Kentucky Fish and Wildlife expands public hunting lands in southeast counties

Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is opening 60,233 acres of new public hunting grounds in eastern Kentucky.

The Pocahontas Wildlife Management Area includes land in Martin, Pike and Harlan counties, with smaller pockets in Johnson and Floyd counties. Its boundaries are mostly on reclaimed surface-mined and forested land.

The land was acquired by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife as part of the department’s elk hunting program. But John Hast of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says it can also be used to hunt other game.

“It also has great deer on it, great turkey hunting. We've got a bear season coming up here next week that should probably provide opportunities for bear hunting,” Hast said.

Hast says the lands were made available for hunting as part of an agreement with private landowner Pocahontas Surface Interests. For every 5,000 acres in the agreement, the landowner gets one elk permit each year.

“A lot of the big land holdings are under corporate ownership,” Hast said. “And so this is essentially a way we more or less trade elk tags for public access on this piece of property.”

The expansion is part of Fish and WIldlife’s elk management plan, meant to manage the population in eastern Kentucky. Those interested in hunting elk must have an elk permit.

Hast also says to make sure to use a map, or download a map app on your phone to always be aware of your location.

The application period for next year’s elk hunt drawing began in August, and hunters can apply online.

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