Sunday, November 29, 2009

Not So Good

Well, for the first time in my life, I went through an entire gun season and didn't see a single buck chasing. I have seem 13 different bucks through the season and not a single one chasing. Unbelievable. I've heard the same from many people around the area. Very strange.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Last Weekend of Gun Season

Well, we're down to the last weekend of gun. It sounds like in some parts of the states, the rut kicked in right through gun season. For me, not so much. I'm not sure what happened tonight, but the deer went crazy. I saw 36 different deer tonight and only 3 of the 12 different bucks I've seen throughout the season. All three bucks bumped does all over the farm. Hopefully, this is the breakthrough weekend. Good luck.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Frustrated!

Man, am I frustrated. I've hunted quite a bit this season. The place I hunt is tough b/c it's pretty open with little woods to speak of. The deer bed in basically some really grown up bottoms and another grown up area. For the first time I can EVER remember in my life, I have not seen one single buck actually chasing. I've seen 3 tremendous bucks (only 1 of those in gun season) but none chasing. I'm dead frustrated. What rut action are you seeing?

Monday, November 23, 2009

Season Dates

Remember, Deer Zone 3 and 4 closes today November 23rd for gun hunting. Zone 1 and 2 closes on November 29th.

Fall turkey crossbow continues through Dec. 31st.

Fall turkey shotgun comes back in Dec. 5-11th.

The bear season is coming up on Dec. 19-20 in Harlan, Letcher, and Pike only.

Duck season comes in on November 26-29th and then back in on Dec. 7 through Jan 31st.

Canadian Goose season is in starting today through January 31st.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Cow Season




Steve Zuege from Fern Creek's Cow Elk killed in Zone 6. Congrats.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Poachers Caught, F&W Looking for More

See Press Releases from F&W

Reward Offered For Information On Weekend Poaching Of Three Elk In Bell County

Nov 16, 2009



Frankfort, Ky. – Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officers are seeking information about the weekend poaching of three young bull elk in Bell County and are offering a reward for the information.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett has authorized a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed the three elk Saturday on top of Redbird Mountain, located off KY 66.

State Fish and Wildlife officers say witnesses saw an elk fall, then spotted two more dead elk as they approached the first animal. The witnesses also saw two other persons approach the downed elk, then turn and leave the area.

The officers immediately opened an investigation and recovered several pieces of evidence, including ballistic evidence.

Persons with information are encouraged to contact Bell County state conservation officer Sgt. Ray Lawson at (606) 499-3520, or the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife poaching hotline at 1-800- 25-ALERT.

Two Christian County Poachers Caught After Nearly A Year

Nov 17, 2009



Frankfort, Ky. – Resolute determination and a timely tip from a local citizen helped Christian County Conservation Sgt. James Nason close a deer poaching case last week, just three days before the statue of limitations on the charges would have expired.

Two Christian County men entered guilty pleas Monday, Nov. 16, in Christian District Court to charges related to killing a deer on the day prior to the 2008 firearms season opener and then Telechecking it one day later as if it were a legal kill.

Chris Brown, 28, of Hopkinsville, and his father-in-law, Sammy Gilliam, 55, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty in the poaching of a Boone and Crockett Club trophy class white-tailed buck. Brown admitted poaching the deer out of season and then illegally Telechecking it a day later, while Gilliam pleaded guilty to assisting Brown after the kill.

Telecheck is a system used by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife for hunters to report their game harvest by telephone.

Nason said he had been aware of the poaching for quite some time. But it was information he received from a community member during last month’s muzzleloader deer season that allowed him to seek arrest warrants for Brown and Gilliam.

Brown and Gilliam each paid fines and court costs of $409. In addition, Brown received a 30-day jail sentence that was probated for two years. He also forfeited his deer rifle, the mounted deer and was stripped of his hunting privileges for two years. Gilliam lost his hunting privileges for one year.

Bluegrass Hunting...What Needs to be Fixed?


I feel like we've got the best Fish and Wildlife Department in the US here in the Bluegrass State. But, as with everything, I have a wish list of items I'd like to be changed. Here's my list in no particular order.

1. The Elk Program: I wish me or a family member would get drawn again. Kidding of course. No, I'd like to see that happen but that's not the problem. Obviously, in talking to Eastern Kentuckians, they feel that the elk are somewhat of a problem or hassle. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing residents of the 16 county area have a slightly better chance of being drawn. Secondly, I'd like to see a seperate bull/cow lottery drawing. I'll have to research the numbers, but I'd say that many people who get drawn for cows, don't go. I feel like it would raise more money for F&W. Fix it F&W.

2. Crossbow Season: I just don't understand the crossbow season. Why have a short crossbow season in October and not open it back up until the regular gun season. My son sure can't shoot a compound bow yet and there was a month he couldn't hunt. If you shoot a crossbow over 30 to 40 yards (same as a compound bow), you shouldn't be shooting. Fix that F&W.

3. Bow season opens too early: Just my opinion. I'd like to see the end of September or Oct. 1. Probably not a popular opinion. Just not sure how dove and deer can open so close together.

4. More Youth Hunting: I'd love to see more Quota Youth only hunts. Just a thought.

5. Deer stand placement: Deer stands should be at least 50 yards from property lines. Why should a neighbor place a stand right on the property line overlooking a corn field?? Shouldn't be able to happen.

6. Stiffer penalties for tresspassing: Hate me some tresspassers.

Monday, November 16, 2009

On the Verge

I still don't get the feeling that the bucks are actually chasing much. They are checking a lot though. I hear some chasing in some other areas but I think the bucks here are on the verge of breaking lose as some does start to come in. I love this weekend coming up.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

My Boy Scores Again



My 10 year old son scored on his 3rd deer in three years with a nice little 8 pointer tonight. He was a little disappointed with the ground shrikage but it's one he should be proud of. I was in a horrible spot in the stand with some does having me on lock down. He got his rifle in position and absolutely dropped him like a rock. It got too dark to take pictures so I'll have to get some in the morning. Good job little E. Proud of my boy.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Really warm weather for opening weekend

Dang, the weather just doesn't give us a break. It's gonna be really warm (low 70s) for opening day of gun season Saturday. The moon is good though and hopefully the does will be out and the big boys checking them. Maybe even some good chasing action going on.

Gun Season Opens Saturday

Finally, it's gun season at Saturday the 14th and the rut will be in full swing. I've seen a lot of bucks on the move in the past two weeks. I just don't have the stand placement with a bow to get it done based on where the deer are bedding. I'm fired up for Saturday though. It's time for my son to get back at it. Good luck folks.

Monday, November 2, 2009

The Rut is on!

Big bucks are cruising. The rut is officially on in the Bluegrass. I saw an absolute monster 8 pointer tonight. He was really looking for does. I rattled at him and he started to come and then spotted a doe to check and away he went. This moon is good for rutting but they're probably doing a lot at night. Can't wait til this moon is going away from full in the next few days. Get out all you can in the next week!