Any Trees Left?

Goodness, the weather is horrible. The ice is killing the woods. I lost at least 50 trees on my 4 acres last night. The way it looks, those won't be the last. Will there be any trees left for the turkey to roost? Stay Warm!

Don't forget to get your Elk Lottery permit

Don't forget about getting your elk lottery permit sometime within the next few months. You have to purchase it this season on line. In 2008, Kentucky hunters harvested 134 bulls and 221 cows. In 2009, Fish and Wildlife will off 1,000 elk permits.

Purchase your chance at:

https://fw.ky.gov/license/olpsintro.aspx

Strader Show 09

It's almost time for the Jim Strader Hunting and Fishing show in Louisville. I'm honestly not a big fan of Jim or his radio show though I do listen to it sometimes, I rarely agree with his comments and opinions. I do appreciate that he organizes a hunting show in the Kentuckiana area. This year the show be February 6,7, and 8th. Admission this year is $9 with kids under 12 free. Harold Knight will be speaking about both deer and turkey hunting. Kevin Boyer will also be talking food plot and deer management. There will also be free deer scoring and a big buck contest.

http://www.jimstrader.com/#12

Winter Thoughts-out of state for 09

Well, the lull between deer season and turkey season makes me crazy. It is time however, to start researching any out-of-state hunting you want to do next season. Many tags have to be applied for by February. If there is any hunting you'd like to do, I'll research it for you and post free of cost. Just reply as to what and where you want to hunt, and I'll gather the info.

PETA trying to get attention again.

The terrorists from PETA are at it again. They are again trying to get some recognition. I'll say first and foremost that I don't condone ANYTHING that Michael Vick has ever done except for scoring touchdowns. Now however, the terrorist organization that calls themselves PETA is petitioning the National Football League to have Vick undergo psychological tests and a brain scan to see if he still likes fighting dogs I guess. If he does undergo any tests, it's most likely going to show the dude is crazy because he crapped away millions of dollars by fighting pets. I hope they don't ever want me to undergo any brain scans because mine would say that I love hunting and eating all the animals of the great state of Kentucky. It would also say that PETA is a terrorist organization operating right here in our own country.

Here's a link to the entire bizzare story.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/01/21/vick.peta.ap/index.html

Start Thinking Yotes

With February rolling around soon, it's time to start thinking coyotes. I really despise the animal. My son and I had numerous run-ins with one particular coyote throughout deer season. My son scared the life out of him from about 200 yards as he faced us and howled and barked for about 2 straight hours one foggy morning. The coyote movement will increase in February as they start breeding. We'll be out in the next few weeks trying to bust a few.

Bear Hunt Official Press Release from Fish and Wildlife

http://fw.ky.gov/newsrelease.asp?nid=467

If you don't have time to read it all, here's a quick summary:

*Kentucky's first bear hunt next December in a 3 county area. (Harlan, Letcher, and Pike counties)
*$30 permits
*No baiting allowed
*10 bears or 5 females, whichever is reached first.

Countdown to Turkey Season

It's slow in the hunting world right now. Time to start looking ahead to gobbles and warm weather. Countdown to the Youth Turkey hunt begins now. Looking forward to the April 4th and 5th!

Lawmakers approve Kentucky Bear Hunt 2009

Looks like Kentucky Lawmakers officially approved the 2009 bear hunt in the state. It sounds like the season will be in December but it'll be very limited in the number of bears that will be allowed to be harvested. F&W should come out with official word within a few days I suppose. The season dates and tag allotment is probably some time off from being announced.

Last Week of Bow Season

We've entered the last week of the Kentucky Archery Season. The season will officially close on January 19th (next Monday). I may venture out one more time just for kicks.

Poachers Killing our Elk

One thing I hate more than anything in the world, is poachers and tresspassers. Four bull elk were found dead in Leslie County. These criminals need to be caught and prosecuted. The elk program is important to thousands of Kentuckians.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife poaching hotline at 1 -800-25-ALERT (1-800-252-5378)

Young Kentucky Hunters-Wyatt

Saturday morning of the youth hunt started out as the pits. The wind was blowing. I took Wyatt and his dad took his younger brother, Wade, to a different location. Neither one of us seen a deer. We left the ground blind around 9am. At around 2 o'clock we were back at the ground blind for round 2. With the wind blowing hard, I told Wyatt that if we seen any deer in the afternoon they will probably be moving fast. At about 3:50, I got a glimpse of the deer running across the open field. As I got Wyatt ready and gun pointed to were I thought the deer was going, I than grunted trying to stop him, but he didn't slow down. I grunted 3 or 4 times before the deer stopped. I asked Wyatt if he was on him and he said yes. I reached up and took his safety off and said "KILL HIM" and he did in his tracks. I don't know who was more excited, me or him.

Story told by: Ferrel C.

Great story and great deer Wyatt. Thanks to Ferrel for being involved with getting young folks into the woods.

Turkey Seasons

Turkey season isn't that far off in the Bluegrass.

Youth Turkey will be April 4th and 5th. (15 and younger). Kids under 12 do not have to purchase a hunting license or turkey permit but do have to abide by bag limits and other regulations.

General Turkey season will be April 18th through May 10th.

CDW discovered in 5 deer in West Va.

Chronic Wasting Disease was found in 5 deer in West Virginia during the 2008 season. This is some scary stuff closing in on the Bluegrass with finds already in neighboring states like West Va. and Inidiana.

CWD is a neurological disease found in deer and elk, and it belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The disease is thought to be caused by abnormal, proteinaceous particles called prions that slowly attack the brain of infected deer and elk, causing the animals to progressively become emaciated, display abnormal behavior and invariably results in the death of the infected animal. There is no known treatment for CWD, and it is fatal for the infected deer or elk. It is important to note that currently there is no evidence to suggest CWD poses a risk for humans or domestic animals.

Check out the full article from CDW-Info.org
http://www.cwd-info.org/index.php/fuseaction/news.detail/ID/635253f2cbbd3c50e72b4c93ea8b557b

Deer Season Winding Down

Only a couple more weeks of bow season and then we'll start looking towards Turkey 09. The bucks are dropping antlers in some places so you have to be careful of what your shooting. I'm still seeing some decently fresh rubbing.