Kentucky spring hunting season impacted by high floodwaters

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — April 12 is the start of the spring hunting turkey season in Kentucky, and hunters all over the state are now having to consider what the recent floods have done to several hunting grounds.

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, a lot of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) are extensively affected by the recent floods, with some parking lots and access points being completely submerged. Thomas Young is with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and is an avid hunter himself.

“One of my favorite spots I’ve got, is definitely underwater, but if you’re strategic, you know turkeys will seek higher ground just like you or me in a flood situation,” Young said.

In Central Kentucky specifically, the areas of the Taylorsville Lake WMA and Kentucky River WMA have been hit hard, and these aren’t the only spots to be mindful of.

“There’s no doubt that there will be certain wildlife management areas, across the state that will be, impacted much more in terms of flooding,” Young said.

Turkeys will react to the floodwaters by seeking higher ground, and by playing your cards right, Young said this can be an advantage for hunters.

“There are opportunities where if you can find that little dry spot that turkeys can access and maybe a lot of the public can’t on public land, there’ll be a good opportunity to be successful in the field. I think whether you’re hunting in western Kentucky, central Kentucky, or eastern Kentucky, I think water can somewhat sometimes be used to your advantage in some cases if you’ve got birds that are somewhat isolated,” Young said.

Even with that vantage point, hunters are asked to look at the conditions of their areas and avoid places that aren’t safe at the moment.

“If you’re in a boat on a reservoir, make sure you have a life jacket. If you’re in a backwater situation and you’re using a boat, take all the necessary precautions, because it can be very critical to have all of your safety gear in place,” Young said.

More information on the flooded WMAs can be found at the KYFWR website.