2018 Hunting Guide

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unting H& Fishing uide

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2018

INDEX PUBLIC LAND .................................... P3 LICENSE AGENTS ......................... P4-5 MONSTERS ON THE OHIO ............. P7 HUNTING SEASONS ......................... P8 WHERE TO SHOOT ........................ P12 A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 2018


2 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Traverse dangerous currents with a wading staff BY LEE MCCLELLAN

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, KENTUCKY AFIELD MAGAZINE

T

F R A N K F O R T

hose of us who wade rocky streams for smallmouth or tailwaters for trout sometimes bite off more than we can chew. An eddy on the other side of the stream looks inviting and the more you stare at it, the more you want to cast there. The only problem is a waist-deep run with strong current lies between you and the enticing water. You begin crossing the stream, but about half way, the current begins to push hard against your legs. You barely lift your foot and the current pushes it out from your body, nearly causing a fall. You look back and realize it will be just as hard to get back to where you started, as it will be to get to the other side of the stream. You are stuck. A wading staff will save your bacon in this situation. Made from aluminum, carbon fiber, crafted wood or a hickory stick, a wading staff gives anglers an extra balance point that can prevent a fall in sticky situations. “I use my wading staff for balance whenever I wade,” said Dr. Larry Kelley of Richmond, retired assistant chair of nursing at Eastern Kentucky University. “It’s kept me from falling many times.” Kelley also uses his wading staff, made from a cedar branch, to probe the water in front of him for depth. Clear water often looks shallower than it actually is and misjudgment can lead to a hat-floating, wader-filling mishap. “This is another area where my wading staff is invaluable,” Kelley said. “It keeps me from making mistakes concerning the depth of a hole.” This safety feature proves handy when wading cold tailwaters, like the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam. The water temperatures in the Lake Cumberland tailwater run

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Dr. Larry Kelley of Richmond holds a smallmouth bass from Buck Creek in Pulaski County with his trusted wading staff on his left side. Wading staffs provide an extra safety element for anglers by providing an additional balance point. Anglers may also use them to test the depth of a hole in a stream and help negotiate steep stream banks. cold enough to induce hypothermia. Stepping off a shelf into water over your head quickly fills a set of waders. Waders filled with water become a dangerous weight in moving, cold water. This is the reason wading anglers must always use a snug wading belt when wearing waders. The belt prevents the legs of the waders from quickly filling with water in the event of a fall. You can use a wading staff to test the bottom composition before venturing into a hole. Muddy areas of the stream bottom often look like hard-packed sand, but are actually a gooey muck that can pull off your wading boots. Wading staffs are also invaluable in negotiating steep

stream banks. Some debate exists on whether wood, carbon fiber or aluminum make the best wading staff. “I prefer a wooden staff because it floats behind me and out of the way when fishing,” Kelley said. “I can also quickly get the staff in my hand when I need it.” You can make a wooden wading staff cheaply by finding a dense hickory or cedar branch stick about shoulder height. Rub in several coats of tung oil and let it cure. Slide a piece of hypalon foam replacement handle for walking canes over the thickest end of the stick and glue if necessary. Drill a hole through the stick just above the handle. Work a large key ring

though the hole to attach a lanyard system. Kelley uses a magnetic net release used by fly anglers to attach his wading staff to his vest via a carabiner. Epoxy a rubber cane tip on the other end and you are in business. Some anglers epoxy a wrap of lead tape used on golf clubs just above the rubber protector to help weigh down the wooden staff in current. Wood does not make fish spooking noises when contacting the stream bottom and possesses character that manufactured wading staffs lack. However, a wooden staff does not collapse. Some anglers use collapsible ski poles or hiking staffs for wading staffs, but their thin bottom ends vibrate wildly in current. The collapsible hiking staffs that use a twisting lock mechanism often freeze up after getting wet several times. The parts inside these staffs oxidize and all of the king’s money and all of the king’s men can’t get it separated again. This is incredibly frustrating if they lock up during a wading trip. If you decide to use one of these for a wading staff, find one with a lever to lock and unlock the collapsible parts. Some wading staffs use a piece of elastic cord in the middle to hold the pieces together, similar to a collapsible tent pole. These staffs fold up into a sheath for convenience. If these staffs get stuck in rocks on the bottom, they separate when pulled on, rendering them useless. Higher-end trekking poles used for hiking have the elastic cord, but also a locking mechanism to keep them together during use. These make good wading staffs, but start at about $100. Predictable water levels and hungry fish make late summer through late fall the best time to wade a stream. A wading staff makes wade fishing safer and more efficient.


Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Messenger-Inquirer

hunting guide 2018 3

Hunting tips Know the land Where do the deer bed and eat? Where are the existing game trails? Are there any bodies of water nearby?

Be in the field The longer you are in the field, the better your chances are of bagging an animal.

Switch up your calls Animals can become accustomed to calls used universally like a rabid distress. Try using a fawn bleat or another offbeat sound when hunting.

Think ahead Protect your gear with zip-top bags on rainy days.

Know your weapon Make sure you know how to operate every inch of your weapon.

Don’t follow the leader If you are tracking a dear and come across another hunter’s tracks in front of yours — give it up. There is no sense in following another hunter.

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4 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

area hunting and fishing license agents DAVIESS COUNTY

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Nash’s Archery & Outdoor Gear 1270 Pell St. Lewisport, KY 42351 270-295-6532

MCLEAN COUNTY Horns Hooks & Feathers 240 Ky. 81 North Calhoun, KY 42327 270-273-5937 McLean County Clerk 210 E. Main St. Calhoun, KY 42327 270-273-3082 Sacramento Pharmacy 750 Main St. Sacramento, KY 42372 270-736-2999 Smith Super Saver 305 Beech Grove St. Calhoun, KY 42327 270-273-3573

HANCOCK COUNTY Aces Guns 1265 State Route 271 North Hawesville, KY 42348 270-927-6078 E.J.’s Pawn Shop 150 Main St. Hawesville, KY 42348 270-927-8335 Hancock County Clerk 225 Main Cross St. Hawesville, KY 42348 270-927-6117

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Max’s Convenience Shop #147 3454 U.S. 4315 Beechmont, KY 42323 270-476-3995 Muhlenberg County Rural King Supply 145 Copper Creek Drive Powderly, KY 42367 270-338-3555 Uncle Lees, LLC 820 N. Main St. Greenville, KY 42345 270-338-1388 Wal-Mart #0294 1725 Everly Brothers Blvd. Central City, KY 42330 270-754-1533

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Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Messenger-Inquirer

hunting guide 2018 5

area hunting and fishing license agents OHIO COUNTY Fred’s Minit Mart #71 1989 U.S. 231 South Beaver Dam, KY 42320 270-274-5059 Jumpin Jacks Food Mart 101 N. Main St. Fordsville, KY 42343 270-276-3104

Ohio County Clerk 301 S. Main St, Ste. 201 Hartford, KY 42347 270-298-4422 Wal-Mart #0333 1701 N. Main St. Beaver Dam, KY 42320 270-274-9608

State to publish updated hunting, trapping guide in September BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

FRANKFORT — An initial printing of this year’s Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide will arrive at license vendor locations by midAugust but it will not reflect proposed changes to the 2018 deer seasons, zones and requirements. Final deer regulations will appear in an updated version of the guide that will be available online in September at fw.ky.gov and at license vendor locations. The proposed changes for deer hunting are pending legislative approval. They include a doe-only, modern gun season in Zone 1 counties the last weekend in September; zone changes for 32 counties; a more restrictive doe harvest in Zone 4; a four-deer statewide permit that includes youth; a 15-deer additional harvest permit; and an increase of modern gun season in Zones 3 and 4 to 16 days, the same as Zones 1 and 2. This year, archery season opens Sept. 1 and modern gun season

GETTING A LICENSE ONLINE

Mitchell’s Grocery 11707 U.S. 231 Utica, KY 42376 270-275-4933

for deer opens statewide Nov. 10. The early muzzleloader season is Oct. 20-21. General crossbow season opens statewide on Oct. 1, and youth-only gun season for deer runs Oct. 13-14. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is publishing two versions of the guide in order to have it available to hunters by Aug. 18, the opening day of fall squirrel season. The initial version of the guide is available on the department’s website. All regulations regarding deer hunting for the 2018 season should be finalized by the first week in September. Any changes from 2017, including deer zones and season structure, will be reflected in both the updated online and printed versions of the guide. In addition to deer, the Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide contains information about Kentucky’s fall and winter hunting seasons, including dove, waterfowl, small game, upland bird, turkey, bear, sandhill crane and more.

All Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses and permits can be purchased through the secured Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Online License Sales site. Replacement licenses can be printed online for free. Licenses or permits purchased online must be paid for with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card, or a Kentucky Fish and Wildlife gift certificate. Gift certificates are also sold online. Those who purchase licenses or permits online will not be mailed a paper license or permit but will receive an authorization number. The authorization number or a computer printout of the license or permit and a picture ID must be carried in the field

while hunting or fishing.

GETTING A LICENSE BY PHONE

Licenses and permits can be purchased 24/7 by phone at 877598-2401. All licenses and permits, except disability licenses, elk drawing applications and youth licenses and permits, can be purchased by telephone. Purchasing by phone incurs a small convenience fee and must be paid with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card, or by e-check. Purchasers will be issued an authorization number, which serves as the license or permit. The authorization number and a picture ID must be carried in the field while hunting or fishing. Both the authorization number and paper license are valid for the license year only.

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6 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Squeezing out the last waterfowl hunting of the season BY LEE MCCLELLAN

water quickly in many places. The shoreline is often saturated with deep muck. Zac Campbell, boating education FRANKFORT — In Kentucky, coordinator for Kentucky Fish and the coldest weather of the year often Wildlife, cautions waterfowl hunters in coincides with the best waterfowl boats to keep in mind some common hunting. This should prove especially sense principles while on the water. true this year with the unusually warm “Don’t overload your boat with start to the waterfowl hunting season gear and people,” he said. “Plan your that opened Thanksgiving Day. hunt, then hunt your plan and tell “Late winter seems to be our someone where you are going and best duck and goose hunting due to how long you plan to hunt. If possible, the lower temperatures,” said Wes stay near shore and don’t cross large Little, migratory bird biologist for the expanses of water. Most importantly, Kentucky Department of Fish and always wear your lifejacket, the water Wildlife Resources. “We should have is freezing.” birds moving south now with the Spring-fed farm ponds that don’t bitter cold and snow to the north of freeze also provide excellent late us.” from us, but we still harvested several With a hard freeze to the north season hunting. A couple of decoys Hunters have an extra luxury of them. It was an awesome hunt.” and a snow line, geese also flock and a homemade ground blind near this year of concentrating on ducks Hunters may take up to four to the Ohio, setting up potentially the pond provide all the elements for a in January and geese in February mallard ducks as part of their six duck fantastic goose hunting. “You have to successful hunt. as there are now two extra weeks to daily bag limit. have the right equipment,” Little said. “It is critical to use a jerk string pursue geese. Duck season closes “My favorite thing in the late “Hunting the Ohio River is no cake from a decoy or an electric shaker to statewide on Jan. 29, while goose season is using a small number walk.” provide a ripple on the water if there is season doesn’t close until Feb. 15. of decoys. You don’t need a mega The Ohio River is not a place for a no wind,” Little said. “You must have “You used to wonder in January, spread,” Little said. “If you find birds 12-foot johnboat with a narrow beam. some movement or the birds won’t ‘Do I hunt ducks or do I hunt geese?’, while scouting, try and mimic what Wakes from barges combined with come to your decoys.” but now you can hold off the hunting you saw. Are they spread out? Are strong winds can swamp a small The weather outside may be pressure on geese until February,” they grouped together? Then, set out johnboat. Hunters pursuing waterfowl frightful, but the waterfowl hunting Little said. your decoys accordingly.” from shore must scout to find a hard is delightful in the late season. Get Ducks and geese both locate in The Ohio River also draws many bottom in the area they plan to hunt. out and shake off the winter blues by predictable places in the late season. ducks and geese in winter. “The Ohio The Ohio River drops off into deep putting some birds in the bag. Food resources and open water draw River is awesome for goose hunting birds during the stressful times of and ducks as well,” Little said. “If B U LLETS January and February. everything is frozen up, the Ohio “Find a harvested crop field that really shines.” is holding birds,” Little said. “You can The many crop fields near the find both ducks and geese in corn river provide food for waterfowl fields when the ground is frozen.” and the river itself provides rest and Buy • Sell • Trade Little related a January goose hunt loafing areas during the cold months. LARGE SELECTION OF last year in a harvested corn field. This draws many diving duck ARCHERY EQUIPMENT, “Mallard ducks were using it and we species not often seen by hunters LARGE SELECTION OF USED didn’t even know,” he said. “Five of us in other parts of Kentucky. Hunters GUN INVENTORY INCLUDING had our mallard limit in 45 minutes may harvest canvasbacks, scaup, HIGH POWERED RIFLES, along with some black ducks. Some redheads, ring-necks and occasionally PERFECT FOR DEER HUNTING! geese wanted to be about 100 yards a rare goldeneye. ASSOCIATE EDITOR, KENTUCKY AFIELD MAGAZINE

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Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Messenger-Inquirer

hunting guide 2018 7

monsters on the ohio

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 at English Park in Owensboro

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onsters on the Ohio is an annual team fishing event. Teams are made up of one or two people, but a third person may join if he or she is under 16 years or over 60 years of age. Teams are limited to no more than eight lines in the water. Registration takes place through the eve of the tournament. Entr y fees are $200 and must be received by mail or credit card (by calling 270-684-5999) before Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. A $25 late fee will be applied to all entires after Oct. 1. Entries will be accepted up to the 5 p.m. mandator y meeting Friday, Oct. 12. The tournament runs from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at English Park in Owensboro. All teams must be in line to weight in by 4 p.m.; there is a five-fish limit per team. Good sportsmanship is expected of ever yone during the tournament, and disorderly conduct will be cause for disqualification.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer.com/geans@messenger-inquirer.com

Mike Snyder, left, and Anthony Murphy, both of Millersburg, Ohio, hold up a 48.3 lb catfish Oct. 14, 2017, while weighing in at English Park in Owensboro after a day of competing in the eighth annual Monsters on the Ohio.

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8 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

2018-19 KENTUCKY HUNTING SEASONS

BEAVER, FOX (GRAY AND RED), MINK, MUSKRAT, RIVER OTTER, STRIPED SKUNK, WEASAL • Hunting: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2018

BOBCAT • Hunting: Nov. 24, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019

BULLFROG • Hunting: Ends Oct. 31, 2018

COYOTES

DEER (proposed)

RABBIT

• Archery: Sept. 1, 2018-Jan. 21, 2019; either sex • Crossbow: Oct. 1-21, 2018; Nov. 10-Dec. 31, 2018; either sex • Modern Gun: Nov. 10-25, 2018; either sex • Muzzle-loader: Oct. 20-21, 2018; Dec. 8-16, 2018; either sex • Youth-only: Oct. 13-14, 2018; either sex • Youth-free weekend: Dec. 29-30, 2018; either sex

• Hunting: Nov. 1-9, 2018; Nov. 12, 2018-Jan. 31, 2019 • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019

DOVE • Sept. 1-Oct 26, 2018; Nov. 22-Dec. 2, 2018; Dec 2, 2018-Jan. 13, 2019 (proposed)

• Hunting: Aug. 18-Nov. 9, 2018; Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 29, 2019

DUCK

TURKEY (FALL) (proposed)

• Hunting: Nov. 22-25, 2018; Dec. 3, 2018-Jan. 27, 2019 (proposed)

• Hunting: Year-round after daylight hours using lights or night-vision equipGROUNDHOG ment from Feb. 1-May 31) • Hunting: Year-round • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 2019

CROW • Hunting: Sept. 1-Nov. 7, 2018; Jan. 4-Feb. 28, 2019 (proposed)

QUAIL • Hunting: Nov. 1-9, 2018; Nov. 12, 2018-Jan. 31, 2019

BE SAFE WHILE ON THE HUNT

RACCOON & OPOSSUM • Hunting: Oct. 1, 2018-Feb 28, 2019 (proposed) • Trapping: Nov. 12, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 (proposed)

SQUIRREL (FALL)

• Archery: Sept. 1, 2018-Jan. 21, 2019; either sex • Crossbow: Oct. 1-21, 2018; Nov. 10-Dec. 31, 2018; either sex • Shotgun: Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2018; Dec. 1-Dec. 7, 2018; either sex Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Zone 2 includes McLean, Muhlenberg and Ohio counties. Zone 3 includes Daviess and Hancock counties.


Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Messenger-Inquirer

hunting guide 2018 9

Gifts for hunters, anglers and outdoorsmen BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services’ 2011 National Sur vey of Fishing, Hunting and WildlifeAssociated Recreation unveiled that more than 90 million United States residents aged 16 or older par ticipated in some sor t of wildlife-related activity that year — the most recent year on record. Wildlife recreationists spend nearly $150 billion per year on their activities. With this in mind, those who have hunters, anglers or outdoorsmen on their holiday shopping lists may find that gifts facilitating these specific pursuits can be the ideal fit this holiday season. Rather than scouring the mall for hours, a visit to the nearest sports outfitter can yield a bevy of appropriate gift ideas. For some inspiration, consider these gifts for the outdoor enthusiast. • Binoculars: Scoping out territor y and looking for game is often par t of the hunt. A set of durable new binoculars can give hunters an edge. • Heated shoe insoles: Hunting and fishing often require long wait periods — sometimes in chilly weather. Heated shoe insoles and hand warmers can keep outdoorsmen warm. • GPS/digital watch: Although many smar tphones tell time and of fer GPS ser vices, lightweight watches may be more convenient than phones. For example, the Garmin Fenex

Watch is waterproof and of fers such functions as GPS, an altimeter, barometer and a digital compass. • All-season tent: Camping out is not just a summer activity. A tent that is rated to withstand various temperatures and conditions can be an asset. • Waders: Anglers sometimes need to get up close and personal with their prey. A sturdy pair of breathable waders is ideal for those who venture out of the boat or of f of the coast. • Wool socks: They may be a basic item, but hikers, hunters and other spor ts people can’t stock up enough on warm, sweat-wicking wool socks that will keep their feet comfor table and dr y on all excursions. • Folding knife: Knives are ideal for cutting fishing line, twigs for a campfire and much more. A sturdy, quality knife that fits easily in a pocket or backpack is a must-have for hunters, campers and anglers. • Wa t e r - r e s i s t a n t p o u c h : A day on the boat or near the water requires gear that can get wet without soiling items stored inside. Choose a pouch that can fit a camera, keys, phone, and other necessities. • Climbing stand: Hunters fr equently spend time up in the trees to get a better view of oncoming game. Stationar y tree stands may remain for the season, but lightweight of ferings fold and can be transported from area to area.

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10 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Shotgun fundamentals critical to wingshooting success BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES

FRANKFORT — A dove comes into your section of the field on opening day. You crouch behind a row of sunflowers and excitedly wait for the dove to come into range. The dove keeps coming and you jump up, shoulder your shotgun and fire, followed by another shot and then another, none of them threatening the bird. The dove keeps flying out of the field. The opening weekend of dove season can bring frustration to wingshooters as dove hunters, even highly experienced ones, start missing shots they normally make. The misses snowball and aggravation mounts. “Then, when you are struggling, you tend to think more, take more time, concerned about laying the bead on the target in an effort to not miss,” said Mark Marraccini, executive staff advisor for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “But, by doing this, you are guaranteeing you will miss.” Sloppy fundamentals are usually the root cause of missed birds, particularly improperly mounting the shotgun. “Bad habits are easy to get into and ingrain your muscle memory,” said Marraccini, who is a competitive shotgunner and teacher of shotgun skills. “They can be hard to get rid of because you can’t see yourself shoot.” If your upper arm and shoulder are unusually tender after a day of wingshooting, you likely mounted the shotgun too low. “There is a notch between the collarbone and the shoulder muscle,” Marraccini said. “God made that notch for a shotgun.” Mounting the shotgun in that notch brings the top part of the stock, known as the comb, to the correct level. Improperly mounting the shotgun down the shoulder or on the upper arm causes the shooter to lower his head to the stock, a certified way to miss. “It is much better to bring the gun to your cheek than your cheek to the gun,” Marraccini said. “It is imperative for the cheek bone to stay welded to the stock. Shooters call that ‘wood to wood.’ This also keeps the gun pointed where your eyes are looking.”

It helps to move the shotgun out in front of your body a bit and bring the butt of the gun stock straight back into that shoulder notch, instead of sliding the stock up your body when mounting your shotgun. Marraccini also said bringing your trigger hand elbow up to roughly parallel with the ground is vitally important when shouldering a shotgun. “Bringing that elbow up helps raise the gun to your cheek and allows for easier movement when swinging on a fast target,” he said. It is also important to keep your front elbow high as well. Move your head forward a bit to weld the cheek a little farther down the stock toward the barrel, not back toward the butt end of the stock. The triangles formed by the gun, biceps and forearms make a firm foundation from which to shoot. “Then, settle into a comfortable stance with feet spaced about shoulder width apart, slightly rock your weight forward and unwind into the shot as you swing on the target,” Marraccini said.

Wingshooters remember the details of great shots such as a bird’s flight, its distance and the hunting location as if they happened yesterday. “But, you don’t remember where the barrel was,” Marraccini explained. “On great shots, you don’t see the bead, you just see the target.” Proper gun mounting allows a shooter to focus strictly on the target. “Beads are not there for aiming, but simply for the shooter to orient to the gun,” Marraccini said. “Resist the urge to aim the bead at the target. A good shooter loses the bead once the gun is mounted properly. It is not there because they are focused on the target.” Marraccini has a friend who says that if shotguns were invisible, nobody would ever miss. “That means don’t look at the shotgun, look at the target,” he said. “You don’t look at the hammer, you look at the nail. Your eyes should never leave the target.” A good drill to ingrain the proper feeling is simply following a bird in flight with the first finger of the non-trigger hand. “The finger is your barrel,” Marraccini said. “You want fluid movement of your gun barrel.” Marraccini even points the first finger of his left hand down the barrel to further ingrain this feeling. Being right handed, his left arm controls the gun swing. “Trust your instincts and fire quickly,” he said. “If you start thinking about it and your brain gets involved, that is no good.” Practicing the proper shotgun mount helps prevent thinking and brings about more instinctual shooting. “Develop your fundamentals,” Marraccini said. “Going to the range and hitting clay targets is good for your fundamentals, but the flight of a dove is much more erratic. Dove shooting, as well as waterfowl and upland birds, is several levels above clays, so good fundamentals are extremely important.” There is still plenty of dove hunting left for this license year as well as grouse, quail and waterfowl. Use these fundamentals to brush up on your wingshooting and put more birds in the bag this fall.


Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Messenger-Inquirer

hunting guide 2018 11

BE SAFE WHILE ON THE HUNT

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12 hunting guide 2018

Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Where to shoot in Owensboro/Daviess County Rock Hill has doubled the size of its With many gun enthusiasts in the area, Daviess County has plenty of options when pistol and rifle bays, added new shooting sheds for rain protection and installed new it comes to places to shoot. concrete shooting benches. There are several steel targets for rifle and pistol. DAVIESS COUNTY GUN CLUB A full-time instructor is also on staff to In business since 1967, Daviess County for beginner, women-only and advanced Gun Club offers firearm instruction, trap, tactical classes. skeet and sporting clays, and annual Rock Hill Gun Range is at 9300 Ky. 815 sporting clay tournaments. in Owensboro. Summer hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 OWENSBORO RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The Owensboro Rifle & Pistol Club is Winter hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. open from dawn until dusk to members Wednesday-Sunday. Daviess County Gun Club is at 7740 Ky. only. Membership dues are $40 per year and 2830 in Maceo. run April 1 through March 31. The rifle range includes a 100-yard ROCK HILL GUN RANGE range with covered bench positions. There Rock Hill is open seven days a week are also six pistol bays, a shotgun area for members and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, with a trap house and a lane for archery. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Owensboro Rifle & Pistol Club is at for nonmembers. Walk-up price is $10. 3289 Oak Road in Lewisport.

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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