Hello and welcome to Kentucky Afield.

I'm your host, Chad Miles.

Join us as we journey the Commonwealth in search of outdoor adventure.

This week we're going to head to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to pursue the state's largest big game species.

But first, we're going to show you how if you're a deer hunter, you can help feed Kentucky's hungry.

Well, it's October here in Kentucky.

The month of change.

And I'm welcoming some change.

First off, the opening weekend of bow season here in Kentucky was maybe the best weather I've ever experienced that early in the season.

We had temperatures in the low 50s.

Deer were really on the move.

Had some buck encounters.

There's a buck right here.

Saw some does, and then man, it got hot and dry.

Deer weren█t moving.

Right at dusk.

Right at dawn.

You literally had a window of just 20 or 30 minutes.

And some of the deer activity just was 100% nocturnal.

This corn has been tall and green.

And I've been seeing some deer out in the corn and you just can't get a shot.

I'm not going to take a shot that I don't think I can get right to the vitals.

I've been out a couple times.

I've had some really close encounters, but I've been struggling hunting these deer over this corn because they're so hard to see and they can get right on you, and you still can't get a shot.

Beautiful morning.

It looks great out of here.

Temperatures are in the 50s.

Wind is right.

Oh.

I see some does coming through the corn.

Wow!

I think I made a good shot.

It is still right there at dawn.

These deer blend in with this corn so well.

But I saw something coming my way, and I looked up, and sure enough, there were a few does making their way.

Kind of acted a little weird for a minute.

And there was actually a raccoon right here below me.

I think they were kind of hearing it and wanted to know what that was.

I think I held the arrow pretty tight.

The deer looked like it didn't duck too much when I shot.

I think I made a good shot.

Now I'm going to give it, you know, at least 30 minutes.

We█ll get down and find the arrow and see what type of sign I can find there.

Hopefully I can recover this deer really quickly.

I've got some special plans for this doe.

I'll tell you what.

While I'm out here looking for my arrow, I'm noticing a lot of stalks of corn that are already stripped.

We got them here.

Look at all these.

There█s one right after the next, after the next, after the next.

A lot of different things can do this.

Raccoons will actually pull them down and take them.

Birds.

But deer are notorious for corn damage.

One of the reasons I hunt this particular piece of property.

Zone one county.

High deer densities.

I'm out here looking at all of this corn that has been completely stripped and hopefully do a small piece to take some of those deer away and use them for a better purpose, which is fresh, lean protein.

Here is the first bit of blood that I've seen.

I believe this is where it was standing, which from the ground I'm looking at it.

It looks like it's closer to maybe 35 yards.

Let's see if there's more blood.

Oh, there's my arrow right there.

That looks pretty good.

I've got a really good trail of blood going right into the woods right where I saw it run in.

So I don't think this is going to be a real tough tracking job.

Went this way.

Oh, there she is right here.

Well, here's this deer.

I'm super excited to be able to take this doe.

This hunt really all started back at the state fair.

I ran into one of the presidents, the organizers of Hunters for the Hungry, and he had told me that they were really lucky this year, that they had gotten a significant amount of funding to process deer and I told him then I said, I'll tell you what, I'm going to make a pledge to you guys that in the early archery season, I'm going to try to bring a deer in for Hunters for the Hungry.

The way the Hunters for the Hungry works is that individuals make donations.

A lot of organizations make donations.

That money gets spread across the state to deer processors that are willing to take part in the program.

I wanted to bring something that I knew that we were going to get 40 pounds of meat or so because what they do, Hunters for the Hungry, they bring this back into the local communities.

Lean, clean protein.

So I'm going to get this deer loaded up and get it off to the processor.

Hopefully before the holidays all this protein is on the table somewhere in one of these food pantries being put to good use.

Located two miles south of McKee, Kentucky, off of highway 89 is Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area.

This WMA is over 13,000 acres and provides great hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, and other game species.

With its diverse landscape ranging from hilly slopes to narrow ridge tops.

The area has a unique blend of habitats.

Forest dominate the landscape, comprising of over 95% of the area, with pockets of open land scattered throughout.

Take note that this WMA falls within the Daniel Boone National Forest and is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

Remember the wildlife management area users must abide by the Kentucky hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations.

Also, keep in mind that regulations on WMA█s often differ from statewide regulations.

So be sure to review the hunting guide or website for the specific WMA that you are using.

For more information about this WMA or the latest regulations and restrictions that pertain to it, visit our website at FW.KY.GOV or call 1-800-858-1549 Elk hunting in eastern Kentucky takes a lot of time, patience, and a little luck.

But when it all comes together, it's an experience you'll never forget.

You are one of the lucky elk hunters this year.

How excited are you to be here the night before the season?

Getting ready to go out, hopefully see a couple of elk and then tomorrow morning, it's all on you, man.

It's.

It's your turn to go.

I'm really excited.

I'm really thankful for the opportunity.

Glad to be here.

Just super excited.

What did it feel like when you got the news that you were going to be elk hunting?

And have you been putting in for a long time?

We have been putting in since my dad was younger, and as soon as I was old enough, we put in with me and so we put in pretty much every year and I'm super excited.

It was one of the most exciting things that's happened to me.

You're going to be shooting a very unique gun.

First off, It█s your grandfather's.

It's a unique caliber, too.

It's a seven millimeter, but it's a little different.

What are you going to be shooting?

A seven millimeter stw.

STW.

You did bring your dad along today, right?

Yes, sir.

So you and him get to hunt quite a bit together?

Yeah, he's my favorite hunting partner.

I bet you that he probably is excited about this hunt tomorrow as you are.

Yeah, I can't wait.

I'll tell you what.

Let's go get our gear together, get our binoculars, and we're going to go out and find us a point and see if we can't hear and see a couple bulls tonight.

You've been in eastern Kentucky here, Knott county now for just a few hours.

What do you think about that?

It was awesome.

I believe It█s getting dark.

Probably about time to call it quits for tonight and get ready for the morning.

As soon as daylight broke and the fog lifted a little bit.

These ridge tops became visible and right at this timberline there stands a couple elk.

Now, we couldn't tell what they were from the first location.

We made about a 300, 400 yard move and one pretty good bull with a chocolate rack so we're making a move to get there, to get a better look at it.

It█s one of those days where you got a rifle tag and you'd be just well off with a slingshot tag.

That's about how far we can see.

Yeah I can't see anything.

It█s a foggy morning.

I mean, you're you're 100, 150 yards.

Best you can do.

Going back out and come back out this evening.

See what we can find.

We just heard a bugle right past this point where we came in.

It's about a ten minute walk, so we got to hustle.

What do you think?

A lot of.

Well, I don't know how you can end your day one elk hunt more exciting than what just happened.

What was going through your mind?

I was about ready to shoot.

It was.

It was a pretty good one.

Pretty good bull.

Pretty good bull.

It was really cool to see.

I was just guesstimating 120 yards.

You actually ranged.

He was 103 when he was broadside.

103.

Came down turned broadside.

This is day one and you just had one of the coolest bull elk experiences with a rifle in your hand that you're ever going to have.

To have one get that close, turn broadside and bugle is unbelievable.

It█s unheard of.

That was one of the coolest experience I've ever had.

Beautiful rack.. Just a dark horn.

Ivory tips.

It was just a really nice bull.

Concludes one awesome day one of elk hunting.

It's been awesome.

I can't wait to get out here and get out there again in the morning.

Let's hope it's not quite as foggy as it was.

I say we get in, get ready for the morning hunt.

It's morning day two.

We█re going from hill to hill glassing to see if we can find a bigger bull than what we saw yesterday.

I think it█s going to be a good morning, the fog█s not near as bad.

Looks like the conditions are great.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

That█s you buddy.

You must have put a good shot on it.

I tell you one thing: this has been the hunt of close encounters.

How cool of an experience for you to come out here and do this with your dad, in your Pap█s gun that he built to elk hunt with.

Can't ask for anything better.

STW did it, didn█t it?

It did it.

Elk hunting in eastern Kentucky Is not easy, is it?

No, it is not.

Sometimes the harder you work, the sweeter the reward is when it all comes together.

And I don't know where you hit it, but I know one thing.

It didn't go anywhere.

No.

Wow.

I'm so happy for you, man.

I'm gonna let your dad get in here and spend the time with you.

Because this is a cool experience for you two.

You got it done.

We got it done.

Was your heart beating?

Oh, gosh.

It's been a fantastic experience.

The whole thing.

Time you had with your dad.

Lo and behold, here we set.

Awesome job man.

Thank you all.

Now let's check in and see who else has been out having fun in this week's Ones that Didn't Get Away.

Seven year old Brody Workman got it done here with his first deer, a nice buck.

Congratulations.

Pictured here we have Jace Gary, not only with his first deer, but his first two deer that were taken in the same afternoon during the youth hunt.

Congratulations.

Here we have 12 year old Wyatt Taylor with his first deer with a bow and arrow.

This deer was taken in Grayson County.

Congratulations.

Bailey Bristow went fishing for her first time and caught this nice bass in Richmond, congratulations!

Check out this beautiful walleye that was taken from the Cumberland River by Kayla Tinkerson.

This fish was 26 inches long.

Nice job.

Here we have Robert and Jacob Atwood who went to the Ohio River and did a little jug fishing from their Papa's pontoon.

These fish were caught close to Meade County.

Nice job.

Here we have Caitlin Rice with a nice eight point buck that she took while hunting in Campbell County during the youth deer season.

Nice job.

Check out this beautiful eight point buck that was taken by ten year old Roman Ross.

This buck was taken while hunting with his papa in Dunmore, Kentucky.

Here we have 11 year old Knox Weber.

He went out squirrel hunting on the opening weekend of the fall squirrel season, and took this squirrel.

Congratulations, Eli Lynch as his new personal best of 22.25 inches on this rainbow trout that was taken at Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River.

Nice job.

Nine year old Jaxon Hoskins headed out to Rough River Lake to chase some hybrids.

Eight year old Easton Piper took his first book while hunting in Crittendon County with his papa.

Nice job.

If you're a deer hunter, most experts agree this next week is the best week to be in the woods.

And remember, hunting and fishing on private property is a privilege.

Always ask permission and thank the landowner.

Until next week, I'm your host, Chad Miles and I hope to see you in the woods or on the water.