The Messenger-Inquirer’s
Hunting & Fishing Guide 2020 Inside: • Season info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 • Public land and Zone 2 info. . . . . . Page 3 • Wildlife Management Areas . . . . . . Page 4 • Family-friendly Adventures. . . . . . . Page 6 • Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 • Firearm Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 • Wading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 • Shooting Ranges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Tuesday, August 25, 2020
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2020-21 KENTUCKY HUNTING SEASONS IN ZONE 2 Editor’s note: Some of these dates had yet to be finalized as of press deadline. Check with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife for official season dates.
AMERICAN WOODCOCK • Hunting: Oct. 24-Nov. 13, 2020; Nov. 16-Dec. 9, 2020
BEAVER, FOX (GRAY, RED), MINK, MUSKRAT, RIVER OTTER, STRIPED SKUNK, WEASAL) • Hunting: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
BOBCAT • Hunting: Nov. 28, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
BULLFROG • Hunting: Through Oct. 31, 2020
COMMON MOORHEN AND PURPLE GALLINULE • Hunting: Sept. 1-Nov. 9, 2020
ELK (in elk zone)
• Archery and crossbow: Sept. 12-25, 2020; Dec. 5-11, • Hunting: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 10, 2021 (western zone) • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 10, 2021 (western zone) 2020 (either sex) • Firearm: Sept. 26-30, 2020, Oct. 3-7, 2020 (bull, RACCOON antlered); Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2020, Dec. 26-30, 2020 • Hunting: Oct. 1, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 (no hunting (cow, antler less) during daylight hours in modern gun season, Nov. 14-29, 2020) FALCONRY • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 • Same game: Sept. 1, 2020-March 30, 2021 • Waterfowl (ducks, mergansers, coots): Nov. SANDHILL CRANE 30-Dec. 6, 2020; Feb. 1-15, 2021 • Hunting: Dec. 7, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021
GALLINULES • Hunting: Sept. 1-Nov. 9, 2020
GOOSE
• Canadian geese: Sept. 16-30, 2020; Nov. 26, 2020Feb. 15, 2021 (hunting) COOT • Hunting: Nov. 26-29, 2020; Dec. 7, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 • Conservation order: Feb. 16-March 31, 2021 (hunting) • Snow ross: Nov. 26, 2020-Feb. 15, 2021 (hunting) COYOTE • Hunting: Year-round after daylight hours using lights • White-fronted and brant: Nov. 26, 2020-Feb. 15, 2021 (hunting and falconry) or night-vision equipment from Feb. 1-May 31 • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
CROW • Hunting: Sept. 1-Nov. 7, 2020; Jan. 4-Feb. 28, 2021
DEER • Archery: Sept. 5, 2020-Jan. 18, 2021 (either sex) • Crossbow: Sept. 19, 2020-Jan. 18, 2021 (either sex) • Modern Gun: Nov. 14-29, 2020 (either sex) • Muzzle-loader: Oct. 17-18, 2020; Dec. 12-20, 2020 (either sex) • Youth-free weekend: Dec. 26-27, 2020 (either sex) • Youth-only weekend: Oct. 10-11, 2020 (either sex)
DOVE • Hunting: Sept. 1-Oct. 26, 2020; Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2020; Dec. 19, 2020-Jan. 10, 2021
DUCK
RABBIT
GROUNDHOG
• Hunting: March 1, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 (year-round) • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
GROUSE (in grouse zone only) • Hunting: Nov. 1-13, 2020; Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
MERGANSER
SQUIRREL (FALL) • Hunting: Aug. 15-Nov. 13, 2020; Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
TEAL DUCK ONLY • Hunting: Sept. 24-27, 2020
TROUT FISHING (designated streams) • Catch and release: Oct. 1, 2020-March 31, 2021
TURKEY (FALL) • Archery: Sept. 5, 2020-Jan. 18, 2021 (either sex) • Crossbow: Oct. 1-18, 2020; Nov. 14-Dec. 31, 2020 (either sex) • Shotgun: Oct. 24-30, 2020; Dec. 5-11, 2020 (either sex)
VIRGINIA & SORA RAIL • Hunting: Sept. 1-Nov. 9, 2020
WILSON’S (COMMON) SNIPE
• Hunting: Nov. 26-29, 2020; Dec. 7, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 • Hunting: Sept. 16-Oct. 25, 2020; Nov. 26, 2020-Jan. 30, 2021
OPOSSUM
• Hunting: Oct. 1, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021 • Trapping: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021
QUAIL
• Hunting: Nov. 26-29, 2020; Dec. 7, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 • Hunting: Nov. 16, 2020-Feb. 10, 2021 (western zone) Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
WOOD DUCK AND TEAL • Hunting: Sept. 19-23, 2020
YOUTH WATERFOWL • Hunting: Feb. 6-7, 2021 (western zone)
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Messenger-Inquirer
PUBLIC LAND NEAR DAVIESS COUNTY GREEN RIVER STATE FOREST WMA • 1,092 acres in Henderson County • Contact: (800) 858-1549 • Area Habitat: Mostly open land: open land 45%, forest 40%, wetland 14%, open water 0%
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Adventuring Across Kentucky BY LEE MCCLELLAN KENTUCKY AFIELD
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Afield
With nearly 90 public wildlife management areas covering 525,000 acres of land, residents and visitors alike can find plenty to do outdoors in Kentucky. Where to go exploring? Start here. Ed Maybry-Laurel Gorge WMA This 1,393-acre property in Elliott County is one of Kentucky’s most unique and overlooked areas. This valley of Laurel Creek is a smaller version of Red River Gorge, full of gorgeous bluffs, rockhouses, moss-covered boulders the size of small houses and some impressive waterfalls. It is rugged countr y, but great for hiking and exploring. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife annually stocks 2,750 rainbow trout in April, May and October along with 250 brown trout in spring. The Laurel Creek Gorge grants trout anglers a mountain-like setting in an area of unparalleled beauty.
Rolling Fork WMA The Knobs region is one of Kentucky’s forgotten places of beauty. These erosional remnants of escarpments are often cone-shaped and capped by erosion resistant rock. The knobs resemble a small, narrow mountain range, one of Kentucky’s unique landscapes. The 2,890 acres of Rolling Fork WMA provide ample room to explore a slice of knob country on the border of Nelson and Larue counties. The Rolling Fork River bisects the area, carving gorgeous rock bluffs into the knobs. The area has three miles of river frontage for fishing, mainly for spotted bass. The former owners of the property used it for hunting and horseback riding and installed an extensive trail system that aids visitors wanting to explore.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Messenger-Inquirer
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Livingston County WMA and State Natural Areas This nearly 1,900-acre Livingston County area has three tracts of limestone bluffs, waterfalls and wetlands, an unusual landscape for western Kentucky. This area is an extension of the Shawnee Hills geomorphic complex in Illinois, noted for its rugged bluffs and beauty. The 562-acre Bissell Bluff tract features rugged topography and numerous sloughs (wetlands) that hold waterfowl and other birds. The southern end of this tract contains the confluence of Bissell Creek with the Cumberland River and often holds large numbers of waterfowl. The 169-acre Newman’s Bluff tract is a former pine plantation that has a natural spring-fed lake for fishing with a waterfall on Sugarcamp Creek. The nearly 900-acre Reynolds Tract borders the 367-acre Mantle Rock Nature Preserve that contains the 188-foot long, 30-foot high Mantle Rock natural bridge. The southern end of this preserve is exceptionally scenic. Mantle Rock Nature Preserve also holds interest for history buffs as the Cherokee used the area as a camp along the Trail of Tears. There is a trail with interpretive signs explaining the Trail of Tears.
Clay WMA This area spreads over 8,978 acres in several units across three counties, but the main unit in Nicholas County is a great place to visit. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff eradicated much fescue and replaced it with native grasses such as big, little and broomsedge bluestems. The native plants make the landscape somewhat resemble what pioneers saw. “Clay WMA looks like Kentucky used to look 200 years ago,” Wethington said. One of the maps available from the mobile app and on the Wildlife Management Area and Public Lands Search page shows the location of the various habitat types on the area. Clay WMA features sweeping vistas of the Licking River valley and access to the river, one of Kentucky’s native muskellunge streams. There is a good chance visitors will flush a covey of bobwhite quail while walking through the abundant native grass stands.
It’s time to prep... for hunting seasons!
Ping-Sinking Valley WMA This 805-acre Pulaski County property is one of the few places in Kentucky that experiences “valley tides” resulting from the karst topography of the upper Buck Creek drainage. After heavy rains, the underground streams sprout through sinkholes in this area, forming ephemeral streams and lakes that disappear back underground as quickly as they form. The former owners of the property constructed an extensive network of trails, making Ping-Sinking Valley WMA an excellent place for a day of bird watching or general nature viewing. The famous Short Creek is south of this property at the community of Stab via KY 80 and a short distance down Short Creek Road. Short Creek is an excellent example of a karst window where an underground stream dissolves the bedrock above it, leading to its collapse. Short Creek flows out of a cave and into a small, aquamarine creek before disappearing again into another cave downstream.
Author Lee McClellan is a nationally award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing.
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Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 25, 2020
David Ayer of Rockport, middle, signs a geocaching logbook after finding a cache with Jennifer Schehr of Cincinnati, left, and Jodi Spalding of Swartz Creek, Michigan, during the soft opening of Owensboro’s Barbecue, Bourbon and Bluegrass Geotour on Aug. 15. Visit Owensboro partnered with AFK Geocaching of Cincinnati to put on the event where geocachers searched the park using the Geocaching App to find “geocaches” and sign a log in the container. Visit Owensboro officials are hoping to host more — and bigger — geocaching events in the future. Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer
Safe, family-friendly adventuring Outdoor activities are seeing a rise in popularity thanks to social distancing measures put in place to combat spread of the coronavirus. As temperatures cool off and autumn colors begin appearing, try some of these options. GEOCACHING
Take your family on a virtual treasure hunt by geocaching. Download an app, such as Geocaching, to locate caches in various outdoor places, then hunt for them and log your success. Recently, an estimated 300 families from 15 states visited Owensboro for “Barbecue, Bourbon and Bluegrass,” the city’s first big geocaching event. Officials are hoping to build a wider network of geocaching sites and even land GeoWoodstock XIX, the world’s largest geocaching festival, in 2022.
PRODUCE PICKING
Produce picking is a popular autumn activity, but families need not wait for the autumn harvest to enjoy a day picking fruit or vegetables at a nearby farm such as Reid’s Orchard or Cecil Farms. Visit during its har vest season, teaching
children about how the foods they love are grown and eventually make it to the family dinner table. Be advised: Some farms have changed the way they host public picking because of the pandemic. It’s best to contact the farm before visiting with your family.
NATURE BINGO
Draw up a bingo card, fill it with various plants, bird and wildfire, and then visit nearby parks and nature trails and see who amongst your family can check the most boxes (and score the most points).
OUTDOOR ART CLASS
Pick a pleasant afternoon and set up an outdoor painting station, encouraging ever yone to
paint what they see. Fall is a great time to host an outdoor art sessions thanks to the assortment of vibrant colors synonymous with autumn landscapes.
BONFIRE
A post-dinner backyard bonfire can entice just about anyone outside. Tell scar y stories over a flashlight, put a new twist on s’mores, and make up silly songs.
STARGAZE
Grab some blankets, a thermos of hot cocoa, binoculars and a chart of constellations to enjoy a sky full of bright stars. If visibility is compromised in the backyard, head for a quiet spot outside of town to get a clear view of the night sky.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Messenger-Inquirer
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8 HUNTING & FISHING GUIDE 2020
Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 25, 2020
2020-21 KENTUCKY HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES GETTING A LICENSE Kentucky’s license year begins March 1 and continues through the last day of February. New licenses are required annually. Resident and nonresident youth under the age of 12 are not required to purchase licenses or permits to hunt (except the elk lottery application). Resident and nonresident youth ages 15 and younger are not required to purchase licenses or permits to fish. If you take or attempt to take game or fish, you are subject to licensing requirements unless specifically exempted by law. Unless you are license-exempt, you must obtain and carry while in the field proof that you’ve met the license requirements for the kind of hunting or fishing you’re doing. This proof can be either a paper license/ permit or a license authorization number (when purchasing license/ permits online). If you can’t show you’re licensed properly while you’re hunting or fishing, you risk being issued a citation. Each hunter must have his or her own license or permit. Paper licenses and permits must be signed and the hunter information portion (signature, address, eye and hair color, sex, height and weight) completed before going afield. See the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife’s website (fw. ky.gov) for specific information on license and permit fees. There are several ways to purchase licenses and permits:
ONLINE
All Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses and permits can be purchased through the secured Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Online License Sales site (https://app.fw.ky. gov/solar/). 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 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.
IN PERSON
Licenses and permits can be purchased throughout the state at about 900 locations, including country stores, some county clerks offices, local hunting and fishing businesses, and some chain stores that sell outdoor sporting goods. (See our list of licensed vendors on this page.)
BY PHONE
Licenses and permits can be purchased by phone at 877598-2401 24 hoursr hours a day. All licenses and permits, except a disability license, elk drawing application, and youth licenses and permits can be purchased by telephone. Those who purchase licenses and permits by phone will be charged a small convenience fee, which must be paid for with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card, or an e-check. Purchasers will be issued an authorization number, which serves as the license or permit. If requested, a paper license or permit (except short-term licenses) will be mailed to the purchaser. The paper license must be filled out and signed by the hunter/fisher. 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. It is the caller’s responsibility to know what type of license or permit is needed before calling. Operators should NOT be relied upon to explain licensing requirements. If you are unsure what license or permit you need, refer to the License and Permit Descriptions section, or contact the Kentucky Department Fish & Wildlife at (800) 858-1549. Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
AREA HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE AGENTS DAVIESS COUNTY Academy Sports & Outdoors 3051 Highland Pointe Drive Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 686-6000 Fast Fuel 5464 Ky. 144 Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 240-1142 Frank Miller & Son Sporting Goods 537 Crabtree Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 683-3479 Gordon’s True Value 6180 Ky. 54 Philpot, KY 42366 (270) 729-4261
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 Jumpin Jacks Food Mart 8513 U.S. 60 East Lewisport, KY 42351 (270) 295-3490 Nash’s Archery & Outdoor Gear 1270 Pell St. Lewisport, KY 42351 (270) 295-6532
MCLEAN COUNTY
Rural King Supply 601 Commerce Drive Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 683-3488
Green River Pawn and Rentals 895 Main St. Calhoun, KY 42327 (270) 316-8401
Quality Quick #14 3414 New Hartford Road Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 686-7445
Horns Hooks & Feathers 240 Ky. 81 North Calhoun, KY 42327 (270) 273-5937
Vessels Mini Market 9227 Ky. 54 Whitesville, KY 42378 (270) 233-9581
McLean County Clerk 210 E. Main St. Calhoun, KY 42327 (270) 273-3082
Walmart #0701 5031 S. Frederica St. Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 685-2060
Sacramento Pharmacy 750 Main St. Sacramento, KY 42372 (270) 736-2999
Walmart #3363 3151 Leitchfield Road Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 683-5553 Whittaker Guns 6976 West Louisville Lane Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 229-0431
Smith Super Saver 305 Beech Grove St. Calhoun, KY 42327 (270) 273-3573 Southern Outdoors of KY, INC. 403 Henton St. Livermore, KY 42352 (270) 278-3043
HANCOCK COUNTY
MUHLENBURG COUNTY
Aces Guns 1265 State Route 271 North Hawesville, KY 42348 (270) 927-6078
Casey’s General Store #3532 645 S. Second St. Central City, KY 42330 (270) 754-4859
Max’s Convenience Shop #147 3454 U.S. 4315 Beechmont, KY 42323 (270) 476-3955 Minit Mart 349 N. Main St. Greenville, KY 42345 (270) 338-9150 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 Walmart #0294 1725 Everly Brothers Blvd. Central City, KY 42330 (270) 754-1533
OHIO COUNTY Jumpin Jacks Food Mart 101 N. Main St. Fordsville, KY 42343 (270) 276-3104 Minit Mart #523 1989 U.S. 231 Beaver Dam, KY 42320 (270) 274-5059 Mitchell’s Grocery 11707 U.S. 231 Utica, KY 42376 (270) 275-4933 Ohio County Clerk 301 S. Main St, Ste. 201 Hartford, KY 42347 (270) 298-4422 Walmart #0333 1701 N. Main St. Beaver Dam, KY 42320 (270) 274-9609 Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Messenger-Inquirer
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10 RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This is particularly important when loading or unloading a firearm. In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. A safe direction means a direction in which a bullet cannot possibly strike anyone, taking into account possible ricochets and the fact that bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings. The safe direction may be “up” on some occasions or “down” on others, but never at anyone or anything not intended as a target. Even when “dry firing” with an unloaded gun, you should never point the gun at an unsafe target.
action and be certain that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine. Be sure the barrel is clear of any obstruction. If the noise or recoil on firing seems weak or doesn’t seem quite “right,” cease firing immediately and be sure to check that no obstruction or projectile has become lodged in the barrel.
DON’T MODIFY YOUR GUN, AND HAVE GUNS SERVICED REGULARLY
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEYOND IT
No one can call a shot back. Once a gun fires, you have given up all control over where the shot will go or what it will strike. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED to strike. Be sure that your bullet will not injure anyone or anything beyond WHEN NOT ACTUALLY IN USE your target. Firing at a movement or a Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range noise without being absolutely certain of what you are shooting at constitutes or shooting area, ready to shoot. When disregard for the safety of others. not in use, firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place, separate from each other. USE CORRECT AMMUNITION Whenever you handle a firearm or Using improper or incorrect hand it to someone, always open the ammunition can destroy a gun and action immediately, and visually check cause serious personal injur y. Read the chamber, receiver and magazine and heed all warnings, including to be certain they do not contain any those that appear in the gun’s ammunition. Always keep actions open instruction manual and on the when not in use. Never assume a gun is ammunition boxes. Be absolutely unloaded — always check for yourself. certain that the ammunition you are using matches the specifications that are contained within the DON’T RELY ON gun’s instruction manual and the YOUR GUN’S ‘SAFETY’ manufacturer’s markings on the Treat every gun as though it can fire firearm. at any time. The “safety” on any gun is a Handloaded or reloaded mechanical device which, like any such ammunition deviating from pressures device, can become inoperable. Besides, generated by factor y loads or from by mistake, the safety may be “off” when component recommendations you think it is “on.” specified in reputable handloading Never touch the trigger on a firearm manuals can be dangerous, and can until you actually intend to shoot. Keep cause severe damage to guns and your fingers away from the trigger while serious injur y to the shooter. loading or unloading. Never pull the Ammunition that has become ver y trigger on any firearm with the safety wet or has been submerged in water on the “safe” position or anywhere in should be discarded in a safe manner. between “safe” and “fire.” It is possible Do not spray oil or solvents on that the gun can fire at any time, or even later when you release the safety, without ammunition or place ammunition in excessively lubricated firearms. Poor you ever touching the trigger again. ignition, unsatisfactor y performance Never place the safety in between or damage to your firearm and harm positions, since half-safe is unsafe. Keep to yourself or others could result the safety “on” until you are absolutely from using such ammunition. ready to fire.
IF YOUR GUN FAILS TO FIRE, HANDLE WITH CARE
Occasionally, a cartridge may not fire when the trigger is pulled. If this occurs, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech. Then, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING
Exposure to shooting noise can damage hearing, and adequate vision protection is essential. Shooting glasses guard against twigs, falling shot, clay target chips and the rare ruptured case or firearm malfunction. Wearing eye protection when disassembling and cleaning any gun will also help prevent the possibility of springs, spring tension parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
CLEAR THE BARREL OF OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SHOOTING
Before you load your firearm, open the
Firearms are complicated mechanisms that are designed by experts to function properly in their original condition. Any alteration or change made to a firearm after manufacture can make the gun dangerous and will usually void any factory warranties. Your gun is a mechanical device that will not last forever and is subject to wear. As such, it requires periodic inspection, adjustment and service. Check with the manufacturer of your firearm for recommended servicing.
LEARN THE MECHANICAL AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING
Not all firearms are the same. The method of carrying and handling firearms varies in accordance with the mechanical characteristics of each gun. Since guns can be so different, never handle any firearm without first having thoroughly familiarized yourself with the particular type of firearm you are using, the safe gun handling rules for loading, unloading, carrying and handling that firearm, and the rules of safe gun handling in general. Source: The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
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Wading an excellent, inexpensive way to fish streams KENTUCKY AFIELD
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Afield
Dr. William Ellis, a retired professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University, is shown wading the Dix River below Dix Dam for trout several years ago. Wading is one of the simplest and most effective ways to fish streams in Kentucky. the gap of your neoprene booties for wet wading in summer. This allows you to use wade boots year round. SEE WADING/PAGE 11
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Breathable waders with a stocking foot make the best choice. Neoprene waders work well if you only trout fish cold tailwaters like the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam. For the other streams in Kentucky, neoprene waders, especially the 5-millimeter ones, will roast you. You can tell how far you’ve walked by the sweat rings in your hat when wearing neoprene waders in a normal Kentucky stream. Waders with boot feet work well for waterfowl hunting, but are uncomfortable for wade fishing. Stocking foot waders require a pair of wade boots. Wading boots are designed to accommodate the neoprene stocking foot on this style of waders, so buy your normal shoe size and a neoprene sock. This sock fills in
D
and for probing the water ahead of you to test the depth. A thick hickory stick with a hole drilled through for a loop of paracord as a lanyard does just fine. Wading anglers eventually will need to cross a stream. The shallow water in a stream drop makes the best spots to cross, but current makes this tricky. Approach the riffle or rapid from upstream and angle across downstream. Wading down and across the riffle is much easier to get to the other side than wading up and across. If you get a quarter way across a swift riffle and the current makes you tipsy, turn back and find another spot to cross. If you cannot enter into a wading situation with confidence, do not do it. Some times of year, you will need waders to combat the cold water.
REA
nglers in Kentucky often learned to fish by wading the abundant streams that course over the surface of our state. Many of these streams flow over a rocky bottom and hold substantial populations of smallmouth bass. Several streams flowing in the mountains of east Kentucky or streams powered by springs receive trout stocked by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Wading is arguably the best way to catch a big fish from one of these streams. Wade fishing boils everything down to its essence: you, your fishing rod of choice and the fish. You don’t worry about working a complex sonar unit, dead batteries, crowded lakes or navigating a boat ramp. All you need is at your fingertips so you can concentrate on catching fish, not distractions. Paddling a stream is a great way to explore and fish, but it promotes wanderlust as the mind conjures what is around the next bend. There is a time component involved as well, as you have to be at the take-out by a predetermined time or at least before darkness falls. Wading anglers find they often catch bigger fish because its methodical nature promotes a peaceful mind and forces anglers to thoroughly fish a spot before moving on to a new one. Stealth and safety are important considerations for proper wading. Stream smallmouths usually hang in the flowing water above and below stream drops while stream trout locate toward the deeper water in the same spots. As you wade into the water, keep your feet low as you wade deeper. Firmly plant your front foot before moving the rear foot forward. Do not lift your foot too high or the current will take it and you may lose your balance. When wading against current, walk sideways to reduce water pressure on your legs and go slow. Consider the consequences of falling if you proceed into rough, questionable water. Nature doesn’t make soft, spongy rocks. They hurt when you fall and hit them. A wading staff helps with balance, ascending or descending steep banks
M E
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BY LEE MCCLELLAN
P L AT I N U M
Phone 683-6427 Lic. #MO1723
1911 Old Henderson Road One Block South of 9th & Crabtree
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Messenger-Inquirer
HUNTING & FISHING GUIDE 2020
Before heading outdoors, get your gear in order by visiting these area businesses: SUPPLIES
GORDON’S TRUE VALUE HARDWARE
A&A PAWN 900 Crabtree Ave, Owensboro (270) 684-8759
321 Washington Ave., Owensboro (270) 683-1115 https://ww3.truevalue.com/gordonsowensboro/Home.aspx
SOUTHERN OUTDOORS
5694 Kentucky 1046, Calhoun (270) 273-3800
JOE’S TRANSMISSION
403 Henton St., Livermore (270) 278-3043), southernoutdoorsofky.com
ABC RENTAL CENTER INC. 1301 Daviess St., Owensboro (270) 684-0288
MATTINGLY’S AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR WHITTAKER GUNS 6976 West Louisville Lane, Owensboro (270) 229-0140, whittakerguns.com
BULLETS PAWN 301 E. 18th St., Owensboro (270) 683-7330
VEHICLE SALES +PARTS + REPAIRS
FRANK MILLER & SON SPORTING GOODS 537 Crabtree Ave., Owensboro (270) 683-3479
WADING FROM PAGE 10
Avoid the water sandals with open toes, open sides and open heels. Wade boots have thick soles as well as toe and heel cups to offer fantastic protection for your feet. With the high water levels we’ve had during the last couple of years, our stream bottoms may have some barbed wire fence, metal or glass on them. You could step on a broken bottle in a pair of wade boots and not feel it; the same scenario in sandals could lead to a nasty cut. For decades, felt-bottomed wade boots were the standard, but newer rubber-cleated boots now make up a substantial part of the market. The soft rubber-cleated wade boots are a big improvement over the old lug-soled rubber boots. However, for sheer grip on rocky, algae covered streambeds, nothing beats felt. Kentucky streams often flow over limestone and feature long stretches of flat bedrock. Water flowing over these shelves over time carves undulations, resembling waves on water. There is no slicker bottom than these limestone
CHAMPION FORD
140 Southtown Blvd., Owensboro (877) 434-3028
BATTERY HEADQUARTERS 821 Breckenridge St., Owensboro (270) 683-0618
shelves, especially after the sun’s rays promote a coating of algae. Felt bottom wade boots will save your bacon in situations like this. A fishing vest makes keeping your lures, a pair of pliers, clippers and a bottle of water convenient. They are comfortable as well, but an inexpensive fanny pack will do in a pinch. Remember to respect private property and always secure landowner permission before wading. Although streams are public resources, the land beside and beneath streams are private and thus require permission to access them, unless owned by a government agency. Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County is a noteworthy exception — wading is permissible to everyone, but getting to and from the water on private land still requires permission. With all of the stress from the coronavirus, wading a stream in solitude is a good balm for both body and soul. Author Lee McClellan is a nationally award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing.
2405 Veach Road, Owensboro (270) 683-4251
RABEN TIRE
824 Frederica St., Owensboro (270) 683-7301
TYLER BOATS
3179 Indiana 161, Rockport, IN (812) 649-4941, tylerboats.net
Come in today for Award Winning BBQ & Burgoo* Mutton • Chicken • Pork • Ribs Beef • Ham Dine In • Carry Out • Banquet Room Custom Cooking & Catering
Six Generations of Quality BBQ 338 Washington Ave. • 926-9000 *Messenger-Inquirer Reader’s Choice Awards
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12 HUNTING & FISHING GUIDE 2020
Messenger-Inquirer Tuesday, August 25, 2020
AREA SHOOTING RANGES DAVIESS COUNTY GUN CLUB (FIREARMS) (call for opening info) 7740 Ky. 2830, Maceo, KY, 42355 (270) 264-5330
DOWN ZERO SHOOTING SPORTS (FIREARMS)
Cleaton Cutoff Road, Drakesboro, KY 42337 (270) 605-2650 https://downzeroky.com
MYER CREEK ARCHERS (ARCHERY)
OWENSBORO RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB (ARCHERY, FIREARMS) 3289 Oak Road, Lewisport, KY 42351 www.orpci.org
RED BRUSH RIFLE RANGE (FIREARMS) (check website for opening info) 3299 Eble Road, Newburgh, IN 47630 redbrush.org
210 Park Loop, Calhoun, KY 42327 (270) 499-0833
ROCK HILL GUN RANGE (FIREARMS)
RANGERS GUN CLUB (FIREARMS)
9300 Kentucky 815, Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 314-9837 http://gunblog.whittakerguns.com/ rock-hill-gun-range
Rangers Landing Road (McLean County) rangersgunclub.com
Tyler, Raylee, Brock, Brody, Duke, Bruce, and Xander Brubaker (all NRA life memb ers)
140 Southtown Blvd. in Owensboro 270-684-1441 • 800-737-1771 ChampionOwensboro.com
