If you want to allow public hunting on your property, you should apply for a hunting permit. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Simpson County Recorder of Deeds (Franklin, KY - 20.2 miles) Warren County Recorder of Deeds (Bowling Green, KY - 20.3 miles) Barren County Recorder of Deeds (Glasgow . But Boyd and Robertson counties are barking at Bracken's heels, with six deer per square. Whatever the reason, 2005 was an off year, though the 2006 season was another story altogether. You will have the opportunity to share your hunting grounds with others in addition to collecting a permit fee for each hunting season. Every county in Kentucky produces trophy Whitetails on a regular basis, and the number of trophy Whitetails grows each year. All of the remaining counties listed using 2005 season data stayed on the list after 2006 data was calculated. That got that bucks attention, recalls Settle. Below, you can see the total number of deer harvested by county and by weapon, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlifes numbers. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. Kentucky is an excellent hunting state. This record system started in the early 20th century and is responsible for holding the biggest deer across the United States. Heath heads for Saskatchewan with his bow as he hunts the wilderness in search of the predatory black bear. I was bringing him along for the ride. By 4:25 p.m. Mooney was perched in a tree along a hardwood ridge. That was four years ago. Sep 25, 2002 12,105 Savoring the smoke. You know, I was getting excited. The 2022-2023 season ran from September through Jan. 16. But a clearly defined chunk of Kentucky is a great place to start your search. 4,069 Deer Bagged In Owen County During 2013 Season. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. His daughter was born more than a week early. Perhaps the hop up from 2005 to 2006 of about 10,000 animals was likewise a little unusual. Deer hunting can be a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends, and is a great way to get some fresh venison for the freezer. We spent a lot of time out in the woods together growing up. Hows this for a year of accomplishments? They're well equipped to fill buck tags at the time of year when antlered deer are most vulnerable. The buck wasnt going anywhere, he decided, but if it did, it would walk left, right, or under the stand. Here are the state record whitetails for each state typical and non-typical. The deer population has increased naturally, and the hunting opportunities provided by these counties have increased as well. After she passed away, he quickly picked up the 5-acre lot and moved his family into a two-story log home on the property. Records show the year of harvest, the score size, and the county of harvest. I kind of got out of it for a while because I went to college and lived in the city, but I made it back out into the country and got back into it. I had no shot whatsoever.. Mooney seized the opportunity. It's a state with a great reputation for big deer, but in producing them, it appears to violate many of the rules of how to manage deer with that in mind. The noise came again, closer this time. He picked up his dad and they took their time returning to the woods. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Many fur-bearing animals, such as bobcats and otters, as well as deer, elk, bears, and turkey, can be found here. This past weekend hunters harvested 2,603 more deer on the opening weekend of gun season than they did in 2020. Muhlenberg County in Kentucky had the highest harvest total (622), followed by Logan County (606), Christian County (553), Pulaski County (530), and Hart County (521). 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. Consider that the majority of its top 10 record entries have been entered since 2000. 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?. 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. To apply for a permit, you must first submit an application with a $50 check or money order. After our interview with Settle, we were confident that his story was true. These two counties are tops in Kentucky for producing large numbers of white-tailed deer. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. To take more than four deer, a deer permit must be purchased in addition to the four deer permitted per individual. Life happens quickly, so take a snapshot! Farmers began complaining about the large number of red deer. The biggest harvest numbers from last year were posted in Lawrence, with more than 1,500 being taken. In addition to mandatory hunter education requirements in the United States, Canada, and other countries, the Kentucky Hunter Education Certificate may be accepted in any state, province, or country that requires hunter education. Or maybe other conditions made hunting tougher than it normally is. That makes the hunting tougher for with bow or gun. Derek Settle solo hunted a monster buck thats sure to make the record books and is quite possibly the biggest buck ever taken in Kentuckya state that is known for its booners. Even while juggling recent fatherhood and a hectic work schedule, Mooney managed to execute the perfect hunt. 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. This permit can be used throughout the entire hunting season, regardless of whether the permit is used or not. The Kentucky buck Heath Buchanan calls "Joker" is a Bluegrass State phenomenon. On the County Search page, youll see two kinds of search options: a State/County Search and a Top County Visualizer. Settle, 41, grew up in the Bluegrass State and is a long-time local of Henderson County. "In much of western and central Kentucky we have fertile land with a good balance of cover and crops," the biologist says. 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. At that point, he could tell it was a good deer. I was at full draw. Settles biological father, Terry, passed away earlier this year. Terms and Conditions. Heres what you need to know, and the photos to prove it. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Ryan is happy to finally live in a city that has four seasons. All Rights Reserved. The purpose of the Recorder of Deeds is to ensure the accuracy of Allen County property and land records and to preserve their continuity. Then he went out and tagged the biggest buck of his life last month. In 2013, hunters in Maryland took a record 4,069 deer, which was more than any other county. One that's smoked first. Deer are being harvested more frequently in Kentucky as a result of increased hunting opportunities and a growing deer population. The bruiser turned tail and ran 35 yards downhill before dropping, just out of sight. There is no definitive answer to this question as the size of bucks can vary greatly depending on the area of Kentucky that you are looking at. I could tell that a lot of deer were running through here, he says, noting that the neighbors also allow him to hunt their adjoining land. Of course, trail cameras now are in wide use in many states and provinces that lack Kentucky's reputation for huge bucks. Because youre reading this at the Boone and Crockett Clubs website, we assume youre familiar with the records-keeping system. We're off to a great start for the 2021 deer season in Kentucky. A hunting license or permit is required for youth hunters, but they are not required to purchase a hunting license or deer permit to hunt deer. It is possible, however, for a landowner to apply for a transferable elk hunting permit if they wish to allow public hunting on their property. Patterning the buck through trail cam photos tipped him off about the bucks most likely movements. In fact, a majority of hunters take only one deer anyway, often taking a doe late in the season when if no buck can be found. The deer is never where you think hes supposed to be.. In some counties, bear bear seasons are divided into zones, or regions. Muhlenberg County, Logan County, Christian County, Pulaski County, and Hart County are the top five counties in terms of total deer harvest, and they all have populations of deer that exceed the state average, indicating that they see an increase in deer harvest each year. Where's the best place to go looking for one of these big guys in bow season? With an official net score of 246 0/8 non-typical, Austin Musselman's megabuck is an example of Kentucky quality. The following year, a total of 3,814 deer were killed, shattering the previous record. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? Usethe new County Visualizer. Suggest Listing There were entries from all regions of the state represented, with Garrard County bringing in the most (3). That shatters the existing Webster County record for any method of take. But nothing prepared Settle for the buck he started getting trail cam pictures of in July 2020 at one of his mineral plots. The full story of how Derek Settle put it all together to take this buck of a lifetime on a D.I.Y. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Perhaps deer didn't move as much as usual. This zone has a longer deer season than the other zones, running from September 7th to January 12th. By then, the secret is out. Position Statement on Big Game Records and Hunting, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and follow all other state and federal hunting laws. The countys largest non-typical on the Pope and Young record books measured 167 1/8, and Boone and Crocketts largest for the county measured 204 inches. Closing day for each license year: 1999: January 17, 2000 2000: January 15, 2001 2001: January 21, 2002 2002: January 20, 2003 2003: January 19, 2004 In 2013, the county set a new record for deer kills, with 4,069 being taken, which was more than any other. There have only been a few buck taken with a muzzleloading gun, but this one was the largest. Hunter Education Courses for all skill levels are available at HUNTINGsmart! The whitetail's 27 scoreable points taped 230 1/8 inches non-typical Pope and Young (gross green score). Counties in the region that ranked highest in deer density were Cumberland, Taylor and Adair, all of which are carrying about three deer per square mile of habitat. Why bother with using County Search yourself? All hunters must be aware of and adhere to any rules or restrictions that may apply in these areas. "We want every entry to have the most precise harvest or find location as possible," says Justin Spring, the Club's director of big game records. Troy Wilson harvested Kentuckys biggest buck of all time in 1997, a feat that marked the 20th anniversary of his big buck. (High fence deer in Kentucky do not have to be checked in.) with the state record non-typical whitetail scoring 270 inches and a buck scoring 283-5/8 in Muhlenberg County in 2012. Western Whiskerfish: Trophy Flatheads, Channels, Even Blues, Make Crawfish Part of Perfect Summertime Meal, DIY: Earthworms Can't Hide When 'Grunters' Are Hunting, Exotic Fishing Paradise Awaits in South Florida, Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, Awesome Start to Minnesota Turkey Hunting, Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection. Today, the states deer population is thriving and deer hunting contributes an estimated $800 million to the states economy every year. While it may seem like just a list of hunters who killed something really big, its a whole lot more. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. Harvest Results by Region. Whats now known as the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources led successful restoration efforts over several decades. Generally, these counties still register as the lowest in density, or deer per square mile, but numbers do appear to keep climbing slowly. On Target: Are AR Rifles a Good Option for Whitetail Hunting. 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. Right after he got into the blind, he saw something that stirred [his] curiosity., I was getting situated, he says. Ohio is currently one of the top states for record-book whitetails. Thanks to the hunters' cooperation, we were able to collect a total of 2,490 samples at our mandatory check stations and met our sampling quotas for each county within the CWD Surveillance Zone.". Kentuckys production of trophy white-tailed deer now ranks fifth in North Americaa little less than Ohio, but more than Saskatchewan, Canada. You may hunt four deer with the permit, each of which is an antlered, three anterless, or four antlerless. He thought it probably had a 14 or 16 point rack. 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. Then, another buck appeared. You know someone is going to do something crazy. Those werent his exact words, but you get the gist of it. Every big game animal entered and accepted into the Club's Records Program from 1830 to present are available through this searchable database. His rack was just the icing on the cakeitll never happen again to me.. They also offer tips on safety and regulations. ! To learn more about advertising with Kentucky Living, contact us. Sep 24, 2008 326. . "The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. Weapon Type: County: Male: Female: Total % Male % Female: Male Visible: Male Not Visible: Archery: Firearm: Muzzleloader: Crossbow He set up a game camera on the five-acre patch of property this summer, and it wasnt long before the cam captured a monster on the move. But instead of climbing into his treestand that Saturday, Mooney found himself in the hospital delivery room. Kentuckys other top areas for big bucks over the past seven seasons include Casey, Henderson, Lewis, and Grayson counties. In 2005, the significant drop in the kill back to 112,000 or so didn't seem to fit the upward trend. It was picked up in Norfolk County in 2004. Before we interviewed Settle, we confirmed with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife that the buck had been checked in as being killed and tagged in Kentucky on telecheck. Its like living out a dream from when I was little.. Last season, if you recall, in Kentucky's toughest region for deer hunting, 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 made a wonderful shot, a double-lung shot.. 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. Translate Page In the eastern half of Kentucky deer numbers tend to be much lower, with far less acreage devoted to row crops. In some cases, only two of those four may be taken with a firearm. Hunters beat the 10-year average, but fell short of the all time record of nearly . Once you find a top trophy-producing county, you can then key in on units within that county. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Wilson accepted the offer, and he was touched by the message he received. All Rights Reserved. If youre looking for an easy buck, the best bets are Hopkins, Hardin, Hart, Webster, and Breckinridge. Ironically, that region also carries some counties such as Bourbon, Fayette and Jessamine that lie right at the bottom of the list. I came in on his left rear flank.. The permit is only valid for a hunters lifetime, and once it expires, the person must obtain a hunter education certification. It was a solid season from start to finish, said Noelle Thompson, deer program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Several counties in the middle of the pack for this region saw jumps of 50 to 100 more deer harvested last year. 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. If youre interested in taking advantage of the states exceptional hunting opportunities, its simple to obtain a hunting license. To prevent this from happening, the department encourages hunters to take does, especially in the higher density Zone 1 hunting areas. solo hunt on his property, By Double Drop-Tined Non-typical Shed Pulled from Snow in Illinois, Two Brothers' Shed Hunting Strategy Yields Non-Typical Match Set in Missouri, Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers, Night Hunting for Predators Will Help Your Deer Herd, How to Develop the Best Fall Food Program for Your Deer, On Target: Stopping a Deer While Using a Crossbow. Hunting without a license is punishable in Kentucky by a $300 fine for the first offense, a $1,000 fine for the second, and a $1,000 fine and/or year in jail for the third or subsequent offense. Subscribe and receivecomplete web-basedaccess to B&C's Records of North American Big Game database. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. This Kentucky non-typical was taken during the 2020 season by Claire M. Flood in Breckingridge County. . Settle steadied the bow. He also learned valuable information in those first few sits in his hang-on stand. Taken in Pushmataha County, this deer is nearly 2 inches bigger than the previous record. Not to be outdone, Coues' deer have a number of high-scoring entries, and desert sheep are scattered through the top 50. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Kentucky deer hunting statistics for the 2022-23 season. Give a Gift Deer hunting season in Kentucky typically runs from early September to early January, and is divided into four different zones. I looked down, and all of a sudden there was the deer I was after, about 30 yards off to the left, through some thick stuff, Mooney says. He shot nice bucks each of the past three seasons, including a nice 13-pointer last year. Then, late in the summer, three weeks passed without a single image of the huge whitetail. The permits are limited and will be sold out quickly, so hunters should act quickly if they want to obtain one. Once again, Bracken County is tops in the Northeast in terms of highest deer density, holding 7.66 deer per square mile. In 2014 Justin Mooney, of Dixon, Kentucky, has taken first place in an By Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. 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. Its the best time of the season to tag a trophy buck. Public Land Results. Before hunting, you must first purchase and carry proof of your current hunting license as well as a deer permit issued by a state agency. Browsing for acorns and nosing some Sugar Beet Crush attractant, the whitetail slowly stepped closer to the stand. Perhaps it's more of an "opportunity" area or maybe there are other factors, such as invasive weeds or prolonged drought. According to the biologist, some biologists in the agency also believe the advent of affordable digital trail cameras has played a big role. In addition, hunters must use their own license, permit, and harvest log, as well as their own Social Security number when telechecking the deer. The rack is still in the drying phase before it can be officially scored B&C. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Photo Gallery We want to see your pictures! 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. Mooneys knees eventually stopped shaking. In terms of harvest, the better counties remained the same as the previous season. In terms of trophy buck hunters, Kentucky is currently ranked 10th in the country. Translated for hunters, this means those places that produce seriously large antlers, heads, and horns. Still, it's worth asking: Does the biologist feel the top areas for bowhunting trophy bucks are likely to change any time soon? And keep an eye out for big bull elk that are . I would only move when it got windy. In fact, Kentucky ranks in the top 10 states for whitetails, according to the Boone and Crockett Club's Records of North American Whitetail Deer. He was still in early velvet, but I could just tell he had a lot going on under all that fuzz., The deer returned to the mineral plot at different parts of the day for nearly six weeks. Give a Gift Hunting for antlered deer is limited to one per hunter in all 50 states. That shatters the existing Webster County record for any method of take. Records indicate that most of those came from outside of Daviess County and with a modern gun, rarely a bow. Turns out, he was right. As the accompanying map illustrates, no single county has them to itself. Read The Next Article: 22 Great Bucks from Deer Season 2022. Big deer are a common sight in Kentucky, and the bluegrass region is a great place to hunt them. Total Harvest Results. Both counties had takes well over 900 in 2006. The best chances of winning a trophy buck are in Pendleton, Garrard, Boone, and Henry. Over the past five seasons, harvest numbers had climbed steadily from approximately 115,000 in 2002, to 116,000 in 2003, and then the record season of about 124,000 in 2004. You may take as many deer as you want in each zone. For more on record-class bow bucks from Kentucky and across North America, visit Pope and Young Club. Then he started pulling those long legs out from under him to stand up. Read the full . 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. I used that to stay in the bucks blind spot. A good way to use the county search is to narrow down areas that are not producing entries as well. He was looking over his back at me. The permit system is simple and straightforward to use, and there are no special requirements other than a hunting license to obtain one. Each week Mooney and his boss examined the photos, keeping track of the bucks habits. In the Species search bar, select typical whitetail deer and non-typical whitetail deer. The organization of firearms seasons, hunter ages, and hunting zones in deer deer seasons is determined by a number of factors. The end result is that we only harvest about 49 percent of the available antlered deer each year.". A permit must be purchased in addition to the permit for four deer. 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. Each had more than 970 deer taken last year. 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. 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. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. 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. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Whatever the reason, it's good to be informed. The Bluegrass State's production of older bucks quickly began to rise. I stopped a bunch to try to check him out and calm myself down. (Settle has a medical exemption to use a crossbow during archery season because of a herniated disk in his neck. Pat Hogan discusses the use of an AR rifle as a whitetail hunting option. For the Date of Kill Range, adjust the slider so it reads 2015-2020 and click Apply. The next step is to investigate that states hunting regulations, unit breakdowns and tag options available for that area. It all started when Mooney secured permission to hunt behind his boss house in Webster County. Overcrowding means less food and smaller antlers. Allen County Property Records Search ; Allen County Tax Records Search ; Recorders Of Deeds Nearby. Kentuckys white-tailed deer harvest rivaled some of the highest on record, beating every season since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Camera use facilitates trophy whitetail production in two ways," he points out. The hunting of game animals necessitates a different license and permit depending on their species. Perhaps one of the most significant reasons for Kentuckys big bucks involves the age of the animals. CITES tags must immediately be attached to the animal or pelt per the instructions included with the mailed tag and remain with the pelt until it is processed. 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