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Post by Local Sports on Mar 25, 2011 5:20:31 GMT -5
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Post by Local Sports on Apr 10, 2011 6:58:26 GMT -5
Collecting Broodstock An Important Tool For Fisheries Management Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The phone calls started in the late afternoon along with posts on fishing related web sites. Some anglers recently witnessed the Fisheries Division of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources collect smallmouth bass broodstock from Dale Hollow Lake and grew concerned something funny just occurred. Nothing unusual was afoot. It was part of the fishery management process that occurs every spring in rivers and reservoirs across Kentucky.
“Without broodstock, we cannot stock fish,” said Ron Brooks, director of fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We obtain broodstock from public waters. We also don’t keep a lot of broodstock on hand at the hatchery because of feeding costs. We only take broodfish from waters that can handle it and we try and return all of them.”
Fisheries staff at Minor Clark Fish Hatchery in Morehead will spawn the smallmouth bass taken from Dale Hollow Lake and stock the offspring in Paintsville Lake. Smallmouth bass broodstock borrowed from Dale Hollow Lake produced the fish stocked in Laurel River Lake in the mid 1980s. Laurel River Lake is now one of the better trophy smallmouth bass lakes in the upper South and it produced a former 8.46-pound Kentucky state record.
“The Dale Hollow strain reproduces well in reservoirs,” said Gerry Buynak, assistant director of fisheries for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “Plus, Dale Hollow smallmouth bass broodstock are proven to work and have the best genetics.”
The waters of Dale Hollow Lake birthed the three biggest smallmouth bass ever recorded: the 11-pound, 15-ounce Kentucky state and all tackle world record taken by David Hayes in 1955, a 10.875 pounder caught in 1969 and a 10.5 pounder taken in 1986. The lake produced six of the top 10 entries on ESPNs Top 25 smallmouth bass of all time.
Fisheries personnel will stock between 20,000 and 30,000 2-inch smallmouth bass in Paintsville Lake in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Any extra hatchery production goes back into Dale Hollow Lake.
“We will return the broodfish in three years. We are holding them for three years because we don’t want to go back every spring and shock people’s fishing holes,” Brooks said. “The broodfish be well fed and will go back into the lake in better shape than we got them.”
Kentuckians would not enjoy the quality muskellunge fishing found in Cave Run Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Green River Lake or our native muskellunge streams without the broodstock gathering process.
“We go to the Licking River every spring and get fresh muskellunge broodstock for the hatchery,” Buynak said. “Without stocking, the muskellunge fishery in Kentucky would be very limited and unsustainable.”
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife obtains sauger from the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam and Kentucky River, native walleye from Rockcastle River and Lake Erie strain walleye from several reservoirs for hatchery broodstock.
“Spring is the best time to collect broodfish,” Buynak explained. “We replenish our broodstock at the hatchery, spawn them and release the bigger ones back into where we got them and keep some of the small to medium-sized ones at the hatchery in case we need them.”
Buying eggs produced from outside Kentucky for rearing in our hatcheries isn’t practical, except for the trout.
“Every state gets their broodstock from somewhere,” Buynak said. “If the process is working, why buy them from someone? We also want to spawn native fish from our waters to keep our native genetics going when we stock.”
If you see a noisy, odd-looking boat with steel tentacles hanging in the water in front of it and a fish stocking truck at the ramp, you are not witnessing funny business. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife fisheries personnel are in the process of making better fishing in the future for all Kentuckians to enjoy.
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Post by Local Sports on Apr 14, 2011 19:38:34 GMT -5
Exemption Permit Allows Hunters An Extra Year To Obtain Their Hunter Education Card Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Hunters required to complete a hunter education course to legally be in the field, but who haven’t had time to get their orange card, don’t have to miss Kentucky’s spring turkey season April 16 through May 8.
Kentucky’s hunter apprentice opportunity – the Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit – allows a person otherwise required to carry a course completion card to use the one-time, one-year exemption instead. Hunter education is mandatory when a hunter turns 12 years old, and includes those born on or after Jan. 1, 1975.
This group, if checked by a conservation officer in the field, must have a hunter education card, or a valid exemption permit in possession when hunting any type of game anywhere other than on their own property. It is easy to obtain a temporary exemption permit by going on-line at fw.ky.gov, the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The cost is $5. These permits are not available at license vendors.
This permit can only be obtained once in a lifetime and requires the permit holder to be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older, who meets Kentucky’s hunter education law and is in a position to take immediate control of the bow or firearm. The temporary hunter education exemption permit is good for 12 months from the date of purchase.
A hunter with the exemption permit must still have any required hunting license or permit. The permit is not valid on military installations or in other states. Kentucky has a million acres of public land available for hunting. Maps of these areas are available on the department’s website.
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Post by Local Sports on Apr 22, 2011 17:42:07 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: This Spring’s Deluge Both Positive And Negative For Fisheries
FRANKFORT, Ky. – April 2011 is one of the wettest on record. Just a couple more inches of rain would propel this month into the most rained-soaked April of all time. So far, this spring follows a predictable pattern. One day is gloomy, grey and wet and the next glorious with highs in the 70s and abundant sunshine. The next day features a tornado watch and winds that leave broken tree limbs in the street. The Kentucky River flows high with long stands of sticks, tree tops and dead grass floating down the middle. Creeks run high and seem to consist of liquid mud. The rain pushed the shoreline of lakes up into the trees that line the bank. Anglers wonder what all of this rough weather and high water will do to the fishing for the rest of this spring. “The flooding shouldn’t affect fishing at all if you can find the fish,” explained Gerry Buynak, assistant director of fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “It makes it tougher to fish because the fish are spread out in more water. There is much more habitat for them when the water is high.” High and stable water makes for the best fishing situation over the next few weeks. A rapid drop will turn off fishing as will major fluctuations in water level. “When they are pulling the lake, or rapidly dropping it, the fish move deeper,” Buynak said. “You need to fish deeper and slower when the lake is dropping.” Buynak believes Lake Cumberland should provide good largemouth bass fishing for the next several weeks. Since the drawdown due to ongoing repairs to Wolf Creek Dam, saplings and brush flourish along the exposed banks. Rainfall pushed Lake Cumberland into this new growth. Largemouth bass love flooded trees and brush. A black and chartreuse jig flipped or pitched into the middle of this cover should draw strikes. A chartreuse spinnerbait pitched into the brush should also work as would a weightless white soft plastic jerkbait. Bluegill and crappie love this cover as well and a 2-inch red and chartreuse tube jig worked along the edges of the flooded brush and saplings will draw strikes on Lake Cumberland. The shore of your local lake may be well back into the woods for quite a time, especially with the heavy rain predicted for the next week or so. A trick used by largemouth bass anglers on Kentucky Lake should produce in flooded shoreline timber. Rig a Senko-style cigar-shaped soft plastic jerkbait wacky style. Wacky rigging involves hooking one of these lures through the middle with a 1/0 work hook with the ends dangling. Don’t use any weight. With a spinning rod and at least 10-pound test line, cast the lure at a shallow angle so it strikes the surface. This rig will skip on top of the water like a flat creek stone. With some practice, you can skip this lure deep into flooded timber. Once it reaches the desired spot, let it slowly fall on a tight line. This presentation can produce trophy largemouth bass feeding in flooded timber. The high water will push redear sunfish or shellcrackers into the yellow mustard flowers on Kentucky and Barkley lakes. “Shellcrackers like spawning and hanging in those yellow mustard flowers,” Buynak said. “You should catch some nice ones in the next couple of weeks.” Although this spring’s enormous amount of rainfall will generate some new fishing opportunities, flooding could negatively affect fishing a few years down the road. “The biggest impact from the high water will be on spawning success this year, especially for largemouth bass and crappie,” Buynak said. “It all depends on what happens for the rest of the spring. If the water stays high, we should be fine. If we have a lot of fluctuations in the water levels, then that is bad for spawning.” Water temperatures are in the low 60s now. Buynak explained that largemouth bass are preparing to spawn. Crappie are in various stages of spawning. “We are now heading into the bass spawn,” Buynak said. “If it is higher than normal, but stable, they will nest in the flooded cover and that is good. If they are on the nest and the water levels rise or suddenly drop, then all those eggs are lost. Crappie will keep moving up and nest again, but when they drop the water, you’ll lose those eggs as well.” If bass and crappie nest again and produce young later than usual, they may not grow large enough to survive the next winter. “Largemouth bass must be five inches or longer by late fall to survive winter,” Buynak said. “If you lose that first spawn, it is not good.” The monsoon like weather of this spring is a mixed bag. The high water produces more fishing opportunities now, but may slow fishing a bit in a few years.
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Post by Local Sports on Apr 30, 2011 7:49:03 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors Mortality And Its Impact On Wildlife Populations
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The drama of predator versus prey plays out every day in Kentucky’s woods, fields and waterways. Many species of wildlife prey on other animals to survive. An owl snatches a squirrel from the side of a tree. A fox finds a nest of young rabbits in an overgrown field. A largemouth bass ambushes an unsuspecting school of minnows. Predation along with animals taken by hunting, called harvest mortality by biologists, are two of several mortality factors. Wildlife biologists also recognize animals may die from a number of natural causes, including old age, diseases, parasites and injuries. Outbreaks of disease are often cyclical, or dependent on specific environmental conditions. They can be linked to population numbers that are higher than the habitat can support. For example, in extremely dense deer herds, individual animals may succumb to parasitic, viral or bacterial infections and severe tick infestations. Sometimes wildlife die-offs can be traced to poisonings. For example, baiting wild turkeys with shelled corn during the spring hunting season is not only illegal and unethical, but it can expose all the birds in the area to aflatoxin. This substance is especially harmful to young turkeys. Produced by common molds that contaminate grain in wet conditions, aflatoxin also causes die-offs of waterfowl. In the absence of large predators, such as wolves or mountain lions, humans play a role in keeping populations of some species of wildlife balanced. The best example might be the use of regulated hunting to manage white-tailed deer to help ensure a healthy age structure and balanced sex ratio in the herd. There’s also added mortality, a term defined as “mortality in addition to what would normally occur,” said Steven Dobey, bear and wild turkey program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. An example of added mortality is the introduction of an exotic species, such as wild hogs, that compete for food with native species, eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds, destroy wildlife habitat and introduce disease. It is often difficult to enumerate and gauge the impact of natural mortality. “Reports from the field and anecdotal evidence may be helpful, but the means aren’t always there to document the extent of natural mortality,” said Dobey. An example was the 2007 outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in Kentucky’s deer herd. The infectious, viral disease of wild ruminants occurs periodically, usually during spells of dry weather, throughout the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada. Transmitted by biting midges, EHD poses no threat to humans or domestic animals, but can be deadly to deer. By late September 2007, hunters and land owners reported finding 2,262 dead deer in what was characterized as the worst outbreak in Kentucky since deer herds were established in all 120 counties. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Group at the University of Georgia reported in its January 2009 newsletter that the “EHD outbreak (was) impressive, with suspected or confirmed activity reported in 812 counties in 31 states.” “It’s hard to know exactly how many deer died because sick and dying animals are secretive and go into hiding,” said Tina Brunjes, deer and elk program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “And scavengers, like coyotes and buzzards, are very efficient at disposing of carcasses.” Usually, natural mortality is not the major factor in determining population size. It’s well documented that wildlife numbers fluctuate with the amount and quality of habitat available, especially for nesting and rearing young. The best example might be migratory waterfowl. "The year 1988 was the height of a drought on the prairie. Nesting had been limited for several years, and the number of birds that were migrating southward in the fall flight was near record low levels,” said Rocky Pritchert, migratory bird program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “But in the 1990s, because of the Conservation Reserve Program, grasslands were put in place, so when the water returned in 1993-94, the stage was set for a comeback of duck numbers.” Wildlife finds ways to overcome, or offset, high mortality rates. One way is a high reproductive rate. Young rabbits are preyed upon heavily by hawks, foxes and coyotes. “They can make up losses by having three to five litters a year in good habitat,” said Ben Robinson, a small game biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “Rabbits can nest as early as January and as late as November, producing three to eight young each time they nest.” Quail also have a way to offset losses of young. “If their nest is disturbed, they will re-nest,” said Robinson. “And if the female is lost after the eggs have been laid, the male bird will take over nesting duties.” In managing deer, harvest mortality (number taken by hunting) is a major factor that biologists can influence through harvest restrictions. “That’s why we have different (deer management) zones,” said Brunjes. In Zone 1 counties, the bag limit is most liberal because biologists are trying to get the total mortality (the sum of natural mortality and harvest mortality) up to a level that will control herd growth. “In truth, that doesn’t always happen because hunters don’t harvest enough deer,” said Brunjes. The opposite strategy is used in counties with lower deer numbers. “Harvest mortality is strictly managed so that total mortality will not exceed the reproductive capability of the herd,” Brunjes said. “That’s why most of the hunting is for bucks only in Zone 4 counties, because we’re trying to grow the herd.” Deer herds are capable of increasing by as much as 40 percent a year, but reproductive success is determined by many factors, including herd density, age structure, sex ratios, food quality and availability. Mortality, either natural or through hunting, keeps nature in balance.
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Post by Local Sports on May 6, 2011 15:52:19 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: The Pitch Cast Is The Way To Catch Bass In High Water
FRANKFORT, Ky. – I recently fished Cedar Creek Lake recently with an old and trusted buddy with whom I’ve fished a thousand times. A slow fishing day by Cedar Creek’s standards, I brought only one largemouth bass to hand by 2:30 p.m. After unsuccessfully casting a jig and craw combination on a baitcaster for a big part of the day, I picked up my spinning rod. I earlier tied on a straight-tailed brown with orange belly soft-plastic worm on a 3/16-ounce Shaky head on the spinning rod. I made a cast into a pocket near shore overlain with logs and fallen tree branches. The lure never hit bottom or wood. My line came toward me and I reeled down to eat the slack. My rod tip began to bend from the weight of the fish before I set the hook. This feeling usually means I’ve hooked a pig. I swept the rod upward and my medium-power spinning rod immediately bent double. The reel started burping drag. I had no control at all as the fish swam toward some of the flooded timber that lines much of the shore of Cedar Creek. By the time my buddy asked if I needed the net, it was over. The fish escaped by spitting the lure. I blew it. In retrospect, the best option would’ve been to cut off the jig, retie the worm on my baitcasting rod and make a nice pitch cast to the cover. A baitcasting rod contains enough power to turn a large fish hooked in heavy cover. Plus, 12-pound test line gives an angler much more leverage than the 8-pound line on my spinning rod. I grew up fishing flowing water for smallmouth bass. I fish Lake Cumberland or Dale Hollow for most of my lake trips. These fishing situations favor a spinning rod and light line. My baitcasting skills languished as a result. In the past few years, I’ve improved markedly, but I am still below average with a baitcasting rod, especially when it comes to the pitch cast. “With this high water, pitching is going to be important,” said Chad Miles, an expert bass angler who’s deadly with a baitcasting rod. “The whole thing is to keep the bait as close to the water’s surface as possible on the cast. It allows you to target small areas and not spook fish with a big loud splash. With a pitch, you can cast your lure under overhanging limbs, docks and the like.” You’ll need a medium or a medium-heavy power baitcasting rod at least 6 feet, 6-inches long. A 7-footer works better for pitching. Single hook lures such as a jig, grub or worm work best for pitching with a reel spooled with 10- to 17-pound test line. “Grab the lure and let out enough line to bring it about waist high. Pre-load the rod by pulling on the lure a bit,” Miles explained. “Then, use an underhand pitch motion, let the rod release, and point the rod above where you want the lure to land.” Miles also said move the rod toward the target at the end of the pitch. “That way, you don’t pull the lure back toward you and make a big splash,” he said. The underhand roll cast is another option for presenting a lure just above the water. This cast employs an underhand hand action like you would use for skipping a rock on the water’s surface or pitching a softball. “I can keep that bait waist high above the surface for 40 feet and that cast is extremely accurate,” Miles explained. “Just before the lure hits the water, I extend my hand and point the rod toward the bait, killing the splash.” Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley both reached new record high levels this past week, as did Cave Run Lake. The shoreline of most Kentucky lakes and reservoirs will be up in trees for quite a while. A low and quiet presentation will bring more bites in these conditions. If I would’ve only used the pitch cast with my baitcaster at Cedar Creek Lake, I may have held the longest, fattest largemouth bass of my life. Instead, I arrived at a gun fight with a pocket knife and went home brokenhearted.
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Post by Local Sports on May 12, 2011 20:58:01 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Bullfrog Season Opens May 20 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The season opens as spring days begin to warm, but the nightly chorus of the bullfrog is considered by many to be the song of summer. Spend a night sloshing through ponds and creeks gigging bullfrogs and then fry up their meaty legs for breakfast with eggs and hash browns. You’ll then understand the allure of the season. Kentucky’s bullfrog season extends through five months of warm weather, opening on the third Friday in May, May 20 of this year, and running through Oct. 31. The daily limit is 15 bullfrogs. By regulation, each day of taking bullfrogs begins at 12 noon and ends at 12 noon the following day. It’s legal to take bullfrogs during daylight hours, but most “frog hunting” is done at night, when a strong light is used to locate bullfrogs at the water’s edge. They are typically taken from small boats or canoes or when wading. In Kentucky, bullfrogs can be found practically everywhere there’s water, including small streams, big rivers and major reservoirs. They mostly flourish in the shallow waters of farm ponds, small lakes and wetlands. The American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is native to the eastern and central United States, but has been widely introduced across North America and many countries around the world, including South Korea, Western Europe, Brazil, Columbia and Australia. Bullfrogs primarily feed on insects, but it’s not uncommon for them to consume small snakes, snails, worms, fish or even other bullfrogs. Adults may have a body length of up to six inches with legs adding another seven to 10 inches. They spend the cold weather months wherever they can get below the frost line. “Sometimes they burrow into the mud, or go in a muskrat hole,” said John Macgregor, state herpetologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “They might even leave the pond and dig into the leaf litter, or find an old rotten log.” Since bullfrogs breathe through their skin, it is possible for them to spend the winter underwater. Both licensed anglers and hunters may take bullfrogs. If bullfrogs are taken by gun or bow and arrow, a hunting license is required. Typically, bullfrogs are shot with .22 rifles, smoothbore .22s shooting birdshot or special arrows used in bowfishing. If taken by pole and line, a fishing license is required. Dry flies, a single worm on a small hook, or even a piece of red cloth tied to a treble hook, are used to “catch” frogs by dangling the bait in front of their noses. If bullfrogs are taken by gig or by hand, a hunting or fishing license is valid. It takes a quiet, stealthy approach, bright light and quick reflexes to grab a frog by hand. Macgregor said the bullfrog breeding season is May through July, but that females can lay eggs as early as April and as late as August under ideal weather conditions. The bullfrog’s distinctive deep call is partly “to lure females and to ward off other males,” said Macgregor. “Male bullfrogs are very territorial.” It’s not hard to tell the two sexes apart. “Males have a huge ear drum (noted by a flat, green circle on the side of their head) which is much bigger than their eye,” said Macgregor. Get out this season and poke around a pond in the middle of the night while enjoying one of Kentucky’s outdoor traditions. Plus, you get a delicacy to enjoy on table to boot.
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Post by Local Sports on May 19, 2011 11:49:00 GMT -5
Kentucky’s Spring Squirrel Season Now Open More Days Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky’s spring squirrel season is now two weeks longer, and opens earlier in the year. The 28-day season begins May 21 and continues through June 17. The daily limit is six squirrels. Squirrels, the most stable and abundant small game species in Kentucky, have two breeding seasons. “Our spring season is timed to coincide with the spike in squirrel numbers after the year’s first nesting period, and before breeding resumes in July,” said Ben Robinson, a small game biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. In the spring, squirrels eat mostly soft mast, such as the seeds of maple, ash, elm, wild cherry, mulberry, hackberry and box elder trees. “Soft mast is now forming on the trees, so there’s lots of squirrel activity,” Robinson said. Squirrels also eat grass, along with the occasional mushroom and blackberry. Insects, such as grasshoppers, katydids and locusts, round out the squirrels’ diet. With trees already leafed out, squirrels have lots of cover. A .410 or a 20-gauge shotgun is a good choice for a hunter. However, a .22-caliber rifle, air gun or small caliber muzzleloading rifle in .32 or .40 caliber may also be used. Squirrel hunting also is allowed at the newly opened Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area in Meade County. During the spring season, hunters may only use shotguns for squirrels. Otter Creek has designated no hunting zones marked with yellow signs around buildings and camp areas. Good squirrel hunting is available in all 120 Kentucky counties, and hunting pressure is light during the spring season. The gray squirrel is the dominant species in the heavily-forested eastern third of Kentucky, with a higher percentage of fox squirrels in the small woodlots and wooded fencerows of agricultural areas in western Kentucky. Kentucky’s spring squirrel season started as an experiment on four state wildlife management areas in 1994.The season went statewide in 1999.
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Post by In The News on May 24, 2011 11:39:29 GMT -5
SEALS, Olympic Gold Medalist, Top Swimmers Remind Boaters “Your Lifejacket’s Got Your Back” Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources joins forces with the some of the world’s most acclaimed swimmers in a series of radio spots to promote lifejacket usage during the 2011 summer recreational boating season. The unofficial start to the boating season begins Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30. As boaters look forward to fun in the sun, they should remember this year’s theme for National Safe Boating week on May 21 – 27: “Your lifejacket’s got your back and the backing of the best swimmers anywhere.” The department’s division of law enforcement is reaching out to those who shrug off lifejackets because they view themselves as good swimmers. From junior swim champs to Special Forces in the U.S. Navy, in time of calamity, being good may not be good enough. There were 14 fatalities on Kentucky waters in 2010, down sharply from the previous year’s total of 22. Conservation officers patrolling rivers and lakes hope to see that downward trend continue. Blending fun with common sense is the key. Kentucky law requires that a lifejacket be readily available for immediate use by all persons on a vessel. Of course, lifejackets work best when they are worn. Even conditioned swimmers can be challenged when thrown overboard by surprise. Love of the water is one thing weekend anglers and water skiers share with elite level swimmers along with a Kentucky connection. To emphasize the safety message, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recruited some top people in their profession to pass the word along. Rachel Komisarz received gold and silver medals in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Along with being the first to lend her voice to this Kentucky initiative, she has been a Kentucky resident since 1995. Komisarz is currently an assistant swim coach for the University of Louisville. Lt. Cmdr. Michael Naus (SEAL/Ret.) is a one-time resident of Lexington who returns to Kentucky routinely to mentor Navy special warfare and air rescue candidates. This area is regarded as the most physically demanding military training in existence. In that field is Petty Officer Luigi Caprio. This Aviation Search and Rescue Swimmer has aided victims worldwide and reminds boaters that accidents can occur without warning. Even on a fishing lake on a sunny afternoon, you may be called upon to do his job. In Louisville, Lakeside Seahawk swim coach Mike DeBoor has led many world championship teams and appears on an announcement with one of his nationally ranked junior swimmers. Whether these individuals are noted for their bravery in abject water and weather conditions or for their unmatched speed, they all enjoy water recreation in their spare time. Despite being incredibly gifted swimmers, they still wear lifejackets at work or while at play. “As unlikely as you think it is that a boating accident would ever happen to you, the use of life jackets greatly increases your chances of surviving,” Kentucky’s boating law administrator, Capt. Mike Fields, reminds boaters. “A large majority of the people who die in accidents die as a result of drowning,” he continued.”Lifejackets are designed to keep your head above water. A lifejacket can save your life.” Fields said the department is using radio public service announcements to reach boaters on the water or on their way to the boat ramp. “In summers past, we’ve used this theme that good swimmers still need lifejackets but we’ve turned it up about a hundred notches,” he noted. “Instead of hearing it from everyday people, they hear it from some of the most notable swimmers on Planet Earth.”
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Post by Local Sports on May 27, 2011 19:16:34 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: The simple ways to catch fish this summer Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – With Kentucky’s free fishing weekend fast approaching, now’s the time to get your fishing tackle ready. During June 3-4, anyone can fish for free in Kentucky without having a fishing license. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Kentucky or are just visiting the state. If you don’t know much about how to fish, remember that simplicity is best. For most panfish angling, a cane pole or telescopic fiberglass fishing pole is ideal. These are fishing poles that you tie line to the tip – no reels required. Although these poles may exceed 8 feet in length, fiberglass poles can be collapsed into a shorter length and stored in a car trunk. Most cane poles, too, can be broken down into sections for transport. These lightweight poles can be easily handled by the smallest of youngsters, with only minimal assistance from an adult. Bluegill, present in most ponds, lakes, and streams across the state, are eager feeders and big fun on light tackle. Look for them around submerged cover, such as sunken bushes, tree roots, docks or weeds in the water. The basic rig for bluegills is a BB-size split shot sinker, a small plastic or wooden float and a long-shank, light wire hook. A good all-around line for most fishing is 8-pound monofilament. The poundage refers to the breaking strength of the line. Use No. 8 or No. 10 hooks for bluegill. The number indicates the size of the hook, and is marked on the package. A hook with a long shank makes it easier to dislodge the hook if the fish swallows the bait. Small needle-nosed pliers or hemostats come in handy for unhooking fish; fingernail clippers worn around the neck on a lanyard make quick work of cutting line. It’s hard to beat red worms for catching bluegills, although meal worms and crickets are also good baits. These are available at bait shops or some large retail stores with sporting goods departments. Looking for a place to fish? There’s probably a public lake ideal for fishing from the banks near where you live. Fishery biologist Dane Balsman, who manages the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINS) program for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said employees have been busy preparing lakes for the free fishing weekend. “We finished stocking 25 lakes with catfish on Monday and Tuesday,” he said. “The channel catfish average about 13 to 16 inches, and we stocked about 24,000 fish across the state recently.” Although anglers catch most of their catfish during the low light of early morning or late evening, recently stocked fish may bite throughout the day. Look for them in deeper water, such as out from the dam of a pond or small lake. Spincasting or spinning rod outfits are good choices for catfish because you’ll want to cast out from the banks. Be sure to spool your reel with fresh line before your trip, however. Over time, monofilament line kinks and becomes brittle. Old line is harder to cast and may break easily. Use a basic slip sinker rig to fish for catfish prowling the bottom. Start by threading the line through a ½-ounce egg-shaped sinker. Tie the loose end of the line to the eyelet of a barrel swivel. Next, take an 18- to 24-inch length of line and tie it to the other eyelet of the swivel. Finally, tie a No. 6 hook onto the loose end of the line. This rig keeps bait near the bottom, where catfish feed most. The swivel keeps the weight off the hook and allows a fish to take the bait without feeling resistance. When your line tightens because the catfish is moving off, set the hook.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 2, 2011 15:16:22 GMT -5
Free Fishing Weekend June 4-5; Events For Kids Planned All Around Kentucky Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Families can rediscover the joy of fishing this weekend, June 4-5. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any adult can fish for free this weekend throughout Kentucky. Kids under the age of 16 can fish without a license anyway, so free fishing weekend offers a good opportunity for entire families to enjoy the late spring sunshine with a picnic and a day of wholesome fun. Free fishing applies to friends and relatives visiting Kentucky from out of state as well. Size and creel limits on the number of fish that anglers may keep still apply, however. Kentucky is full of places to catch fish. For those living in the state’s cities and larger communities, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers 34 lakes enrolled in the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program. These lakes are located in parks accessible to the public and offer good fishing from the bank – no boat necessary. Recently, 25 FINs lakes received stockings of channel catfish in preparation for this weekend. For a listing of all FINs lakes, maps, directions and stocking schedules, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at: fw.ky.gov/urbanfishing.aspSeveral other fishing events geared toward kids are happening this weekend. A sampling of some of these events includes: • Clay County: Little Double Creek Pond, 22nd annual kids’ fishing event, 9 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. Open to kids 16 and under. Free. Food and drinks provided to participants. Prizes to include camping and fishing equipment. Anglers should bring their own bait and fishing equipment. The pond is located in the Redbird District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, due east of London off KY 66.
• Jackson County: Turkey Foot Recreation Area, War Fork Creek, kids and seniors fishing event, 8:30 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. For kids 5-15, and senior anglers over 60. Area closed the day prior to the event. Area located north of McKee, off KY 89.
• Leslie County: Hyden Day in the Park, Riverfront Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST June 4. Fishing and inflatable bounce rooms for kids. Lunch provided to kids. Park is located off KY 257, on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River.
• Madison County: Lake Reba, free kid’s fishing derby, beginning at 8 a.m. EST June 4. Lake is located east of Richmond, off Robert R. Martin Bypass then Gibson Bay Drive.
• Pulaski County: Goodwater Pond, Daniel Boone National Forest, 8:30 a.m. to noon EST, June 4. Open to youth ages 5 to 15, and seniors over the age of 60.
These are just some of the events going on across the state this weekend. Some state parks will also offer special programs and have loaner fishing equipment available for visiting anglers. For more information about the park nearest you, go online to:
parks.ky.gov
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 2, 2011 15:29:06 GMT -5
Meeting To Nominate Ninth District Kentucky Fish And Wildlife Commission Member June 16 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A meeting to nominate candidates for the Ninth District representative on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission will be held at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 16, at the Shopville Elementary School Gymnasium, 10 Shopville Road, Somerset, Ky. The Ninth Wildlife District includes Bell, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Wayne and Whitley counties. Residents of the Ninth Wildlife District who, for the past two consecutive years, have either: purchased a Kentucky hunting or fishing license; or hunted or fished in Kentucky, but were not required to purchase a license, may participate in the nomination process. The names of up to five nominees chosen at the meeting will be submitted to Gov. Steve Beshear, who will appoint one of the nominees to a four-year term. Doors will open at 6 p.m. EDT.
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 8, 2011 19:45:39 GMT -5
Kentucky Fish And Wildlife Commission Proposes Sandhill Crane Season Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission voted June 3 to implement a sandhill crane hunting season beginning this year. The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission’s Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee will review the proposal following a public comment period. In addition to state legislative review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also must approve the proposal. Commission members also recommended the 2011-2012 early migratory bird season dates, including modifying woodcock and the September Canada goose seasons. All recommendations are subject to legislative review prior to becoming law. The Commission proposed a sandhill crane hunting season opening Dec. 17, 2011 and closing Jan. 15, 2012. The sandhill crane season quota will be 400 birds or 30 days, whichever occurs first. The daily and season bag limit will be 2 birds per hunter. Shooting hours are sunrise to sunset. Hunters must apply for a sandhill crane permit online. Applicants must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license by the time of the drawing. Those selected must pass a bird identification test before the permit will be issued. Only non-toxic shot approved for use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be used. Participating hunters must tag birds immediately after harvest and telecheck their birds by midnight the day of harvest. They must also complete a post-season survey. In other wildlife-related business, the Commission proposed the 2011-2012 early migratory bird season dates. They also modified the woodcock season by moving it later in the year, during the peak of woodcock migration. The Commission also lengthened the September Canada Goose season from nine days to 15 days, the most days allowed within the federal season framework. In fishing-related business, the Commission proposed removing the yellow bass from the aggregate daily creel limit for white bass, striped bass and their hybrids on the Ohio River. The yellow bass reverts back to the statewide regulation of a 30-fish daily creel limit in the Ohio River. This regulation goes into effect March 1, 2012. In boating-related business, the Commission recommended removing the horsepower restriction on boat motors on Lake Beshear. Boaters operating below Kentucky River and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locks and dams as indicated by signage must wear personal flotation devices. These new regulations go into effect March 1, 2012. The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2011 at #1 Sportsman’s Lane off U.S. 60 in Frankfort. Persons interested in addressing the Commission must notify Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Commissioner’s office in writing at least 30 days in advance to be considered for placement on the meeting agenda. People who are hearing impaired and plan to attend the meeting should contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at least 10 days in advance and the agency will provide a translator. To request to address the commission, write to" KDFWR, Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett #1 Sportsman’s Lane Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 10, 2011 17:08:54 GMT -5
Watch Out For Deer Fawns And Nesting Wild Turkeys When Mowing Kentucky Department of Agriculture Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Everything is “growing like a weed,” as the old saying goes, because of heavy rainfall in April and early May followed by unseasonably high temperatures in early June. Fields of fescue grass, timothy, clover and alfalfa are tall and lush. The prime time for that first cutting of hay has come earlier than normal. Landowners are reminded as they go about mowing and cutting hay that deer are with newborn fawns and some wild turkeys may be nesting or re-nesting. Cool, wet conditions along with localized flooding and nest predation caused some turkeys to lose their first clutch of eggs. "Those hens will be on the nest or with young poults throughout this month,” said Steven Dobey, wild turkey program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “If a turkey nest with eggs is encountered, or accidentally run over while mowing, remember that it’s illegal to possess or hatch wild turkey eggs.” Dobey’s advice is to avoid or postpone mowing likely nesting areas until the end of the month – if feasible – when young turkeys are more mobile. Young turkeys cannot fly for the first two to three weeks after hatching. “With all the rain we had, this is the first real chance to cut hay before grasses go to seed. It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Joe Lacefield, a private lands wildlife biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Many pastures are a mix of fescue and clover, which turkeys often use to nest. Mowing endangers their clutch. "Their best chance to avoid predators is to nest out in the middle of fields, instead of along woodlands and weedy edges,” said Lacefield, who works in eight central Kentucky counties. “There’s a much higher presence of nest predators such as raccoons, foxes and coyotes along the edge.” Lacefield said landowners can plant native grasses to avoid having to mow when turkeys and small game may be nesting and deer are fawning. “Native grasses can be cut later, in early July, and you’ll still get quality hay,” he explained. David Yancy, senior deer biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said deer fawning peaks in mid-June. His advice is also to defer mowing until the beginning of July. “For about the first two weeks after they are born, fawns are hidden away in weeds and tall grass,” said Yancy. “After that they tend to get up and run from danger.” Newborn fawns lay motionless in thick cover away from their mothers. They attract less attention from predators that way, but that makes them vulnerable to mowing as well. “Fawns that are hiding in the weeds aren’t abandoned. The mother is in earshot. She comes in to nurse and groom the fawn two to three times a day,” said Yancy. “She’s staying away from the fawn because she doesn’t want to draw attention to its location.” It will be August or September before fawns are strong enough to run at their mother’s side. Landowners are reminded that it’s illegal to “adopt” a deer fawn. “The only people that can possess and raise a deer fawn are licensed wildlife rehabilitators,” said Yancy. This spring’s unusual weather could have a silver lining for small game. “The flush of vegetation is a good thing because it provides food and shelter for rabbits and quail,” said Ben Robinson, small game biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “It’s shaping up to be an excellent nesting year. Rabbits have already pulled off at least one litter and our peak of quail nesting won’t occur until late June or July.” Delay mowing in sensitive areas to help small game, turkey and deer populations thrive. Fewer disturbances from mowing now brings better hunting later.
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 16, 2011 21:14:01 GMT -5
Operation Dry Water Effort To Make Kentucky Waterways Safer For Families And Boaters Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Conservation Officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will team up with federal, state and local law enforcement officers to make boating safer for families and others during Operation Dry Water, June 24-26. This weekend is devoted to boating law enforcement and education both nationwide and on Kentucky’s lakes and rivers. Now in its third year, Operation Dry Water is an initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard, and partnering state and federal agencies. During the weekend, boaters will be contacted with safety messages at boat ramps and on the water. “Our goal is to have no boating under the influence arrests and no alcohol-related accidents,” said Capt. Mike Fields, boating law administrator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Operation Dry Water is a way to get the word out that alcohol intoxication and boating don’t mix.” Fields said almost half of Kentucky’s boating fatalities last year were alcohol related. “Most people understand the hazards of boating while intoxicated,” he said. “We want people to enjoy boating with a clear head.” Law enforcement officers will be conducting courtesy boat inspections during the weekend. Officers can answer questions about Kentucky’s boating laws and the safety equipment required on boats. Impaired boaters, who represent a danger to everyone on the water, are of special concern to law enforcement officers. During last year’s Operation Dry Water event, an impaired boater in Kentucky registered a blood alcohol level of 0.30 percent after a breathalyzer test. “That was the highest blood alcohol reading of all arrests nationwide,” said Fields. “The reading was almost four times the legal limit of 0.08 percent.” Sun, wind, noise, vibration and movement, which are common to the boating environment, when combined with alcohol intake, cause fatigue which impacts a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time. For more information on Operation Dry Water, visit their website at: www.operationdrywater.orgKentucky’s boating laws are detailed in the free brochure Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide, or can be read online at the department’s website: www.fw.ky.gov
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 18, 2011 20:59:35 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors Tips For Using Personal Pontoon Boats To Float Kentucky Streams
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release FRANKFORT, Ky. – Floating a stream and catching smallmouth bass after smallmouth bass, a few spotted bass, rock bass, green sunfish and even an occasional white crappie is the one of the best ways to spend a summer afternoon. On a blistering hot day, you can beach your boat, wander out into a flowing, shallow shoal and sit down, letting the cool water of the stream flow over you and wash away the sweat and heat. A personal pontoon boat, sometimes called a cataraft or a float boat, is an affordable entry into floating the wealth of streams that flow in Kentucky. A pontoon boat consists of two pontoons lashed onto a steel or aluminum frame with oars mounted on the frame. Some newer models don’t have frames, but use air pressure and specially designed pontoons to ensure the boat’s structural integrity. Boats such as these along with kayaks and canoes are growing rapidly in popularity as the cost of motorized, lake and river worthy boats continues to rise beyond the budget of many people. You can pick up a good new pontoon boat for under $500 from one of the national outfitters or find a used one on the Internet for much less. Operating a canoe or kayak requires more practice and skill than using a pontoon boat, but these boats possess their own idiosyncrasies that users should know before trying one out on a Kentucky stream. First, don’t buy one with cloth covers on the pontoons if you plan to float the rocky streams of Kentucky with any regularity. The rough limestone underlying a great extent of the state or the sandstone of the mountainous region does a number on cloth after a few floats. You can baby them for quite a few years if you don’t use your boat much, but opt for pontoon covers made of PVC for stream fishing. If you plan to mainly float lakes or riffle-free, slow moving rivers, the cloth covers are fine and cost less than PVC. Secondly, don’t bite off more stream than you can chew. A personal pontoon boat is not a canoe or kayak. With one of these boats, you sacrifice the speed of a canoe or kayak for a stable fishing craft that moves the same speed as the current, giving the fish (especially smallmouth bass and trout) a realistic lure presentation. You also can’t row upstream against current much distance with a pontoon boat like you can a kayak. There is no bailing out by going back to the put-in once you commit to a float. Plan floats for six miles or less if you start early and fishing is your goal. You can stretch a pontoon boat excursion up to seven miles with high water. You can also cover that much water if you plan to mainly float and casually fish. Around five miles is the ideal float length for extensive fishing without any worry. A common mistake made while floating a stream is spending too much time fishing at the beginning of the float and then paddling in a panic to make the take-out by dark. Avoid floating in darkness at all costs. At night, you can’t see obstructions in the stream and you can’t read rapids either. Night floating is a dangerous situation that brings serious injury and major boat damage into play. You don’t want to be walking a wounded boat home along the banks of a rock-strewn stream at 10 p.m. It is also easy to float right past take-out into a world of trouble at night. Start paddling when the shadows grow long and sunlight dims to make the take-out by dark. Always bring along the hand pump that comes with your pontoon boat. Sometimes, a poor seal on the valve where you pump air into the pontoon bladder will slowly leak air during the float. Tightening the valve and a few pumps of air will usually solve the problem. Pontoons rarely fall victim to a piece of sharp metal or glass in the stream, but if you get a puncture, you’ll need your pump to get you home. Some models of these boats have a bladder inside a bladder pontoon design, so if you puncture the outside bladder, you’ll still get home. They cost more than single pontoon designs. Navigating water in a pontoon boat is a bit different than floating in a canoe or kayak. Pontoon boats are incredibly easy to navigate through rapids, standing waves and other rough water. They are nearly impossible to flip, but avoid going down rapids sideways. You can pin the boat in the current against a rock and lose the ability to navigate with your oars. In a pontoon boat, try and deflect off standing waves with one of the pontoons. Water flowing fast over a boulder or other obstruction creates a standing wave. Don’t straddle the waves with your pontoons or the standing wave will break on you. Big ones can knock you out of the boat, while smaller standing waves can cause the loss of fishing rods and equipment. Pontoon boats quickly react to oaring, so don’t overuse them. A couple of quick, short strokes of the oars are all you need to straighten the boat. Make sure to balance the frame on the pontoons as well. Balancing the frame keeps the boat from riding too high in the front and submerging the back of the boat. This also keeps the boat from plowing the water when you oar by having too much weight toward the front. Pontoon boats offer an affordable way to enjoy overlooked stream fishing opportunities in Kentucky. Use them in the right way and you’ll have years of fun and land hundreds of fish. Plus, they burn no gasoline in the process.
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 18, 2011 21:15:57 GMT -5
Applications Now Being Taken For Hunts At Blue Grass Army Depot Near Richmond Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release FRANKFORT, Ky. – Applications are now being taken for quota hunts at the 15,000-acre Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond. In addition to hunts for deer, dove and turkey, depot officials are adding waterfowl and rabbit hunting this year. The application deadline for mentor and adult hunts for dove is June 30. The deadline to apply for all other hunts is July 31. The depot is no longer accepting mailed paper applications. Anyone who wishes to apply for a hunt must do so online at: webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/bluegrassrectrac.html or search the Internet under the keywords, “Blue Grass Army Depot morale and recreation activities.” Hunters must create an online account to apply. Application fees are $10 for the first hunt and $2 for each additional hunt, payable online only. Hunts offered at the depot include a dove mentor hunt on Sept. 3; an all-ages dove hunt on Sept.17; deer hunts on Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3; and turkey hunts in October, December and April, among others. Depot officials will also offer several youth hunts for dove, deer, turkey and rabbit. The area is managed for trophy deer, with a 15-inch minimum width restriction for bucks. For more information, visit the depot’s website or call (859) 779-6464
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 30, 2011 18:57:20 GMT -5
Enjoy Close Encounters With Snakes, Turtles And Frogs At The Salato Wildlife Education Center July 16 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort will host its tenth annual Herpetology House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Saturday, July 16. This kid-friendly event lets families gain an up close and personal look at a variety of snakes, frogs and other critters. The Herpetology House is free to the public. Many of Kentucky’s fascinating reptiles and amphibians will be on display throughout the day with activities for the whole family. Kids can go through “A Pond Turtle’s Life” obstacle course and people of all ages can learn more about turtles at the Terrapin Station. Experts will also be on hand to give presentations and answer questions about Kentucky’s crawling, slithering critters. Last year’s Herpetology House featured more than 60 species. For more information, call 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4445. Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center is operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The campus is located at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters on U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Salato Center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.
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Post by Local Sports on Jun 30, 2011 20:30:47 GMT -5
Two Convicted In Separate Cases Of Illegally Importing Wild Pigs Into Kentucky Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Florida man pleaded guilty last week to three counts of illegally importing and possessing wild pigs in Kentucky. State law prohibits persons from possessing and importing wild pigs, or releasing them to run free. Teddy Wilburn King, 55, of Old Town, Florida, paid $300 in fines plus court costs for bringing wild pigs into Kentucky from Florida. King, who was originally charged on June 16, made his plea a week later in McCreary County District Court. Conservation Officer Travis Neal initiated the case after a McCreary County resident killed an escaped pig and alerted Neal to the presence of the animals. King’s conviction followed a similar conviction last April. In that case, Bryan Currey, 46, of Elkton, Kentucky, was convicted of bringing about a dozen wild pigs into the state from Tennessee. Currey, who was charged on January 7, intended to sell the wild pigs to hunters. He pleaded guilty in Marshall County District Court to one count of illegal importation of wild pigs. He received a $300 fine and was ordered to pay court costs plus $250 in restitution to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Wild pigs have been established in relatively low numbers in a handful of Kentucky counties for almost a decade. The numbers have escalated in recent years – department officials have documented the presence of wild pigs in 44 counties, including central Kentucky. “In 2009, we had confirmed wild pigs in 23 Kentucky counties, so their expansion has been dramatic,” said Wildlife Division Program coordinator Steven Dobey. “Unfortunately, our research has revealed that this rapid expansion is often the result of illegal releases by people hoping to manufacture hunting opportunities.” While the opportunity to hunt wild pigs is often glamorized by the media, the negative consequences associated with these non-native animals far outweigh any benefits. Wild pigs are an incredibly destructive species, both for wildlife and farmers. “Their presence is particularly disturbing because wild pigs carry a host of diseases that can infect livestock, pets and even people,” said Dobey. “They have incredible reproductive rates. They destroy habitats. They simply out-compete native wildlife - especially deer and turkey - for food.” The department is committed to preventing wild pigs from becoming further established and severely altering the landscape for the state’s native wildlife. The public is urged to contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 during weekday working hours to report any sightings, hunter kills, or releases of wild pigs.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 8, 2011 20:38:07 GMT -5
Bowhunter Education Program Meeting The Needs Of Kentucky Archers Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Bowhunter education is not mandatory here, but it’s likely that more Kentuckians who hunt with archery equipment will want to take the course in the future. “Our focus is on offering more opportunities for certification,” said Bobby McKee, state bowhunting education coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Each year in Kentucky, hundreds of thousands of boys and girls are involved in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), which teaches target archery in physical education class. Many schools have teams that compete in local, district and state tournaments. Later this summer, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will unveil plans for activities as part of a new pilot program called Explore Bowhunting. This program was created by the Archery Trade Association to introduce 11- to 17-year-old students to archery hunting. “Right now, we’re training instructors,” said Katie Koontz, Explore Bowhunting coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We’re going to encourage everyone to take a hunter education course as their next step after leaving our program.” For more information about the new program or to sign up as a volunteer instructor, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website fw.ky.gov. Click on the Explore Bowhunting link on the homepage. One of the main goals of the program is to bolster declining hunter numbers by persuading some of the boys and girls who participated in these youth archery programs to take up bowhunting. “In every bowhunter education course, I ask if we have any NASP graduates,” said McKee. “And usually we do.” Bill Balda, hunter education supervisor for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said he hopes that new hunters “will take the hunter education course first and get their orange card, then take a four-hour add-on course which includes the field work needed to gain bowhunter education certification.” The bowhunter education course can also be taken online through the website of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF). The link is: www.bowhunter-ed.com/Kentucky“There’s no cost to study, but after you pass the online course there’s a $30 fee paid to NBEF,” said McKee. “Be sure to print out the field day qualifier certificate.” Everyone who passes the bowhunter education course, either online or in a class taught by an instructor, must participate in a field day to gain certification. “The students shoot different types of bows, estimate shooting distances, climb treestands, learn about proper arrow placement and game tracking skills and familiarize themselves with all the equipment used in bowhunting,” said Balda. Archers can take the course in Kentucky and hunt in a state where bowhunter education certification is mandatory. Certification in one state is honored by all the other states in the U.S. and the 10 provinces of Canada. “A bowhunter education course may be taken in all 50 states and about 12 foreign countries, and is mandatory in 11 states,” said Marilyn Bentz, executive director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. “Other states require bowhunter certification if hunting on special areas such as urban hunts or on state or federal lands. As always, it is wise to check your state and local regulations.” In Kentucky, persons hunting strictly with archery equipment may carry a bowhunter education certification card in lieu of the hunter education orange card. Some topics addressed in the bowhunter education course include: hunter ethics and responsibilities, the field care of game, wildlife conservation, identifying wildlife species, archery equipment and set-up for hunting, effective shooting distances and treestand safety. For information on where to take a bowhunter education course in Kentucky, visit the department’s website at: fw.ky.gov Click on Education and Outdoor Activities on the homepage and follow the links.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 15, 2011 7:27:45 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Cumberland River Still Great Trout Fishery
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Monsoon rains this past spring pushed Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Nolin River Lake, Rough River Lake, Cave Run Lake and Taylorsville Lake to water levels never before witnessed. Water flowed over the emergency flood spillway at Rough River Lake for the first time. Lake Cumberland rose quickly as well, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release a great deal of water through Wolf Creek Dam, creating strong currents in the Cumberland River below it. The high water created miserable fishing conditions, but now the Cumberland River is rounding into great fishing shape. “It is definitely a good time to fish the Cumberland tailwater,” said Dave Dreves, fisheries research biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The water levels right now are decent for boating. You can put in at the dam and make a long run. You can certainly get everywhere you want in an average sized fishing boat, but be careful in the shallow areas and shoals.” Due to ongoing repairs on Wolf Creek Dam, the Corps must keep the Lake Cumberland 40 feet lower than normal summer pool. Once the lake reaches that level, they only release enough water to keep the water temperatures cool enough to support the world class trout fishery in Cumberland River. “They should shut off this flow relatively soon and go to releasing a minimal amount of water,” said Dreves, who oversees the fisheries management of Cumberland River. “That will create good wading conditions for fishing.” Few better ways exist to escape the summer heat than wading the Cumberland River early on a mid-summer morning, casting to rising trout. However, the low summer flows in the river are a double-edged sword. Low water in both Lake Cumberland and Cumberland River created uncomfortable summer and early fall water temperatures for trout over the past several years. The bountiful rainfall this spring helped. “The condition of the water this year in the river is closer to normal compared to the past several years,” explained Dreves. “We saw a noticeable improvement in the condition of the trout this year. This should help with growth.” Cumberland River still produces excellent fishing, although size and growth diminished slightly from stress created by warm water temperatures over the last couple of summers. “The numbers of trout are good,” said Ron Brooks, director of fisheries for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “I think there are plenty of fish.” Brooks recently fished the river and caught many trout. “Some of those trout went nuts,” he said. “They acted like tarpon. I saw people using spinning gear and doing well.” Anglers using spinning gear should catch rainbow trout with small in-line spinners and sthingys fished over flowing shoals. Spinning anglers after brown trout should target pockets near woody cover and deeper rocky banks with small suspending jerkbaits worked erratically. “A lot of the same places you fish when the water is low are still good,” Dreves explained. “Shoals such as those around Helm’s Landing and Rainbow Run still hold trout; they just have two more feet of water on them. Try and figure out what they are hitting that day.” Dreves said fly anglers should cast nymphs and streamers right now, but vary their retrieves to find what works. “The trout may like it stripped really fast just under the surface or a slow dead drift,” Dreves said. “Usually, a faster retrieve works best when the water is low and clear. Right now with decent flow, slower is better.” Anglers fishing Cumberland River also have a healthy chance to set a new state record. The fisheries division stocked about 12,000 brook trout in the Cumberland River earlier this year, giving anglers a chance to break the 15-inch long, 1-pound, 5-ounce brook trout state record. Louisville’s R. James Augustus caught the record fish from Martin’s Fork in 1982. “As soon as the brookies get to the 15-inch minimum size limit, they’ll have a potential state record,” Dreves said. “It could happen soon.” This hot July is the perfect time to get to the Cumberland River and enjoy the cool water and excellent trout fishing. You may even set a new state record in the process.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 15, 2011 7:46:06 GMT -5
Conservation Officer Jerrod Alley Selected Southern Region Boating Officer Of The Year Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release Jerrod Alley
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Conservation Officer Jerrod Alley of Monticello has been selected as the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ Southern Region Boating Officer of the Year. Alley, a six-year veteran of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, was selected by the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association. Alley’s jurisdiction includes Lake Cumberland. “Officer Alley is a role model who exemplifies service to the public,” said Maj. Paul Teague, acting law enforcement division director for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “He helps keep Kentucky’s waterways safer.” Alley has participated in or organized various boating safety events in his community; personally responded to 14 boater-assist requests including missing boater calls; participated in the strengthening of partnerships in his area and cited 106 violations under the boating safety grant. Most notably, Alley has been key in responding to several life-threatening calls. These include rescuing two people from the water after responding to an overturned vessel call, as well as rescuing five people from the shoreline and water after that vessel had sunk. On a separate occasion, he rescued two adults and two children from a sinking vessel after responding to a stranded vessel call. The Boating Officer of the Year Award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States, according to National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The selection process for this award began in March, with each state’s boating law administrator soliciting nominations for the state-level boating law enforcement officer of the year. Each officer selected received consideration for a regional title. Three regional winners are considered for national officer of the year. The national officer of the year will be named Sept. 12, during the group’s annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information on the Boating Officer of the Year Award, please visit www.nasbla.org.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 15, 2011 8:03:48 GMT -5
Dale Hollow Lake Boat Ramp Renamed For Angler Who Caught World Record Smallmouth Bass Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – On the morning of July 9, 1955, angler David L. Hayes of Leitchfield began a trolling run in the Phillip’s Bend area of Dale Hollow Lake. After Hayes cleared a point near what is now Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, the biggest smallmouth bass ever caught by an angler struck his pearl-colored Bomber 600 lure. The 27-inch long smallmouth bass that Hayes reeled in from the Kentucky side of the lake that day weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces. It remains the all-tackle world record. To commemorate this legendary catch, the auxiliary boat ramp at Dale Hollow State Resort Park Marina was recently renamed the David L. Hayes Boat Ramp. The sign marking the ramp includes a life-sized image of the record fish. “Now anglers that launch or take out their boats at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park can compare their trophy catches to the world record,” said Chad Miles, administrative coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The ramp dedication was a collaborative effort of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Kentucky Department of Parks and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Art collectors also have the rare opportunity to purchase a copy of the Hayes smallmouth bass painted by nationally recognized wildlife artist Rick Hill. The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation is offering 100 prints individually signed and numbered by Hill. Proceeds from the sale will benefit conservation education efforts across Kentucky. The painting depicts the life-sized fish. A print signed by Hill and Hayes now hangs in the lobby of the Mary Oaken Lodge at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 21, 2011 23:42:07 GMT -5
Gayheart Faces Federal And State Charges For Illegal Trafficking In Bobcats, Hawks Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Breathitt County man was arraigned in federal court earlier this week on four felony charges alleging violations of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Danny Gayheart, 32, of Noctor, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday, July 18. The charges were filed May 5 in a federal indictment, following a 17-month undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. According to the federal indictment, in March of this year, Gayheart tried to sell a red-tailed hawk, a federally protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. State conservation officers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents arrested Gayheart on Wednesday, July 6. His trial on the federal charges is set for Sept. 20 in U.S. District Court in Lexington. Kentucky conservation officers also charged Gayheart with 46 violations of state wildlife law. Kentucky conservation officers allege that Gayheart illegally sold seven live bobcats and three live red-tailed hawks to undercover officers, beginning in February 2010. State conservation officers said they purchased fox and coyote carcasses from Gayheart as well. State conservation officers Rufus Cravens and Sgt. David Marques joined state undercover officers and special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in making the arrest. Gayheart is scheduled for arraignment on the state charges July 25 in Clark District Court.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 21, 2011 23:46:55 GMT -5
Squirrel season kicks off fall hunting season on August 20 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The first fall hunting season in Kentucky opens in less than a month. Here are some highlights of what’s to come: The 2011-2012 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide is being printed and will be mailed to license vendors statewide next week. The 66-page guide is free, and details the season dates, bag limits and regulations for deer, elk, bear, turkey, small game and furbearers. There’s also information on licensing, youth hunting, hunter education requirements and quota hunts. This year, hunters may apply online for the special hunts for deer, pheasant and other upland bird hunts on state wildlife management areas. Hunters and trappers can also find out about public lands and read a summary of regulations for each area. Some items in the 2011-2012 Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide include regulations for the new Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. You can also see the changes to the elk seasons and an earlier opening day for bear season. You can read a printable version of the 2011-12 Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide online at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website at fw.ky.gov. Kentucky’s squirrel season kicks off the calendar of fall hunting seasons on Aug. 20, and the outlook is excellent. “Last fall we had a really good mast (nut) crop, particularly the red and white oak groups, with the hickories close behind,” said Ben Robinson, small game biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “There was abundant food and females were in good condition going into breeding. Usually that equates to more young being produced.” The first of two statewide fall squirrel seasons continues through Nov. 11. The season opens again Nov. 14 and runs through Feb. 29, 2012. The September Canada goose season increased from nine to 15 days for the 2011 season. This season opens Sept. 1 and closes Sept. 15. Fifteen days are the most allowed within Federal season framework. In another change for early migratory bird hunting for 2011, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission modified the American woodcock season by moving it later in the year during the peak of the bird’s migration. The American woodcock season opens Nov. 1 and closes Dec. 15. The season opened in mid-October last year. Kentucky dove hunters will enjoy expanded opportunities this season. Well over 50 public dove fields located across the state give dove hunters productive places to go. These fields, located on both wildlife management areas and private land, are a significant increase in number from last season. A complete list may be found in the 2011-2012 Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove, Wood Duck, Teal, Woodcock, Snipe and Crow, available in early August wherever hunting licenses are sold. Keep these changes in mind as you make preparations for this fall’s hunting seasons. The first hunting season is just a month away.
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Post by Local Sports on Jul 28, 2011 17:43:02 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Blue Water Trails – Tygarts Creek Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Moving water throughout the millennia left an indelible mark on Carter County, Kentucky. Water flowing through the ground melted the porous limestone bedrock prior to the creation of the Ohio River, creating a series of labyrinthine caves. The most scenic and unique of these are now contained within the boundaries of Carter Caves State Resort Park. Through time, flowing water cut down into the bedrock and created the spectacular Tygarts Creek Gorge, rivaling anything found in Kentucky. The sheer slate gray bluffs of the gorge that rise straight from the banks and tower above you, the mild rapids and blue-green water draw paddlers to Tygarts Creek from all over Kentucky and surrounding states. Two floats showcase the Tygarts Creek Gorge. These floats are suitable for beginners and families at normal water levels, but grow more challenging at higher water. The first float begins in downtown Olive Hill at the Tygarts Creek Rail Trail Park, adjacent to the KY 986 (Cross St.) bridge over the creek. The launch and parking area are on the right just before the bridge on Cross St. The take-out is at the KY 182 bridge at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Take U.S. 60 north out of Olive Hill to a left on KY 182. The parking area lies on the right just before you reach the bridge and entrance to the park. This 12.5 mile section flows low and skinny at this time of year. Water levels of less than 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) make this section a challenge to complete in a day. Check the flows for Tygarts Creek on the U.S. Geological Survey website at www.waterdata.usgs.gov. Plan on launching just after dawn and arriving at the take-out at dusk. Expect to carry your boat over shallow riffles and shoals in summer on this float. The smart paddler would quickly burn the first 6 miles of water till they reach the I-64 bridge, so they may enjoy the incredible views of the Tygarts Creek Gorge that begin shortly after the bridge. At water levels above 300 cfs, this float increases in difficultly, with several borderline Class II rapids. Also, strong current carries you into the many beautiful bluffs with overhanging rocks, so be mindful you don’t crack your head against one while awing the scenery. Toward the end of this float, you will take a hard, tight left hand turn with very high bluffs, followed by Smoky Creek entering on your left (looking downstream) followed by another hard left with tall bluffs. You are floating around the geologic formation known as the Devil’s Backbone. The take-out at KY 182 bridge lies just downstream. Look for a set of wooden steps cut into the bank on the left about 150 yards upstream of the bridge. The next float begins at the KY 182 bridge and concludes at the KY 7 bridge at Iron Hill, Kentucky. Tygarts Creek exits the gorge about half way through this 9.5 mile section, but this float, with its deep long pools and wider breadth, makes the best bet for summer floating at low water levels. At the end of this float is the KY 7 bridge, quickly followed by the AA Highway bridge. The take-out is on the right just past the KY 7 bridge. If you float to the modern large bridge for the AA Highway, you’ve missed the take-out. You can dramatically shorten the shuttle time from KY 182 to Iron Hill by taking Sutton Road just north of the entrance to Carter Caves State Resort Park on the right. This extremely rural road turns to gravel and crosses a creek, requiring a truck or other high clearance vehicle. After crossing the creek, turn right and drive a short distance to KY 7. A right turn brings you into Iron Hill. Tygarts Creek, along with the nearby Little Sandy River and Kinniconick Creek, form three legendary native Kentucky muskellunge streams. Long before the construction of Cave Run Lake or Buckhorn Lake, the muskellunge fishing in these streams spawned a regional reputation for excellence. The creek still holds quality muskellunge today. The old time anglers on these streams believed July and August are the two toughest months to fish for muskellunge. The first and last few hours of the day are the best times to try and raise a muskellunge in August, but floating Tygarts Creek from mid-September through November is the better option. Once the water cools from the summer heat, muskellunge grow more active and show interest in lures cast near their woody lairs. Past population studies show muskellunge prefer brush and fallen trees to all other habitats on Tygarts Creek. Bass-sized crankbaits with hues of gold or chartreuse mimic the golden redhorse and spotted suckers that muskellunge gorge on when the opportunity arises. A 6-inch soft plastic swimbait rigged on a ¼-ounce leadhead in similar colors also works. A large in-line spinner dressed with bucktail is an old-time lure that still works for stream muskellunge when cast near a fallen tree top or sunken log. The long, slower pools in Tygarts Creek downstream of the KY 182 bridge are ideal habitat for spotted or Kentucky bass. Like muskellunge, spotted bass lurk in brush, fallen tree tops or under sunken logs. They crush 4-inch black finesse worms rigged on 1/8-ounce leadheads worked thoroughly in these areas. Spotted bass also hit 3-inch black curly-tailed grubs, black in-line spinners and small shad-colored crankbaits. Smallmouth bass abound in Tygarts Creek, especially in the section upstream of the KY 182 bridge. Concentrate your efforts for smallmouth in the areas above and below riffles. They lie in wait in the seams where swift current meets slower. The same 3-inch black curly-tailed grub that works for spotted bass also draws smallmouth bass when worked in these current seams. A 4-inch motor-oil double-tailed skirted grub rigged on a 3/16-ounce standup leadhead is a deadly lure for smallmouth on Tygarts Creek. Let this lure flow down the current seams or where swift water flows over small boulders. As we get into August and September, chrome or bone-colored cigar-shaped topwaters designed for the “walk the dog” retrieve draw vicious hits from smallmouth. These lures work best in the slack water behind boulders or in the eddy areas downstream of riffles. In addition to floating and fishing, the Tygarts Creek Gorge area offers scenic hiking and tours of Cascade and X Caves in Carter Caves State Resort Park. Cascade Cave, one of the largest of the over 200 caves in Carter County, features a 30-foot underground waterfall and a reflecting pool. The X Cave holds unique formations such as Giant Turkey, the Pipe Organ and the Giant Chandelier. Contact the Welcome Center at Carter Caves State Resort Park for tickets to the cave tours. Carter Caves State Resort Park offers accommodations at the Lewis Caveland Lodge and also cottages for rent. The Tierney Cavern Restaurant inside Lewis Caveland Lodge provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. The park also offers seasonal canoe floats through the Tygarts Creek Gorge. The Blue Water Trails series supports Gov. Steve Beshear’s Adventure Tourism Initiative. Log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Blue Water Trails webpage at fw.ky.gov for a detailed map.
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Post by Local Sports on Aug 2, 2011 18:49:57 GMT -5
Mentor-Youth Dove Hunt Sign-ups Begin August 8 Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Registration for Kentucky’s five mentor-youth dove hunts begin Monday, August 8. Each year, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conducts special hunts for adults wishing to introduce dove hunting to youth. The department, which holds these popular hunts during the first Saturday of the season, limits the number of participants to avoid overcrowding. Hunters interested in reserving a space for these hunts must register by calling the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 1-800-858-1549 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Limited spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is open through Aug. 22, or whenever all the slots are filled. Mentor-youth hunts are conducted on Sept. 3; dove season opens statewide Sept. 1. The mentor-youth dove hunts lend an opportunity for adults to introduce youth aged 15 years and under to dove hunting. Each adult may take two youths. Hunter education and licensing requirements apply to those participating in these hunts. Hunting hours run from 2 to 7 p.m. (local time) on Sept. 3. Hunters must be out of the field by 7:30 p.m. Hunting groups must check in prior to hunting and check out prior to leaving the field with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff members. All mentor-youth dove fields are closed to hunting Sept. 1-2. Mentor-youth fields located on private land open to general hunting on Labor Day, Sept. 5. These fields then close to all hunting Sept. 6-9; they reopen to general hunting Sept. 10 through Oct. 24. Mentor-youth fields located on wildlife management areas open to general hunting Sept. 4 through Oct. 24. For more information on the mentor-youth dove hunts, consult the 2011 Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove, Wood Duck, Teal, Woodcock, Snipe and Crow. This guide is available on the Internet at fw.ky.gov and also soon available in booklet form wherever hunting licenses are sold. This year’s mentor-youth dove fields include: Breathitt County
Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Field is 11 acres. Directions: From Hazard, go 7 miles east on KY 80, then west on KY 476 for 14 miles. Turn right onto Little Buckhorn Road, go one mile to entrance on the right. Park at elk viewing area lot. Lincoln County
Field is 30 acres. Directions: From Stanford, take U.S. 150 southeast for 6 miles to Cedar Creek Lake. After crossing Cedar Creek Lake dam on U.S. 150, turn left onto Sportsman’s Lane for 0.3 miles to parking area at Cedar Creek Sportsman’s Club.
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Post by Local Sports on Aug 4, 2011 16:56:21 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors Squirrel Season Is First Hunting Season Of The Fall
The first hunting season of the fall opens in about two weeks. Kentucky’s fall squirrel season, a 192-day split season that kicks off the calendar of fall hunting, opens on Aug. 20 and continues through Nov. 11. The season opens again Nov. 14 and runs through Feb. 29, 2012. The daily bag limit is six squirrels. Ben Robinson, small game biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said the outlook for the season is excellent. “Last fall we had a really good mast (nut) crop, particularly the red and white oak groups, with the hickories close behind,” said Robinson. “There was lots of food and females were in good condition going into breeding. There should be lots of young squirrels this fall.” The Kentucky Division of Forestry reported on its website that 47 percent of Kentucky is forested, some 11.9 million acres. An estimated 65 percent of Kentucky forests are composed of saw timber. Since 1988, the acreage of stands of these harvestable, mature trees, has increased by 6 percent. Across most of Kentucky, oak and hickory woodlands are the dominate forest type. The department’s annual mast survey began in 1953 and evaluates the crop of nuts produced by hickory, white and red oak and beech trees. These nuts are the most important foods for Kentucky’s forest wildlife – squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and bear. Biologists walk the same route every year and estimate the year’s mast crop, based on what they observe. Hickory nuts begin to mature in August and acorns and beechnuts in September and October. Weather extremes, such as late frosts and heavy rains in spring along with summer droughts, can limit the amount and quality of mast. “What we’ve been hearing is there’s another strong crop of acorns and hickory nuts, and walnuts, where these trees are available,” said John Morgan, small game program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “Due to the excellent growing season there are also vigorous crops of soft mast (berries and seeds).” The Squirrel Hunting Cooperator Survey, which started in 1995, supplies information that biologists use to monitor squirrel population trends in Kentucky. Hunters simply record information about their hunts as the season progresses. This includes the county hunted, hours afield, number and species of squirrels seen and harvested, number of hunters in the party and the number of dogs used to find squirrels. “The use of squirrel dogs continues to grow,” said Morgan. “It’s a great way to get back into squirrel hunting.” When hunters are finished hunting for the season, they simply mail in their survey. Postage paid forms are available on request by calling 1-800-858-1549. Logs must be sent to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife no later than May 31, 2012. Each year, after the survey information is compiled and analyzed, a report is mailed out to squirrel hunters who shared the details of their hunting activities from the previous season. They also receive a new hunting log and a hunting ball cap for participating. After a hot summer, hunters look forward to getting into the woods again. Squirrel season is the perfect opportunity.
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Post by Local Sports on Aug 9, 2011 17:41:43 GMT -5
Pre-registration Now Available Online For September And October Hunter Education Courses Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife News Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Obtaining a hunter education course completion card for yourself or a youth in your family is easy to overlook until it is too late for the start of hunting seasons. Hunter education courses are not required for children under the age of 12, although a child must be at least 9 years old to take the course. Those required to have a hunting license and born on or after Jan. 1, 1975 must carry a hunter education course completion card while hunting any species. This applies to Kentucky resident and non-resident hunters. Hunters may obtain a one-time temporary hunter education exemption permit, but it is good only for one year from the date of purchase. A hunter education course completion card is good for a lifetime. Hunter education courses are spread over 2-3 days. Training concludes with live range work. Online pre-registration is now available for hunter education courses in September and October, the two busiest months of the year. Pre-registration will help hunter education instructors anticipate the number of participants in these courses earlier. The instructors will also have contact information in case of an emergency course change or cancellation. To pre-register for a course, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ homepage at fw.ky.gov and select the “Education and Outdoor Activities” tab. Click the the “Hunter Education” tab followed by “Hunter Education Class Schedule.” After selecting a course, the information page comes up and you’ll see a “Register online” link in blue. Hunter education courses are offered across Kentucky all year long. Those without computer access can call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for more information weekdays at 1-800-858-1549. A temporary hunter education exemption permit is available to all hunters for a fee of $5.The exemption permit is good for one year only and cannot be renewed. The permit is available online at the department’s website.
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Post by Local Sports on Aug 11, 2011 16:45:05 GMT -5
Kentucky Afield Outdoors:Dove Season Outlook Promising For September 1 Opener FRANKFORT, Ky. – I remember the thrill the first time my neighbor, Mr. Goff, let me go along with the older boys on an early season dove hunt in the country around Bloomfield, Kentucky. We rode in the back of his white Chevy step-side pickup on the country roads of Nelson County as we made our way to the field. Excitement flushed through us, the sounds of tall grass brushing the underside of the truck bed meant we were almost there. I can still see his left arm sticking out the truck window holding onto a pipe with chunks missing from the mouthpiece from too much contact with too many teeth over too many years. He didn’t let me hunt the first couple times. I had to watch my brother and the older boys hunt from the cab of his parked truck. I beat back the boredom by furtively pushing in the clutch and running through the three gears on the steering column, pretending to drive. I eventually graduated into helping hunters look for downed birds, then finally he let me hunt after I got my hunter education card at Camp Currie. Mr. Goff wielded an old Fox side-by-side 12-gauge and never missed. I still marvel in my mind’s eye at his wingshooting skill and wished I could hit them like he could. Those memories lay heavy on the mind with the Sept. 1 dove season opener just around the corner. It’s a special time in Kentucky and this September will birth a new generation of dove hunters. The outlook for the 2011 dove season is optimistic. “We should have a good dove season,” said Rocky Pritchert, migratory bird coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “There seems to be a lot of doves around the state.” The heavy rains this past spring brought widely variable field conditions across Kentucky. Scouting a potential field now pays dividends with better hunting in September. “The amount and timing of the spring rain impacted field planting,” Pritchert explained. “Some fields are in excellent shape and some fields had to be planted later.” Kentucky hunters will have more places to dove hunt this fall as the number of private dove fields enrolled in the Cooperative Dove Field Program more than doubled this year. These fields in combination with public fields on wildlife management areas give Kentucky hunters more than 50 dove fields to enjoy across the state. “There should be more fields next year,” Pritchert said. “We had 10 or so that couldn’t get a crop in from the weather, so they had to pull out of the program.” My brother and I were lucky that Mr. Goff had access to good fields to teach us dove hunting. Kentucky adults who want to introduce a youth to quality dove hunting have the Mentor/Youth hunts on Sept. 3. A mentor may take up to two youths hunting and are assigned a shooting location. Both the mentor and youth may hunt, but each shooting location is limited to two shotguns and two daily limits of 15 birds. Slots are still available and you may reserve one by calling 1-800-858-1549 before Aug. 22. The wet spring means fields sown in sunflowers, millet or other grains offer better early season hunting than fields grown for silage. “By mid-September, farmers will begin cutting silage,” Pritchert said. “The heavy spring rains could extend good hunting opportunities later in the season than usual.” For early season dove hunting, refrain from using too much choke. A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with number 7 ½ or 8 shotshells will bag plenty of birds. After the first few weeks of the season, birds grow weary and fly high and fast. A modified choke will suffice for the mid season. A full choke should only be used for the long pass shots needed in late season hunting. Keep checking the fields you hunted in early September. They may seem hunted out, but as hunters lose interest after the first couple of weeks of the season, those fields may get hot again. “Fields that seem shot out often get new birds migrating in from the north,” Pritchert said. “While you may not see waves of birds, you often get a steady enough stream of birds for good hunting.” Pritchert recommends full-body camouflage clothing and placing dove decoys in and near the field for better late season hunting. “They grow increasingly wary as the season progresses, especially the birds migrating in from the north,” he said. “Decoys can really help later in the year.” A dove hunter must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license and either a Kentucky migratory bird or waterfowl permit. Those who plan to hunt both doves and waterfowl should buy the Kentucky waterfowl permit. The resident Sportsman’s License includes all licenses and permits needed for dove hunting. For more information on dove hunting and available public fields, consult the 2011-2012 Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove, Wood Duck, Teal, Woodcock, Snipe and Crow available wherever hunting licenses are sold. You may request a copy by calling 1-800-858-1549 or print one from the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage at fw.ky.gov.
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