During this season, hunters are allowed to use any weapon of their choice, including rifles, shotguns, pistols, and bows. For another, gun season falls right in the heart of the November rut. From all indications, the 2007 season should give hunters the same opportunity to be successful, reach that magic mark and help keep the herd in balance and in check. The end result is that we only harvest about 49 percent of the available antlered deer each year.". And a key question to ask yourself (and wildlife managers) is why isn't the area close to home producing many record entries. About Us Contact Us Before we interviewed Settle, we confirmed with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife that the buck had been checked in as being killed and tagged in Kentucky on telecheck. Harvest Maps - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Hunt Harvest Maps The number below each species is the total statewide harvest result for a year (row). Hunting and other recreational activities on public lands are subject to specific regulations administered by the state. Hunters got on track and took very nearly the minimum 125,000 deer that KDFWR biologists would like to see harvested each season. Leave the State/Province search bar blank. solo hunt on his property, By Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Competing in dozens of tournaments this year helped prepare him for a perfect shot. PublishedJanuary 29, 2023 at 9:48 AM CST. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. "So it's productive habitat. I just kind of put him in the back of my mind. His rack was just the icing on the cakeitll never happen again to me.. Before heading out, be sure to check the zone regulations and make sure you have the proper licenses and permits. If youre into that sort of thing, why not let the records help you in your search? Furthermore, if you want to allow public hunting on your property, you can apply for a transferable transferable or both-sex elk hunting permit. Just $1 per month . Sage Marshall Of the top 20 Kentucky counties, eight show a density of 10 deer per square mile, while all the other 12 have better than seven deer per square mile. They offer extremely limited habitat, compared to other more rural counties in this region. Last year, then, more than a third of Kentucky counties produced harvests of 1,000 deer or better. Thats when his intensive archery training kicked in. The velvet monster, which had 48 scorable points as well as over 300 inches in length, was a major event in 2001. As the states deer herd has grown from fewer than 2,000 in 1945 to nearly a million today, opportunities have likewise grown for hunters to take a trophy. Likewise, five other counties on the top 20 deer-density list had fewer than 1,000 taken, but scored very well using that parameter as an measure of herd size. 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. Find Allen County Housing Characteristics and Mortgage Characteristics. Ohio is currently one of the top states for record-book whitetails. If numbers arent exactly your thing or perhaps you like more visual elements, scroll down to the Top County Visualizer and enter in the same search criteria, including the state that you now know has the most entries for whitetails between 2015 and 2020. He took the shot. Now Kentucky taxidermists stay plenty busy mounting big bucks. Click Here: http://bit.do/fSRzN , 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, Everything You Need to Be a Run and Gun Turkey Hunter. The purpose of the Recorder of Deeds is to ensure the accuracy of Allen County property and land records and to preserve their continuity. Kentucky Hunter Kills 57-Point 280-Plus-Inch Potential Record Whitetail. If your favorite hunting area close to home is within a county that isnt producing big animals, at least you can temper your expectations. He picked up his dad and they took their time returning to the woods. 4,069 Deer Bagged In Owen County During 2013 Season. A state deer permit is valid for four deer, while a state youth deer permit is valid for four deer. Sep 24, 2008 326. . 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. The 2022-2023 season ran from September through Jan. 16. This permit can be used throughout the entire hunting season, regardless of whether the permit is used or not. More than a quarter million people hunt deer in Kentucky every year, but it wasnt always that way. | Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Ryan is happy to finally live in a city that has four seasons. By submitting this form you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms. He also sprayed the area three times with CMere Deer Buck Juice. This past weekend hunters harvested 2,603 more deer on the opening weekend of gun season than they did in 2020. Popularity:#27 of 121 Recorders Of Deeds in Kentucky#1,068 in Recorders Of Deeds. They'll likely top the 1,000 mark again this season, and perhaps be joined Morgan or Boyd counties, which narrowly missed the list last year. This indicates that these three counties are knocking on the door of having much improved herd numbers, say, over just five years ago -- despite having less-than-ideal habitat for deer to thrive in. Hunting for antlered deer is limited to one per hunter in all 50 states. solo hunt on his property New Mexico State Big Game Records. That shatters the existing Webster County record for any method of take. Counties in the region that ranked highest in deer density were Cumberland, Taylor and Adair, all of which are carrying about three deer per square mile of habitat. Statistics for Boone, Shelby, Owen and Gallatin counties are right at or above the 12-deer-per-square-mile mark, while Anderson, Campbell, Spencer, Henry and Pendleton all offer nine to 10 deer per square mile. They also offer tips on safety and regulations. Have a question? Ironically, that region also carries some counties such as Bourbon, Fayette and Jessamine that lie right at the bottom of the list. Sep 25, 2002 12,105 Savoring the smoke. There were entries from all regions of the state represented, with Garrard County bringing in the most (3). Several counties in the middle of the pack for this region saw jumps of 50 to 100 more deer harvested last year. For starters, this is where other sources such as magazines, websites and tag services get their intel. Deer permits for the entire state are $10 each, while youth permits are $6 each. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Despite losing ground in the last ten years, Kentucky ranks first in entries at Boone and Crockett. It was picked up in Norfolk County in 2004. Double Drop-Tined Non-typical Shed Pulled from Snow in Illinois, Two Brothers' Shed Hunting Strategy Yields Non-Typical Match Set in Missouri, Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers, Night Hunting for Predators Will Help Your Deer Herd, How to Develop the Best Fall Food Program for Your Deer, On Target: Stopping a Deer While Using a Crossbow. Id like to dedicate this deer to him and his memory. The Kentucky record for a non-typical deer is 271-7/8 inches, officials say. Celebrating the energy of your community. With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. He just disappeared, Settle says. Rockcastle County is located in Zone 2. If hunting under a state deer permit, you may take up to one antlered deer and three antlerless deer, or four antlerless deer if hunting as a youth. A hunting license or permit is required for youth hunters, but they are not required to purchase a hunting license or deer permit to hunt deer. After she passed away, he quickly picked up the 5-acre lot and moved his family into a two-story log home on the property. During the 2006 deer season, Kentucky whitetail hunters returned with a bang to post a near-record harvest of 122,233 animals -- just shy of being 10,000 more than the previous season. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources nuisance species plan is available here. Pat Hogan heads to Georgia to do his part to manage the destructive hog population. In the Southeast Region last season, top performers were Green County at 1,225, Pulaski County at 1,009 and Adair County at 1,001. The Boyett buck sits at . To the west of this area, farm fields are larger and cover more restricted, making bucks more vulnerable to harvest by gun. Or else it was time to restock the freezer from the big harvest two years before. Mooney seized the opportunity. He taught me all the rights and wrongs, dos and donts, and how to be safe in the field, Settle says. The 2022-2023 hunting seasons are open to hunters who have a permit. Kentucky is an excellent hunting state. Many fur-bearing animals, such as bobcats and otters, as well as deer, elk, bears, and turkey, can be found here. The rack is still in the drying phase before it can be officially scored B&C. I felt like my dad was with me like an angel on my shoulder, he says. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. | I was at full draw. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. It was broadside and slightly quartering away from Settle. That's a key in locating where more whitetails will potentially be in this neck of the woods. This push turned the monster buck broadside, then it quartered away at 23 yards. Why not get a few years of hunting the honey holes before the tags are even more impossible to draw? The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages the states public lands. Whatever the reason, Kentucky has indeed managed to find the "sweet spot" of hunting opportunity for trophy deer. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? During either of these hunts, firearms are not permitted to be used by adults accompanying children on deer hunting trips. Stay connected with Kentucky Living between magazine issues! Taken in Pushmataha County, this deer is nearly 2 inches bigger than the previous record. No one would believe me anyway. I felt the dread of thinking its never going to work out again. Deer hunting can be a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends, and is a great way to get some fresh venison for the freezer. He was looking over his back at me. Published Oct 22, 2014 8:32 PM EDT. While it may seem like just a list of hunters who killed something really big, its a whole lot more. I never showed the trail cam pictures to anybody I knew what he was., Settle recently set up an elevated ground blind on the corner of his property closest to his house. You will have the opportunity to share your hunting grounds with others in addition to collecting a permit fee for each hunting season. Upload a photo of your own 2014/2015 buck for a chance to win great gear from Gerber and land your deer on the cover of Outdoor Life magazine. A deer permit and a hunting license are required for anyone over the age of 16, as are proof of purchase of an annual hunting license. He squeezed in a few short hunts, but it wasnt until he checked on the trail cam that he started itching to hit the woods again: The big non-typical had reappeared. I want that to be a rack but must be brush or a pile of sticks, or something., Settle got out his Bushnell Powerview 7-1525 binoculars for a better look. This Kentucky non-typical was taken during the 2020 season by Claire M. Flood in Breckingridge County. Mike Clerkin offers advice for hunting whitetails with a pistol. Why bother with using County Search yourself? As the accompanying map illustrates, no single county has them to itself. In 2013, the county set a new record for deer kills, with 4,069 being taken, which was more than any other. Both counties had takes well over 900 in 2006. It is possible that this is the best place in the country to catch a velvet whitetail. It's a question a lot of wildlife biologists and trophy hunters in other states probably have asked themselves. Then, another buck appeared. The shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife continues to monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease, but did not detect it among the more than 5,200 deer and elk samples submitted for testing since March of last year. For trade show portraits, Wilson was asked to sign Kentuckys largest buck. Since 2000, Hart County has emerged as the top producer of trophy deer. To prevent this from happening, the department encourages hunters to take does, especially in the higher density Zone 1 hunting areas. During the 2006 deer season, both the Bluegrass and Green River regions placed 16 counties apiece in the 1,000-harvest club. The buck wasnt going anywhere, he decided, but if it did, it would walk left, right, or under the stand. Outside the top spot, Bluegrass Region counties occupy all the rest of the first 10 slots for highest numbers of deer per square mile. ), It took me a long time to get over to the deer, he says. Restore Clarity And Brightness: Get Your Steiner Binoculars Recoated! Browsing for acorns and nosing some Sugar Beet Crush attractant, the whitetail slowly stepped closer to the stand. "But your secret spot is safe because the Club will not publicly list anything more specific than the county.". For their best chance of success, hunters in these counties will need to scout for pockets of higher deer numbers. 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. But Settle says he felt his presence this September. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Advertisement. Five minutes of tracking was all it took to retrace the deers final steps. Whats now known as the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources led successful restoration efforts over several decades. In fact, Kentucky ranks in the top 10 states for whitetails, according to the Boone and Crockett Club's Records of North American Whitetail Deer. Unregulated hunting nearly drove the states deer population to extinction. There is a 130-inch minimum harvest size at Whitetail Heaven and some farms have a 140- or 150-inch minimum. However, some hunters believe that the bucks in the eastern part of the state tend to be larger on average than those in the western part. Simpson County Recorder of Deeds (Franklin, KY - 20.2 miles) Warren County Recorder of Deeds (Bowling Green, KY - 20.3 miles) Barren County Recorder of Deeds (Glasgow . All open seasons, including special deer seasons, provide opportunities for children to hunt deer. The buck has arrived in Missouri to be laid to rest. Settle, 41, grew up in the Bluegrass State and is a long-time local of Henderson County. It was taken in Franklin County in 2002. When he stood up, he had nothing but his rump facing me. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Most counties also offer unlimited doe harvest -- a reflection of how well a county's herd is doing. Send us your best photos for a chance to be featured. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and follow all other state and federal hunting laws. Mike Clerkin is in Pike County Illinois chasing whitetails with his muzzleloader. Perhaps the hop up from 2005 to 2006 of about 10,000 animals was likewise a little unusual. Mooneys Kentucky buck is eligible for OLs Deer of the Year program. Every 5,000 acres enrolled in Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the agency will issue one permit. That year, the weather was quite warm early in the season. I thought, Thats not a rack. Total Harvest Results. This equates to approximately 18,000 pounds of venison on the table. According to the biologist, some biologists in the agency also believe the advent of affordable digital trail cameras has played a big role. If you want to allow public hunting on your property, you should apply for a hunting permit. In terms of trophy buck hunters, Kentucky is currently ranked 10th in the country. His sons took some good deer as well. Counties with some of the lowest harvests and densities in the region are Martin, Montgomery, Magoffin, Menifee and Floyd. All hunters must be aware of and adhere to any rules or restrictions that may apply in these areas. The records are also a tool that you can use to help narrow down your search and identify the healthiest wildlife populations around North America. Since 1958, more than 600 of Kentucky's white-tailed deer have made the record books for their trophy-sized antlers and been listed in the Boone and Crockett Club, which tracks and scores big game animals. It is a species that should be reintroduced to the deer hunting community more than two decades after its extinction. You may hunt four deer with the permit, each of which is an antlered, three anterless, or four antlerless. Click on the number to display the statewide county harvest map. The white-tail deer, the most abundant deer species in North America, is native to Kentucky and most of the country. With the additional harvest data from 2006 now in hand, it's certain that the herd remains in excellent shape -- and that in 2005, hunters just didn't take as many deer as they did the year before, when the record was set. Each had more than 970 deer taken last year. The Elk Elk have a number of hunting seasons, including archery and crossbow seasons and firearms seasons. After a few tense moments Mooney managed to grab the compound. Since 2000, Hart County has been consistently ranked as one of the top trophy deer counties in the country. Turns out, he was right. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. "The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. Aside from hunting, hunters in Kentucky flock to Daniel Boone National Forest. What keeps us going? Ohio archery hunter Brandon Clark harvested this record-book typical whitetail during the 2018 season. We spent a lot of time out in the woods together growing up. Furthermore, the herd has the potential to support the harvest of over 130,000 deer per year. It all starts with a subscription to Big Game Records LIVE. About 300 yards away, in the corner of a soybean field south of me, the light shined on his rack right when I was looking that way. Last year, Kentucky hunters harvested 21,233 deer on Saturday and 8,553 deer on Sunday of opening weekend, for a total of 29,786. I looked down, and all of a sudden there was the deer I was after, about 30 yards off to the left, through some thick stuff, Mooney says. Then, they write articles and tell their clients about the hotspots. Whether it's a game harvest, catch of the day or just a nature shot, we want to show it off! He says it was one of the most intense moments of his life. Gordon Whittington gets technical with his TenPoint crossbow, specifically relating to space awareness. s Kentucky Hunter Education Center. Last year, Kentucky hunters harvested 21,233 deer on Saturday and 8,553 deer on Sunday of opening weekend, for a total of 29,786. I consider this year's CWD surveillance effort a success," Thompson said. In the last seven seasons, four other Kentucky counties have led the way in large sums of money: Casey, Henderson, Lewis, and Grayson. Records show the year of harvest, the score size, and the county of harvest. Credit: trips4trade.com. The buck was a non-typical that scored 200 7/8 on the Pope and Young scale, the second highest Pope and Young Club entry from Kentucky. I didnt even know how to act. Since 2010, the hottest counties for P&Y entries (white stars on map) have continued to reflect a broad pattern. Usethe new County Visualizer. According to the 2013 deer harvest report, Hopkins has the most deer harvested. Yet a reduction of more than 10,000 was somewhat unexpected. There are numerous public lands, including wildlife management areas, hunting access areas, state parks and forests, and national recreation areas. The conclusion: hunt the afternoon, and hunt early. He was still in early velvet, but I could just tell he had a lot going on under all that fuzz., The deer returned to the mineral plot at different parts of the day for nearly six weeks. Deer hunting season in Kentucky typically runs from early September to early January, and is divided into four different zones. This past weekend hunters harvested 2,603 more deer on the opening weekend of gun season than they did in 2020. Bowhunting is just one of those things that I used to love when I was growing up, Settle adds. "We have a lot of veteran hunters who aren't necessarily eager to shoot the first buck they see anyway," Yancy points out. All information obtained from KDFWR website. By, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Surveillance Data Shows White-Tailed Deer Exposed to SARS-CoV-2, Crossbow Season For Deer Extended In Kentucky This Year, Kentucky Commission Proposes Longer Deer Season to Thin Herd. Lewis comes in just shy of three deer per square mile, and Carter and Lawrence fall in between the highs and lows out of this bunch. Whatever the reason, it's good to be informed. They simply werent old enough to grow big antlers. Even in southeastern Kentuckythe last place the rejuvenated deer herd has gained a footholdhunters in Bell, Breathitt, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Leslie, Knott, Perry, and Whitley counties have taken trophies. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. Below, you can see the total number of deer harvested by county and by weapon, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlifes numbers. Derek Settle, a hunter from Kentucky, alone hunted a monster buck that will go down in hunting history as the largest buck ever taken in the state, and it was no easy feat. That was four years ago. Today, only half the bucks taken by hunters are that young. Hunts in Owen County set a new record in 2013, bagging 4,069 deer. Hunting for elk is one of the most popular game animals in the state, and you must have a special tag to participate. Hunters beat the 10-year average, but fell short of the all time record of nearly . Unless they are accompanied by solid-colored hunter orange on the head, back, and chest, camouflage orange patterns are not permitted. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department Resources (KDFWR) deer biologists weren't sure why the decline occurred. That got that bucks attention, recalls Settle. They're well equipped to fill buck tags at the time of year when antlered deer are most vulnerable. His daughter was born more than a week early. Last night, Field and [], Erin is interested in your profile! Thanks to the hunters' cooperation, we were able to collect a total of 2,490 samples at our mandatory check stations and met our sampling quotas for each county within the CWD Surveillance Zone.". Heath heads for Saskatchewan with his bow as he hunts the wilderness in search of the predatory black bear. Hunting in the state is subject to the requirements of a Hunting License. Farmers began complaining about the large number of red deer. Then, one of the squirrels perked up, listening. What may have been a great county for entries in the 1990s may not be a great county today. For our example, lets say youre on the hunt for a record-book whitetail. The statewide deer permit is an excellent choice for those who want to take a few deer, as well as those who want to help out with the hunting season and give back to the community. He pulled out his phone to try to take a quick video of the deer, but then a squirrel started barking at him. Certification can be obtained by enrolling in an instructor-led course or by participating in an online course and a range day. He left everything in the blind except for his crossbow, a brand-new Raven R26, and one arrow. Settle was able to get an official SCI Green Score on the incredible buck, which came in at a whopping 311 2/8 inches. Then, on August 28, 2020, weeks before the archery season opened, the buck visited Settles property for the last time in a long while. I was hoping Id maybe see him again. For this article, were focusing on how to scout with the County Search tool. Kentucky continues to rank as one of the top states for record-book whitetails. It may surprise you that hunters took nearly half those deer over the past seven seasons alone. Translated for hunters, this means those places that produce seriously large antlers, heads, and horns. Gordon Whittington offers tips on ensuring your weapon is accurate while traveling. Terms and Conditions. Settle's buck could be a Kentucky state record. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Most of the 29-county region saw a jump in individual county harvests last season. The deer was so big, and I was about to lose it., The first thing that came to my mindand I think it helped me keep calmwas, This deer looks fake. Hes so big, and so unique looking, he didnt look real. The all-time records overflow with pronghorn entries from New Mexico, and Mike Gallo's buck from 2013 is the current World's Record at 96-4/8. Would really appreciate it. But the buck took a full step to the right. Its the best time of the season to tag a trophy buck. Still, it's worth asking: Does the biologist feel the top areas for bowhunting trophy bucks are likely to change any time soon? Theres plenty of food for them to eat. I kind of got out of it for a while because I went to college and lived in the city, but I made it back out into the country and got back into it. Deer hunting is plentiful throughout Kentuckys Blue Grass Region. You get really excited, because thats what youre there for, Mooney says. The harvest log will be located on the back of the paper hunting license or permit. At that point, he could tell it was a good deer. Hows this for a year of accomplishments? But even with the best planning and practice, a little luck never hurts. A majority of the counties (16, to be exact) on the top 20 deer-density list are located in the Bluegrass Region. During the 2006 deer season, Kentucky whitetail hunters returned with a bang to post a near-record harvest of 122,233 animals -- just shy of being 10,000 more than the previous season. All Rights Reserved. In the eastern half of Kentucky deer numbers tend to be much lower, with far less acreage devoted to row crops. The 2022-2023 season ran from September through Jan. 16.
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