Everything in my body at that moment wanted to give up, he says. However, deer can overpopulate an area if their numbers are not kept in check. Read the full . Then he went out and tagged the biggest buck of his life last month. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Mooney seized the opportunity. Furthermore, the herd has the potential to support the harvest of over 130,000 deer per year. Kentucky is one of only a few states in the country where you can hunt from your own home without first obtaining permission from the land owner. Published Oct 22, 2014 8:32 PM EDT. "But your secret spot is safe because the Club will not publicly list anything more specific than the county.". The permit system is simple and straightforward to use, and there are no special requirements other than a hunting license to obtain one. In Kentucky, deer hunting is regulated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Derek Settle, a hunter from Kentucky, alone hunted a monster buck that will go down in hunting history as the largest buck ever taken in the state, and it was no easy feat. So how can Kentucky keep cranking out Pope & Young bucks? "While continued slow growth in deer numbers in Appalachian Kentucky should lead to even more trophy entries being taken from the poor deer habitat in the eastern third of the state, our west-central counties should continue to be tried-and-true producers of trophy bucks into the foreseeable future.". Either way, the numbers certainly show that whitetails in the Bluegrass are alive and well -- and plentiful. "The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. He thought it probably had a 14 or 16 point rack. Counties in the Northeast Region continue to be generally managed under a four-deer season limit. EDITORS NOTE: When the photos of this deer were first sent to us by the hunter, Derek Settle, our immediate gut check was: This is a high-fence deer. New Mexico State Big Game Records. During the 2006 deer season, Kentucky whitetail hunters returned with a bang to post a near-record harvest of 122,233 animals -- just shy of being 10,000 more than the previous season. The best chances of winning a trophy buck are in Pendleton, Garrard, Boone, and Henry. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. About Us Contact Us With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. Unregulated hunting nearly drove the states deer population to extinction. Since 2000, Hart County has emerged as the top producer of trophy deer. Harvest Comparison by Year. In the Species search bar, select typical whitetail deer and non-typical whitetail deer. Tim Young remembers, "Man, he looked big." Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Advertisement. solo hunt on his property, By Perhaps it's more of an "opportunity" area or maybe there are other factors, such as invasive weeds or prolonged drought. Would really appreciate it. That was four years ago. If you want to allow public hunting on your property, you should apply for a hunting permit. "your secret spot is safe because the Club will not publicly list anything more specific than the county. If you're not satisfied, talk to your fish and game managers to learn more. The deer population has increased naturally, and the hunting opportunities provided by these counties have increased as well. Last season, three counties came on strong and made the cut -- although interestingly, the county wasn't one of the three in 2005. Id like to dedicate this deer to him and his memory. This remarkable deer has at least 57 Scorable Points and a rough score of 28 7/8 inches B&C, according to Settle. If your favorite hunting area close to home is within a county that isnt producing big animals, at least you can temper your expectations. Perhaps one of the most significant reasons for Kentuckys big bucks involves the age of the animals. While over the last 20 years we've seen our trophy whitetail production become more evenly distributed across the state, the west-central portion east of Land Between The Lakes and west of I-65 remains our most consistent yielder of trophy contenders. Hunting for elk is one of the most popular game animals in the state, and you must have a special tag to participate. About 300 yards away, in the corner of a soybean field south of me, the light shined on his rack right when I was looking that way. The shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. The next step is to investigate that states hunting regulations, unit breakdowns and tag options available for that area. What keeps us going? "First, by capturing images of older and/or larger-antlered bucks in an area, they encourage local hunters to pass up younger/lesser animals. The Allen County Recorder of Deeds, located in Scottsville, Kentucky is a centralized office where public records are recorded, indexed, and stored in Allen County, KY. His sons took some good deer as well. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. This past weekend hunters harvested 2,603 more deer on the opening weekend of gun season than they did in 2020. Before heading out, be sure to check the zone regulations and make sure you have the proper licenses and permits. Every county in Kentucky produces trophy Whitetails on a regular basis, and the number of trophy Whitetails grows each year. The department sets the dates and times for deer hunting, as well as the areas where hunting is allowed. Since 2010, the hottest counties for P&Y entries (white stars on map) have continued to reflect that broad pattern. He turned his head in my direction and turned it back straight. Statistics for Boone, Shelby, Owen and Gallatin counties are right at or above the 12-deer-per-square-mile mark, while Anderson, Campbell, Spencer, Henry and Pendleton all offer nine to 10 deer per square mile. The property hunted wellreally well. Pat Hogan discusses the use of an AR rifle as a whitetail hunting option. By the time Powers took his record deer, hunting had become a realistic pursuit all over the state. It's interesting to note that of the 20 counties with the highest density of deer per square mile from last year, only one county within that list changed for this year. Since 1958, more than 600 of Kentucky's white-tailed deer have made the record books for their trophy-sized antlers and been listed in the Boone and Crockett Club, which tracks and scores big game animals. 4,069 Deer Bagged In Owen County During 2013 Season. Mooney chose a staging area along a ridge, with a small rise in the terrain between him and the bedding area 50 yards away. Settles biological father, Terry, passed away earlier this year. Then, they write articles and tell their clients about the hotspots. This buck had been hunted hard by multiple hunters, and nearly every one of them showed up at Mooneys house that night to admire the buck. Hows this for a year of accomplishments? In 2014 Justin Mooney, of Dixon, Kentucky, has taken first place in an Archery Shooters Association state tournament, finished in the top 10 at a national ASA tournament, and celebrated the birth of his first child. You get really excited, because thats what youre there for, Mooney says. In addition to the Purchase Region, Blue Grass was the only area besides the Purchase Region with a high bag total of more than 3,000 bucks. Select a kill date range from 1830 to 2021. Jul 13, 2016 #5 L. littleboots 6 pointer. Theres plenty of food for them to eat. "Upload a Photo" below to get started and put in as much information as you want to be published with your photo. Once again, Bracken County is tops in the Northeast in terms of highest deer density, holding 7.66 deer per square mile. Land owners are not required by law to allow hunters to retrieve game or dogs from their property, so be sure to ask before you go hunting. Last year, Kentucky hunters harvested 21,233 deer on Saturday and 8,553 deer on Sunday of opening weekend, for a total of 29,786. To take more than four deer, a deer permit must be purchased in addition to the four deer permitted per individual. It was red deer, not whitetails, that were the focus of Kentuckys first legal deer hunt since before World War I in January 1946, a deer hunt that emphasized red deer rather than whitetails. Every 5,000 acres enrolled in Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the agency will issue one permit. Animal populations change because of predation, weather, management and numerous other variables, so hunters should look at the previous five, sometimes 10, years-worth of data for a particular category. In terms of trophy buck hunters, Kentucky is currently ranked 10th in the country. This permit can be used throughout the entire hunting season, regardless of whether the permit is used or not. The Bluegrass Region is where hunters will find the most generally liberal gun-hunting season. Bowhunting is just one of those things that I used to love when I was growing up, Settle adds. It was a solid season from start to finish, said Noelle Thompson, deer program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Zone 2 is located in the eastern part of the state, and includes all of the counties east of a line running from Calloway County down to Pulaski County. one lone county topped the 1,000 deer-per-county harvest minimum we use to help determine the better places to find numbers of whitetails. I stopped a bunch to try to check him out and calm myself down. I made a wonderful shot, a double-lung shot.. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Deer Harvest Results. The Kajetan Sovinski buck is the Massachusetts state-record typical, and is the 77th largest typical of all time, overall. In some cases, only two of those four may be taken with a firearm. For trade show portraits, Wilson was asked to sign Kentuckys largest buck. Hunts in Owen County set a new record in 2013, bagging 4,069 deer. In the Southeast Region last season, top performers were Green County at 1,225, Pulaski County at 1,009 and Adair County at 1,001. with the state record non-typical whitetail scoring 270 inches and a buck scoring 283-5/8 in Muhlenberg County in 2012. Consider that the majority of its top 10 record entries have been entered since 2000. I figured he took off. In the last seven seasons, four other Kentucky counties have led the way in large sums of money: Casey, Henderson, Lewis, and Grayson. Not to be outdone, Coues' deer have a number of high-scoring entries, and desert sheep are scattered through the top 50. He also learned valuable information in those first few sits in his hang-on stand. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, Designing Lanyards for Corporate Events: Dos and Donts, Unlock The Benefits Of Stabilized Binoculars: Discover Why You May Need Them And Which Ones Are Best For You. They simply werent old enough to grow big antlers. Jul 14, 2016 #11 pentail Bacon. Since 2010, the hottest counties for P&Y entries (white stars on map) have continued to reflect a broad pattern. While it may seem like just a list of hunters who killed something really big, its a whole lot more. I went down to him, and I dropped to my knees, grabbed hold of his rack, and told Dad, Have you ever seen such a deer?. The 2022-2023 season ran from September through Jan. 16. Even in southeastern Kentuckythe last place the rejuvenated deer herd has gained a footholdhunters in Bell, Breathitt, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Leslie, Knott, Perry, and Whitley counties have taken trophies. Kentucky Hunter Kills 57-Point 280-Plus-Inch Potential Record Whitetail. All Rights Reserved. He was a disabled veteran who served the country in the Army and was commended by Kentucky Senator Robert Mills for making many lasting contributions to his friends, family, community, and nation before his passing on March 25, 2021. Terry was never able to join Settle in the field when he was alive because of his disability. Whatever the reason, it's good to be informed. The 2022-2023 hunting seasons are open to hunters who have a permit. Hunters beat the 10-year average, but fell short of the all time record of nearly 156,000 deer taken during the 2015 season. The rack is still in the drying phase before it can be officially scored B&C. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975 who is at least 12 years old and holding a Hunter Education card is required to carry a Hunter Education card when hunting. A written test and live-fire session are both available as part of the classroom course. Just $1 per month , The full story of how Derek Settle put it all together to take this buck of a lifetime on a D.I.Y. This hunt was on probably the smallest piece of property I hunt, but thats usually how it is, Mooney said. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. The buck has arrived in Missouri to be laid to rest. Just $1 per month . This push turned the monster buck broadside, then it quartered away at 23 yards. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Mooney heard something on the hill behind him, but it was early still and a pair of squirrels were his only company. That makes the hunting tougher for with bow or gun. Last season, three . These two counties are tops in Kentucky for producing large numbers of white-tailed deer. That's probably because in this region moderate deer numbers live among the state's most optimum juxtaposition of row-crop agriculture and oak-hickory woodlands.". Send us your best photos for a chance to be featured. The whitetail's 27 scoreable points taped 230 1/8 inches non-typical Pope and Young (gross green score). Those who did not harvest an antlered deer with a statewide or youth deer permit may take one antlered deer and one anterless deer, or two antlerless deer with a deer management permit. . Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Sage Marshall He looked right at me, but it was too late. "Also, deer population density averages about 20 animals per square mile. From all indications, the 2007 season should give hunters the same opportunity to be successful, reach that magic mark and help keep the herd in balance and in check. "At 5-8 per square mile, Kentucky's deer hunter density doesn't place it among the top 12 densest states in whitetail range," Yancy notes. Life happens quickly, so take a snapshot! If you want to make the most of it, youd better understand the science behind whitetail breeding behavior. Competing in dozens of tournaments this year helped prepare him for a perfect shot. A hunter with a permit may hunt within the state of Kentucky without having to obtain a Hunter Education Certificate for a period of one year from the date of purchase. The unofficial score could rank the buck in the top 25 all-time for non-typical deer in Kentucky, according to officials. In 2006, the Northeast Region reported more than 16,000 deer taken, which was also an increase over the previous season. Saskatchewan Hunter Finds Target Sheds After Looking for Multiple Days, A Whitetail Hunter's Guide to Ballistic Reticles, Iowa Bowhunter Bags Amazing Non-typical Target Buck While Hunting with Son. In recent years, the entire state harvests an average of five deer that measure more than 211 inches. But Settle says he felt his presence this September. A state deer permit is valid for four deer, while a state youth deer permit is valid for four deer. There are a variety of ways to take advantage of the plentiful deer in Kentucky. The deer must enter the drying stage before the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife can post the official score. See how deer season is progressing in your county by going online to www.fw.ky.gov. If you are going out for a hunting adventure with a friend, both of you must have a valid hunting license and permit. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? No one would believe me anyway. I felt the dread of thinking its never going to work out again. Deer Telechecked on Public Land License Year: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Last Updated: 2/28/2023 Most of the 29-county region saw a jump in individual county harvests last season. They loaded it up on a small ATV and brought it home. Rather, they lie on the outskirts of the more mountainous Southeast Region. Click Here: http://bit.do/fSRzN , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFP-jOHTsc0&t=8s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6ETHU_ypZY&t=5s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYOoABQMAEI&t=4s, Everything You Need to Be a Run and Gun Turkey Hunter.
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