Clay WMA

WMA Overview

hunting fishing hiking trails boat launch horeseback trails

Size: 8979 acres
Location: Nicholas, Fleming, Bath
Contact: 859-473-0036
Elevation: minimum 597 feet, maximum 959 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 38.3411, Longitude W -83.9195
Area Habitat: open land 15.26%, forest 83.91%, wetland 0.23%, open water 0.59%.

Regulations

Fall Hunting Season:

Open under statewide rules and regulations in effect for the county.

Exceptions:

Archery and crossbow hunting are prohibited on the main tract during the quota fox hunting field trials, Sept. 9-12, Sept. 23-26 and Feb. 24-27, 2027.

Closed to modern gun deer hunting except for the quota hunt.

Rabbit season is open Nov. 1-Dec. 31, except closed Nov. 7-8 for the deer quota hunt and in the pheasant quota hunt units during pheasant quota hunts Dec. 4-7.

Grouse and quail seasons are open until 3 p.m. (local time) on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Nov. 1-Dec. 31, except closed Nov. 7-8 for the deer quota hunt and the pheasant quota units during pheasant quota hunts Dec. 4-7. The daily bag limit is four quail and two grouse.

Bear hunting is open only in the bear zone.

Pheasant quota hunts, either sex, limit two, Dec. 4, 5 and 6; open Dec. 7 only to drawn pheasant quota hunters, either sex, limit three; open Dec. 8-31, either sex, daily limit three.

The main tract of the management area is closed to public use Sept. 9-12, Sept. 23-26, 2026 and Feb. 24-27, 2027, except for those registered to participate in quota fox hunting field trials on those days.

During the pheasant quota hunt period, pheasant quota hunt units close to small game hunting for four consecutive days starting the first Friday in December. Rabbit, quail and grouse hunters must check in and check out at a self-service kiosk and clearly display a department-provided vehicle hang-tag in a vehicle. Hang-tags are available in advance through the department's website. Portions of this WMA in Fleming and Bath counties are Zone 3 for bear.

Directions & Description

Located approximately eight miles northeast of Carlisle, KY. From Carlisle take KY 32 north and turn right on KY 57, Cassidy Creek RD. There are two entrances, watch for area signs.

Terrain is steep to rolling. Several boat ramps provide access to the Licking River. Horseback riding trails on main Nicholas County tract only.

Upland Bird and Rabbit Hunters MUST check in/out at Kiosks using HangTag (last page of map document)

This WMA is closed to the public during quota fox hunting field trials. Owned by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, portions purchased with funds from the Heritage Lands Conservation Fund.