Author Archives: dirtroaddispatch

Kentucky’s 4th bear season just concluded to some new records! For the first time, the quota was met for the season. The season was scheduled for three days, but closed a day early due to meeting the quota. All of the bears were taken from Harlan or Letcher counties and 10 of the 11 were taken by local hunters. The design of the season is to limit the number of bears especially female bears (sows) taken each season. Thus far, only 4 of the 17 bears harvested over the seasons have been females. This helps sustain the seasons for years to come.

A state record bear was also taken during the two days of hunting. The bear field dressed at a whopping 410 pounds crushing the previous record of 350 pounds!

Congratulations to the hunters, biologists, and state on working to make this season a huge success!!!

Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resource Website
http://fw.ky.gov/app/news/newsdetail.aspx?id=1204

It is duck season eve and all through the country, not a creature is stirring…

What is shaping up to be the most disappointing start to duck season in over a dozen years for much of the south, is not keeping the hunters at home. Duck hunters will still find local birds and make the best of it in hopes that this pattern will change.

It is discouraging that even in the northern reaches of the US, where duck season has been open for weeks, they recorded record highs as late as Tuesday this week. Fortunately, a cold front is finally moving out of Canada and bringing arctic temps and snow to the midwest. This will not be enough to move the ducks to the south yet, but it’s a start.

Strangely enough, hunters are noticing indications of a colder winter. The last week or two, the “experts” are starting to agree. The indications are showing a snowier and colder winter for the mountain areas. This cold could be exactly what we need to push some ducks to the south. Unfortunately, if it doesn’t snow and get cold in the Midwest most of the ducks will stay in those areas. With migratory birds, it is completely a waiting game. The best we can hope for is miserable cold temps and crazy snow. While we wait, continue getting out and checking your swamps and ponds every day or two. Watch the temps to the north and save a vacation day or two. When the ducks arrive, we all know it will only be for a day or two! Don’t miss our limited opportunities for some of the most fun hunting you will ever have!

As outdoorsmen and women, we are obligated to know and understand the rules and regulations that are in place by our state biologists.  I am disturbed at the number of hunters and fishermen that I find and hear breaking the law.  With liberal laws already in place in most parts of the country, it is sad that people are breaking the rules.  We want to keep our privilege of utilizing the outdoors and yet more and more are taking advantage of these.  It doesn’t matter what the rule is, it is our responsibility to follow those rules.  People that are smarter than us, spend years of studying the cause and effects of what we do outdoors.  Although we may not understand or agree with these rules, we must obey them.

Too many people are trying to take our rights away and we don’t need to give them the leverage!  Show everyone the we are moral and good people who take care of the outdoors.  Not people who take advantage of them.

Lastly, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 is back on the floor for vote.  Please contact your Senator and let them know that we need them to vote YES!!!  This Act is important for all of us that enjoy the outdoors!!!