I think I have 2 priority points. West Kentucky WMA, McCracken County. However, I just love the moment to be with my father as we try and tag out. With a little research and hard work, metro hunters can successfully . 1 Pope and Young Bucks Before They Were Beat, Two Brothers' Shed Hunting Strategy Yields Non-Typical Match Set in Missouri, Potential Kentucky State Record Crossbow Typical Shot in Hemp Field, Night Hunting for Predators Will Help Your Deer Herd, Michigan Hunter Shoots 200-class Non-typical After Oversleeping That Morning, Saskatchewan Hunter Finds Target Sheds After Looking for Multiple Days, Dr. While it's tempting to say the one-buck limit simply forced hunters to become more selective in buck harvest, that might not be the full answer. The Deer Tour has begun! Albert King Buck: 198-Inch Kentucky Giant - North American Whitetail For more on record-class bow bucks from Kentucky and across North America, visit Pope and Young Club. 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. Dove Hunt on These Public Land Areas in Kentucky You are using an out of date browser. First off, the location of this public land area is incredible. Give a Gift Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 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. But, the most important memoryis being with my father and making memories. Any resident or nonresident may apply for quota hunts. U are right and it looks good from what I have seen. 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. GEORGIA. Sept. 30. Ask Perry (PBeyer). I do agree.that first time will be more learning than success. Same as some already said. 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. What Animals Can You Hunt in Kentucky? 8 Common Game Species Wildlife Management Areas | eRegulations - Official Hunting & Fishing You are using an out of date browser. 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky Ridge Forest WMA was one of the most successful Eastern Kentucky public land areas last year with 42 bucks harvested. West Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas (Region 1) *The numbers for each WMA and on the map correspond to the numbers in the hunting guide. 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. Yet, anyone younger than 14 can still ride an eBike off-road. Always saw several deer and tons of buck sign. Ballard Wildlife Management Area Location: west Kentucky Size: 8,600 acres ZIP: 42056 "Ballard has the best buck-to-doe ratio of any public hunting area in the state at one buck for every. Now Kentucky taxidermists stay plenty busy mounting big bucks. 8Z on Kodiak Island was second with 4,797. ZIP: 42327. 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. Signups will not be accepted once all slots have been filled. It's a state with a great reputation for big deer, but in producing them, it appears to violate many of the rules of how to manage deer with that in mind. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.; 2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season West Kentucky WMA offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including horseback riding trails, a skeet range, a mobility impaired archery range and hiking trails. In all, I saw eight different bucks at Rich in 2020, with the biggest being a small 6-pointer. Hunters will have their best chance of scoring a nice deer from the opening day of archery season (Sept. 4) through the closing of the restricted areas. Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 #1 Oct 12, 2018#2 bowhunter26912 pointer 3,973 Ainsley Whitley is a contributing writer for various branded properties that together attract more than 280 million readers seeking influential content. We are located in Crofton, Ky, and have several beautiful properties that are the perfect home for big bucks. 2 deer a day from October 15 through January 31, but only 3 total bucks. Deer Hunting Season 2022 Forecast: A State-by-State Guide It may not display this or other websites correctly. i think you guys would have to best chance there. Hunters are willing to pass up younger deer because they know older ones are around.". For details, see individual WMA schedules, contact any Field Office, or visit our website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. or one of the WMAs that are open without a draw. That makes the hunting tougher for with bow or gun. I bowhunted 10 days in a row there last year and saw 4 deer. For another, gun season falls right in the heart of the November rut. Destinations - West Kentucky WMA Stalk Em Spring squirrel hunting in Kentucky can be [], Squirrel Hunting in Kentucky Opens May 15, Deer Hunting On Public Land Kentucky Outdoors Media, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFP-jOHTsc0&t=8s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ETHU_ypZY&t=5s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYOoABQMAEI&t=4s. The grouse season in Kentucky runs from November to February, varying based on zone, with the permission of hunting ruffed grouse. Heard something about an open hunt. Sprawling across Ohio, Muhlenberg and Hopkins counties, this rolling, brushy upland habitat with many wooded creek bottoms has no antler restrictions, and hunters can take up to four deer. Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. Any info would be appreciated. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The Blue Grass Region is another hot spot, with Pendleton, Garrard, Boone and Henry counties offering the best chances for bagging a trophy buck. They are strict on their rules, so read up. Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service I know the basics. Hunters can hunt squirrel, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and resident Canadian geese during the specified seasons. (Author image) Sportsmen and women have it pretty good in my home state of Kentucky. This is just another reason why Kentucky public land deer hunting is among the best. These 2 areas combined offer more than 46,000 acres giving archery hunters lots of space to roam. That has been several years ago on the youth mentor hunt. Scott Bestul The majority of Ballard WMA is closed to visitation Oct. 15-March 15. Parts of Doug Travis are closed from November 1-March 15. Where's the best place to go looking for one of these big guys in bow season? i would come sooner if possible. I never saw another person when I was younger and hunted there. Be sure to always check regulations before an adventure Kentucky public land deer hunting. You must log in or register to reply here. But, this will keep a lot of hunters away because they do not want to wade through the waise (or chest) high weeds and grasses to get to a prime hunting spot. They monitor it closely. CLOTHING - Get 10% off Legendary Whitetails gear w/code THP18 http://bit. Destinations - Peabody WMA - Kentucky Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. JavaScript is disabled. They only ones I know anything about is in the bluegrass region! Rabbit and quail hunting seasons open Nov. 14 - Dec. 31. They are strict on their rules, so read up. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. Camp is setup in Kentucky! "First, by capturing images of older and/or larger-antlered bucks in an area, they encourage local hunters to pass up younger/lesser animals. Please see the refuge hunting/fishing permit for details. Look forward to hearing how y'all do! View all 40 pictures. Hulah WMA is in the heart of big deer country. Rich WMA consists of ridge after ridge, with some low bottom areas where deer like to travel. Thanks! As a reminder, results are missing for several 2017/2018 & 2018/2019 seasons hunts. 2022-2023 WMA Deer Hunt results | GON Forum "We have a lot of veteran hunters who aren't necessarily eager to shoot the first buck they see anyway," Yancy points out. 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. Most hunting and fishing opportunities align with Kentucky state seasons and bag limits. Therefore, it seems only fitting that his pursuit of a particular giant buck actually began during a rabbit hunt in November 2012. i also agree about about your timing. I'll try & drive out there after work today & see if theres any new info at the hunter check station. While some hunting is allowed, some animals are protected, including turtles, crawfish and bullfrogs. Speaking from experience. Kentucky's Public Hunting Areas - ArcGIS StoryMaps Dog-Deer 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. These areas range from a few hundred acres to the 22,000-acre Rich Mountain WMA in northwestern Georgia. I will once again be maintaining a report detailing the results for WMA Deer hunts for the 2022/2023 season. Steep hills of the Appalachian Mountains make for limited access and will push even the most physically fit. West Kentucky WMA Shane. . Tim Young remembers, "Man, he looked big." Ground Zero: Kentucky's Record Bucks - Game & Fish - Game & Fish West Tennessee Region 1 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. 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. 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. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. 6200 some odd acres. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Never hunted there, curious to see if anyone had any information on the place (what tract to hunt, what to setup on, etc.) This WMA is vast, covering more than 16,000 acres in Osage County. Public Lands Hunting - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife But, I also do not think I was nearly aggressive enough in pursuing a mature buck on the property. To the west of this area, farm fields are larger and cover more restricted, making bucks more vulnerable to harvest by gun. CARRY PROOF Hunters who buy their license or permit by phone or internet must carry while hunting: picture ID and proof of purchase (an authorization number, a paper license or a computer printout). Kentucky abounds with deer-hunting opportunities, and many would consider it a sleeper state for the DIY hunter. Begley of Clay County, Ky harvested a 217 2/8-inch buck on Nov. 14, 2020 in Fayette . Search the dept website and check harvest numbers on wmas. If you head out to Rich WMA this season, dont sit back and wait. Which WV deer-hunting counties can truly be considered 'the best?' By the time the rut rolls around in early November, the density of the woods will start to dwindle and youll have clearer paths through the ridges and hollers that will make for easier hunting. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. They monitor it closely. Peabody Wildlife Management Area Opportunities are abundant in this state, with a population of around 900,000 deer and about seven hunters per square mile. One of the reasons Pennyrile sustains a nice deer herd is because hunting access to the park is not easy. This is a place that is enjoyed by visitors all year round. Like another said just head to nearest wma and scout. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Anyone been up to kentucky in search of a wma Buck? As the accompanying map illustrates, no single county has them to itself. Good deer hunting can be found in many parts of West Virginia, but the best whitetail-producing counties share a common set of characteristics plenty of deer, enough size to make harvest . Hunting, Research, and Management. White-tailed deer are an abundant It may not display this or other websites correctly. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. A hunter can register a party of up to five hunters but must provide the name, fish and wildlife customer ID number and phone number for each member in the party. Total Harvest 2020: 25 Bucks: 13 Does: 12. For me, its just another reason to go. My father is 66 years old and his days are numbered for: climbing trees, bow hunting, etc. Four other counties had an impressive season, each with a harvest of more than 1,500 deer. Areas designated as no hunting (pink areas on the maps) are open to year-round visitation. For one thing, the state doesn't limit buck tags in any way. The report *will be* updated to include results for bear-only and bear/deer hunts at a later date. At any time, you can drop off down a ridge and go looking for more deer sign. But, Pennyrile is home to a nice deer population, as well. Go get em. At most wma's you need to scout a lot & then travel deep to the perfect spot. Never hunted there, curious to see if anyone had any information on the place (what tract to hunt, what to setup on, etc.) No vehicles/ATV's. Timber Tract With Opportunities For Deer And Turkey Hunting, 21.5 acres in Graves County, Kentucky offered at $61,810. Shooting In Camden Tn - supremacy-network.de In February, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources bought nearly 1,200 acres along the Pond River to add to the Peabody Gordon Whittington talks with 13-year-old Troy Metzger about the 2016 hunt that landed the young man a monster non-typical buck on this edition of Big Buck Profile. New this year, WK WMA will have both Quota Gun Hunt and a "Open" Gun Hunt. My group got picked for the West Kentucky WMA Quota Deer Hunt December 15-18. 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. Missouri's metropolitan areas are a complex mix of municipal and county governments, each with its own jurisdiction and set of laws. But a clearly defined chunk of Kentucky is a great place to start your search. For a $24 license, you may kill 3 antlered deer and 213 does. Question on West Point WMA deer restrictions. They have tons of deer as well. West Kentucky WMA Quota Hunt | Kentucky Hunting Therefore, this is perfect for hunters who like taking their kids hunting with them. He sold his first story to Field & Stream a few years later and has been contributing to the brand ever since. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Maps This map is intended as a guide only, and its content is subject to change without notice. Terrain: Moderate; Hill country, with steep ridges in places. But while there are approximately 1.8 hunters for each antlered buck, only around 35 percent of our hunters take a deer each year and nearly 50 percent of those are antlerless. There will not be a staffed check station for the hunt because of crowding concerns and the potential for spreading COVID-19. JavaScript is disabled. Additionally, hunt data for most Redlands WMA hunts . We provide our hunters with an exciting Whitetail deer hunting experience in a true wilderness setting. ", 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. 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. Changing the big game license to individual licenses for deer and turkey. Other than that, put on a good pair of boots, pack light, and give it your best shot. "In much of western and central Kentucky we have fertile land with a good balance of cover and crops," the biologist says. Lots of deer, nice bucks. Total Harvest 2020: 79 Bucks: 56 Does: 23, Terrain: Moderate to Hard; Most hunting areas consists of hills and ridges. You need look no further than the bulletin board in Uncle Lees sporting goods store in Greenville for pictorial proof of Peabodys potential. State Park Deer. Map reading is probably one of my best qualities in bowhunting.(served 8 years in the army). I'd think I'd start there. Kentucky wma | GON Forum Selected hunters may not exceed their personal bag limit or a total of 5 bears per hunting party during the hunt. best wma to hunt for 1st hunt to kentucky (bowhunters) - Kentucky Hunting Its also home to the No. Will take first (300) hunters that show-up and sign in. It's that you have to be at least 14 years old in order to ride an eBike on the public road. The deadline to register by phone is 3:30 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 5. Im hoping those bucks made it through the season and they come back bigger and better, but its not likely when hunting public land. Id recommend the closest one to your house. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. You can park in a few different spots along Georgetown Rd, or you can drive up and around to Old Columbus and park there. I did see a lot of deer when I hunted it though. If you are strickly interested in a good quality buck, you'll need to hike a good ways or travel by boat into hard to reach areas. 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! Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. Any info would be greatly appreciated. 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. Similar hunts are held on West Kentucky WMA each year. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife owns, leases, or manages more than 85 wildlife management areas (WMAs) for public use. "There's a selective mindset among many hunters and landowners, which results in most small bucks getting a free pass.". 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. Find entry trail and be there come opening weekend. Make sure your deer is 15in wide or it will cost you. The strip of woods conects the A area (no hunting) and private land. Horseback riding allowed on maintained roads. Because of that, I prefer to hunt Rich. my father and i have been bowhunting for 7 years in Alabama. If I had a choice of hunting Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri or IllinoisKentucky would be my last pick. You are using an out of date browser. However, there's one rule that we've noticed is active in almost every country. http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/1112huntingguideentire.pdf, Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. . Most of Kodiak Island is public (Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge) and accessible by plane or boat. There is a lot of good places to hunt. 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. Top WMAs for Deer Archery Hunting - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Published Oct 24, 2007 6:19 PM EDT, Ballard Wildlife Management Area There is a lot that can be said about the Rough River Lake WMA. Land that once gave up coal to huge strip mine shovels now regularly yields 120- and 130-class bucks. Stan Potts doubles down in Montana and Wyoming. I got drawn for a quota here and have never been there.Does anybody know anything about this place any help is appreciated. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Kentucky Lake Area Hunting 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!! Used to quail hunt down there years ago. "So it's productive habitat. Subscriber Services. 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 Every year hunters from around the state enter their names into a draw to waterfowl hunt at Doug Travis, but based on conversations Ive had, I believe its an underrated spot for some early season deer hunting. I have hunted down there prbably 7 or 8 times. NOTE: Some of the below hunts may be by pre-application lottery. Deer and Small Game Hunting and Trail Cams. Number of Fields: 6+ Crop: 20+ acres, Sunflower. Feb 16, 2015 #3 C Chadx1981 Senior Member Sweet what's the name lol 5 Underdated Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for Deer Just want to try something new this year. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. "Open" hunt to be Nov. 22-23, Shotgun or Muzzle loader only. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. It will tell you how many were killed each year and with what weapon. (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. 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. As a side note, as a wma only hunter, I never give up my best spots to hunt,ever. The area offers waterfowl, turkey, deer and small game hunting along with fishing and hiking. Within Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, there are four designated hunt areas. The last time I was down there it was tore up with rubs and I saw probably a 140" buck. Alternating ridges and sloughs, moist soil management units, woodlands, brush, and open crop fields are found here. 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. Opportunities are abundant in this state, with a population of around 900,000 deer and about seven hunters per square mile. 5 Underdated Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for Deer Hunting In Kentucky. More than a quarter-century ago, Kentucky followed neighboring Ohio's lead and implemented a single-buck-per-year bag limit. Most areas are open to archery and crossbow hunting for deer except during the Dec. 12-13 quota gun hunt. With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Surrounded by private land, there are some pinch points along the fence lines where I have seen deer travel back and forth. Kleber in Franklin and Owen co. Is good! Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Here's his full story. Doug Travis WMA is not at the top of peoples lists when Kentucky public land deer hunting. Best Places To Bowhunt Bow-only zones offer archers the highest odds at Kentucky Public Land Scouting - DEER TOUR E1 - YouTube 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. 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). Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. I think I may get drawn this coming season. I'd think the WMA that lists incentives for killing a bunch of does would be the ones with the highest density. 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. Hunting there in early September can be tough until it is mowed before the youth hunting weekend. "No, not really," he says. You are using an out of date browser. While some places around the lake are limited, there are sizable parcels of land that offer land features that attract deer. I remember some of them you get an extra preference point or something for taking does. *Our Gear. In fact, it is a well known wetland in far west Kentucky in Carlisle and Hickman Counties.