West Kentucky WMA

WMA Overview

Size: 4495 acres
Location: McCracken
Contact: (270) 488-3233
Elevation: minimum 297 feet, maximum 451 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.1332, Longitude W -88.8139
Area Habitat: open land 30.86%, forest 44.36%, wetland 23.94%, open water 0.85%.

Regulations



Spring Hunting Season:

Tracts 2-7 are open for both the youth-only turkey season and the general turkey season. The only portion of the A Tracts still open for public use is the area of Tract 7A north of KY 358, which requires check-in prior to use. While that part of Tract 7A is open for the spring youth turkey season, the spring squirrel season, predator hunting, dog training, etc., it is not open for the general spring season. Hunters shall not use a rifle, ball or slug ammunition. Tract 6 is closed to vehicular traffic Feb. 1 - April 16.

Shooting Range Information

A person shall not target practice, sight in a firearm, or discharge a firearm in any area except the shooting range. Shooting multiple projectile shells is not permitted on Tube Ranges. Club Ranges are off-limits unless authorized by an approved event with a club range safety officer. A person shall not discharge a firearm within 100 yards of a residence or occupied building, whether or not the building is on the WMA.

Shooting Range Permit Required:

An annual or one-day shooting range permit is now required to use firearms and archery equipment on any department managed, l​eased or affiliated shooting range. The permit system will help the agency better gauge how many people use the ranges, promote safe practices, and support maintenance and improvements.

The permit is free to annual hunting or fishing license holders, but you must obtain it through My Prof​​ile.

Prohibited Activities:

  • Damage a tree or shrub (No installation of targets on trees or shrubs)
  • Dump trash or litter (Clean up targets and spent shells)
  • Deface or destroy a signs
  • Pose a risk to persons or property (Shooters responsible for ensuring adequate backstop)
  • Engage in an activity which could unreasonably interfere with other uses or users of the area
Accessibility Icon

Accessible WMA

Area: "Handicap Pond" Tract.
Terrain: Gently rolling and bottomlands.
ADA Acreage: 3,669.77 Acres.
For more information, please consult the Public Lands page.

Directions & Description

Seven miles from I-24, exit 4, in Paducah, on US 60 in Future City. Turn north on KY 996 for 3.6 miles. Turn west on KY 358 for 2.6 miles to office.

Old fields, woodlots, grasslands, crop fields and food plots. Twelve fishing ponds with access for small boats; picnicking, hiking; kennels and stalls for use during field trials. Horseback riding on designated trails only. National caliber horseback bird dog field trials, retriever field trials, and retriever test hunts are hosted September - May on the WMA. Chief Paduke Skeet Range (Phone (270) 488-3248, web site www.chiefpaduke.com ) on KY 358 one-half mile east of office. Archery range (mobility-impaired accessible) with 10-50 yard targets open daily during daylight hours, wildlife viewing areas (Tupelo Swamp) , the fishing pier at "Disabled Access Pond" is handicap assessable. Primitive camping is allowed on the WMA, but ONLY at the designated camping site.

For hunting there is mobility impaired access in designated areas to permit holders (Tract 3). Huntable populations of deer, turkey, dove, squirrel, rabbits and quail exist on the area. Special regulations apply for deer, turkey and small game hunting. All vehicular traffic is prohibited on Tract 6 Feb. 1 - April 16.

Trails were put in with the assistance of a National Recreational Trails Fund grant and the Russ Chittenden Woodlands Fund provided funds for materials, signs, tree seedlings, and a large amount of volunteer labor.

Owned/leased by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.