SPORTSMAN GUIDE - Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue Region
	2007 SPORTSMAN GUIDE HUNTING Western Kentucky has long been known as a Hunter’s paradise. There is an abundance of deer, dove, wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel and other game. The Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue Region offers something for everyone! While visiting the region,contact the local tourist commission for ideas on the many interesting places and events to enjoy.The region is known for its world famous barbecue, outstanding bluegrass music, many festivals and beautiful countryside. SMALL GAME All nine counties in the region are well populated with rabbits, squirrels, quail, doves and other furbearers. Copies of hunting regulations are available from the KDFWR. DEER Whitetail deer are Kentucky’s favorite game animal; and seasons for bows, muzzleloaders and modern firearms are scheduled between September and January. Regulations vary year-by-year and county-by-county; they are outlined in the current Deer Guide available from KDFWR. BIRDS & WATERFOWL The region is part of the Mississippi Flyway and in recent years,has been host to record numbers of Canadian and other goose species, as well as substantial flocks of ducks, mergansers, coot, snipe and woodcock. In addition to migratory birds, many wetlands, impoundments and small streams support resident wood duck populations. A season for wood ducks only is usually open in September,with regular waterfowl seasons traditionally beginning statewide in late November and ending in late January. A waterfowl guide is issued annually by KDFWR. TURKEY Kentucky's turkey restoration program has become a model for the nation over the past decade and a half. Almost all of the state is open for spring and fall hunting seasons. Some of the best gobbler hunting in Kentucky is in this region. An annual guide to turkey hunting is published by the KDFWR. PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS Wildlife Management Areas operated by KDFWR in the region provide a variety of game, but hunting is often under special regulations and seasons. HENDERSON/UNION: Sloughs WMA: 10,000 acres of mostly Ohio River bottoms in four separate units is home to upward of 30,000 geese and thousands of ducks winter here annually. Hunting opportunities also include deer, turkey, swamp rabbit, coyote, squirrel, quail and dove. Contact: Mike Morton, (270) 827-2673. HOPKINS: Tradewater WMA: Marked by rugged terrain and mostly wooded, this 745-acre area contains deer, squirrel, raccoon and turkey. Contact: Pat Hahs (270) 759-6913 or Pat Brandon (270) 759-5296. HOPKINS: White City WMA: 5,472 acres contains wooded areas, reclaimed coal mine land and wetlands with rabbits, quail, deer, dove and waterfowl. Contact: Joy Fitzgerald (270) 273-3568 or Eric Williams (270)273-3568. MUHLENBERG/OHIO: Peabody WMA: Approximately 35,000 acres of the area’s total 60,000 acres are in Muhlenberg County. Both Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties attract hunters by consistently ranking in the top five producers of deer and turkey in the state. Small game also abounds as well as a resident goose population with a hunting season. A $15.00 user permit is required for the hunting, fishing and hiking activities. Contact: Eric Williams (270)273-3568. Thunder Ridge Outfitters, 2520 Carter Creek Rd.,Greenville, KY 42345 Lodging: 6 rooms, sleeps 12 people, Contact: 1-270-543-0141 or 1-270-977-6640 Website: www.thunderhunts.com OHIO: L.B. Davidson WMA: A 150-acre wooded tract on Rough River with abundant deer, quail, rabbit and other game. Hiking trail, fishing, and boating. Primitive camping allowed. Contact: Eric Williams (270) 273-3568. UNION: Higginson-Henry WMA: The 5,424-acre area provides a variety of public hunting opportunities including deer, dove, rabbit, quail, squirrel, woodcock, turkey, fox and coyote. Contact Scott Buser (270) 389-3580 LOCAL HUNTING & FISHING INFORMATION Information on hunting and fishing regulation is available from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), #1,Game Farm ,Frankfort, KY 40601, KDFWR help desk: 1-800-858-1549. www.fw.ky.gov Conservation Officers: DAVIESS: David Kuhn (270)-852-8853 HANCOCK: Jeff Whittinghill (270)233-9592 HENDERSON: Tracy Bell (270) 273-9260 HOPKINS: Marcus Bowling (270)825-8497 McLEAN: David Kuhn (270) 852-8853 MUHLENBERG: Tom Culton (270)338-5071 OHIO: Jason Estes (270) 227-4547 PEABODY WMA: Brian Taylor (270)825-3439 UNION: Greg Noel (270) 389-0792 WEBSTER: Josh Gunn  (270) 836-0191 FISHING RIVERS The Ohio River provides a wide variety of species, including crappie, black and white bass, sunfish, sauger and catfish. The largemouth fishing is outstanding enough to have attracted at least one nationwide bass tournament in recent years. Add the region’s Green River and Rough River, the angling possibilities are wide enough both in numbers and variety to satisfy the most demanding fisherman. LAKES The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) owns and maintains a system of lakes across the state, and those in the Western Kentucky Audubon Region provide excellent fishing. CARPENTER LAKE in Daviess County is a 64-acre impoundment off KY 405 about 10 miles northeast of Owensboro, near Maceo. A launch area, dock and parking are available and the dock can furnish boats. Carpenter is primarily a bluegill lake that provides numerous catches of seven-to nine inch fish. The lake also includes largemouth bass, redear sunfish, green sunfish, warmouth, black and yellow bullhead, and channel catfish. OLD KINGFISHER AND NEW KINGFISHER LAKES are located across KY 405 from Carpenter Lake in Daviess County. Old Kingfisher has 14 surface acres of water and its companion has 22 acres; both lakes have boat launch areas. Pup Creek, the feeder stream for both impoundments, continually introduces species that would not normally be present. The fisherman should not be surprised to run into largemouth bass, grass pickerel, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, longear sunfish, warmouth, buffalo, spotted sucker, black and yellow bullhead and gizzard shad. WASHBURN LAKE in Ohio County covers 26 acres and contains a good number of largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. One acre of shoreline includes a launching ramp for boats with trolling motors only. (270)273-3117 MAUZY LAKE is located on the Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area in Union County, approximately six miles east of Morganfield. Two boat launching areas are available. This 85-acre lake contains populations of grass pickerel, largemouths, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, yellow bullhead and warmouth. LAKE MALONE, in Muhlenberg County,covers approximately 800 acres and features a colorful population of large mouth bass, channel catfish, blue gill, redear sunfish, and both black and white crappie. Trophy large mouth bass are caught in the early spring months (March-April) with crappie fishing best in March through May and August through October. The best bluegill fishing occurs during May and June while catfish fishing is best in the summertime. There are boat ramps at both Lake Malone State Park and at the Shady Cliff Marina.Rentals are available at both locations. TRAILS John James Audubon State Park (270) 826-2247. This state park in Henderson is the site of the largest art collection of internationally known wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Many other nature-related artworks are periodically on display at the museum. John James Audubon, the first artist or ornithologist to depict life-size birds and animals in their natural surroundings, lived in Henderson for several years. He valued Henderson because of its position on the Mississippi flyway, a bird migration route. The park preserves the peaceful woods where the famed naturalist walked as he observed the subjects of his paintings. Habitat and trail info: There are 7 miles of walking trails made up of upland and bottomland hardwood forests and lakes. The trails vary in difficulty and length. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: The hiking trails provide a perfect opportunity to observe over 20 species of warblers that settle at Audubon in the springtime. Belted kingfisher, green heron, woodpeckers, prothonotary warbler and many other waterfowl may also be observed. Best place to look for birds: The observation center looks out over established feeding stations and native plant gardens. The 2-mile wilderness lake loop trail through the nature preserve offers the greatest habitat and bird species diversity. Henderson-Sloughs Wildlife Management Area (2 stops) Take US 60 south (9 miles) to KY 136 to Geneva (2 miles) then take KY 268 NW 6.5 miles to Sauerheber Refuge on the left. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Henderson. Sauerheber Refuge Habitat and trail info: A 1,775-acre waterfowl refuge houses up to 30,000 Canada geese and 10,000 ducks winter annually. Closed seasonally October 15 through March 15. Observation platforms near refuge edge are open year-round. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: One can view Canadian Geese, American widgeon,green-winged teal, American avocet, common snipe as well as many other shorebirds and waterfowl. Swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote, and dove are found here as well. Jenny Hole-Highland Creek: The Creek offers sloughs, bottomland hardwoods and some brushy areas. This is Kentucky's largest Great Blue Heron rookery. Limited access by gravel roads. Primitive camping is available. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Great blue heron, bald eagle, prothonotary warbler, waterfowl, swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote and dove are all found here. Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area Go back to US60 and head south to Morganfield (20 miles). Turn east on KY56. Go 2 miles. Entrance on right. Gas,lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Morganfield. Habitat and trail info: The area is primarily forested with hardwood,pine and mixed forest communities with rolling hills and numerous small clearings. There are ten miles of hiking trails as well as18 miles of roads including many old roads which may be hiked and an 80 acre lake with two smaller lakes. Camping and picnic areas are available. Wildlife viewing opportunities: There are more than 135 species of birds (including dove, quail, woodcock, turkey, waterfowl, and bald eagles). Coyote, deer, red and grey fox, rabbit, raccoon, groundhog,and red, grey and fox squirrel have been sighted here also. Side trip: If you have time, you may want to stop in Marion (just 27 miles south of Morganfield on US 60) to visit the Mineral Museum, the Amish Community and experience crossing the river on a ferry. Stop in downtown Marion at the Old Time Diner and pick up a brochure for maps and descriptions of attractions in this area.
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