Fiskburg Holler

Fiskburg Holler is not large enough for the ethical hunting of most wild game, so we encourage our guests to seek public hunting. We’ll list some Public Hunting Locations Within 20 Miles of Morningview, KY:

  1. Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA
    • Location: Near Crittenden, Grant County, KY (approximately 15-18 miles from Morningview).
    • Description: This 1,135-acre Wildlife Management Area offers forests and fields for hunting deer, turkey, small game (rabbit, quail), and waterfowl. It’s the closest significant public hunting area to Morningview.
    • Regulations: Open under statewide hunting regulations unless specified otherwise. Check the KDFWR Hunting and Trapping Guide for any quota hunts or restrictions.
    • Access: Located off Dixie Highway (US-25), with parking areas and trails.
  2. Mullins WMA (Potentially just within 20 miles)
    • Location: Near Falmouth, Pendleton County, KY (approximately 18-20 miles from Morningview).
    • Description: This 1,159-acre WMA features rolling hills and mixed habitats, suitable for deer, turkey, and small game hunting.
    • Regulations: Follows statewide seasons, but some areas may have specific restrictions. Consult the KDFWR interactive map or guide for details.
    • Access: Reachable via KY-159, with designated parking areas.

Non-WMA Public Hunting Locations Within 20 Miles of Fiskburg Holler:

  1. Kincaide Lake State Park
    • Location: Near Falmouth, Pendleton County (~10-12 miles).
    • Description: A 183-acre state park with a 40-acre lake, primarily known for fishing but offering limited hunting opportunities. Small game (e.g., rabbit, squirrel) and possibly waterfowl hunting may be permitted in designated areas outside the developed park zones. Deer and turkey hunting are typically restricted or limited due to the park’s size and proximity to recreational areas.
    • Regulations: Hunting is restricted to specific areas and seasons to avoid conflict with other park users (e.g., anglers, hikers). Archery or small game seasons may apply, but modern gun hunting is often prohibited. Check with KDFWR or park management for specific rules. A valid hunting license is required ($27 resident, $160 non-resident).
    • Access: 565 Kincaid Park Rd, Falmouth, KY. Free entry; limited hunting areas accessible via trails or undeveloped sections. Contact park office (859-654-3531) for hunting boundaries.
    • Note: Hunting is limited compared to WMAs, so confirm permissible activities with park staff.
  2. Public Access Program Lands (KDFWR)
    • Location: Scattered parcels in Pendleton, Kenton, Campbell, Boone, or Grant counties (~5-20 miles).
    • Description: KDFWR’s Public Access Program leases private lands for public hunting, often for small game, deer, or turkey. These are not WMAs but temporary agreements with landowners, providing access to fields, forests, or stream corridors. Specific sites near DeMossville are not well-documented, but parcels may exist in Pendleton or Grant counties.
    • Regulations: Follows statewide seasons (e.g., archery: Sept 6-Jan 19, 2025; modern gun: Nov 8-23, 2025, tentative). Hunters must adhere to posted rules, which may limit species or methods (e.g., no baiting). A hunting license and any species-specific permits (e.g., deer: $35 resident, $185 non-resident) are required. Telecheck harvests by midnight (1-800-245-4263 or fw.ky.gov).
    • Access: Locations vary; use the KDFWR interactive map (app.fw.ky.gov) to identify leased lands. Access points are typically marked with KDFWR signs.
    • Note: Availability changes annually based on landowner agreements, so verify current sites with KDFWR.
  3. Ohio River Public Access Points
    • Location: Boone and Kenton counties, near Covington or Newport (~18-20 miles).
    • Description: Public riverfront areas (e.g., Covington’s Riverside Drive, Newport Levee) or boat ramps allow limited hunting, primarily for waterfowl (e.g., ducks, geese) along the river. Shoreline or boat-based hunting is possible in less developed sections.
    • Regulations: Waterfowl hunting follows federal and state seasons (typically late fall to winter; check 2025-2026 KDFWR guide). A hunting license, waterfowl permit ($15), and federal duck stamp ($25) are required. Reciprocal Ohio/Kentucky license agreements apply for river waters. No hunting in developed park areas.
    • Access: Free parking at public riverfronts or ramps (e.g., KY-8 in Covington). Kayaks or small boats enhance access for waterfowl.
    • Note: Hunting is restricted to avoid urban areas; focus on less developed river stretches.

Below is a concise overview of deer hunting regulations in Kentucky for the 2025 season, based on information from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). These regulations apply to public hunting areas like Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA and Mullins WMA near Morningview, KY, as well as statewide unless otherwise noted. Always verify with the KDFWR Hunting and Trapping Guide or fw.ky.gov for the most current details, as regulations can change annually.

General Deer Hunting Regulations in Kentucky (2025)

  1. Licenses and Permits:
    • Required: All hunters aged 16 and older need a valid Kentucky hunting license. Additional permits are required for deer:
      • Resident: Annual hunting license ($27) + statewide deer permit ($35).
      • Non-resident: Annual hunting license ($160) + statewide deer permit ($185).
      • Youth (ages 12-15) need a youth hunting license ($6 resident, $15 non-resident) and a deer permit.
    • Licenses and permits can be purchased online at fw.ky.gov, at license vendors, or via the MyProfile app.
    • Hunters under 12 are exempt from licensing but must follow bag limits and be accompanied by a licensed adult (21+).
  2. Bag Limits:
    • Statewide: One antlered deer per hunter per season (antlered deer have antlers 1 inch or longer).
    • Total Limit: Unlimited antlerless deer, but no more than four deer total (antlered + antlerless) per hunter, except in specific zones (see below).
    • Zone Limits:
      • Zone 1 (includes Kenton, Campbell, Boone, Pendleton, Grant counties near Morningview): Four deer total (only one antlered).
      • Zone 2, 3, 4: Vary from two to four deer total; check the KDFWR zone map for specifics.
    • Additional deer permits allow harvesting extra antlerless deer in Zones 1 and 2 ($15 each, max two additional permits).
    • Hunters must telecheck all harvested deer by midnight on the day of harvest via 1-800-245-4263 or fw.ky.gov and record the confirmation number.
  3. Seasons and Dates (2025, tentative based on typical schedules):
    • Archery: Early September (first Saturday) to mid-January (third Monday).
      • Example: September 6, 2025 – January 19, 2026.
    • Crossbow: Mid-October (third Saturday) to mid-January, overlapping with archery.
      • Example: October 18, 2025 – January 19, 2026.
    • Muzzleloader:
      • Early season: Mid-October (third Saturday, 2 days).
      • Late season: Mid-December (second Saturday, 9 days).
      • Example: October 18-19, 2025; December 13-21, 2025.
    • Modern Gun:
      • General season: Mid-November (second Saturday, 16 days).
      • Example: November 8-23, 2025.
      • Youth-only gun: Mid-October (second weekend).
      • Example: October 11-12, 2025.
    • Youth Free Weekend: First full weekend in January (hunters under 16, no license required).
      • Example: January 3-4, 2026.
    • Exact dates vary annually; confirm with KDFWR closer to the season.
  4. Legal Equipment:
    • Archery: Longbows, recurve bows, compound bows (no minimum draw weight).
    • Crossbow: Must have a 100-pound minimum draw weight; broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide.
    • Muzzleloader: .36 caliber or larger for rifles, .50 caliber or larger for shotguns, with round balls or conical bullets.
    • Modern Gun: Rifles, shotguns, or handguns meeting caliber requirements (e.g., .243 or larger for rifles).
    • Prohibited: Fully automatic firearms, tracer ammo, or arrows with explosives/chemicals.
    • Baiting: Baiting deer (e.g., with corn or minerals) is prohibited on WMAs and illegal statewide from July 1 through the last day of any deer season.
  5. Hunting Methods and Restrictions:
    • Check-in: Some WMAs (e.g., Curtis Gates Lloyd) may require check-in/check-out or special permits for quota hunts. Verify with WMA-specific rules.
    • Antler Restrictions: No statewide antler point restrictions, but some WMAs may have quality deer management rules (e.g., minimum antler spread).
    • Night Hunting: Prohibited; legal hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
    • Dogs: Cannot be used to hunt deer.
    • Vehicles: Hunting from vehicles is prohibited, except for hunters with a disability permit.
    • Trespassing: Hunting on private land requires written landowner permission. Public lands like WMAs are open without permission but follow specific rules.
  6. WMA-Specific Regulations:
    • Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA (near Morningview, ~15-18 miles):
      • Open for archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and modern gun seasons.
      • May have quota hunts for deer (application required, typically August-September).
      • No camping or fires allowed; follow posted signs for restricted areas.
    • Mullins WMA (~18-20 miles):
      • Similar to statewide rules but may have limited access areas or special hunts.
      • Check KDFWR interactive map (app.fw.ky.gov) for boundaries and restrictions.
    • Quota hunts require applications via KDFWR (deadline typically early September).
  7. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Regulations:
    • CWD has been detected in Kentucky (first case in 2023). Restrictions apply in CWD Management Zones (check KDFWR for counties, which may include parts of northern Kentucky by 2025).
    • Prohibited: Moving whole or partial deer carcasses out of CWD zones unless processed (e.g., deboned meat, cleaned skull cap).
    • Mandatory: Submit harvested deer for CWD testing in designated zones (check fw.ky.gov for drop-off locations).
    • Baiting Ban: No baiting in CWD zones year-round.
  8. Youth and Special Hunts:
    • Youth hunters (under 16) may hunt during youth-only seasons and must be accompanied by an adult (not hunting unless licensed).
    • Hunters with disabilities can apply for special permits (e.g., vehicle hunting) through KDFWR.

Recommendations:

  • Verify Details: Check the 2025-2026 KDFWR Hunting and Trapping Guide (available online or at license vendors) for exact season dates, zone boundaries, and WMA rules.
  • Interactive Map: Use app.fw.ky.gov to confirm WMA regulations and CWD zone boundaries near Morningview.
  • Telecheck: Report all harvests promptly (1-800-245-4263 or online).
  • Contact KDFWR: Call 1-800-858-1549 or visit fw.ky.gov for updates, especially on CWD or quota hunt applications.

If you need specific season dates, WMA rules, or assistance with licensing, let me know!