The
Kentucky River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located on the banks of the
Kentucky River, in Henry and Owen counties. The WMA is relatively new, with its
first 522-acre tract purchased in 1992 and another 856 acres added this year.
With these and other acquisitions, the WMA has grown to 1,604 acres in nine
years.
The
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has purchased key upland and
bottomland tracts as they have come available. Not all tracts join, which means
users must pay close attention to property lines. However, with that one
caveat, visitors will find the Kentucky River management area an enjoyable
place.
For
such a relatively small area, this WMA provides an amazing variety of habitats
from the riverbanks, bottomland sloughs and fields, to upland pastures and
forest.
Catfish anglers fish the banks on both sides
of the river. Wildlife watchers may see muskrats, otters, beavers, turtles,
herons, egrets and even the occasional bald eagle. There are a myriad of
songbirds and small mammals along the riverbanks.
The
sloughs and adjoining crop fields provide opportunities for waterfowl, small
game and upland bird hunters. The wetland sloughs are a comparative rarity on
the Kentucky River and provide important nesting habitat for wood ducks and
resting places for migrating ducks.
Several
fields are prepared for doves each year, which numerous hunters enjoy in early
September. Early fall also brings fox squirrels out of the timber to look for
corn or sunflower seeds in the crop fields. Later in the fall, these same
fields may provide the opportunity to flush a covey of quail or jump a rabbit.
Don't
be surprised if you flush a ruffed grouse — but don't shoot! They are part of
the restoration effort and there isn't a season on them.
This
WMA opened to the public at the same time the turkey season came to Henry
County. While a little crowded on opening day and weekends, the hunter lucky
enough to go during the week can still get a gobbler on either side of the
river. The fall seasons are a little less crowded and provide ample opportunity
to put a turkey on the table for the holidays.
The
Kentucky River valley produces some nice deer and some good ones use the Kentucky
River WMA for their address.
For
the hunter, angler or just someone needing to spend time in the great outdoors,
this management area is a good place to visit. It is almost exactly in the
geographic center of the "Golden Triangle" and is within a 50-mile
radius of Louisville, Lexington and Covington. While most of the state's
population lives in this region, this WMA is still in a wild and relatively
remote area.
The
Henry County portions of the Kentucky River WMA are located along KY 561, one
mile west of Gest, Kentucky. The Owen County tracts
are located along KY 355, approximately three miles northwest of Monterey.
Watch for signs and parking areas.
Art Boebinger is the public land coordinator for the Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.