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. Land that once gave up coal to huge strip mine shovels now regularly yields 120- and 130-class bucks. 5 Underdated Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for Deer 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Tennessee | Field & Stream 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. "PRIVATE" lodging and family style meals included. West Kentucky WMA open deer hunt procedures changed i also agree about about your timing. 100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Kentucky | Field & Stream I think I may get drawn this coming season. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.; 2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season But, Pennyrile is home to a nice deer population, as well. How and Where to Kill a Whitetail Deer on Public Land My group got picked for the West Kentucky WMA Quota Deer Hunt December 15-18. Tract 1, Tract 4 and Tract 4A, Tract 5, Other. Dec 2, 2022 Late fall shotgun turkey season starts Saturday December 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. If it's like last year, Archery will open under statewide regulations, As far as gun hunts they'll do the youth hunt and a quoata, Shotgun or ML only. Terrain: Hard; You can experience a big change in elevation when hunting this area. These areas range from a few hundred acres to the 22,000-acre Rich Mountain WMA in northwestern Georgia. Antler restrictions at the Cumberland Plateau site have limited the harvest for the. 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. Good deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game hunting. Fee, advance application required of deer, waterfowl hunters. Yes it was. But I had so much property off base it was just easyer to hunt around Clarksville or Oak Grove. I bowhunted 10 days in a row there last year and saw 4 deer. There were tracks that were open to hunting and others closed to hunting. Late fall shotgun turkey season starts Saturday December 2, 2022 Derek Aaron WJRS News Local hunters have one final opportunity to harvest wild turkeys with a shotgun this year during the late fall shotgun season, which opens tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3rd and runs through Friday, Dec. 9th. The Blue Grass Region is the best area in the state of Kentucky for deer hunting, with Owen county leading the pack. This allows them to keep an eye out for any predator or hunter that may enter the bedding area. I live near Miller-Welch. Written by Mike Collins Kentuckians Cody Likins and Jakob Begley won the 2020 Quest Hunt Company Deer Hunting Competition. Its a well known fact that bucks, especially mature bucks, like to bed near oxbows, with their backs to the water. Maps - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife They are strict on their rules, so read up. FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2020) Hunters interested in the open firearms deer hunt at West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in McCracken County are advised that the sign-up process and some procedures will be different for the three-day opportunity in January. Deer Hunting West Ky WMA | Kentucky Hunting What Animals Can You Hunt in Kentucky? 8 Common Game Species 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. Peabody Wildlife Management Area 2022-2023 WMA Deer Hunt results | GON Forum The Kentucky river wma in Henry co is really good. 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 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. Surrounded by private land, there are some pinch points along the fence lines where I have seen deer travel back and forth. If Kentucky public land deer hunting is on your list this fall, Rough River Lake WMA would not be a bad starting point. (Author image) Sportsmen and women have it pretty good in my home state of Kentucky. Timber Tract With Opportunities For Deer And Turkey Hunting, 21.5 acres in Graves County, Kentucky offered at $61,810. 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. All rights reserved. The 10-day firearms season in early November is popular with out-of-state hunters, but bowhunters will find pressure light. The Kentucky buck Heath Buchanan calls "Joker" is a Bluegrass State phenomenon. No vehicles/ATV's. No permanent stands, etc. Killed the biggest deer I have "ever" killed there on a quota hunt. There are some WMA's, like the dam/Peninusula area at Barren River Reservoir that are primitive weapons only. 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. Likely, youll find them with their backs to the water and their vantage points set to access areas or popular walking routes. Hardin County was the number one deer producing county in the entire state of Kentucky last season. First off, the location of this public land area is incredible. To the west of this area, farm fields are larger and cover more restricted, making bucks more vulnerable to harvest by gun. 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! What would you guys consider the best WMA for deer numbers and best chance to get one with a bow ? 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. Kentucky Public Land Scouting - DEER TOUR E1 - YouTube Timber Tract With Opportunities For Deer And Turkey Hunting They're well equipped to fill buck tags at the time of year when antlered deer are most vulnerable. 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. At any time, you can drop off down a ridge and go looking for more deer sign. 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. They are strict on their rules, so read up. We provide our hunters with an exciting Whitetail deer hunting experience in a true wilderness setting. With nearly a third of the area covered in water, you can bet that youll find bucks bedded near some swampy, nasty places. Thanks! A drive through the access points may afford some glassing during early August and give you a good idea of what youre dealing with. "Also, deer population density averages about 20 animals per square mile. 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. Four other counties had an impressive season, each with a harvest of more than 1,500 deer. Kentucky Ridge Forest WMA was one of the most successful Eastern Kentucky public land areas last year with 42 bucks harvested. Several years back the population was much better than it is now. I am sure a lot has changed. 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. I will once again be maintaining a report detailing the results for WMA Deer hunts for the 2022/2023 season. 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky. There is a lot of good places to hunt. This is a great time for hunters to get out and enjoy the woods. The majority of Ballard WMA is closed to visitation Oct. 15-March 15. I do agree.that first time will be more learning than success. Best WMA for deer numbers! | Kentucky Hunting Pendleton, Shelby, Grant and Boone round out the top five counties in this region, each with harvests of between 2,324 and 3,484 during the season. Kentucky Lake Area Hunting . 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 Used to quail hunt down there years ago. During the 2013 deer season, hunters bagged a record 4,069 deer, which was more than in any other county. You are using an out of date browser. Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.1332, Longitude W -88.8139 Area Habitat: open land 34.74%, forest 46.58%, wetland 18.09%, open water 0.62%. Kentucky Guided Hunting Trips Most of the SRO Crew Contact us today! Some hunts are mentored hunts for youth and accompanying adults. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. View all 40 pictures. There are deer in there, but the horse people screwing around with their dogs will likely increase the difficulty of a hunt. Top 5 Kentucky Public Hunting Area 21,688 views Oct 16, 2017 90 Dislike Share LandRater.com 574 subscribers Top 5 Kentucky Public Hunting Areas for Deer and Turkey Explore public land in your. Lots of deer, nice bucks. 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. Wildlife Management Areas | eRegulations - Official Hunting & Fishing Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Good luck. 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. Sept. 30. http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/1112huntingguideentire.pdf, Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. Georgia Hunting Leases Available NOW!100 acres prime deer Oct 16 South Texas Dove Hunting/Lease San Antonio $60 Oct 16 South Texas .Louisiana - On July 19, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) released its 2022-23 hunting regulations pamphlet online. Never hunted there, curious to see if anyone had any information on the place (what tract to hunt, what to setup on, etc.) good luck, Thanks guys for all your info. CLOTHING - Get 10% off Legendary Whitetails gear w/code THP18 http://bit. They monitor it closely. I never saw another person when I was younger and hunted there. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Easy access in most areas. JavaScript is disabled. Whatever the reason, Kentucky has indeed managed to find the "sweet spot" of hunting opportunity for trophy deer. It may not display this or other websites correctly. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Please see the refuge hunting/fishing permit for details. My father is 66 years old and his days are numbered for: climbing trees, bow hunting, etc. The area offers waterfowl, turkey, deer and small game hunting along with fishing and hiking. Opportunities are abundant in this state, with a population of around 900,000 deer and about seven hunters per square mile. Opportunities are abundant in this state, with a population of around 900,000 deer and about seven hunters per square mile. $61,810. Terrain: Moderate; Hill country, with steep ridges in places. Write, email or call Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for additional information. West Kentucky WMA, McCracken County. You can park in a few different spots along Georgetown Rd, or you can drive up and around to Old Columbus and park there. "So it's productive habitat. Id recommend the closest one to your house. Be safe hunting!! Any resident or nonresident may apply for quota hunts. Find one with a soybean field and go glass late evenings in August. Kentucky wma | GON Forum They stay near the logging roads and hope a deer goes walking by. 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. While some hunting is allowed, some animals are protected, including turtles, crawfish and bullfrogs. JavaScript is disabled. The Pennyrile State Forest is the largest public land area on this list and that is why it is at number one. My best advice would be to go to the area and scout it before you hunt..after reviewing the maps. Ground Zero: Kentucky's Record Bucks - Game & Fish - Game & Fish I know they are there. Walnut Road, Lot #WP001 , Boaz, KY 42027 (Graves County) Size: 21.5 acres . No tags are required for does and only one of your bucks has an antler restriction. Here's his full story. Anyone been up to kentucky in search of a wma Buck? Shooting In Camden Tn - supremacy-network.de In some areas, a user permit is required. Where to Hunt Deer in Alaska Unit 4Z saw the highest blacktail harvest in 2021, with 6,579 animals. 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. We will be hunting the quota hunt as well but where will depend a lot on where other people are hunting. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Stan Potts doubles down in Montana and Wyoming. Do what i did, go through every wma on KDFW website, write down name, # or acres. Ainsley Whitley is a contributing writer for various branded properties that together attract more than 280 million readers seeking influential content. This is just another reason why Kentucky public land deer hunting is among the best. As well as Clay wma in nicholus co. Yah, just send everyone to Owen County the second week of Novemberplenty of land, deer, and hardly any hunters! I'll try & drive out there after work today & see if theres any new info at the hunter check station. 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. Take bowhunters advice and scout if you get a chance. 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. 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.". 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. The archery areas on Campbell were like hunting in a park. Kentucky's Public Hunting Areas - ArcGIS StoryMaps And get this: Nearly all of the hunters heading afield then are carrying scoped centerfire rifles. 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. Photo Gallery See all Photos Others do not. The deadline to register by phone is 3:30 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 5. In my experiences, most hunters do not do this at Rich WMA. WMA Management Levels - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife The strip of woods conects the A area (no hunting) and private land. West Kentucky WMA | Kentucky Hunting We take our hunter's comfort seriously and that's why we try to provide each of our guests with their own private, cabin style room. Description Livingston County Wildlife Management (WMA) and State Natural Area in Livingston County features bluff habitat in three tracts near the confluence of the Cumberland and Ohio rivers. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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* JavaScript is disabled. i think you guys would have to best chance there. Cheatham WMA is a popular property that produces quite a bit of success, with a mixture of quota and non-quota hunts. Deer. Yet, anyone younger than 14 can still ride an eBike off-road. 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. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife conducts quota hunts for deer, pheasant and migratory birds (waterfowl and mourning doves). Kentucky Afield Outdoors: September is Quota Hunt Application Month Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. Quota Hunts | eRegulations i would come sooner if possible. 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). You must log in or register to reply here. Quota Hunts - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife U are right and it looks good from what I have seen. Mostly wooded but has some ag fields on the wma. Still, it's worth asking: Does the biologist feel the top areas for bowhunting trophy bucks are likely to change any time soon? Kleber in Franklin and Owen co. Is good! ZIP: 42327. My advice would be to get as close to the river as you can, in some of the more remote areas. Total Harvest 2020: 25 Bucks: 13 Does: 12. Deer hunts offered include a shotgun-only, youth-mentor hunt at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Dec. 15-18. You are using an out of date browser. 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. I remember some of them you get an extra preference point or something for taking does. Hunters are willing to pass up younger deer because they know older ones are around.". In the eastern half of Kentucky deer numbers tend to be much lower, with far less acreage devoted to row crops. Christian, Graves, Trigg and Livingston rounded out the top five counties with between 1,737 and 2,910 deer taken in each. 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. Try Fort Campbell. Regulations In Oklahoma, Osage county holds the record for most bucks harvested during the archery season with 681 bucks during the 2019-20 season . Dog-Deer For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should have pretty good luck there. With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. That has been several years ago on the youth mentor hunt. I also missed 1 of the 2 bucks I have shot at with a bow in that small strip of woods. Similar hunts are held on West Kentucky WMA each year. However, there's one rule that we've noticed is active in almost every country. Nevertheless, whenever this resident of western Kentucky has an opportunity to turn loose his pack of beagles in prime swamp rabbit habitat, deer hunting usually becomes a secondary priority. Im hoping those bucks made it through the season and they come back bigger and better, but its not likely when hunting public land. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Be sure to always check regulations before an adventure Kentucky public land deer hunting. Spring squirrel hunting in Kentucky can be one of the most fun times of the year! Hiwassee and Yuchi wildlife refuges have growing deer herds the state would. Parts of Doug Travis are closed from November 1-March 15. Rabbit and quail hunting seasons open Nov. 14 - Dec. 31. WMA Land Taken for Nuclear Enrichment Project | Realtree Camo Hulah WMA is in the heart of big deer country. Y outh Seasons and Youth Lottery Hunts. You must log in or register to reply here. Any info would be appreciated. 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. 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. But, the most important memoryis being with my father and making memories. Louisiana Hunting Seasons & Rules | eRegulations And the first of those reasons is the number of hunters. 8Z on Kodiak Island was second with 4,797. "Open" hunt to be Nov. 22-23, Shotgun or Muzzle loader only. The grouse season in Kentucky runs from November to February, varying based on zone, with the permission of hunting ruffed grouse. 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. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers.