This week on Kentucky Afield, we're celebrating moms by enjoying a public land hunt alongside a mother daughter pair at the Blue Grass Army depot.

Next, we're hitting the river and we've got big fish on our minds.

Then we're back in the woods with a mom and her kids taking a walk and seeing what we can learn.

It's all next on Kentucky Afield.

Hello and welcome to Kentucky Afield.

I'm your host, Chad Miles.

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

The Bluegrass Army Depot just outside of Richmond, Kentucky, is now open to limited hunting opportunities.

And recently, we caught up with a young lady and her mother for her first squirrel hunt.

On this hunt.

We're within the 14,000 acres of the Bluegrass Army Depot in Madison County.

We're joined by our good friend Megan and her daughter, Rayland.

As we hunt for squirrels.

Raylan.

So you've been doing some hunting, but, never a squirrel hunt right?

I think the first hunt that I've done was a squirrel hunt, but I never got one.

But it was with my dad.

So if we do get a squirrel today, it'll be with my mom.

Cause I've never got an animal with mom.

Squirrels aren't the only thing you'll find at the army depot.

You'll find an abundance of deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other small game.

Since 2018, the Bluegrass Army Depot has been closed off to public hunting.

But now the depot is open, giving the public more outdoor opportunities to hunt here, there's an application process that has to be completed, which is what we did so that we could join Raylan on her squirrel hunt.

Good to go.

Now you've got some big, timber trees.

We got this creek side.

I believe if we just kind of get down here and watch through the canopy.

I mean, the beautiful thing is this time of year, if there was a squirrel moving up there.

60, 70, 80 yards will be here.

So if we get in there and sit down for a little bit, we'll see what happens.

Okay.

I'd say just ease on up through there.

We'll pick a spot.

I tell you what, it's so cool that, you guys have met through an organization that connects potential mothers and kids to get outdoors and do outdoor activities, and.

And that she's taken to it.

The way that she has.

Yeah She seems to really love being outdoors.

Yeah.

Well, the organization that we matched with wasn't like an adoption organization at all.

It was a mentor mentee organization.

So we were just supposed to spend one hour a week together once a week.

And of course, it turned into one of the greatest blessing of my life.

that's such a cool deal, I can tell it really means a lot to kind of emotional about the fact that, you know, being outdoors and getting involved in trying to share what your passions are, is now connected you with someone who shares some of those passion.

Right.

And of course, I█d love her if she wasn't into hunting.

Oh, yeah, but we have a lot of fun together outside.

I mean, she's even helped me teach forging classes now, it's just nice to have so many things in common that are.

I mean, they're free.

We have so many resources in Madison County, like the wildlife management area, like the depot, that we can take advantage of any time of the year.

Yeah.

it really is a very cool bond to see you guys share.

Oh, I see it.

I see it.

Right there on the ground.

There's one up there too.

I see it.

There█s one climbing up that tree, least two over there.

Alright, we█re finally seeing some squirrels.

Let█s ease up there a little bit closer.

You wanna go up front?

And we█ll walk right down through here, and I█ll stay behind you.

Thanks.

On the other side of the tree, do you see where that leaf is wiggling?

Yeah, that█s where he jumped up and went straight up there.

Keep your eyes on him, I'm gonna walk on the other side.

You see that limb that comes out right there?

There's another limb I see him.

You seen him?

Yeah.

He█s sitting right there.

okay?

I think I could shoot him maybe, Okay.

all right.

Hold tight.

Megan.

Okay.

Put that crosshair, that dot right on him..

There he goes!

You got him!

Alright sis!

What a great shot!

First squirrel.

Nice job!

here.

I█ll hold the gun.

You go talk to your mom and check that squirrel out.

You got him!

You got a squirrel!

You did a good job girl.

Look at him.

Hey, you made great shot because when that squirrel was sitting up there.

We could kind of see about that right there.

Right.

You put a great shot on it.

Nice job Good job girlfriend, you're very first squirrel.

You shaking a little bit?

I was shaking when I was about to shoot him.

You were shaking when you were about to shoot him?

Are you shaking more or less.

And when you got your first deer?

I was shaking like a popsicle when I first got my deer, Well, your first squirrel ever.

You got your first squirrel ever today.

You're a little different than a lot of people.

They start out getting squirrels and then go to deer in Turkey.

You got deer and Turkey first.

I first got a turkey, then a deer.

Yeah.

And now you went back and got.

You got your first squirrel.

you made a great shot.

Teamwork, right?

Yeah.

Perfect.

You want to throw it in here?

You want to carry it?

It doesn't matter to me.

See that pocket right there?

It goes.

Put it right in there and I'll carry it out of Go little buddy.

Well, hey, we saw a lot of squirrels today didn't we?

Yeah, I think they saw us.

But to be here and to see you get your first squirrel, that that's special in itself right there.

Yeah.

And it's really cool because your mom spotted it so you might have to.

You might have to give her half your squirrel.

Of course you can have my squirrel.

Yeah.

We'll share, we█ll share.

thanks for inviting us out.

Couldn't have been a better hunt.

And, something tells me this won't be your last squirrel hunt.

You're going to be out again, aren't you?

Yeah.

This was a great, great opportunity for us.

And I know that it's going to be an extra special memory for for both of us.

Oh, yeah.

Well, you did a great job.

Thank you.

You got a special mom there.

Any mom that take you out of the woods, take you squirrel hunting is a keeper.

Are you interested in trying to land one of the state's hardest fighting fish?

Well right around the corner is one of the best times to hit the river in search of giant catfish.

Well, today is a day that I have really been looking forward to.

This is actually my second time out fishing with Captain Ben Goebel and last time we smoked 'em.

Yep.

We absolutely crushed the fish.

So we're actually at the exact same location.

And I've been keeping up with your Facebook posts.

You have been catching some really big fish this year.

We've had a great year.

So far.

Really couldn't ask for a better year.

Our our numbers have really been good this year.

Well, I'll tell you what.

We like to showcase some different things.

We're going to fish similar styles than we did last time.

And it's called bumping.

That's right.

And bumping.

The best way you described it to me is if you're a bass fisherman, it's like reverse dragging a jig.

Right?

That's pretty much like it.

if you guys if people like to bass fish, usually my first question when I get customers aboat: Do you like the bass fish?

And they say, yeah.

So you're going to like the way we fish, its just backwards when you're retrieving a jig or worm or Texas rig and a worm back to you.

Instead of that.

It's it's reverse.

You're walking it down the river.

I fully expect that we're going to catch some fish and big quality fish.

I've been out with you one time.

And that's that's what I've that has been my experience.

And I've watched your Facebook page and it's like my God, he did it again.

There's another 50 pounder.

It's it's amazing how you locate big fish.

Well, let's- I say we- suns coming up here.

I say we've got a beautiful day.

It's going to be a hot day.

It's going to be hot.

Let's hope the Fish are as hot as- The sunscreens on sunglasses are in the boat, I'm wearing some long sleeves try to keep the sun off me.

We got we got fresh skipjack so I say we go get after it.

let's do it.

The way I like to hook these skipjack there's a little- Yeah.

Lip right there.

Just come up there.

Come right out the nose.

All right.

What type of flow you think we got today?

Miles per hour?

We're.

We're looking here pretty good.

You want me to go on ahead and give her- make it happen?

Yeah just drop straight down.

All right.

How deep are we fishing today?

We're going to be enough.

30 to 60.

All right, now.

I just felt the bottom.

Yep.

And then.

And then remember when you want to let it out, you just let it out as you're coming up with your bump.

Something just tapped my- Yeah, I got one tap on mine too.

Got a fish on?

Think it came off.

Now he might still be.

most important fish of the day.

That's right.

Number one.

He found him a little treat today didn't he?

Kind've a little morning pop tart this morning.

He found a trick, and a treat.

Here he is.

There you go.

Five pounder.

I'll tell you what- Right there Nice fish.

That's what you want to take home and eat right there.

That's perfect eater fish right there.

And then you can range from 5 lbs on that big of a piece of bait to 100 huh?

Yeah, he just this one, this little guy is just get going.

So, going back, and get our bait on them Oh, yeah.

I see your rod tip going there.

Yeah.

Here you go.

Little better fish.

Here you go.

I saw that rod tip bouncing.

Come over on this side, Chad.

You got it loose?

Yeah, I'm loose.

Okay.

Let me tell you, I'm.

I'm out there about to the boat ramp.

Need a net?

No, I don't think so.

Let's see what you got here.

This is a.

You think only about 15 lbs, you say?

Yeah he's- You called it.

10, 12.

You called it.

About ten.

You know, this fish here, he's been fighting a little bit, just a little spot on him from from spawn.

And you see his mouth a little bit, but very healthy Fish.

That is a good fish.

Hey, you doubled from fish one to fish two.

We're steadly just getting up so- and just a beautiful fish here, the sun on him like that and then it just never gets old catching them.

I don't even care for this size right here.

Just all colors on him.

Starting to hit that bottom.

It's just like knocking on the door.

Yep.

You're using six ounces of lead.

You'd think it would happen really quick and easy, but when you got a flow like we got.

Yeah.

It's like you think you find it right away, but when you- You do feel it, there's no doubt.

Okay, there you go.

There we go.

Good job.

Uh oh, here we go.

You got one, too?

Oh, now it's on.

I don't think he's there, its a small bite.

We about made her a double.

Yep.

It was a small bite.

This one might be more like eight or eight or nine pounder.

Yeah, right there.

There you go.

You get more fish than you get the bait.

Tell you what, still such a huge fight.

You think you want to come out here everybody goes "I want to catch a 50 pounder."

You might change your mind when you get him hooked up.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, he's probably six.

he's eight 8 lbs?

Yeah.

You start looking at the length of that fish and you go, well, okay, that fish probably what do you think, 28 inches long or..?

Probably not quite that.

He's probably 24, probably 24 or 21.

I'll tell you what now, maybe I'm getting the hang of it.

Maybe I'll get another one here real quick.

I tell you what, being a rookie of this or only my second time doing it.

It's amazing with a little extra weight you can really.

Really, really feel it.

Oh, in reality, you know, we like to get them baits back there, but you can still catch fish up here, close to the boat.

The main thing is in order to catch fish.

You have to feel it.

Yeah.

You got to be able to feel that bottom at all times as you start getting better at it than we like- When I run trips and stuff and we lighten up your sinker as the day goes on.

Yeah, yeah, that makes sense.

There he is.

I guess what I'm all about down here at the boat ramp.

Yeah, i see him way out there.

Oh yeah, yeah.

This kind of fishing, you got all kinds of time to get the net.

Yeah.

Lollygag around, come back here.

Still 100 yards out.

We got him now.

Gave you a workout, huh?

It is.

I mean, that is a really solid quality fish.

Good and healthy.

That's a that's a really nice fish, though.

Yeah.

We're gonna get this dude back.

Here we go.

Yeah, yeah.

Right, right there.

See him right there on top of the water.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

He's 8, 18.

That's nice.

Got him?

Nice.

That's why you do it.

good job.

Look at that fish.

What do you notice about that fish?

Look at its eye.

Yeah.

I'll be dang.

There aint an eyeball In there.

Yeah.

He been hurt probably before.

Look, no eyeball.

It's probably been- I have.

I've only seen that one time.

That fish has been that fish has been hooked and or something the eye has been removed and it's literally healed over.

And there is no eye.

there's a skin.

Just skin.

But you know what?

These fish, they work so much on scent and smell.

this fish is still very healthy and living his life.

No eyeball.

check that out.

Oh, one eyed fish.

The one eyed fish.

You got a fish?

Yeah, that a good one?

I don't know.

He's staying down.

Oh, yeah.

We got a little drag here.

No, he's not wanting me to see him.

he's going to be a nice fish.

There you go.

Let's see here.

Oh, you got him.

Nice fish.

Upper upper 20.

That's the ones we're after, right there.

Yeah.

That's right.

Right there.

Beautiful fish.

Man.

Look how much when they once they get about the length of the last one they just for a while start getting really thick, look how wide and thick that fish is.

All right, let's see what he weighs.

Right at 28, 28 lbs.

I mean, that's just a typical trophy blue cat right there.

I mean.

What a beautiful, beautiful fish.

We're gonna we're going to get him.

Get him released here.

You got him?

Same old size today.

12, 13 pounder.

That's the slot today.

Seems like.

just a beautiful fun fish that will for most for most people unless you are an avid cat fisherman that sized fish believe it or not in this current.

Oh yeah.

Will absolutely give you all the fight you want.

Yeah.

12 lbs And if you hook into a 40 or 50 pounder, you might be done for the day.

Yeah.

So, wow, I'll tell you what, you, you, you've.

You've never let me down.

I've been down here and done this with you twice.

And every single time we come down here, we get plenty of bites.

Obviously.

Yeah, there's bigger fish.

Obviously we catch bigger fish, but some days it's just tough.

You know, today we got a big south wind, if you know what you're doing.

And you know, from April all the way through October, November, a guy can come out here and catch fish.

No doubt about it.

Are you a mother that would like to get your kids more involved in the outdoors?

Well simply taking a hike and learning how to forage is a great way to start.

Today we're here in Grayson County.

We're here with the Meredith family.

Carly, I follow you on Facebook.

I know you really like to just get out at this time of year and involve your kids.

Just take a walk through the woods.

Yep.

We're outside all the time.

All the time.

And then you brought your daughter and your son here, and we're going to do some fun stuff today.

You were raised this way.

I know.

I was raised this way.

Out walking through the woods.

Exploring and seeing what you find.

And April is a great month to do it.

All the ground cover is not grown up.

And we may find all kinds of things today.

What kind of things are we looking for?

Might find a shed antler or some morel mushrooms.

You might even find an arrowhead.

You never know.

This is how most kids should be introduced to the outdoors.

Walking through the woods.

Let's go see what we can find today.

Ready?

Look here.

Look at this.

Mushroom.

They've got a name for these don█t they?

hickory chickens.

What else?

Dry land fish.

These are really, really, really good to eat.

Oh yeah.

You knew we were out today walk through the woods, this was an opportunity to potentially find some of these.

You brought a bag?

Well, I've always been told you're supposed to use a mesh sack so that the spores can spread and maybe more will grow in this spot next year.

I'll tell you what.

If you have a spot that produces morels year after year, you've kind of got a little slice of gold.

So you want to try to protect it if you can, but to bring them out in the sack just in case the spores can fall out.

Are you going to pick it?

You know how to pick these?

Uh huh.

You want to show us?

Pinch all the way at the bottom.

Yep.

Now twist.

perfect.

Looky there.

Look what you've got.

So if your momma takes that home tonight and puts that in the skillet, you're going to give it a try?

Or maybe tomorrow, if she█s going to soak it overnight.

No!

No?

you already see another one?

Ooh, take that part off.

Man.

Look at that.

That looks so good.

I found two mushrooms by myself.

You sure did.

So Owen I noticed while ago you had a little different approach to looking for these morels.

I noticed you took a knee.

Tell me what you were doing and tell me why you do that.

I get down.

I mean, you hear a bird's eye view might be the best sometimes if you get down because you're hard to see.

I mean, that big or that big camouflaged.

So if you get down, just scan, you█ll see them.

Yeah, and plus we do have some leaf litter as well as, you know, some green foliage with these may apples coming up.

If you█re standing like this.

It might be blocking the view.

But if you kind of get down and look, you can see better.

Well it works because I think you spotted two of those first.

So it must work pretty well for you.

Yeah.

Nice one here.

Lookie there.

Yeah.

What a pretty find.

Beautiful morel mushroom.

So Carla when you're out looking for morels.

Tell me a little bit about what do you look for when you're looking for morels.

Damp areas near streams.

Usually when you see may apples, that's a good indicator that the ground is damp.

I think the weather conditions are the biggest factor in how many you're going to find and where.

Yeah.

awesome.

Is this where we found the last one?

Yeah, I think Leah picked the last one right here.

We should look up in that drain right there.

You know what?

It's.

There's probably some extra moisture right there.

You're probably right.

Yeah.

All right.

here's one.

Oh yeah.

They're all different shapes and sizes, too.

Look at that thing.

How pretty that is.

Man, they█re right here in this little ditch.

Got one right here.

And then another one right here.

Jackpot.

We're into them now.

We're finding quite a few.

It is amazing.

Like I say, you can walk through an area and absolutely be nothing.

And the ground looks almost the same.

But it has to be something about the moisture or the amount of sunlight or for whatever reason, they're not there.

And then all of a sudden, there they are.

man, look at this.

Antler!

Well, look whay Owen just spotted right here looking for mushrooms.

And look what we've got.

What is that?

You going to put it on your head?

Don't poke your eye but here, do you want to put it on your head.

Put that up there, let's see what you look like.

The other side of this might be around here.

Hey, you can carry this, but you got to be real careful if you fall down with these.

You don't want to let this poke you, okay?

Why don█t you take it over, show it to your momma Cool.

Beautiful.

Isn█t that cool?

to prepare these, I slice them long ways.

Okay.

And then a soak them overnight in the refrigerator in saltwater, and that gets the little bugs out.

Then they're ready to cook.

And what I do is I dip them in egg, then flour, salt and pepper and pan fry them in oil.

You don't have to cook them that long, do you?

I prefer them crisp.

Yeah, but he prefers them soft.

Okay.

So, I cook them crisp.

There you go.

Hey, the power of the chef.

You get to cook them how you like.

Well, I tell you what, Carly, you are truly a modern day countrywoman.

Full time job, raising two kids, but you're finding time to get these kids outdoors and they█re doing things that you love, but you're kind of passing on this to the next generation.

Well, thank you.

I appreciate you having us out today.

Found an antler shed to add to the haul.

So over 40 mushrooms and an antler shed.

That's a good afternoon in anybody's book.

Good couple hours.

Yeah.

Fantastic.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Here we have father and daughter Tyler and Mahala Oliver, who caught this nice bass while fishing in Simpson Lake.

Nice job.

Here we have Michael and Tyler Howsinger who doubled in Lawrence County with these two nice long beards.

Congratulations.

Check out how happy Emma Hill is as she shows us her first fish ever.

A nice white bass.

Congratulations.

Jared Bockweg said that Kentucky Afield inspired his wife, Alex, to take up turkey hunting and check it out.

They doubled in Boone County.

Nice job.

Here at Kentucky Afield, we'd like to wish all the mothers out there a very happy Mother's Day.

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, I hope to see you in the woods or on the water.