Possibly moving to Kentucky. What area would be the best for hunting and fishing?
Thanks, Gary.

Western KY would be best in my opinion. I live in Eastern KY.

Definitely western part of the state for sure. I'm from Lexington and my wife's family is from eastern Ky

Are you retired or do you have to be in or close to the city?

If retired go to Western KY around LBL. If needing to be close to metropolis, stay from Lexington and west of that. Best hunting populations of deer are where the crops are.

Western KY would be best in my opinion. I live in Eastern KY.

Western Kentucky

I live in eastern Ky and agree that the western part of the state offers the best hunting. However, one advantage to living in the (north) eastern part of the state is the opportunity to hunt across the river in Ohio.

Here is the current Zone Map for deer hunting in KY. The more red the county the greater are the deer densities. For instance, I live in Anderson County which has been a Zone 1 county since I moved here in 1995 -- unlimited doe permits and like the rest of the state only 1 buck per season no matter how many types of equipment or seasons you hunt.

As others have said, the eastern part of the state is very heavily forested and thus have densities 1/3rd or less than the farm counties.  These zones haven't changed much over the past 20 years. They get tweaked a level or two from time to time.

I would never move from where I live now (grandchildren) but if I had a choice and a clean slate I'd probably follow the Land Between the Lakes advice; Trigg or Christian counties. No big cities in those areas though. For a mix of metro and good deer hunting I'd end up around Bowling Green.

There is something else to be said for Eastern KY though. If you lived in or near the counties bordering the "Elk Zone" you would be able to take "out of zone elk" during deer season.  The elk herd in that region is by far the largest in the eastern U.S. at more than 10,000 animals. The 700,000+ acre Daniel Boone National Forest is in that area as well. Of course the name of the forest might be changed some day after some high-spending politician. - sorry, I digress.

 

Hey thanks for all the info. I am retired but wife is a nurse and will have to work for a while,[I robbed the cradle]. So would need to be near a hospital. Pretty sure I have relation in Christian county, although have never met them. Gary.

Owensboro and Madisonville has a hospital.

We also have a traditional club and we meet in LBL at Golden pond archery range. We meet almost year around and we are shooting almost weekend somewhere.

My mother is from Harlan County but I wouldn't advise you go there no sir. I have cousins all over that state and the ones who live around Owensboro kill some big deer every year.

Great info gentleman thanks again.  

Ive hunted at Higgins and Henry wma. Its bow hunting only. Its about 5000 acres some good size deer. Its only about a 45 min drive for me.