered. He lives near there & knows the area pretty well. Or you could shoot 216 does and no bucks. If you want to set yourself apart from other hunters, using a kayak or boat to get to more remote locations will give you a better chance at bagging a mature buck. Deer were trapped and moved all over the state, so "our deer are quite genetically homogenous," Yancy said. Several counties in the Green River Region offer excellent deer hunting opportunities. To hunt deer with firearms for the 2023-24 season, hunters must apply online during the month of July 2023 and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit. 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 The Kentucky buck Heath Buchanan calls "Joker" is a Bluegrass State phenomenon. "You can take a boy out of ol' dixieland but you'll never take ol' dixie from a boy" -Lynyrd Skynyrd. "Also, deer population density averages about 20 animals per square mile. It may not display this or other websites correctly. "So it's productive habitat. Early season is the key here. At 195-inches there's good reason why. NOTE: Some of the below hunts may be by pre-application lottery. Hunter cards and instruction sheets will be provided before Jan. 16 to those registered for the hunt. [,
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Originally posted by Valley Station. These are prime locations at Rough River. They stay near the logging roads and hope a deer goes walking by. Of all the counties in this area, Hopkins, Hardin, Hart, Webster and Breckinridge offer the best chances for success at bagging a buck. 1 buck killed in Kentucky in 2006 an incredible 19-pointer that measured 246 3/8. First off, the location of this public land area is incredible. The Pennyrile State Forest is the largest public land area on this list and that is why it is at number one. Parts of Doug Travis are closed from November 1-March 15. Size: 60,000 acres Do what i did, go through every wma on KDFW website, write down name, # or acres. Always saw several deer and tons of buck sign. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. | For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Please see the refuge hunting/fishing permit for details. There will not be a staffed check station for the hunt because of crowding concerns and the potential for spreading COVID-19. The Kentucky river wma in Henry co is really good. That has been several years ago on the youth mentor hunt. However, some counties in Kentucky have a very low deer population, so it's crucial to know where your best chances of bagging a buck in Kentucky are. The deer are so abundant in the Blue Grass Region that hunters harvested more deer in this area than in the northeast and southeast regions combined. My group got picked for the West Kentucky WMA Quota Deer Hunt December 15-18. I'd hunt Illinois. Find one with a soybean field and go glass late evenings in August. | The refuge manages native grasslands to benefit white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, migratory songbirds and small mammals. Write, email or call Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for additional information. Peabody WMA Nearby 1,200 acres of public land added in western Kentucky One of western Kentucky's largest wildlife management areas is growing again. Give a Gift It may not display this or other websites correctly. Y outh Seasons and Youth Lottery Hunts. I am sure a lot has changed. "PRIVATE" lodging and family style meals included. Find entry trail and be there come opening weekend. Take bowhunters advice and scout if you get a chance. JavaScript is disabled. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. More than 41,000 acres of deer hunting are open only to bowhunters on 27 of Georgia's WMAs. It gets hit pretty hard! So how can Kentucky keep cranking out Pope & Young bucks? JavaScript is disabled. I will once again be maintaining a report detailing the results for WMA Deer hunts for the 2022/2023 season. Never hunted there, curious to see if anyone had any information on the place (what tract to hunt, what to setup on, etc.) You can park in a few different spots along Georgetown Rd, or you can drive up and around to Old Columbus and park there. All Rights Reserved. Like most Kentucky public land deer hunting spots, youll find numerous hollers, fingers, and bowls that are possible locations for bedding bucks. Where's the best place to go looking for one of these big guys in bow season? If you head out to Rich WMA this season, dont sit back and wait. More than a quarter-century ago, Kentucky followed neighboring Ohio's lead and implemented a single-buck-per-year bag limit. 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. New this year, WK WMA will have both Quota Gun Hunt and a "Open" Gun Hunt. They are categorized into high, moderate and low management levels. "No, not really," he says. Signups will not be accepted once all slots have been filled. Access is available in all areas of Rich WMA. Here's his full story. ZIP: 42327. This is just another reason why Kentucky public land deer hunting is among the best. You need look no further than the bulletin board in Uncle Lees sporting goods store in Greenville for pictorial proof of Peabodys potential. Regulations JavaScript is disabled. But, the most important memoryis being with my father and making memories. Stan Potts doubles down in Montana and Wyoming. Lots of deer, nice bucks. West Kentucky WMA Get Directions Return to Search WMA Overview Size: 6425 acres Location: McCracken Contact: (270) 488-3233 Elevation: minimum 297 feet, maximum 451 feet. No vehicles/ATV's. If you want public land, hunt the Shawnee N.F. 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. ; KY archery and crossbow deer hunting for the 2022-2023 season has ended. Hopefully by archery season you will have a game plan that will give you the best chance to get one with a bow.Infrared Rejection Tint Vs Ceramic Tint, How Do I Find My Drobo Ip Address, Logan Sargeant Father, Articles W