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 do some small game hunting.

But first up, we're going to jump in the Green River with a few biologists on a mussel recovery mission.

Today we're on the banks of the Green River, and we're going to meet up with a couple of biologists and a whole crew of volunteers as they try to do a very important mission, and that is to save and relocate some mussels as this water level starts to change.

We're going to meet up with Monte McGregor, who's a biologist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and learn a little more from some of these volunteers.

Find out why they're out here and what we hope to see in the Green River in years to come.

I just pulled up here next to Mike Compton, and you're actually finding some mussels in this muddy bank right here?

Yep.

You're kind of heading up this project and all the volunteer efforts to get down here and do this recovery.

Tell me why this is so important.

So a couple years ago, I think it was 2016, lock and dam six on the Green River breached, caused a major safety hazard.

But for decades, talk of removing the lock and dams on the Green River has been discussed to remove them.

And so, with the breach of lock and dam six that spurred more conversations to remove lock and dam five, as well as Barron River lock and dam number one.

And so that process is happening now.

And in a couple of weeks, lock and dam five should be fully removed.

And with that, the water levels are going to drop significantly and it's going to leave some mussels high and dry for a while I'm with Cassie here with the Sam Shine Foundation, and you are a volunteer out here helping restore these mussels or get them back to the water.

But you have a vested interest in conservation and water quality.

Yes I do.

Our foundation is a conservation focused family foundation, and I'm their director of freshwater programs.

So I'm thinking about rivers all the time and thinking about how we use our water.

And so we're all about stream reconnection.

And those fish that carry mussels up and down the stream can get to them easier with streams reconnected.

And so I'm interested in what's happening here in the Green River.

And certainly I'm interested in the mussel population.

So it isn█t often that you can grab on to the animals and actually do something for them that day, but this feels very rewarding.

I feel like a hero.

Well, we can't come to the Green River and talk about mussels without talking to Dr. Monte McGregor.

Monte, you spend a lot of time out here on Green River.

It's one of the most significant tributaries in the whole Ohio River system in the country.

It's got about 75 species of freshwater mussels.

That's about 25% of what we have in the country, all here in one river system.

And so it's got a lot of fish species as well.

And anytime you find mussel species, you know, a lot of diversity.

You have good clean water, you have great fishing.

There's a connection there to the fish.

And so it's good for everybody.

You've spent your life helping the mussels.

I mean, you've spent studying and researching and found new ways to raise mussels.

We've released tons of mussels back into Green River and other rivers throughout the state of Kentucky.

Today, the help is a little more hands on and it's not research based, it's you're physically digging them up and putting them out a little deeper water so that they don't dry up.

Right?

Right.

And, so we're here just to help the mussels get back into the deeper water where they might not be able to naturally, they're not used to that kind of fluctuation and that quick, especially since it's never gotten that low before, ever.

So we're just here with a team of folks from all over the place that are even from other states that have come knowing the importance of the Green River.

And we're looking for rare species, we're looking for common whatever, and just throwing them back in deeper water and giving them a chance to make it.

So you are literally coming in and saving these mussels.

Now they can move, but asking them to move long distances or to try to move while dry just doesn't work very well.

It doesn't work as well, and a lot of times there's a lot of wood or rocks.

They'll bump against that and then they get wedged and they're trapped.

So we're going through trying to free up those mussels, put them into deeper water to where when the water is drained a little bit, they'll be able to still survive.

It does feel full circle to be here today helping these mussels out.

And we just kind of pulled up to you while you were out here on the stream.

Have you already relocated some mussels back to the water today?

Oh yeah, I wish I had kept count.

I started counting about, an hour in this morning, and I'm probably up to about 50 mussels.

Wow.

And we're at this point just it's just a save.

You just get them back into water where they're not going to be left high and dry.

I was looking at these trails down here.

You can actually see where the mussels kind of have a clear path to the water here.

So they're probably going to be okay.

They don't need my help as much as some of those down in the more in the gravelly areas.

Some of them are huge.

Like look at the size of this.

This is a living animal.

I don't know what that weighs.

Probably pound and a half.

That's a big size mussel.

Is this one of the more common, not common, what do we got here?

This is the washboard, and it's one of the more common species we have anywhere in the country.

In the eastern United States.

It gets really large, even a lot larger than that.

They can weigh 7 or 8 pounds.

A lot of other stuff we have, we have this is a fat mucket.

It█s really pretty.

It's got a lot of beautiful rays on it.

Wow.

It's also common in these deeper pools.

It uses a bass as a host.

So anytime you see this species, you know you're going to find bass.

It's sister species.

Is the regular plain pocketbook.

And, this one gets really large.

It's like a softball size.

And it also uses a bass.

And they have a little lure and they go fishing.

So they're out here in the bottom of the river, and they got a little piece of flesh.

It looks like a fish.

And they're wiggling it like that.

So anytime you see a bunch of these, you know there's a good bass population around.

They're not going to eat the bass.

Their lure is to get the bass to try to eat it.

And when it does, that's how it releases its eggs, right?

That's correct.

So this species here is called the yellow sandshell.

And it's really not that common in the Green River.

This one uses a gar as a host.

And there's a lot of gar in the river.

And it comes out at night time.

The fish will under the moonlight will see it and come and strike it thinking it's a little fish.

And that's how it connects to its fish host.

So it's pretty amazing.

I know you do a lot of work with mussels and other fish species in all of our waterways in the state of Kentucky, but a project like this, there's only so many mussel biologists to go around, and it takes volunteers, doesn't it?

Oh, it does tremendously.

Conservation is a team sport, is what I often say.

Yeah, absolutely.

So there's people all up and down through here that are doing the exact same thing you're doing.

Some of them are out on rock bars and picking up big numbers of mussels.

And right now you're kind of focused on this muddy area where it's got some wood substrate to kind of free them and get them over to the deeper water, and you're having success.

How many mussels have you recovered today?

Today I've probably recovered about 300 or so.

Oh, wow.

Everyone has a vested interest in having cleaner, clearer water, and I can't think of a better way to help clean our water systems than the use of mussels.

It doesn't get more natural than that.

No, no, no.

And I'm sure you you've done a lot of programs on mussels.

You know, one mussel can filter like 15 gallons of water a day.

And that's for those that need a little help with math conversions.

That's a keg of beer.

Yeah, yeah.

So that's a, beer doesn't weigh as much in Kentucky as bourbon, I know, but.

And that's one mussel.

You start thinking about the hundreds of thousands that are out here, and the way that they pull the water in their siphon and blow it out.

I mean, they're feeding on that plankton and bacteria or whatever it is that they're pulling it out.

You can only imagine what millions of those up and down this river, the impact that we'd have if the mussels weren't here, it would be detrimental.

Right.

It's kind of one of those you don't know what you got until it's gone.

So we're working to be sure that we actually bolster the numbers and they come back.

Yeah.

So the mussels can live a long time.

And this one here is about 7 or 8 years old.

You can see some, you know, one, two, three, four, five, six.

And then the seven is on the edge of the shell.

So you can actually age in by the rings like a tree.

And the longest lived mussel in the state of Kentucky would be what?

Probably about 100 years the spectacle case.

And it's also found in the Green River.

Now, what's the difference between mussels and clams?

So a lot of the ones you're seeing that on the banks are the Asian clam.

These don't need fish host.

They reproduce way differently.

These reproduce self fertilization and these are a lot more prolific.

And there's thousands and thousands of them.

And they live about 2 or 3 years and die.

And so some of these are natural mortality that where they just die natural The interesting thing about this river is the dams that are coming out are in the best part of the river.

So we're going to see probably one of the best restoration projects available in the country by taking out 3 or 4 of these dams, because we're opening up new habitat for fish, mussels, any aquatic species in the best part of the river, that's not been really available to those animals for over 100 years.

It's such a cool project.

Restoring the Green River, which runs through a beautiful part of central Kentucky.

This is an amazing place, it's amazing river, and we're trying to do what we can to keep it that way.

Today I'm here with deer biologist Tommy Apostolos, and we're here to talk about chronic wasting disease.

And we've been taking samples throughout the state, but this year it's a little bit different.

And there's some incentives.

But tell me a little bit about what we got here.

Yeah.

So following our, first detection in Ballard County in 2023, we've really ramped up our voluntary sampling efforts across the state.

So we have these, sample drop off sites.

There's over 45 of them across the state, where hunters are able to come and drop their deer head in these freezers free of charge.

You know, any time that they please fill out their tag and get their deer sample.

So we're really talking about two different type of samples.

We're talking about mandatory sampling in the CWD zone, and then outside of that, if you're an individual, you go, hey, I'd like to get this tested before I consume this and want to help out with the detection of CWD.

That's kind of what these are all about, right?

Absolutely.

I've actually participated in this and it's really easy.

And this year you've actually got all the information.

Everything you need is right here.

You've got the steps, you've got all of the equipment is right inside.

That is the bags, the zip ties, the tags that you're going to need.

There's also an interesting tutorial.

If you got a smartphone, you just scan that and it'll give you a video, walk you straight through the process.

That's right.

All you need is your deer head, some of the neck stump and your telecheck number.

Kind of know where you killed that deer, your address.

And come to one of our stations, scan that code, and it'll walk you through the rest of the way.

So Tommy, what's in this for the hunter?

So this year, we're rolling out an incentive program.

It's called shoot for samples.

It's regionwide.

So there's five different, giveaways going on across the state.

You can either mail your sample in, through those mail-in kits, or you can drop your sample off at one of these drop off sites.

Every head is an entry.

There's no limit to how many times you can enter.

You know, CWD is something that's on everybody's mind.

A lot of people go, hey, I want to make sure that I don't eat a CWD deer.

It's a few short weeks to wait and get the results.

And it's really quick and easy and it's free.

That's right.

Yes, sir.

November is a great month for rabbit hunting and football.

So we combined the two and hit the field with a few former NFL football players.

Henry County has rabbits.

There are so many good spots in Henry County that I feel really comfortable, even though we've never been here before.

We're going to get some bunnies up Time to load them up.

Rabbit Number one is on the move.

You hear that one?

That's real high pitched squeal.

Scream that dog, when it barks, it's the rabbit's up.

It's Right in front of her.

we're out here in Henry County today doing one of my absolute favorite things, and that's rabbit hunting.

I've got a crew of people here that I've done some hunting with in the past.

A lot of football coaches and former football players but today is the day to get out.

They're going to talk a little football, talk about hunting and fishing and why they just love being outdoors.

Pat, Is that your first rabbit?

Fist right.

First one of the day to hey, hey.

Come here.

Hey, come here.

Come here, Come here, Come here, Look here Pat.

Look at we got here the dogs.

Dogs tried to claim that one first rabbit ever.

First one.

Can't beat that.

So we didn't.

We didn't see it.

So was it close to Is it in the woods?

It was running through and it was running down here in this creek kinda.

Okay.

And that's where I shot it.

First rabbit, hey you get three more today.

So, four is the limit you get you get plenty more shooting.

I must have some pretty good teachers.

First rabbit?

Yeah.

dropped my water down there.

All the thorns down there and I got a spray bottle now.

I started, I was a rookie free agent to Green Bay After I graduated in the spring of ‘04 I was there till the last cut and ended up getting released.

And ended up singing on the practice squad for New York Then I ended up making the roster.

I was there in ‘04 and █05 in New York.

Then I went to Saint Louis in ‘06.

And then Dallas in ‘07.

Ok.

So Pat was at Green Bay for a year.

Yeah.

We were actually talking about it for a little bit He was there a little bit before me.

But a couple of guys I played with when I was there He played with there as well.

Oh ok. Whitetail.

There it is, right there We both missed?

Here he goes, here he goes.

Here he goes.

Hey, we got rabbits run everywhere Well, the dogs brought one rabbit down through here.

And they sight chased another one right out.

And I shot him right over here.

We got rabbits going every which Lookey there, double trouble.

ok, ok, you got em, you got em.

Here it goes, right here, right here.

Coming at you Nick.

Coming at you Nick.

Here you go Nick.

Right here buddy.

Nice.

Nice work.

Nice job.

Yes, sir.

Way to go, yes sir.

Yeah.

That thing.

Thing.

It's the same rabbit.

I do think it's the same rabbit.

Yeah.

Yeah, but I do think there's another one or two up here.

And then.

He said that dale saw four or five over there.

Really?

So we've got all kinds of more rabbits in here.

Well let█s go get them.

Yes.

Right.

Right there.

Right there.

That█s number two.

Got one!

You got the rabbit?

Yeah.

Sweet.

Nice job.

Yeah I missed that first shot.

I got a better aim.

On that second one.

Took my time and Aimed through it.

Did you get him?

Yep.

Dead rabbit.

The doges made it quiet.

And uh, I was kind checking through this ridge.

They haven█t been coming into the open field today as much.

They been kinda Staying in these creeks and these ridges.

Um so, I just I saw him going over top of this ridge.

And he kinda stopped.

When they heard the dogs barking a little bit more.

It crossed over this ridge, And over top of this creek.

And kinda came into a clearing When I had a clear shot I took it.

Pat, you got two bunnies today, too.

That's pretty good I hear.

Yeah, that is good.

You know what?

We kill a lot of rabbits today.

Had a lot of fun dogs.

They ran a lot and put a lot of miles on them.

I appreciate you guys coming out and doing this.

And hopfully we get out and get a chance to do it one more time.

Now let's meet up with a couple who enjoy sharing their passions of both squirrel hunting and training dogs.

Out here with Chelsea and Jordan here at the very end of squirrel season.

We've done this couple times before haven█t we?

Yeah.

So how old is Copper now?

He is four.

Four.

Yeah.

What type of breed of dog is this now?

Mountain Feist.

Mountain Feist.

Okay.

So when you guys run a squirrel dog like this, a lot of times you kind of get out of the car, get away from the roads, and then turn him loose and you kind of move in the direction that you want him to work, or do you just let them do their own thing until they tree one?

Usually, he█ll just kind of take off on his own for the most part.

He█ll usually just do one big, big circle around is usually how he usually operates.

We should have plenty area to work that dog and hopefully get to shoot some squirrels out too today.

Yeah, I think we will.

So we'll keep our fingers crossed.

I think I hear him now.

Let's move on that way.

I didn't know the dog had ran this direction actually went up that way.

And he's so fast.

You see it Chelsea?

No I am looking.

It's in this one, right?

There's the squirrel in the tree.

Oh, I see it now.

Good job.

Here he is.

Come get it momma.

Come on.

That a boy.

that's a good 110, 120 feet.

Leave it, good boy.

Good boy.

Good boy.

That is a big fox squirrel.

I don't think I've seen one this big before.

Nice job.

I think we're going to see a bunch of them today.

I really do.

Today█s not the perfect conditions.

You know, temperatures in the thirties.

But considering what we've had recently, it's a beautiful day.

Looks like Coppers treed.

This squirrel heard how Chelsea shoots that rifle it won't move.

It'll hide.

You already see it Chelsea?

I see it.

Perfect shot.

One gray, one fox squirrel.

Oh, Copper doesn't know it, but there's a good chance this might be his last squirrel hunt of the year.

Season is about wind down.

I hear it's got one treed.

See him Chad?

I got him.

Yeah.

Nice.

There you go, good boy.

Good boy.

Here we go.

Little bitty gray squirrel.

We're seeing good numbers of squirrels, that's for sure.

Really good for upcoming squirrel seasons.

He's got one treed.

I see one right here.

I'll tell you what I think I see another one.

Yeah, I think there's a couple in there.

Here it comes.

You see him?

Yeah.

Nice job.

Those are pretty good size.

Yeah, we shot that one.

Got him.

Perfect.

Oh, nice.

Because there's no leaves on the trees and it's just easy to navigate the woods.

There's no ticks.

We always try to do a squirrel hunt in this time of year.

I see it.

Up at the very top.

See it right there.

Oh, yeah.

That's a good shot.

There you go.

Nice shot.

Thank you.

I tell you what, we█re trying to get back in the truck.

We've had a heck of a day.

Yeah, and sure enough, he treed another.

Another squirrel.

We've got about 150 yards to go.

He may try another before we get out of here.

He may have one more in him.

We'll see.

This is my favorite time of year.

Once the leaves are off the trees, kind of deer seasons over turkey season is not here yet.

This is a perfect time to get out and take a walk through the woods, get a little work on the dogs.

Yeah, it's fun just watching him.

Really.

He's probably the best part of it.

He just gets excited about it and he gets to do what he loves and it's just exciting all around.

Well, I appreciate you guys bringing the dog out, and watching it work.

It was a lot of fun.

Thank you, guys.

He did great.

And hey, we got a mess of squirrels.

Yeah, we sure did.

All right, let's go.

Thank you.

Now let's check in and see who else has been out having fun in this week's ones that didn't get away.

Kailey Butler says you can go fishing and stay fashionable as she caught this nice largemouth bass in LaRue County.

Congratulations.

Five year old Savannah Robey went squirrel hunting for the first time and had a blast.

Congratulations.

Travis Smith punched his buck tag on the opening day.

He was able to take this nice buck still in velvet.

This buck was taken in Jackson County, Kentucky.

Congratulations.

Mike Weisner headed out to Taylorsville Lake and took his kayak for some early season goose hunting.

Nice job.

Shannon Harville headed out to Laurel Lake and caught this nice largemouth bass.

Congratulations.

Here we have Levi Butler, who caught a nice rainbow trout in Hardin County at Freeman Lake.

Nice job.

13 year old Jace Cox took this beautiful whitetail deer during the 2024 crossbow season.

Nice job.

This year, Kentucky's modern firearm season for deer opens on November the 9th, giving you just a few more weeks to site in that rifle.

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, on the water.