This week on Kentucky Afield, We're in the deer stand on an absolutely perfect morning and looking to fill the freezer.

Next, we'll see how biologists collect data from some of the state's smallest streams and rivers.

Then, we're looking ahead to youth deer season.

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.

If you're a bow hunter and you practice shooting your bow and you plan your hunt out perfectly, you still cannot underestimate how smart and athletic a whitetail deer can be.

The deer was aimed right toward those trees.

So it should be right in this area right here.

Here it is.

Looks like it was a complete pass through.

This is, this is maybe going to be my saving grace is look at the cutting diameter of that broadhead.

Hopefully that big cut on a complete pass through, even though not where I wanted it, you know, I had to take the take the shot that I thought was most ethical at the time.

I thought it was most ethical, a shot that I feel like I can make.

I did all that and still the outcome wasn't exactly what I wanted.

But it's now been 2 hours and I'm going to take a look at see how much more blood I locate before that deer ran out of the field into the woods.

Best I can remember she might have went in right here.

Yup I thought she went in right here.

There's blood here.

Blood here.

And matter of fact, looking in the trail, there's blood everywhere.

I feel like at this point in time, with seeing this blood right here, telling me that I probably may venture in here another 50 yards, see if it stays constant.

If this blood trail stays constant, I'll keep going.

If I lose it and feel like this hole is clotted up on me, then I'm going to back out.

It's not like I'm.

I'm have to look for blood at all.

It's just constant, four and five drops at a time up in front of me.

I mean, it's like here, here, here, here, here.

It jumped this fence right here.

I got blood right here.

I've even put deer stands up and taken a little bit of wire and wired one section just ten inches lower than the rest.

Deer will use that.

It came and jumped right here.

Oh and I see it up through here too.

We█ve got blood right here.

Oh, here's our deer right here.

I can█t tell if she's completely expired, but I believe she has.

There she lays, right there.

Man, that deer really only went about 100, 120 yards.

I know it's not a good shot.

It's not going to be a proud moment as a bow hunter, where you want to put that arrow right where you, right exactly in a perfect location.

But I really feel like if that deer would have stood still from the time I let it go I would have made a good shot.

That deer lowered and lunged.

And thank goodness for that big expanding broadhead.

There she lies.

Shot went in, I would say 15 inches further back than what I thought.

Now the deer was slightly quartered away from me.

Oh, look there, so where this shot came out, is not near as bad as where it went in.

This deer has already got some rigor mortis.

No exaggeration went 150 yards.

She expired really fast.

It's in great shape.

I'm going to get my tag marked, drag this thing closer to the truck, and grab a bag, and I'm going to do the gutless method.

I'm going to take the back straps and debone all the meat off of the front and back hams, get in and get the inner loins out.

Get it in a bag.

Hopefully within 45 to 50 minutes from now I█ll have all my meat in the bag, be on the road.

Successful first hunt this year out of that stand.

Allows me to get some meat in the freezer, maybe get one more, and then I can get a little more selective and put in some hunts for a couple of those bucks that I know are out here.

I couldn't be more excited.

Kentucky has thousands of miles of small streams that can be good for fishing.

But how do fisheries biologists manage those fish populations?

Well, we headed to eastern Kentucky to find out.

Today we're here in Clay County, and I'm here with Jay Herrala.

Jay, what stream is this?

So we are on Redbird River, which is one of the two waterbodies that kind of feeds in and forms the south fork of the Kentucky River.

Okay.

today we're doing some fish sampling, but we're not using the typical equipment that we're used to seeing, which is a shocking boat and for obvious reasons.

Yeah.

So, you know, typically when we can get a boat in somewhere, that's our best option, right?

It's mobile.

Plenty of power in really small streams.

We can take a backpack, but we've got a lot of streams and water in the state that are kind of in between.

This being one of them.

It doesn't have a whole lot of access where we could even think about getting a boat in, So this is a micro shocking boat, but it just floats and you walk alongside it, which means you got to take a lot of extra precautions.

That's right.

We've got non-tradable waders on.

So, you know, neoprene canvas, you don't want to be wearing breathable waders.

You start sweating that gets kind of permeable.

And you can you can feel a little buzz coming through your suit.

So we'll also be wearing lineman's gloves.

So in the event that we accidentally maybe touch the water with our hand while we're dipping a fish, we don't get shocked.

So what type of fish are we looking to sample today?

So we'll be doing a general sport fish survey today.

Basically what that means is we're going to be looking for your black bass species.

So small mouth, large male spotted bass We'll also be looking for a rock bass bluegill crappie if we see them.

This is also a historical muskie stream, so we might have our hands full in the water with a muskie if we get one.

tell me the other components of this boat and how it's going to work.

Yeah.

So we've got a shock box, which is what you see on the back that's going to convert that AC power from the generator into DC.

what they're holding here are two anodes that are going to send the electricity into the water And any fish that is within range of us is going to be stunned by that anodes kind of flip over on its belly.

We'll be able to dip it, put it in our makeshift live well.

and after that transect is done, will measure and weigh those fish and send them back on their way.

You see they have to keep their elbows above the water If their elbows go down and touch that water It will literally give them a shock.

Any time you get in a stream and start moving.

You always want to make sure you█re moving up stream So that the So all the dirty water is going behind you.

A lot of the time what that does is pushes all the fish Up as far as they can go so, My guess is that when they get up here and push these fish up to the next riffle, they█re going to start seeing more fish.

what are the reasons why you'd want to know what species are in here, what the populations are like?

Well, quite frankly, this program was fairly young that we've just been strictly looking at streams.

So maybe ten, 11 years.

So we're still trying to get baseline data on a lot of streams and we haven't had this piece of equipment very long.

So we're still trying to get some of that.

The last time that this stream was sampled was, you know, back in the seventies or eighties when some Muskie projects were going on.

we really need to have an idea other than just what anglers tell us, which is honestly the best thing we have to go off some of these streams so you can create a baseline.

And if you see a huge decline, you can start looking at what the reason could be.

Could it be the lack of bait?

Could it be, you know, over harvest?

Could it be other environmental issues?

Could it?

It could be a multiple multitude of things.

And we also want to if we found a fishery, that's great, it may be underexposed and we want to promote it an opportunity for the people around here or for anybody to come in and create, you know, dollars and cents for for the towns around here.

So six, six.

Back in 20.

72 All right.

So your first little run here was literally just a small little section and we did see some other fish.

You never going to get them all in the stream like this.

So we got some that got over here in this deeper water, which it put you over your head.

Yep.

Can't quite.

Definitely one of the limitations of the gear.

We also just had a little rain, so we got a little mud.

So a few things and we may have pushed them up upriver.

We may hit them here on the next round or two.

So you guys are now going to make one more pass on up to the ripples and see what you may have pushed up and then you're going to bring back your next catch.

Absolutely.

We'll be back here to show you what we got.

How did you guys do on this trip?

Well, we did a little bit better.

We definitely got a a nice small mouth in here this time, so.

Oh, yeah.

There you go.

Now, that█s the kind of fish that people would come to the Redbird and, you know, that'd be a target species to come here and try to catch a nice.

Absolutely.

15 inch fish?

Yeah.

We'll see here in just a second.

16 two over 16 inches.

2.02 Yeah.

So this is a, you know, a smaller stream, obviously.

So I really wouldn't expect to see a whole lot of fish.

Much bigger than that.

That fish is probably getting close to the end of his lifespan.

But I mean, you know, for small water in some current.

That's a great fish.

Yeah, that's great.

Yeah.

Oh, that's a fantastic fish.

Did you guys see the fish before it come up?

No, he was hidin out underneath a log jam.

Wasn't he Brandon?

So that just tells you these type of fish.

You come in here and you look and you think, Well, there's no fish.

I can't see any one, they█re camo out very well.

Absolutely.

All the fish species that are in here.

And then you get some wood or some timber or some rock overhang, you never know what might be in there.

Yeah.

And as clear as this water can get, at times, they're going to see you before you see them a lot of the time.

So that's a good fish.

The most exciting deer hunt I've been on in the last few years was last year when I took my son Leo on his first deer hunt.

Well, early morning, we're here in Henry County.

It's October and it's a youth deer hunt.

Today, I've got my son here with me.

This is his very, very first deer hunt today.

And you're hunting with a brand new friend you got.

Charles, you've killed several deer out here, haven't you?

Yeah.

I know.

You know exactly what you're in for.

Everything is new for him, and we█ve got Chuck Rollins here.

Chuck, this is your piece of property.

Yes sir.

And I'll tell you what I know you put a lot of time and effort energy out here managing this farm.

This is kind of what it's about isn█t it?

Yeah, this is what it's about.

You know that these boys get to come out here and, you know, see deer and hopefully both of them will be able to pull the trigger this morning.

But I think it's going to be a fun hunt for both of them.

So a lot of deer here.

Yeah, we were.

We were.

Yeah, we were out there or the day before yesterday.

Deer sign everywhere.

I think it's going to be a really good day.

You know, if we don't get it done this morning, that's fine, because we got some better spots to go this evening.

You know what?

It's kind of a brisk, cool morning.

If you're a deer hunter, that's what you want.

This is perfect.

For a youth hunter you like temperatures in the low thirties.

You guys are bundled up.

We got our orange on.

We got about 40 minutes till daylight.

I'd say we start making our way.

What do you think?

Yeah.

Let's get everything loaded up.

Let█s go.

Alright Leo, it's legal shooting light right now.

So if we see a deer, we can shoot.

Now the deer have been crossing this road, right that way.

So I want you to keep an eye out.

You can actually see better than me because I got this blind in the way.

So look down that road, and we█ll get the gun up and get ready.

I want you to either stand up or put your knee in that seat and hopefully you get a shot right this way, Okay?

Okay.

Are you warm?

Yeah.

Okay.

Good.

So Charles, see the big food plot on the left where grass is real tall?

Yeah, I think I see it.

If a deer comes out, you get on it, just hold the gun and i█ll adjust the scope to where you want it, okay?

Because right now it's only on like 6 power.

But if it█s way out there I█ll adjust it up a little bit higher.

Leo, there's a deer.

It looks like a small doe.

Get your gun up.

Wait, It's looking back.

There's another one right behind it.

Okay.

It█s another doe.

We█ve got two does out in the road.

Oh, they just crossed the road.

They walked out, walk right across.

They look like they're really small, so don't worry, it's early.

We'll probably see some more.

I█m going to wait for it to turn broadside.

It's pretty big for a four pointer.

It'll turn.

Just be patient.

It█s looking at us.

It█s staring directly at us.

Just stay on it.

Are you nice and steady?

Trying to be.

I can turn the scope up higher if you want me to?

No, don█t it█s already good.

Okay.

Wait, wait, wait.

Don█t move.

There's another one right there.

It's closer.

It's literally right in front of us.

It█s right there.

I see it now.

It█s a little spike.

It█s making a scrape.

Okay, I█m going to shoot it.

Nice and easy, right in the shoulder.

Right in the front shoulder.

Did you hear that?

That was definitely a gun shot.

That was definitely a gun shot and that was definitely Charles█s stand.

Let's see what his text is.

look like Charles got a small buck.

It's on the ground, so looks like he made a good shot.

The second I pulled the trigger, I just saw it drop.

So I was pretty excited.

Hit it right in the shoulder.

This one stepped out at about 50, so we were definitely going to take a 50 yard shot instead of 180.

He got on him quick and made it happen.

Well Leo it's about time to get down.

Did you have fun on your first deer hunt?

Yeah, It was fun.

We got to see a whole ton of wildlife.

From deer, squirrels, chipmunks, everything.

Well, I'm glad you had fun.

I tell you what, let's start gathering our stuff and we'll get down.

We'll go see Charles's deer.

What do you think?

Sounds good.

We'll look at that Charles, you put a great shot on that deer.

Nice job, buddy.

Thanks.

Hey, good luck.

Good luck tonight.

Thank you, you too.. All right Leo.

This was the hunt I've been waiting for.

This evening hunt in this stand right here.

It█s really going to be something special.

I have this great feeling.

We're set up that way because the way the wind is blowing, the deer should show up right there in that little green field.

There's a food plot down there and there's a camera and it's been covered in deer in the evenings.

So that doesn't mean a deer won't show up in one of these other areas.

I'll keep an eye out, but I want you to focus on that area, okay?

If the deer comes out there, take your time.

You don't have to rush a shot.

I don't care if the deer█s there 3 or 4 minutes before you shoot.

It's probably not going to go anywhere for a while.

Hey, this is going to be good.

I'm very excited.

Are you excited?

Yeah.

This is your time right here.

Beautiful day for a deer hunt.

Oh, oh, deer.

Deer.

Deer.

Right in our opening.

Get ready.

See that dead tree right there laying on the ground?

Oh, yeah, he's right behind it.

Get ready.

Put your glasses on.

Take your safety off.

Just keep the crosshairs on it.

Wait for it to turn.

All right Leo, whenever you're ready.

Slowly squeeze the trigger.

You got it down.

Hey.

That's a great shot.

That's a great shot.

It█s right out there.

Wow.

Oh, my gosh.

All that time sitting in the stand all day.

Put that back on.

Hold on.

I can█t really hear much.

You dropped it right there.

Great job, buddy.

Hey, you dropped it right there.

That's about.

That's about a 90 yard shot straight down.

I don't know where you hit it.

But I know it was a great shot.

Hey, nice job.

Well Leo, your first deer.

Yeah.

What an awesome day of deer hunting.

We got out here this morning.

You saw a couple of deer, but it was very quick and they got through on us and we couldn't get a shot.

This evening we had that deer behind us.

But what happened there?

Well, we saw this deer and it crossed.

We left that deer and came to this one.

First day in a deer stand.

You got two hunts in.

A morning and a evening, saw deer both times and was able to take a big doe.

Hey, what do you think about deer hunting?

It's really fun.

Hey, Leo, I hear Chuck and Charles on the ATV.

Come and get us right now.

Hey, man, good job.

We got it done.

Got it done man.

That a█ boy.

We got it done.

I'll tell you what.

This is a hunt I will never forget for the rest of my life.

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

Here we have Deanna Lucas with a nice velvet buck that she took in Breckenridge County.

Congratulations.

Here we have a beautiful Cave Run musky that was caught by Mark Moore.

Nice fish.

Here we have Sam Stone, who took advantage of the early wood duck season and took this nice mess of birds in Simpsonville, Kentucky.

Nice job.

The youth only firearm season is next weekend, October 14th and 15th.

Good luck to all you first time deer hunters.

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.