This week on Kentucky Afield, we're on the hunt for venison, but not for ourselves.

This one is being donated to Hunters for the Hungry.

Next, small game seasons are upon us.

We're enjoying an opening day rabbit hunt in the Eastern zone.

Then we're with biologist and looking for one of the state's most unusual birds.

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.

Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry is a nonprofit organization that provides hundreds of thousands of meals right here in Kentucky.

If you have an extra deer this year, consider a donation.

Well I am out here on a farm that I hunt quite a bit.

It's mid-October.

And I█m trying to take a nice big doe for Hunters for the Hungry.

I█ve been hunting this stand mainly in the evenings.

I've been seeing a lot of deer, including a lot of bucks.

The wind this evening is not going to work out for me.

So I wanted to get in here this morning when the wind is right.

Hopefully get a chance to take a big doe.

I already called the processor to make sure they are accepting donations for Hunters for the Hungry.

They're there.

They're ready.

All I need is a big doe to step out in the field First signs of movement.

We got a couple of deer there that have moved out in the field about 300 yards away.

Way too far away.

But that's a good sign that the deer are up and moving.

Oh deer.

Coming into the field quick about 80 yards.

Oh man, we need that deer to come closer.

Man that deer walked up, never took a bite.

Just quickly crossed the field.

just a little further than what I wanted to shoot.

Closest it got was probably still like 50 yards.

Here she comes back out.

It█s closer.

I got this deer now, about 40 yards, maybe a little less.

It was broadside awhile ago, But, you know, it looks like it's going to feed around now.

Hopefully if I can get five or ten yards closer and get a broadside shot That would be ideal.

That shot was just a hair high but that deer went straight down Oh man, I didn't want to take that shot, but I didn't have any choice because that deer was looking right under the tree.

I noticed it wasn█t looking up It was looking under the tree.

It knew something was up, but soon as it settled down and the deer wasn't looking at me.

It went to feed.

I had to take the shot.

Wow.

You know, this had been a week long adventure, putting a lot of time and effort, mainly in the evenings.

And have been seeing a lot of deer, but I really wanted to make a donation to Hunters for the Hungry.

They█re in huge demand for protein to be used right here in Kentucky.

And this gave me an opportunity to get out and try to get a donation so that it can get processed and where it needs to be before gun season starts, because then they're just inundated with a lot of people bringing their own meat in so I'm so happy to be able to get out here today, and get this deer.

You know, if you don█t know anything about Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry, you can learn more at kyhuntersforthehungry.info.

And they actually use deer that are donated by hunters to feed Kentuckians right here.

A lot of the meat stays right here, local almost to the county that you take it in.

But, they also send protein for disaster relief like the tornadoes we've had in western Kentucky and the flooding that we've had in eastern Kentucky.

It's a great organization.

So we're going to get this thing to the processor as quick as we can.

Well I got my deer out and field dressed it, got a bag of Ice and put it in the back hams.

Brought it out here to C&J.

Got my confirmation number attached to the deer hung in the dry storage.

Now it█s time to go get breakfast.

Spanning over 3000 acres and located in Spencer, Anderson, and Nelson Counties is Taylorsville Lake.

This water body offers fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, bluegill, saugeye, catfish, and a variety of other species.

With six access sites, including four boat ramps.

There's plenty of opportunity to hit the water.

To locate fishing access sites in Kentucky.

Visit the Find a Place to Fish page on the department's website, or download the Fish Boat KY App.

You'll be able to search for your favorite waterbodies and get directions to all major boat ramps and fishing locations.

Be sure to check the fishing and boating guide for rules and regulations that pertain to Taylorsville Lake as they may differ from other bodies of water.

For more information about this lake or any other body of water in Kentucky, visit our website at FW.KY.GOV.

Rabbit season in the eastern part of the state is now open.

You know what that means.

It's time to hit the field.

I'll tell you what.

November 1st out here in Henry County, you know what that means.

Rabbit season.

Opening day of rabbit season here in the eastern part of Kentucky.

You know, out of all the hunting seasons that comes in.

This is the one I look forward to the most.

You know, deer season and archery, I love it, but it can be hot.

You know what?

The dogs are ready.

I've been looking forward to this for a while now, and my dog's been out for a little bit.

I know you've had yours out a little bit.

A little bit.

Not a whole lot.

Hot and dry.

Makes it hard on them.

Hard on me too.

I've known you for a while.

Actually, Josie came from one of the one of your dogs here today.

And I know that you're an avid outdoors person, and I know you're an avid hounds man as well.

That's right.

So this this is one of those days where when you can get your dogs out and turn them loose and actually carry a shotgun and finish out some of these chases, it's pretty special.

Yes, sir.

Tell me how you got with you today.

This is a John Payne.

Friend of mine.

We hunt together a lot.

Nice to meet you, John.

I know this is a piece of property that that your family owns.

I appreciate you letting us come out today.

Yes, sir.

Thank you very much for coming out.

Well, I tell you what, I'm super excited.

I know these dogs are ready to go.

I say we turn them loose and right here looks beautiful.

I mean, this spot right here.

It just looks fantastic.

Let's turn them loose and we'll catch up and talk some more.

And I'm sure there'll be some teasing going on, because I don't I don't plan on hitting them all do you?

No.

First one that misses buys lunch.

Well I just won█t shoot until one of you guys miss.

Let's turn them loose and let's let's start right here.

Go.

All right.

Go, Josie.

There's a bunch of rabbits in here, buddy.

Hunt ‘em up, josie.

Not today, Peter Cottontail.

It█s a good start.

Oh, there he is.

What did he do?

Turn and go back in?

Yeah.

I didn't know where Josie was at, and I didn't- When I went to take that shot, I just didn't know where all the dogs were at.

I'm gonna kill that rabbit.

I see it.

Not now.

It's a big rabbit.

Yeah I'm going to have to score him.

Little buck.

There he goes.

How many pictures you going to see of him?

Yeah.

We got unicorns up here.

Yeah, you do.

rabbit right in there.

You got that one, didn't you?

Yeah.

Came out behind me.

I know.

He came out right behind you.

Good shot.

Hey, buddy.

Good job, guys.

Good job, Arlo.

Arlo, good job.

Man, they ran that one a minute, you know?

Yeah, they did put a good shot on it, too.

I'll tell you what.

We knew it was coming that way, and I just happened to be turned like- Just like this.

And it shot out right here.

Gave you a great opportunity.

Nice shot, man.

Thanks buddy.

The dogs did great on that Rabbit.

Good job, checkers.

You started that one.

Good job.

He jumped the fence right here.

That█s number three.

Getting ready to throw in my ves Here you go.

Nice job.

That rabbit got pushed in a big circle and was coming right back.

That rabbit, was jumped right here.

And you shot around that fence.

Coming right back over the jumps We stayed close.

And you were smart enough to go.

Hey, you know what?

I've seen this game before.

I know where he's going, and I'm going to cut him off.

There he is.

I got him.

Well, those dogs finally ran this rabbit up out of this bottom here, and it's real thick in here, as you can see.

And I got a shot and had to try to take a second shot before It got behind this tree.

We got it, though.

Dead, dead, Hey, good girl.

Good girls.

Come here.

Good boy.

Good boy.

I was waiting on it to jump again behind the tree because I wasn't sure if you were going to get him.

I know, I was out of ammo.

And then I was like, Well, he ain't moving.

He didn't come to the left, you█d had to hit him.

Well, Dustin, I believe our dogs have about had it.

Done buddy.

you know, opening day.

I mean, how many they run?

over ten.

12 at one time.

12 on top of the ridge.

Almost 13 is what we What we finished out, well, 13 miles.

So, hey, for day one, you know, they ran a ton.

And I do believe if one of us would have just sat right here on the back of the truck, we would█ve got our limit in about 30 minutes.

Yeah right out of the tail gate.

Yeah, we jumped a lot of rabbits.

We ran a lot.

Big running today.

Big running.

Yeah, a lot of runs.

They brought them by us numerous times before we could g get the rabbit on the ground.

You know, they'd run behind and take a big loop and come by us again.

But you couldn't see because its so thick.

But, hey, I'd rather hunt a thick area and have the dogs run a lot and see fewer rabbits than hunt wide open and see zero rabbit.

Exactly.

You figure out why those dogs are so tired when you get in those briar thickets and try to pull through them yourself, you go, Wow.

You know, we're tired.

We probably didn't walk two miles.

Yeah.

The dogs went 13 through Briars.

Yeah, that's that's the difference.

It is.

You know, they call them working dogs for a reason.

That's right.

Today they worked.

And by the end of the year, 12, miles won't seem like a lot.

But on day one, that's a lot of running.

Yes sir Hey, It's a lot of fun.

Thank you, guys.

The American woodcock.

It's one of Kentucky's most interesting birds.

With its long beak and its wild mating rituals, It's worth checking out.

This evening we're out here at M Welch, just south of Richmond, and I'm here with Wes Little, who is a migratory bird biologis We're doing something kind of un There's something different toni We're going snipe hunting.

Snipe really we're trying to find what type o It's the American woodcock.

American woodcock.

So you've heard of snipe and send your buddy out with a f and a pillowcase.

We're going out with a big flash We're looking for these birds.

They blend into the ground.

They're very hard to see.

You listen for their calls kind of in the area where they are and sneak up in t and try to catch them.

Tonight, we've got some ATVs wit some flashlights and some lights And you're going to catch them actually with a net.

And if you get one down on the g we're going to band it.

And that just helps.

Tell about migration, how far they're going.

Harvest information because it is a game bird.

It is a game bird.

And it's a secretive game where it's small.

It's very well camouflaged, just Do you see them tonight, You'll on top of them and you won't eve And we don't always hear them at So you can see there are shootin here.

This is why we're at this WMA these shoo in between I mean, it's a mess, That shrubby good rabbit cover i woodcock cover.

They like this grown up wooly fi They like to have an early successional forest or a thick, young growth forest nearby.

That's where they stay during th And this WMA itself has really w and which is conducive for them hunting earthworms.

So we're going to drive these st We're going to listen for the bi Sometimes you never hear them, and all of a sudden they're right in front of you.

Like, where did that come from?

So that's the plan where we're at the shooting line We'll listen for birds, and then to sneak up, catch a couple.

All right.

Well, let's let's get after it.

Let's go this way.

It's close.

Hear that?

I think he's up there, which is Might be two this bird's about ready to shoot up in the sky.

And when it goes up and starts i display we're going to try to se as much as we can while moving a as we can to where it takes off so when it comes back down We'll be right there in front of All right lets go up Closer.

Just landed, right beside us.

Right in the middle.

I can see it plain as day, right Pretty cool.

That is really cool.

I mean, I think I look like mini turkeys.

They've got their own strut.

They don't fluff about the same it's very similar to a turkey tom strutting for a They're nocturnal their eyes are set really high up on their head so they can still see almost 360 while their beak is in the groun That's why we have to wait for i to be fully dark.

They're adapted for night vision We've got to see how this bird a what he does during his mating s Hear some really cool characteri Let's go get on the atv and get close look.

Sounds good.

I'd like to see one right there in my hand.

Oh, good catch.

Get on.

Get on it get on it.

All right.

Well, I'm impressed.

Your very first attempt to get t You got it.

She's a pro Oh, he's puffed up, too.

Oh, yeah.

Look at this.

He's got his tail up.

This is given its mating dance.

Look to it.

It's almost like a t like it's puffed up.

Look at the beak we were talking Look how long that beak is.

What a cool looking bird now has been banded?

Nope.

So this will be a brand new band We get very few recaptures in th I've been doing this here for si or seven years now, and I've got one bird a recaptur and I'd caught it the night befo Oh, wow.

Hunter, you came down h This bird look like it was only from the front of the ATV.

When you got the net out and was to get that net on top of the bi Look pretty easy.

Looks easy.

You got to lose so many birds to You did great.

The idea now is to put this little band o and then if anyone ever harvests is one of these birds or finds this bird report online And then you find some informati about where it was banded.

That's right.

Each one of these birds will hav number.

Every single bird that's banded gets a unique number.

Then when a hunter gets it will go to www.reportband.gov okay.

And then they can enter the coun the exact location of the of the They'll report to the hunter.

This bird was banded as an adult in March of 2022 or They're a Really neat bird you know you mentioned the turke and that beak, it's unlike any other beak in the bir World, especially in Kentucky.

A lot of people will say, you know, when God was building he took the leftover parts and put it on the woodcock.

yeah I thought that was a platyp Yeah exactly.

It just we don't have platypus in Kentucky, so this is our oddb Everything about them is just di than every other bird.

We're going to check out the win and this is where we'll determin how old it is.

These are their flight feathers and those outer three feathers.

See how skinny they are.

And they've got that little notc Those are the feathers that made that Twitter call when they're doing their sky dan When you get into these feathers on the juvenile birds, there's a black line that separates the in the inside of the feather fro Buffy tip.

this is an adult bird.

It's at least two years old.

Look at beautiful the tail feath That's my favorite part of the b That's a miniature turkey fan.

It's got a turkey fan look at the little white tips.

And then look look at this just beautiful, puffy little fea down there on this bird such a pretty bird.

But looks like you did a great job of catching it.

You got some new hardware on it, some bling.

You want to do the honors?

Yeah, I don't mind.

Yeah, I'd lo All right, so we'll see how this bird takes Look how pretty the wings are, r There goes wow.

Isn't that cool?

Let's go see if we get another whoo!

There you go.

This one is right in the middle.

Oh, we got a snipe so it looks very similar.

Yeah, but it's much smaller bird.

to the Woodcock.

It is smaller.

More streamlined.

But the biggest difference are the stripes on his head.

And Woodcock, they go across.

You know, it's kids.

You hear people talk about snipe and usually they're kind of joki about getting somebody out in th And but there is a such thing as hunting, and this is the type of that they're talking about going and going after.

Right?

That is that's the common or Wil is the proper name for their tai is going to be a little differen It's not a fantail bird like the but the snipes.

Are there a true shorebird speci So this snipe, you know, we're in mucky stuff right here.

They probe like the woodcock do, but they're not a specialist for earthworms as as the the woodcocks are snipe.

We're going to pick up other bug And I can band them.

I've got the right size band, but we don't have a project goin So let this guy go very cool.

But if you're looking at it through a light pulling up and it's all hidden and you see this bird, you immed think, Well, it's a woodcock, le go after the woodcock until we g It was an accidental catch, but a really cool one.

it is.

We'll let this guy go and let him get back to his busi There he goes.

Well, Wes I appreciate your time I have a I have a whole new resp for American woodcock, and I tell you what I'd like to come up and maybe we'll get in t some day and try to go after one I hope so.

Thanks again.

It was a lot of fu Thanks for coming.

Nine year old Levi Evans took this really nice buck on the first day of youth season in Morgan County.

Nice deer.

Eight year old Annabeth Buckman got out in Washington County during the youth weekend and took this nice buck.

Congratulations.

Joshua Bratcher knows how to spend a nice birthday.

He went fishing at Energy Lake in Land Between the Lakes and caught these nice crappie.

Connor Bewley caught this nice 28 inch catfish while fishing for bass from his kayak.

This was his largest catfish.

Nice job.

Check out this giant taken by Landon Mitchell during the youth weekend in Nicholas County.

What a deer.

Cain Casey got out and did a little hunting during the youth weekend.

He went to Rolling Fork WMA and took this nice six point buck.

Nice job.

Most hunters know that deer season starts next weekend.

But don't forget about small game hunting.

In my opinion, that's the best way to get a new hunter started.

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.