Just $1 per month . 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. I have hunted down there prbably 7 or 8 times. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The Blue Grass Region is the best area in the state of Kentucky for deer hunting, with Owen county leading the pack. All Rights Reserved. Lots of deer, nice bucks. 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. Feb 16, 2015 #2 G grasskiller Member Good wma not much pressure and a lot of places for a big buck to hide. Yet, anyone younger than 14 can still ride an eBike off-road. 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 Deer were trapped and moved all over the state, so "our deer are quite genetically homogenous," Yancy said. The Bluegrass State's production of older bucks quickly began to rise. A drive through the access points may afford some glassing during early August and give you a good idea of what youre dealing with. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Make sure your deer is 15in wide or it will cost you. Here's his full story. . Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 Jonathan A.,Oct 11, 2018 #1 Oct 12, 2018#2 bowhunter26912 pointer 3,973 Written by Mike Collins Kentuckians Cody Likins and Jakob Begley won the 2020 Quest Hunt Company Deer Hunting Competition. Mostly wooded but has some ag fields on the wma. 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. 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. 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. 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. Used to quail hunt down there years ago. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. I heard they might be having an open hunt on Nov 22-23. Several years back the population was much better than it is now. Similar hunts are held on West Kentucky WMA each year. I will once again be maintaining a report detailing the results for WMA Deer hunts for the 2022/2023 season. State Park Deer. Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. 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! As a reminder, results are missing for several 2017/2018 & 2018/2019 seasons hunts. In all, I saw eight different bucks at Rich in 2020, with the biggest being a small 6-pointer. Hunters in Crittenden took 3,033 bucks during the 2013 season. All rights reserved. There will be pressure any where you go. With nearly a third of the area covered in water, you can bet that youll find bucks bedded near some swampy, nasty places. Likely, youll find them with their backs to the water and their vantage points set to access areas or popular walking routes. 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. Western Kentucky normally produces bigger bucks. You may be able to find areas in which multiple hollers converge into one open bottom, as well. "First, by capturing images of older and/or larger-antlered bucks in an area, they encourage local hunters to pass up younger/lesser animals. No vehicles/ATV's. 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. Where to Hunt Deer in Alaska Unit 4Z saw the highest blacktail harvest in 2021, with 6,579 animals. Do what i did, go through every wma on KDFW website, write down name, # or acres. Some hunts are open to mobility-impaired hunters only. http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/1112huntingguideentire.pdf, Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. "While continued slow growth in deer numbers in Appalachian Kentucky should lead to even more trophy entries being taken from the poor deer habitat in the eastern third of the state, our west-central counties should continue to be tried-and-true producers of trophy bucks into the foreseeable future.". 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. The last time I was down there it was tore up with rubs and I saw probably a 140" buck. Good luck. JavaScript is disabled. For one thing, the state doesn't limit buck tags in any way. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Always saw several deer and tons of buck sign. Hunters must have an annual hunting license for hunting grouse in Kentucky. View all 40 pictures. This will be some of the most difficult terrain to hunt in Kentucky. Can you field dress in a WMA and discard the remains in the WMA in Georgia? Killed the biggest deer I have "ever" killed there on a quota hunt. But More than likely the result would just be largest wma. they are all hard to hunt blind. WMA located approximately 10 miles west of Henderson, KY, consists of 6 units. 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. Breckinridge and Grayson Counties are also known as two of the best counties in the state. Deer. Deer. You are using an out of date browser. Most hunters will use the roads that lead to parking areas. They have tons of deer as well. New this year, WK WMA will have both Quota Gun Hunt and a "Open" Gun Hunt. i also agree about about your timing. Tim Young remembers, "Man, he looked big." But a clearly defined chunk of Kentucky is a great place to start your search. Ballard Wildlife Management Area Location: west Kentucky Size: 8,600 acres ZIP: 42056 Ballard has the best buck-to-doe ratio of any By Or you could shoot 216 does and no bucks. But I had so much property off base it was just easyer to hunt around Clarksville or Oak Grove. some buddies of mine and i got drawn there to hunt in 2001 man, the area looked really promising, food plots, creek bottoms, hardwoods.. in two days of hard hunting, we saw 2 deer!!!!! These are prime locations at Rough River. If you travel down the road between the A area and area 4 there will be a creek that you cross, right after you cross the creek there is a field that has a small strip of woods on the south side and big hardwoods on the north side. Find one with a soybean field and go glass late evenings in August. Hulah WMA is in the heart of big deer country. In my experiences, most hunters do not do this at Rich WMA. This will allow you to hunt areas of Pennyrile that are nearly impossible to get to by foot and should open up a good opportunity to hunt a more mature buck on the property. Parts of Doug Travis are closed from November 1-March 15. 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. They're well equipped to fill buck tags at the time of year when antlered deer are most vulnerable. *Our Gear. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 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. Deer hunts offered include a shotgun-only, youth-mentor hunt at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Dec. 15-18. (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. You must log in or register to reply here. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. According to Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher, 55-year-old. We are located in Crofton, Ky, and have several beautiful properties that are the perfect home for big bucks. hope that helps. Food Preparation, Camp Cooking and Recipes. 1 buck killed in Kentucky in 2006 an incredible 19-pointer that measured 246 3/8. I would scout three spots in three different areas just in case they are useing it. Lots of thick cover. West Tennessee Wildlife Management Areas (Region 1) *The numbers for each WMA and on the map correspond to the numbers in the hunting guide. There is alot of deer down there. Early season is the key here. It's a question a lot of wildlife biologists and trophy hunters in other states probably have asked themselves. Hunter cards and instruction sheets will be provided before Jan. 16 to those registered for the hunt. "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. You need look no further than the bulletin board in Uncle Lees sporting goods store in Greenville for pictorial proof of Peabodys potential. $61,810. Anyone else know anything about this hunt? 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. i would come sooner if possible. Off Market. "I woke up this morning and I thanked God that I did" Rush Limbaugh RIP Tethered Life Feb 4, 2020 #4 Thunder Head It will tell you how many were killed each year and with what weapon. Map reading is probably one of my best qualities in bowhunting.(served 8 years in the army). This is just another reason why Kentucky public land deer hunting is among 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. These areas in which deer will travel and you may have some luck with buck movement during the mid-day. I did see a lot of deer when I hunted it though. I am sure a lot has changed. Terrain: Hard; You can experience a big change in elevation when hunting this area. Any info would be appreciated. CLOTHING - Get 10% off Legendary Whitetails gear w/code THP18 http://bit. In rare cases, wild whitetails can live for Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Heard something about an open hunt. That makes the hunting tougher for with bow or gun. That has been several years ago on the youth mentor hunt. If you head out to Rich WMA this season, dont sit back and wait. It may not display this or other websites correctly. There are some WMA's, like the dam/Peninusula area at Barren River Reservoir that are primitive weapons only. West Kentucky Whitetails, LLC offers free range deer hunts in Western Kentucky. "PRIVATE" lodging and family style meals included. Spring squirrel hunting in Kentucky can be one of the most fun times of the year! Others do not. The deadline to register by phone is 3:30 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 5. 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. Once you make your way to a good logging road, the walking is pretty easy. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. And get this: Nearly all of the hunters heading afield then are carrying scoped centerfire rifles. It gets hit pretty hard! Western Kentucky normally produces bigger bucks. In fact, it is a well known wetland in far west Kentucky in Carlisle and Hickman Counties. These areas range from a few hundred acres to the 22,000-acre Rich Mountain WMA in northwestern Georgia. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. A hunter may only hunt four grouse per day and eight per season using shotguns. July 26, 2022 By Bernie Barringer. Kind of an eerie place with all the nuclear signs and fall out shelters. You must log in or register to reply here. Refer to the pertinent Hunting Guides for specific rules regarding hunting and trapping. 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. Please see the refuge hunting/fishing permit for details. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. "Camera use facilitates trophy whitetail production in two ways," he points out. The area offers waterfowl, turkey, deer and small game hunting along with fishing and hiking. Other than that, put on a good pair of boots, pack light, and give it your best shot. 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. 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%. This is a place that is enjoyed by visitors all year round. We hunt all over Alabama (private and public). Any resident or nonresident may apply for quota hunts. I think I have 2 priority points. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. The other four counties in the top five were close behind, with hunters bagging between 2,222 and 2,470 bucks per county. Regulations Shane. You are using an out of date browser. I remember some of them you get an extra preference point or something for taking does. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. There is a lot that can be said about the Rough River Lake WMA. For details, see individual WMA schedules, contact any Field Office, or visit our website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. All stands are community so you get to hunt the full 16000 acres. But, the most important memoryis being with my father and making memories. They have tons of deer as well. Instead of in-person signups, registration will be by phone and email only. Kentucky public land deer hunting can be rewarding and Rich WMA is where I spent a lot of time last year, and I saw a lot of deer. Therefore, it seems only fitting that his pursuit of a particular giant buck actually began during a rabbit hunt in November 2012. 8Z on Kodiak Island was second with 4,797. Some of these governments allow the use of hunting equipment such as firearms, crossbows, and bows within their boundaries. First off, the location of this public land area is incredible. If Kentucky public land deer hunting is on your list this fall, Rough River Lake WMA would not be a bad starting point. i would go to lbl if u were u.its closest to bama and the biggest by far.over 100,000 acres..big bucks and less crowded simply due to its size. Now Kentucky taxidermists stay plenty busy mounting big bucks. I know nothing about this state and being this far away I would be going by your guys help. The strip of woods conects the A area (no hunting) and private land. Kind of an eerie place with all the nuclear signs and fall out shelters. If any old whitetail just won't do and you're on the hunt for trophy bucks, Kentucky has you covered. There were tracks that were open to hunting and others closed to hunting. I live near Miller-Welch. If Kentucky public land deer hunting is on your list this fall, Rough River Lake WMA would not be a bad starting point. "Be bear aware at all times, and never drag your game," Svoboda said. Hunting during rifle season, or late muzzleloader, will likely be the easiest path to finding a big buck at Kentucky Ridge Forest. 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. They are strict on their rules, so read up. Any info would be greatly appreciated. While some hunting is allowed, some animals are protected, including turtles, crawfish and bullfrogs. He lives near there & knows the area pretty well. There will not be a staffed check station for the hunt because of crowding concerns and the potential for spreading COVID-19. Good wma not much pressure and a lot of places for a big buck to hide. If you're going to hunt in November, one of those would be better due to no gun hunters. 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky. If I remember right, the WMA list on kdfwr has what you can kill, limitations etc. good luck, Thanks guys for all your info. Most of Kodiak Island is public (Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge) and accessible by plane or boat. Change to license validity period from June 1-30 to 365 days from the date of purchase. At any time, you can drop off down a ridge and go looking for more deer sign. He sold his first story to Field & Stream a few years later and has been contributing to the brand ever since. The Blue Grass Region is another hot spot, with Pendleton, Garrard, Boone and Henry counties offering the best chances for bagging a trophy buck. Christian, Graves, Trigg and Livingston rounded out the top five counties with between 1,737 and 2,910 deer taken in each. As the accompanying map illustrates, no single county has them to itself. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.; 2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season Kentucky Guided Hunting Trips Most of the SRO Crew Contact us today! Cheatham WMA is a popular property that produces quite a bit of success, with a mixture of quota and non-quota hunts. Areas designated as no hunting (pink areas on the maps) are open to year-round visitation. There is a lot of good places to hunt. No permanent stands, etc. What a question for a public forum, laziest approach I've seen yet. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. My advice would be to get as close to the river as you can, in some of the more remote areas. That's where i'd hide if I was a deer! Doug Travis WMA is not at the top of peoples lists when Kentucky public land deer hunting. For more on record-class bow bucks from Kentucky and across North America, visit Pope and Young Club. The 10-day firearms season in early November is popular with out-of-state hunters, but bowhunters will find pressure light. Same as some already said. With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. Check kdfwr website for harvest results over several years. Last season, there were 30 deer harvested at Doug Travis, with 16 of them being bucks. JavaScript is disabled. Contact us at 786-205-6593 or 786-457-4128 A 50% deposit is due upon booking of your hunt, with the balance due before AUGUST 1 All hunts are fully guided. Its also home to the No. 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. 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. You are using an out of date browser. However, there's one rule that we've noticed is active in almost every country. Itll make you a better deer hunter and itll make you prouder of your accomplishment when you do find the deer your after. Like most Kentucky public land deer hunting spots, youll find numerous hollers, fingers, and bowls that are possible locations for bedding bucks. We provide our hunters with an exciting Whitetail deer hunting experience in a true wilderness setting. Hunting there in early September can be tough until it is mowed before the youth hunting weekend. Find entry trail and be there come opening weekend. The shotgun and muzzleloader deer hunt for up to 140 hunters is scheduled Jan. 16-18, 2021. I'll try & drive out there after work today & see if theres any new info at the hunter check station. Feb 16, 2015 #3 C Chadx1981 Senior Member Sweet what's the name lol Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. They stay near the logging roads and hope a deer goes walking by. Horseback riding allowed on maintained roads. Anyone been up to kentucky in search of a wma Buck? The fishing is outstanding, and the waterfowling is at least acceptable. This allows them to keep an eye out for any predator or hunter that may enter the bedding area. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Camp is setup in Kentucky! I know they are there. 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. No tags are required for does and only one of your bucks has an antler restriction. Our deer and turkey hunting are both the best in the nation, far as I'm concerned. However, I just love the moment to be with my father as we try and tag out. Be sure to always check regulations before an adventure Kentucky public land deer hunting. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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 . The refuge manages native grasslands to benefit white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, migratory songbirds and small mammals. Speaking from experience. ", 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. Steep hills of the Appalachian Mountains make for limited access and will push even the most physically fit. Any info would be greatly appreciated. While it may be hard to replicate that harvest, there are still big bucks lurking around Pennyrile. The majority of Ballard WMA is closed to visitation Oct. 15-March 15. Still, it's worth asking: Does the biologist feel the top areas for bowhunting trophy bucks are likely to change any time soon? Its a well known fact that bucks, especially mature bucks, like to bed near oxbows, with their backs to the water. The Cartecay section of this WMA (about 5,062 acres) is reserved for archers only. Divide #acres by # of deer harvested. At 195-inches there's good reason why. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The man reportedly shot his wife in the chest then . 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. Total Harvest 2020: 79 Bucks: 56 Does: 23, Terrain: Moderate to Hard; Most hunting areas consists of hills and ridges. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton talk about being realistic when it comes to managing a smaller deer property in this edition of Dr. At most wma's you need to scout a lot & then travel deep to the perfect spot. Kentucky Ridge Forest WMA was one of the most successful Eastern Kentucky public land areas last year with 42 bucks harvested. Four other counties had an impressive season, each with a harvest of more than 1,500 deer. 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. I also missed 1 of the 2 bucks I have shot at with a bow in that small strip of woods. I'd think I'd start there. My father is 66 years old and his days are numbered for: climbing trees, bow hunting, etc. Emailed registrations will be accepted through Jan. 8. Some hunts are mentored hunts for youth and accompanying adults. Dont rely on info strangers on the internet give you. Yes it was. How are they doing the gun hunt in West Ky this year? Like another said just head to nearest wma and scout. [,
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Originally posted by Valley Station. Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Maps This map is intended as a guide only, and its content is subject to change without notice. Rich WMA is often an overlooked public land hunting area because it is the next-door-neighbor to Kleber WMA, a hotbed for deer. "There's a selective mindset among many hunters and landowners, which results in most small bucks getting a free pass.". Missouri's metropolitan areas are a complex mix of municipal and county governments, each with its own jurisdiction and set of laws. Ainsley Whitley is a contributing writer for various branded properties that together attract more than 280 million readers seeking influential content. I harvested a doe at Rich in late September, and had a chance at a few small bucks that I passed one. Shooting range (for single projectile firearms only; no shotshells or pistols allowed) open Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-sunset & Sundays noon-sunset. To the west of this area, farm fields are larger and cover more restricted, making bucks more vulnerable to harvest by gun. 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. JavaScript is disabled. With a little research and hard work, metro hunters can successfully . Selected hunters may not exceed their personal bag limit or a total of 5 bears per hunting party during the hunt. Selected hunters may bring a hunting party totaling no more than 10 members, including the administrator and designated co-administrator. Lake Beshear is part of Pennyrile and it has some of the best bass fishing in the area. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Be safe hunting!! This WMA is vast, covering more than 16,000 acres in Osage County. i think you guys would have to best chance there. Changing the big game license to individual licenses for deer and turkey. In some areas, a user permit is required. 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. ZIP: 42056. Location: west Kentucky Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Ask Perry (PBeyer). 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!!