HUNT HERE URBAN COUNTIES HUNT HERE.

COME ON.

HUNT 'EM UP!

>> THAT'S A RABBIT.

>> THIS WEEK ON KENTUCKY AFIELD... (GUNSHOT).

>> WE COULDN'T HELP OURSELVES.

>> DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!

>> WE HAD TO GET OUT FOR ONE LAST RABBIT HUNT BEFORE THE SEASON CLOSED AND THE IN THE EASTERN ZONE.

NEXT, WE ARE ON PATROL WITH CONSERVATION OFFICERS TO SEE WHAT A DAY IN THEIR SHOES IS LIKE DURING MODERN FIREARM GASOLINE GAME WARD EN.

>> THEN... >> FIRE IN THE HOLE!

>> WE'LL LEARN HOW FIRE CAN ACTUALLY BE A GOOD THING.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON KENTUCKY AFIELD... >> THAT'S A PRETTY FISH.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> THIS POND IS PLUM FLOATED WITH FROGS.

>> THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN HERE.

(GUNSHOT) >> THIS IS A GOOD FISH RIGHT HERE.

A REALLY GOOD FISH.

>> COME HERE, GIRL.

>> THAT'S A BIG RABBIT.

>> NICE JOB.

>> YES!

MY FIRST MUSKY.

>> LEO!

♪ WE GOT A KEEPER!

>> THERE GOES.

BOOM!

>> WOW, THAT HAPPENED FAST.

>> HELLO, WELCOME TO KENTUCKY AFIELD.

I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES.

JOIN US AS WE JOURNEY THE COMMONWEALTH IN SEARCH OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.

RECENTLY I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND WHO IS ABOUT TO BE DEPLOYED AND HE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY CHANCE WE WOULD GET IN ONE LAST RABBIT HUNT BEFORE THE SEASON CLOSED.

YOU AND I MET A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

YOU WERE RAISED IN SHELBY COUNTY, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> WE HUNTED A PIECE OF PROPERTY AND DAVE WAS OUT THERE.

AND HE CALLED ME AND SAID DAVE IS GETTING READY TO GET DEPLOYED, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET HIM A RABBIT HUNT IN BEFOREHAND.

ANY HINT?

I ALWAYS HAVE AN INTEREST IN RABBIT HUNTING.

YOU SAID LET'S TRY MY PLACE.

THIS IS NELSON COUNTY.

YOU HUNT HERE A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR.

>> ONCE A YEAR IS ABOUT ALL I REALLY RABBIT HUNT BUT DAVE IS ABOUT TO GET DEPLOYED, I WANTED TO GET IT IN BEFORE HE LEAVES.

THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY ONLY HUNT OF THE YEAR.

>> YOU ENJOY HUNTING BUT THIS IS WHEN YOU RABBIT HUNT.

>> ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR RABBIT HUNTING ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.

THAT'S ABOUT AS FAR AS MY HUNTING GOES.

>> WE TEXTED BACK AND FORTH, GETTING READY FOR RABBIT SEASON AND COMMUNICATED EIGHT OR 10 TIMES SINCE LAST HUNT.

TODAY WE FINALLY GOT IT TOGETHER.

GET GETTING DOGS ON THE GROUND AND HOPEFULLY GET HAD SOME BUNNIES.

>> SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

>> HUNT HERE HUNT HERE!

HUNT 'EM UP!

>> THAT BARK ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE I STEPPED ON A THORN BARK NOT A RABBIT BARK.

DAVE, IS THIS YOUR EFFICIENT RABBIT HUNT OF THE YEAR?

>> FIRST HUNT OF THE YEAR.

GOT A NEWBORN AT HOME SO I DIDN'T GET TO HUNT MUCH THIS YEAR.

>> THAT DEFINITELY TAKES TIME.

WE HUNTED THIS PLACE LAST YEAR.

>> I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE LAST DAY OF RABBIT SEASON.

WE GOT FIVE OR SIX.

>> A COUPLE PRETTY GOOD RUNS.

I'M EXCITE TO GET BACK OUT HERE AND SEE THIS PROPERTY AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY THE DOGS JUMP US SOME RABBITS.

I KNOW THIS AREA HOLDS BUNNIES.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET SOMETHING KICKED UP WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> SOUNDS GREAT.

>> HUNT IT HERE!

JONESY, GET IN THERE.

HUNT 'EM UP!

GET 'EM OUT.

>> WE JUST HIT SOME OF THE BEST AREA OF THE FARM.

FENCED ROAD, NOW IT GETS REALLY THICK WHERE LITERALLY EVERY STEP TO HAVE A RABBIT.

THAT'S A RABBIT.

WE GOT THE DOGS COMING BACK TO US AND SEEMS LIKE MAYBE THE RABBIT IS HUNG UP IN THIS PILE.

>> THEY WENT WAY OUT.

150-160 YARDS AND TURNED.

I SAW SOMETHING COME THROUGH HERE.

THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO RUN RIGHT TO ME.

THE DOG OVERRAN IT JUST A LITTLE BIT AND GOT ON THIS SIDE OF THE RABBIT.

IT JUMPED AND THEY TOOK OFF.

RUNNING IT FOR LOOP NUMBER 2.

(GUN GUNSHOT).

>> COMING AT YOU, DAVE, COMING AT YOU!

(GUNSHOTS) IT FLIPPED HIM.

GOOD SHOT.

IT STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME BUT MY GUN DIDN'T GO OFF.

I HAD TO KICK THE SHELL OUT.

>> DEAD!

DEAD!

DEAD!

DEAD!

>> HE LOOKED EIGHT.

DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE RIGHT ONE.

THEY THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

THEY RAN RIGHT BY JOSEPH.

I SAW YOU SPIN.

THAT RABBIT WAS RUNNING RIGHT TO ME.

IT WAS A GOOD SHOT.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU WANT THIS IN YOUR BAG HERE?

>> SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THERE YOU GO.

WE LITERALLY HAD A RABBIT ON A CHASE AND WENT IN A BIG CIRCLE.

EVERYTHING INSIDE THE MIDDLE WE DIDN'T HUNT.

THE DOGS WENT BACK AND JUMPED ANOTHER ONE UP.

I THINK JOSEPH MAY HAVE GOT IT.

PRETTY EXCITING REALLY BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE WORKING ON THIS RABBIT OVER HERE AND DAVE ENDED UP GETTING HIM.

FINALLY GOT THE RABBIT DOWN AND YOU GUYS JUMPED ONE UP.

THERE COULD BE ANOTHER RABBIT OR TWO HERE.

IT'S A BIG CIRCLE.

WE LEFT THIS RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE AND CAME BACK AND CLEANED IT UP.

>> I'M GLAD WE GOT TWO.

I WAS WORRIED THERE FOR A MINUTE MAKE A RIGHT TURN, COME BACK.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> DID THEY EVER GET IN THE SINK HOLE RIGHT THERE?

>> NO.

>> I SAY WE GET 'EM IN THERE FOR A SECOND.

>> HUNT 'EM OUT.

HUNT 'EM UP.

QUAIL!

>> IT'S A WOODCOCK?

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE.

SNIPE GOT A BIG LONG BEAK LIKE THAT, DON'T THEY?

>> AGREE.

>> HERE GOES.

>> THIS IS THE FAR BACKSIDE OF THE PROPERTY.

WE'VE CROSSED TWO CREEKS TO GET HERE.

I CAN COUNT ON TWO HANDS THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I'VE EVER BEEN BACK HERE.

WE'LL RABBIT HUNT.

IT MIGHT BE GREAT.

MIGHT NOT.

WE ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL SOUND ISN'T IT.

YOU THINK THEY LOST IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HEAR ONE BARK AND ALL FOUR OPEN UP BARKING AND RUNNING.

>> I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO GO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE HIM.

I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE UNLOADED ALL THREE ROUNDS RIGHT THERE.

>> WE GOT 'EM.

THERE HE GOES!

COMING YOUR WAY!

YOU SEE IT!

>> YEAH THERE YOU GO!

NICE!

>> WELL, I CAN'T TELL YOU GUYS HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS AGAIN.

HEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH US NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU GET BACK IN TOWN AND WE'LL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

>> KENTUCKY CONSERVATION OFFICERS WORK TIRELESSLY ON LAND AND WATER TO PROTECT THE STATE'S NATURAL RESOURCES.

BUT IN THE LINE OF DUTY, THEY NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO ENCOUNTER.

>> THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN A DEER DECOY.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT SINCE AUGUST 16 OF OF LAST YEAR, 2019.

TAKES ABOUT A YEAR TO GO THROUGH THE TRAINING PROCESS.

AFTER THAT I HAVE BEEN ON MY OWN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.

>> RIGHT TO THE DECOY.

>> SO WE WILL BE IN THE PURSUIT VEHICLE IF SOMEBODY WAS TO TAKE A SHOT, WE WOULD BE THE FIRST PUNCH THEY CONTACT.

TWO OFFICERS DOWN HERE MANAGING THE DECOYS AND HAVE RADIO CONTACT FOR THEM.

>> THE REASON WE SET THESE DECOYS WE WANT TO KEEP ALL THE HUNTERS SAFE.

AND IF SOMEBODY IS HUNTING FROM THE ROADWAY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND THE TARGET OR WHERE THE OTHER HUNTERS ARE.

THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROPERTY.

WE SET THE DECOY UP IN A SAFE MANNER SO IF SOMEBODY SHOOTS FROM THE ROAD, THEN IT'S IN A MORE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AND WE CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUES AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL NOT DO THAT AGAIN.

>> MY NAME IS ROBERTA MARTINEZ.

CONSERVATION OFFICER.

I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED SINCE LAST AUGUST BUT GOT OUT WORKING BY MYSELF ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AGO.

SO WE HAVE A WOMAN WHO HAS CLAIMED LAND OWNER BUT SHE DOESN'T OWN PROPERTY IN HART COUNTY AND ONLY CHECKS IN BUCKS.

WE ARE THINKING THAT ONE OF HER SONS IS USING HER TO TELECHECK A BUCK IN SO HE IS ABLE TO KILL TWO BUCKS A YEAR.

HIS AND THE ONE SHE TELECHECKS.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK TO HER AND SEE IF WE CAN GET THE STORY STRAIGHT.

>> I'M OFFICER FISHER.

I HAVE BEEN ON FIVE YEARS.

WE ARE RIDING WITH OFFICER MARTINEZ TODAY, OFFICER MARTINEZ HAS BEEN ON ABOUT SIX MONTHS, ONE OF OUR NEWER OFFICERS, VERY CAPABLE.

BUT IN CASE WE COME ACROSS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES TWO OFFICERS, THAT'S WHY WE ARE RIDE AGO LONG TODAY.

WE DON'T HAVE ASSIGNED PARTNERS BUT WE ENJOY RIDING WITH EACH OTHER QUITE A BIT.

ALL CONSERVATION OFFICERS.

>> OFFICER FISHER IS GOING TO BE DOING THE CONTACT.

I'M GOING TO BE COVER OFFICER.

>> I'M OFFICER FISH WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

WE JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

>> YES, SIR.

>> ABOUT A DEER YOU KILLED THIS YEAR D. YOU KILL A BUCK THIS YEAR?

>> NO, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE A GUN.

>> DO YOU KNOW NATHAN... >> YES.

>> DID HE TELECHECK A DEER UNDER YOU?

>> HE MIGHT HAVE.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT SAYS YOU'VE CHECKED IN A DEER.

ACTUALLY CHECKED IN SIX OF THEM.

NOW THIS IS OVER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

IT SAYS YOU HAVE CHECKED IN SIX BUCKS.

YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A FIREARM SO CLEARLY SOMETHING IS WRONG NATHAN WOULD HAVE HAD TO GET YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

>> HE LET ME HAVE ONE DEER.

>> HE ASKED FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO CHECK IN THE DEER TO GIVE YOU THE DEER?

>> UH-HUH.

>> OKAY.

>> WE JUST CONDUCKED THE INTERVIEW AND CONFIRMED THE INDIVIDUAL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEER AT ALL.

SHE DIDN'T KILL THE DEER.

STATES SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A FIREARM.

SHE DID TELL US WHO KILLED THE DEER.

AND TOLD US WHERE WE COULD FIND HIM SO WE ARE GOING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL NOW.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE JUST SITTING, STILL WAITING.

HAD A FEW CARS PASS, PROBABLY 10 OR SO.

A COUPLE SLOWED DOWN AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND GOT THE HEART BEATING A LITTLE BIT.

>> THAT MIGHT BE THE SAME TRUCK THOUGH COMING BACK.

>> DROPPED OFF HIS TRAILER COMING BACK.

>> SOMETHING.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE HEADED TO DO SOME COMPLIANCE CHECKS SINCE WE ARE IN THE AREA.

AFTER THIS WE ARE HOPING WE CAN GO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CHECKING IN THE DEER FOR THE WOMAN WE JUST INTERVIEWED.

>> HAD ANY LUCK.

>> HAND ME YOUR BACK PACK, SIR.

HAVE ANY FISH IN HERE?

>> NO.

>> MIND IF I LOOK REAL GHIK.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU THREW OUT, THE MARIJUANA IN YOUR BAG?

>> NO.

>> IS THAT WHAT IS IN HERE?

>> WHAT IT WAS IN THERE.

>> OFFICER FISHER, WE ARE APPROACHING THOUGHT HE SAW THIS PERSON THROW SOMETHING IN THE WATER ONCE HE SAW US.

SO WE ASKED FOR CONSENT TO SEARCH HIS BACKPACK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING ILLEGAL.

WE FOUND A TUBE HOLDING MARIJUANA.

SO THERE IS NOTHING IN IT BUT OFFICER FISHER IS GOING TO MAKE HIM THROW IT AWAY.

SO WE KNOW HE DOESN'T HAVE IT ON HIM ANYMORE.

>> SAID HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, STAND BY.

STILL JUST LOOKING.

STILL SITING.

LOOKING AT THE TWO DEER OUT IN THE FIELD, OUR TWO DEER DECOYS.

JUST WAITING FOR THE POSSIBLE GUNSHOT.

IT'S A BIG WAITING GAME RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS GUY IS WALKING OUT IN THE FIELD.

RIGHT OUT IN THE FIELD.

HE WAS CLIMBING A FENCE INTO THE DITCH.

>> SOUNDED LIKE A GUY DROPPED HIS SON OFF TO LOOK AT THE DEER OR SOMETHING.

>> HE IS SNEAKING UP ON THE DEER.

PEOPLE TRY TO SNEAK UP ON THE DEER, TRY TO TAKE PICTURES OF IT, VIDEO IT.

MULT ULTIMATELY IT TELLS THEM WHAT IS GOING ON AND WORD WILL GET OUT SO WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO CALL IT SHORTLY.

>> NOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE NEPHEW OF THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE TALKED TO EARLIER ABOUT HIM KILLING MORE DEER THAN HE IS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO BUT HE HASN'T TELECHECKED ANY THIS YEAR AND WE KNOW HE HAS KILLED SOME.

SO WE HAVE TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THAT.

>> I WAS LOOKING FOR NATHAN [bleep].

>> THAT WAS THE ADDRESS THAT THE NEPHEW FROM BEFORE HAS ON OUR DATABASE.

HE WAS NOT THERE.

AND THE DAD INFORMED US HE DOESN'T LIVE THERE.

HE LIVES IN HORSE CAVE.

>> DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF HORSE CAVE.

>> SO WE GOT A PHONE NUMBER FROM HIM FOR HIS SON RIGHT NOW WE ARE HEADED DOWN THE HILL BECAUSE HE GAVE US A COMPLAINT HIS NEIGHBOR HAS SHOT TWO BUCKS.

>> HE SHOT TWO THAT I KNOW HE SHOT WITH CROSS BOW.

>> SHOOTING A PISTOL A WHILE AGO.

>> HOW DO WE GET BACK THERE.

>> FOLLOW THE ROAD YOU SEE TWO ROADS SPLIT OFFMENT GO TO THE LEFT ONE, OVER THE HILL.

HE LIVES IN THE BARN DOWN THERE.

STAYS SCREWED UP ON THAT METH ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS YEAR.

SO WE AIN'T SEEN A [bleep]ING DEER.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK WITH HIM AND SEE IF WE CAN GET A CONFESSION.

JUST FINISHED WRAPPING UP THE DEER DECOY IN AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN KENTUCKY AND NOW WE ARE JUST HEADED BACK OUT IN THE FIELD.

GOING TO CHECK SOME HUNTERS POSSIBLY AND SEE WHAT WE COME UP WITH, RESPONDING TO CALLS.

THAT'S OUR RADIO SYSTEM.

>> FISHING MAGAZINE.

SOMEBODY HAS TO BE FISHING.

WE'LL GO CHECK IT OUT REAL QUICK.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.

I JUST WANT TO CHECK THINGS REAL QUICK.

WANT TO LOOK AT IT REAL QUICK, MAKE SURE-- WE GOT THE COVID GOING ON.

HAVE YOU CAUGHT ANYTHING UP HERE?

>> NO, SIR.

JUST GOT HERE ABOUT 10 MINUTES AGO.

>> GACH A, SOUNDS GOOD.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

HE GOT HIM SOMETHING.

CRAPPIE.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR) >> GAME WARD EN.

>> SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT THE END OF THIS ROAD THAT WE GOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT.

WHEN WE TRIED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE PERSON, WE FOUND A LOT OF MARIJUANA PLANTS.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET DEPUTIES OR A COUPLE OF TROOPERS DOWN HERE TO BACK US UP.

WE MITE GET A SEARCH WARRANT FOR THE PROPERTY.

>> I'M THINKING THE GUY IS PROBABLY IN THIS HOUSE, HE IS JUST NOT COMING TO THE DOOR.

THERE ARE NO WINDOWS.

JUST AN OLD BARN CONVERTED INTO A HOUSE HAS PROBABLY 150 MARIJUANA PLANTS HANGING FROM IT.

THERE IS ONLY ONE DOOR TO THE BARN SO IF HE COMES OUT, HE HAS TO COME OUT THROUGH ME.

NOW IT'S JUST A WAITING GAME.

THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH BEING A CONSERVATION OFFICER.

WE ARE SO RURAL, SO FAR OUT, OUR UNIT THAT IS RESPONDING IS AN HOUR FROM US SO WE'LL WAIT AND SEE IF WE CAN'T MAKE CONTACT.

MAYBE THIS INDIVIDUAL IS OUT WALKING THE PROPERTY.

AS GAME WARD INS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING THE BACK ROADS TRYING TO FIND HUNTING CAMPS, CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S PRETTY COMMON FOR US TO COME ACROSS SOMETHING OTHER THAN FISH AND WILDLIFE.

OUTSIDE OF 150 AND 235, THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.

>> ONE OF THE KSP DIE GUYS SHOWED UP.

THEY'RE WALKING AROUND THE PROPERTY.

I'M GOING TO STAND HERE ON POINT IN CASE SOMEBODY COMES OUT SO I CAN MAKE CONTACT.

>> 1820, 21, 22, 23, BIRD.

24, 25, 26.

>> OKAY, WHAT IS THAT?

>> HEMP.

I HAVE A LEGAL LICENSE.

THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LICENSE ON THE DOOR.

>> DO YOU HAVE A LICENSE?

>> ON THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK.

YOU CAN GRAB IT.

>> YEP.

THERE IS A BOY THAT WORKS WITH ME.

HIS SHAME...

I SUSPECT THAT'S WHERE ALL THIS IS COMING FROM.

I KNOW HE HAS A WIFE.

HE AND HIS WIFE FIGHT A LOT AND I COME DOWN HERE TO WORK A LOT AND HE WILL JUST BE IN THE BARN.

>> RIGHT-HAND SIDE.

IF YOU'RE IN HERE, LET US KNOW.

STATE POLICE, WANT TO SEE YOUR HANDS.

>> RECENTLY WE GOT A COMPLAINT THAT THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS RESIDING AT THIS BARN BEHIND ME THAT HAD KILLED TWO BUCKS THIS YEAR WITH A BOW WITHOUT BRODHEADS ON IT SO WE CAME DOWN HERE TO DO A KNOCK AND TALK.

NOBODY WAS HERE BUT IN PLAIN VIEW WE SAW A BUNCH OF PLANTS HANGING.

WE WEREN'T AWARE IF THEY WERE MARIJUANA OR HEMP PLANTS.

THE INDIVIDUAL IS NOT IN THE BUILDING BUT WHILE INSIDE WE FOUND MARIJUANA AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA FOR METH.

WE RAN THE INDIVIDUAL.

HE ENDED UP BEING A CONVICTED FELON AND THERE WERE GUNS INSIDE.

THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING SAID HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY OF IT.

THE GUNS WERE NOT HIS.

SO WE SEIZED ALL THE PARAPHERNALIA, MARIJUANA AND FIREARMS SO IN CASE THE PERSON COMES BACK, HE DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANY OF THAT CONSIDERING HE IS A FELON.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS JOB IS I GO EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NEVER KNOW WHAT I'M GOING GET INTO.

SOME DAYS I DO ONLY COMPLIANCE CHECKS AND OTHER DAYS YOU ROLL INTO STUFF LIKE THIS.

WE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY COME ACROSS A FELON WITH FIREARMS WHO WANTED TO HURT US.

LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HERE.

BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS JOB.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET INTO.

IT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES AND MAKES YOU ENJOY THE JOB MORE.

>> YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT ONE OF THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAYS TO MANAGE HABITAT IS WITH FIRE.

TAYLORSVILLE LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA.

THIS IS AN 1800-ACRE SECTION OF THE MANAGEMENT AREA.

TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING FIRE TO 580 ACRES OF THAT AREA.

>> WE USE A DRIP TORCH THAT HAS A MIXTURE OF DIESEL AND GASOLINE.

ON THE END IT HAS A WICK SO THEY LIGHT THE WICK WITH THE MATCH AND IT DRIPS LIT FUEL ON TO THE GROUND.

IT HAS A LITTLE LOOP NOZZLE ON THE END.

HOWEVER YOU SET YOUR DRIP SETTING THERE IS AN AIR VENT ON THE DRIP TORCH.

FIRE SERVES MULTIPLE PURPOSES.

ENCOURAGES GROWTH OF THE WARM SEASON GRASSES IN OUR FIELDS AND IT ALSO WILL HELP US FIGHT INVASIVE SPECIES.

WE HAVE SIX CREWS TOTAL.

THERE ARE FOUR IGNITER CREWS THAT ARE PUTTING FIRE ON THE GROUND.

WE HAVE A SUPPORT CREW AND WE HAVE A FORESTRY CREW THAT IS SUPPRESSION FIRE ALONG OUR FIRE BREAKS AND WE HAVE A CREW THAT IS ON THE WATER THAT WILL BE IGNITING THE WOODS FROM THE BOAT FIRE IN THE HOLE!

>> HERE TODAY AT TAYLORSVILLE LAKE SHOOTING FARES OFF THE BOAT TO HELP THE PROGRESSION OF A PRESCRIBED FIRE WE HAVE GOING ON HERE NUMBER OF FLARES WE ARE GOING TO SHOOT OFF WILL RANGE BETWEEN 50 AND 100, DEPENDING ON THE SPREAD OF THE FIRE.

AS WE GO AND HOW MUCH OF THE FIRE BACKS DOWN.

>> A LOT OF THESE ANIMALS WILL RUN FOR COVER AND HIDE.

DEER, RABBITS TURKEY AND QUAIL AND SQUIRRELS WILL ALL BE ABLE TO RUN AWAY AHEAD OF THE FIRE.

IT'S COMMON WHENEVER WE ARE BURNING ON PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LANDS, YOU START SEEING THE ANIMALS MOVING OUT IN ADVANCE THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE EVEN GETS TO THEM.

>> PRETTY HILLY TERRAIN AND IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO SEND A CREW UP AND DOWN THE HILL.

ONCE THE CREW GETS TO THE AREA OF BURN, THEY WILL BACK FIRE TOWARD THE LAKE AND THE CREW FROM THE WATER WILL SET THE FLARES.

REACH FROM THE SHORELINE.

PUT FIRE UP TO THE FLARES TO MATCH THEM TOGETHER WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS FROM EKU, THE STUDENTS ALL HAVE THEIR TRAINING IN FIGHTING FIRE AND PRESCRIBED BUSHES, MOST OF THEM IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME OUT SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE SHADOWED AND MENTORED ON THE BURN.

>> MY NAME IS RENEE STEINBERGER.

MY MAJORRINGS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT WITH A MINOR IN BIOLOGY.

I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M RED CARD CERTIFIED AND I LOVE PUTTING FIRE ON THE GROUND.

>> PURPOSE OF THIS FIRE IS TO INCREASE OAK HICKORY REGENERATION AND OPEN UP SOME OF THE WOOD LANDS FOR MORE SMALL GAME HABITAT.

INCREASING FOREST FLOOR COVER FOR SMALLER CREATURES LIKE SQUIRREL.

IN THE WOOD LANDS AND OPEN AREAS WITHIN THE WOOD LANDS, INCREASING EARLY SUCCESSIONAL HABITAT FOR THINGS LIKE RABBITS AND TURKEY.

ALL THE ANIMALS WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS.

INCREASING WOODY BROW FOR THINGS LIKE DEER.

A LOT OF ANIMALS EVOLVE ON A FIRE LANDSCAPE AND COME TO EXIST AND IN SOME CASES, RELY ON MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.

PRESCRIBED FIRE IS ONE OF THE WAYS TO MANAGE LARGE CHUNKS OF PROPERTY AT ONE TIME.

>> THIS IS RESTORES THE ENVIRONMENT BACK TO AN OAK HICKORY SETTING THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PRODUCTIVE FOREST NICE HEALTHY GRASS FIELD.

>> NOW LET'S CHECK IN AND SEE WHO ELSE HAS BEEN OUT HAVING FUN IN THIS WEEK'S ONES THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY HERE WE HAVE FATHER AND SON BEN AND MASON COLEMAN WITH A NICE 13-POINT DEER TAKEN IN SCOTT COUNTY TAKEN WITH A CROSS BOW.

NICE JOB NICHOLAS MORGAN TOOK THIS LARGE BOW HUNTING WITH HIS DAD.

NICE JOB.

HERE WE HAVE DENNY WHO HARVESTED HIS FIRST ELK DURING THE YOUTH ELK SEASON TAKEN IN UNIT 6 ARE MARTIN COUNTY AND IT WAS A DO IT YOURSELF HUNT.

NICE JOB!

CHECK OUT THIS IMPRESSIVE LARGE MOUTH BASS CAUGHT BY CODY.

THIS FISH WAS CAUGHT AT A FINS LAKE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY KENTUCKY WHILE FISHING FOR TROUT.

NICE FISH.

CHECK OUT THE SMILE ON MAVERICK MURPHY.

HE TOOK THIS NICE GOBBLER IN SCOTT COUNTY, INDIANA.

THIS WAS HIS VERY FIRST TURKEY.

NICE JOB.

>> JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER.

YOUR LICENSE EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

AND REMEMBER HUNTING AND FISHING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS A PRIVILEGE.

ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION AND THANK THE LAND OWNER.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I'M YOUR HOST CHAD MILES AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE WOODS OR ON THE WATER.

IF YOU HOLD A KENTUCKY HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE, THEN YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE POSSIBLE KENTUCKY'S WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, PLACES TO HUNT, FISH, BIRD WATCH OR JUST LET YOUR MIND WANDER WITH NEARLY 100 DOTTING THE COMMONWEALTH, PUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS IN YOUR SIGHTS FOR FALL HUNTING AND SEE MORE OF WHAT MAKES KENTUCKY OUTDOORS OUTSTANDING.

GET ALL THE INFORMATION ONLINE AT FW.KY.GOV.

NOTICE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪