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 headed to the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky in search of quail.

Then we're going to head out to western Kentucky on the Tennessee River to catch up with our old buddy, Jim Doom.

But first, we're going to talk to a few wildlife biologists to find out why they're trapping deer in both Jefferson and Shelby County.

Here they come.

We're just waiting on this deer to walk under the net.

It's about to happen.

Watch it.

All right, go get her.

Go get her!

Go get her!

Go get her!

Easy.

We're out here today in Jefferson County in a cold afternoon.

And I'm here with deer program coordinator Joe McDermott.

Joe, I know you traveled the state trying to gather data on deer, and we're sitting right here in the middle of 2 or 3 highways, all within sight range, trying to catch deer.

Yep.

Tell me a little bit about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently received a big federal grant to look at deer vehicle collisions along Kentucky's highways.

They're focal area for this study is the I-64 and US 60 corridor.

They're basically going through identifying hot pockets of deer where they are trying to figure out ways to make the roadways safer.

They asked us to be a partner with them to help provide some GPS collar data.

So they're using thermal drones, ground surveys, camera surveys, things like that to get a lot of good data along the roadways.

But adding some real time collar data with these deer that are living along the roadways is just another piece of the puzzle that sheds some different light on the subject.

To gather that data you have to catch a deer.

Yep.

Collar that deer, and then turn it loose.

And then how long can you gather data on a collar?

It depends on how many locations we take.

But for the most part, about 3 or 4 years with the GPS collar.

Okay.

So this will give you information on how often they're crossing the highway, where they're crossing the highway, how far they're living away from the highway?

Exactly.

So this morning we are in Beckley Creek Park.

We're going to set our drop net.

And, hopefully get the deer used to it, get back out here in a couple of days and try and get some collers on some deer.

The Parklands has cleared a spot for us up against the creek here.

We've been baiting this site, trying to get the deer patterned to come into this area.

The Parklands at Floyds Fork.

What a beautiful area for a lot of residents here close by.

We like to think of the park as Louisville's biggest conservation project, and our motto is safe, fun, clean and beautiful 365 days a year.

Safe being that first word.

That's why we were really excited when we heard about this study to partner with Fish and Wildlife, the transportation cabinet.

To really see how we can make Kentucky roads safer.

This is thousands and thousands of acres that doesn't get any hunting pressure.

So it's a great spot to gather this data because there's a lot of deer here.

It's a good spot for us to put up a net and capture these deer and put them back out on the landscape, because a normal deer may not last 3 or 4 years in Kentucky, but you might be able to gather three years of data right here.

Most of these animals are living here on this property.

We'll be able to get good data for a longer period of time than normal.

Again, they're living right here next to highway 64, right.

So they're interacting with it all the time.

This is a perfect scenario for us.

That's the center of the drop net.

It's going to look like a big circus tent by the end of it.

We're going to try and line that up right in the bait pile there.

Have they got ways where deer can go underneath the highway instead of going over top of them, put signs for deer crossings is that type of information we're talking about?

Yeah, along those lines, trying to figure out where it is that they're going to cross the roads, are there ways that we can make them safe.

We don't see them so much in the East, but we do in the West a lot.

And like these big migration corridors.

Transportation cabinet is out there putting in overpasses, underpasses, ways for these animals, large numbers of them to cross the roads without impacting the roadways.

So I'm not sure what form it'll take here in Kentucky, but we do know that they are using some existing structures already.

Places like you see right over here with the bridge underneath 64.

They're crossing those naturally.

Right.

So how can we take things that they're doing naturally in conjunction with this data and improve upon it?

Right.

To make it even safer.

The trap is set, the drop net is ready to be dropped on deer.

But before we leave, we're going to do a quick test drop.

Make sure all the knots are where they need to be.

Everything's connected how it should.

Looks good.

Let's put it back up.

So you've got a net that's up right now, and you're actually baiting these deer to come in so we can catch them.

Well, hopefully the deer come under the net, so hopefully they show up.

But I think they will.

They'll go to the drop net site.

Our ideal tonight is 2 to 3 deer.

Unless we can get a male.

If we get a male we'll do a solo.

But once they go in and get to the center of the net, it'll be pretty cool to see.

We've got a big cat fishing pole, an 80 pound braid, and runs about 200 yards out to the net.

And we'll set the hook and net falls, and we all run in there and tackle them.

Look at the deer.

Look at the deer.

Look at the deer.

Well.

Well, Tommy, we've been here about 45 seconds.

We haven█t even cut the truck off yet.

The truck's still running and we already had a deer cross the road.

How far away are we right now?

160 yards?

Yeah, a little bit over 100 yards.

Joe, here he comes.

He doesn█t even realize we already got deer in there.

There's a deer right there.

We just pushed it.

It was bedded down in this stuff right here.

I tell you what.

I've got some weird things on a rod and reel.

Never a deer.

Pretty good.

We got a deer.

Got a buck right there.

There he is.

So you can see right here.

Here's a corn pole.

There's a center pole right here.

We're waiting on him to make that final 10 or 12 steps to get under the bait.

Net█s down.

He█s in it.

I see him jumping.

All right, so, Tommy, you all going to restrain him.

Watch his antlers.

Here's a blindfold.

All right.

I'm going to get his drug drawn up.

As soon as we stop.

He is definitely down.

We got the deer down right there.

Oh, shoot.

So the first thing we'll do is obviously physically restrain them.

So we'll lay on them, put our body pressure on him.

We█re paying attention to their head, neck and spine, things like that, making sure that they're in a safe position.

But you want to restrain them so they can't flop around and beat themselves up.

Got him subdued.

So he's not going to hurt himself.

Joe's working the immobilization drug up right now.

I've drawn drug up.

I'm coming in to immobilize it.

Usually within 3 to 5 minutes from the time the net falls.

They are on the ground, fully under and ready for the workup process.

So now that the drug has taken effect on the deer, it got all wrapped up in the net by jumping around.

So they almost got it out of the net so they can finish up the work up.

We're not doing a whole bunch to the animal during the work up.

It's mainly just ear tags and collars.

We just need to identify who they are and see where they're going.

In the event that this deer is actually taken by a legal hunter, I'm sure you want this collar back.

Yes, sir, I do.

It has our Fish and Wildlife number that tells you exactly who to call everything they need to know.

If they're a legal hunter and it's a legal opportunity you're not telling people not to take these.

We're not telling you not to take it.

Because, you know, there are different components in here with biases.

You don't want to bias your estimates, right.

But if it's an animal that you see and you would take it otherwise, then feel free to do so.

So once that's done, we're going to give them the reversal.

Pop them right back up there on their feet, on their way, none the wiser.

The ultimate goal is to make Kentucky's roadways safer.

And the really cool part about this project is we are making the roadways safer for everyone.

Whether you're a hunter, Fisher, anything like that, you interact with wildlife more than you know, especially along these roadways.

And we're trying to make that as safe as possible.

Here in Kentucky, if you want to hunt quail, I recommend you finding some good habitat on a reclaimed coal mine.

We're down here in eastern Kentucky in Knott County this beautiful morning and I'm here with Brandon.

Brandon, this is a little different than the last time you and I hunted together.

We're running some dogs today.

A little smaller animal.

I'm with you.

You know, we're doing a small game hunt.

And every time we're down here, elk hunting or elk scouting, it seems like we always jump a lot of rabbits and we actually flush coveys of quail, which, you know, it's not really easy to find wild coveys of quail anymore.

So, you know, you guys have got the perfect habitat for it.

What are our chances of getting a covey up?

I think we'll be good.

We've ran, there█s a few spots, probably four or five times this year already, so it's been quite a bit.

So we should be good.

I'm going to say two to three covey today, especially decent sized coveys.

10, 12, 15 birds.

That's a really good day.

So, who knows?

Let's go.

We'll see what happens.

I'm looking forward to it.

Let's go, Waylon.

Come on.

What, you got Waylon?

Waylon and Jessie.

Waylon and Jessie.

Waylon and Jessie, There you go.

Go Jessie, Let█s go girl.

It's amazing.

You look out over these hills and ridges and it looks like it's all ankle high.

It is a big difference once you step out in it.

I like the road.

Waylon here.

I think he█s pointing on the hill there.

Oh, you got them pointing in two different places?

Yeah I'd say they're walking, feeding this morning.

Sitting right here up in that little small patch there.

Think we got a bird?

Maybe.

Let█s walk in and find out.

Easy Jessie.

Jessie's locked up.

Yeah Woah Well that was quicker than I expected.

I couldn█t swing any further.

I saw it here and one single went out this way.

Do you think you got anything down?

Uh, worth checking.

Good Job.

Oh look.

Good, Job.

Good job, girl.

Very nice, lookie there.

pretty little creatures are they?

Oh, beautiful bird.

Let's go find another covey.

Let's go.

Come find another covey, come on, girl.

Jessie█s right over here pointing.

Uh oh.

What do you got Jessie?

Oh, single.

Wow.

Now that was a bunch of quail.

Yes they were, that was spread out.

I mean, that was a bunch.

Time we got our attention on this single that went out this way.

They all slipped out the back side on us.

I don't think either one of us got a real good- No.

Bit of a long, long shot.

I was shooting through autumn olive I knew that wasn█t going to go good.

But, you know, you flush a covey that size you got to pick a bird and try to make the best of it.

Waylon, you got to find that bird, buddy.

What do you got, buddy.

Wow.

That ear laid back.

What do you got buddy?

I don't know.

It's usually when she stands up, head up.

It's usually- Whoa!

That was a covey.

Yep.

On point?

He looks it.

It's a woodcock.

That season's not in.

Leave it be, bubby.

Sure was, pointed a woodcock.

Brandon I can't tell you how much I enjoyed today.

Was a great day.

I said it earlier.

I think that that one of the most beautiful things you can see in the state of Kentucky is a covey rise.

It's shocking, first off, but then secondly, watching them take off and all the different directions.

Well, I've said it before, I'll say it again.

You live in a small slice of heaven.

Hey, appreciate it.

It█s different opportunities every time.

That█s a fact.

You got opportunities to fish and hunt and big game hunt and today it was the small game and today may have been my favorite.

I'm with you.

I've said it from the get go.

I love turkey hunting, deer hunting, elk hunting but quail hunting takes the cake.

The Tennessee River in western Kentucky offers near endless fishing opportunities.

And my good buddy Jim Doom knows how to catch the fish.

Today is one of those days I really look forward to, and that's hitting the river down here in western Kentucky with Jim Doom.

How you doing today?

I'm good.

How are you doing?

I'm good.

You know, this is the time of year that you just told me a date and we said, let's make it happen.

But you know what?

Any time you come to the river, you've got to be ready to catch whatever whatever the river will give you.

Right.

Yeah.

We'll throw some swim bait.

And if I don't work, we'll catch some live bait and try that.

Let's go give it a try and see what we can't luck into.

I noticed you brought your fishing buddy with you today, too.

Yeah.

She wouldn't let me leave the house without her this morning.

I mean, look at that face.

Who could leave that at home?

All right, well, let's roll.

Go ahead.

Which way we going here?

That way?

Yeah.

Just start fishing.

Here we go.

I don█t know what it is.

I believe that may be a small mouth.

You think so?

If not, It could be a striper.

No its a smallmouth.

Well, what do you know?

Oh that█s a good one.

Look at that, smallmouth bass.

I'll tell you what, people travel all over the place to try to catch them a three and a half pound smallie like that, huh?

Look at that beautiful fish.

Now, these are some of my absolute favorite fish to catch.

But I'll tell you what.

I couldn't bring myself to eat one of these for $1,000,000.

This one█s going back.

Here we go.

Another smallmouth.

It█s what it looks like.

Smallmouth.

Man, and he wanted it.

Look at that, spittin█ up shad.

Another good fish.

Look at there.

What a beautiful fish.

What do you want?

Want a treat?

Here we go.

Think i█m going to have to steal one of those little green baits.

Hey, I got a pocket full of them here.

What do we got this time?

Looks like another small mouth again.

Oh, a buffalo.

Maybe I don't want one of them green baits.

That's not exactly what we were going for, wasn't it?

He ate it.

Ellie, that's more your style right there, girl.

All right.

See you later.

Here we go.

I tell you what.

Man, this is small mouth here.

This is a better fish here, giving this reel a workout in this current.

Oh, looky here.

Now what?

That's a striper.

What do you know?

Sitting here, four casts in a row, three different species of fish, and now we've got a striper.

What do you think, Ellie?

Jim, What's the length limit on these?

15 inches?

I believe this is going to make it.

I think he'll make it.

Uh oh.

What do you got?

Don't look, found another rock.

So, you know, the length limit for striper changes on different bodies of water.

But here you say it's 15 inches.

And what are you allowed?

What are you allowed?

Five.

Five of them?

Five striper.

We'll see what we got here.

Because if that thing is a keeper, I'll tell you what.

It doesn't get much better eatin█ than this right here, does it?

Some good stuff.

22 inches, I believe that's a good one.

You think we'll keep it?

If you don't, I will.

Small mouth and stripers?

What you got going on down here?

Living the dream.

You are living the dream.

Catching some prize fish today as far as species go, that's for sure.

Oh, here we go.

Look at that.

Oh, that's a good smalley.

Here we go.

Oh, that there is a good fish.

That's a beautiful, beautiful smallmouth bass right there.

I think we've caught more small amounts than anything else.

And, hey, this is a really, really good one.

Oh, you got one?

I got a fish, yeah.

Okay.

Think it█s a striper?

I think so.

There you go.

Need a net?

There you go.

Thank you, sir.

Hey, this is getting.

This is getting good.

No, we're not on Lake Cumberland, we are out here on the Tennessee River catching stripers and small mouth off a rock pile on swim baits.

Oh, no.

I don't want any sugar.

You might█ve eaten something bad.

Uh Oh, got him.

I think they're just all over this point.

If these were probably a pound and a half apiece, we'd to have a mess of fish, you know?

Oh, you ain█t kidding.

The bigger fish could be out just a touch further.

Here we go.

A little better fish.

Hey, now we're white bass fishing.

This is what█s its supposed to be like right here.

A little better fish, we█ll take that.

Rods bending a little more on that one.

That's a good one.

Big enough.

Ellie, you want to get a bite of that?

Little better fish, isn█t it?

Yep.

There we go.

That's what we're after right there.

Look at that.

That's a pretty white bass right there.

Tell you what, it doesn█t get any better than that.

They fight way bigger than their size, and they taste way better than you think.

And when you catch a couple, usually you get on bunches.

We've had a great day of fishing so far, and we were about ready to call it quits, and we're like, “you know?

we've got live bait in here.

Let█s make a couple of drifts to see if we can't pick up another big fish.

That felt like a bite.

Got it?

Yeah.

Sweet.

Hold on.

Look at this, we have doubled up.

Think we█re tangled together.

Uh oh, I have a feeling that you hooked that fish and I ended up getting wrapped up in here.

That's a good assist.

You were like, How come my fish just got lighter?

I'll tell you what, though.

That's a beautiful fish, isn't it?

It is.

Wow.

There you go.

Hey, what a nice fish.

We're right here under the highway, below the bridge.

Very first drift.

Wham!

Nice striper.

We'll take that every time.

Well, Jim, I know you told me that fishing had gotten kind of slow, but there was nothing slow about this.

It was a pretty good day.

It was a good- Hey, we caught lot of different species of fish.

We had a lot of fun.

Caught some of my favorite fish, some small mouth, and got a cooler full to go clean.

I appreciate you having us down.

It's always a great time to get down here.

Let's go clean some fish.

All righty.

Hey, nothing beats a good fish sandwich after a day on the lake like this.

Now let█s check in and see Who else has been out having fun In this week█s Ones That Didn█t Get Away Check out this beautiful Nelson County nine point buck that was taken by a familiar face, Olivia Harmsen.

She agreed to teach the landowner how to quarter a buck for access to hunt the property.

Great deal.

Here we have Myla Dunn with a nice beaver that she trapped in Grant County.

Congratulations.

Check out this beautiful pheasant that was taken by rusty McKay.

This bird was taken on the green river pheasant quota hunt.

Congratulations.

Elliott Lane caught this nice largemouth bass in a farm pond in Harlan County.

Nice fish.

Here we have Blake essence that got this nice eight point buck while hunting with his papa, Jerry Wilson, in Lincoln County, Kentucky.

Nice job.

13 year old jet Smith of Louisville took this nice striper while fishing at Lake Cumberland.

From all of us here at Kentucky Afield, we'd like to wish you and your families a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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

Always ask permission to 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.