West Kentucky WMA

WMA Overview

Size: 6426 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 34.73%, forest 46.58%, wetland 18.08%, open water 0.62%.

Regulations

Open under county and statewide regulations, except:

Deer Season Restrictions:

  • Muzzleloader: Closed

  • Modern Gun: Quota Hunt Only. Open Shotgun/muzzleloader Deer Hunt from January 14-16, 2023; Limited to 140 hunters; Check-ins and check-outs are required.

  • Youth Gun: Open only for youth-mentor Quota Hunt on the designated zone in Tract 7A only. Closed for all other youth firearm seasons.

Rabbit and Quail: Tracts 1, 4, 5 and “A” tracts open January 1-10 except if harvest limits are reached before January 10; Tracts 2, 3, 6 and 7 open with statewide seasons and close December 31.

Other Restrictions: Check-ins are required before entering any area marked with an “A”; Only shotguns may be used for small game or furbearer hunting; Hunters may not use centerfire rifles or handguns to take deer.

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.
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