Kentucky Hunting
In the Bluegrass region hunters took more than 36,500 deer in their 31 county area of central and north Kentucky. The bluegrass region is where you will find the most libetal gun-hunting season. Big buck states are often expensive to hunt, but that isn’t the case in Kentucky. An annual non-resident hunting license costs $140, a statewide deer permit is $120 ($15 for youth) and residents pay just $55 for a license and tag.
Proper deer management is vital to the growing herd. In order to have a high quality deer herd you need four ingredients. Genetics, age structure, remote habitat and food. Kentucky is one of the leading states that have a plentiful supply of all of these. Our goal is for every hunter to harvest a deer he or she will be proud of while growing lasting friendships and providing a fun and memorable experience.
Archery and Crossbow hunting
Archery whitetail season starts around the beginning of September and runs through November. This hunt is perfect for those who want to get a chance at that elusive mature buck. Crossbow whitetail hunts are open in late September, October and November. Crossbow hunting gives all hunters young and old an opportunity to enjoy this exciting aspect of the sport without needing as much strength to pull back on their bow string.
Muzzleloader Hunts
Muzzleloader hunts are a unique experience. In late October and November, this hunt is one of the most popular because its length is shorter than rifle season. Hunting with a Muzzleloader requires hunters to use firearms that the shooter loads by inserting the ammunition into the barrel of the gun. It is one of the more difficult and challenging hunts than the other two seasons but offers some of the best opportunities for trophy bucks.
Rifle Hunts
Rifle season starts at the end of November. During rifle hunts, hunters use firearms that require the shooter to load bullets into the magazine and chamber before firing. Rifle hunts are popular due to the convenience of using a modern gun during the hunt. Rifle hunting can be enjoyed by all ages. The benefit of those hunt is that hunters can take more shots than during a muzzleloader hunt.
How Many Deer Can Be Harvested
Four deer can be harvested. The statewide deer permit, and youth deer permit allows up to one antlered deer and three antlerless deer using the statewide deer permit or youth deer permit. A hunter may take as many deer as allowed for each zone. In order to take more than four deer statewide, an additional permit must be purchased. An additional permit allows a hunter to take up to two additional deer beyond the four deer allowed by the statewide or youth permit.
What is a Trophy Buck
Back in the old days the number of points on the antlers mattered more than anything else. Today's hunters take in consideration mass, symmetry and the tine length. Of course, a 10 or 12 point is always a goal especially if the buck is mature. A hunter today knows it takes 5 or 6 years for a buck to grow to its full potential, so experienced hunters will pass on younger deer and wait to reap the rewards later with a massive buck. That brings us to one key factor for a trophy buck: MATURITY.
For many hunters a trophy buck is defined by AGE: A young buck 2-3 years old with 8-10 points has the potential to mature into an older buck with high scoring 10–12-point antlers, long tines and a heavy main beam. Many consider a large deer to be a trophy because they have been given time to mature and develop. The older the deer the more cunning and better at evading a predator, thus harder to hunt. The older bucks are survivors who have outlived a lot of other whitetails. They search their surroundings, test the wind, and even look up in the trees for possible predators. Successfully hunting a deer with that much awareness definitely makes it a trophy whitetail. Then others consider EXPERIENCE: To some hundred a trophy deer is judged by the size of the deer; others define a trophy buck by the inches of the antler and still others base Whitetail trophy status on the deer's age. But some people consider the EXPERIENCE of the hunt itself, regardless of the animal. A trophy whitetail might be one you had to work really hard for or one that tested your skills. It might be the deer that was most challenging, or that buck that has eluded you time and time again. If you're an experienced hunter you've probably killed several whitetail deer, but what stands out about them? You probably remember the biggest deer, and surely are proud of that kill. But what about the first whitetail deer hunt with a bow? Or the first successful hunt on a new or challenging terrain? What about that whitetail deer hunt with some good friends? What about the first hunt you ever went on? At that moment did you care about the size or age of the deer, or just the fact that you had successfully hunted the animal? So, the best answer to the question of what qualifies a trophy whitetail deer is: IT DEPENDS