Daniel Boone National Forest

[toneloc]

I'm going to be taking my son down for the youth weekend here in 2 weeks.  First out of state hunt for him.

How is the population trend going in Eastern KY?  Birds hammering yet this year?

Up here in NW PA, all the song birds are way ahead of schedule, been seeing Robins since early Feb.  Maple syrup season about over...spring has been early.

We got his gun patterned this week....now need to start packing.  Getting excited for the hunt.

[TrackeySauresRex]

^ Great Shot!

[rakkin6]

Sorry can't help with the birds, I am originally from there but joined the Army in 1997 and just retired after 24 years. The terrain is pretty tough. Lots of high bluffs and steep ridges. Be prepared to put some miles on your boots and be careful. Good luck

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[joey46]

By far the best way to start cyber scouting KY is to use the telecheck system.  Harvest numbers from several years are available on a county by county basis. 
Easy to see where the population is fluctuating up or down.  The Daniel Boone is so large it is the best choice IMO.  Good luck.

[toneloc]

Good tip on the telecheck.  Did some looking on there early on, helped us zero in on where to start.

Will be neat to see some new turf.  Coming from the Allegheny National forest in PA, where we have some pretty rough terrain in spots, will be interesting to compare.

My experience on the youth hunt in PA is that they are pretty lightly hunted and a week earlier toward peak breading has made for some great hunts.  Hoping for that down in Kentucky as well.

Should be a fun trip regardless and any turkeys heard will be a bonus.  Half the fun is not knowing exactly what to expect.

[slicksbeagles1]

Good luck ? rakkin6 thanks for your service and thankful your home safe

[owlhoot]

Good tip on the telecheck.  Did some looking on there early on, helped us zero in on where to start.

Will be neat to see some new turf.  Coming from the Allegheny National forest in PA, where we have some pretty rough terrain in spots, will be interesting to compare.

My experience on the youth hunt in PA is that they are pretty lightly hunted and a week earlier toward peak breading has made for some great hunts.  Hoping for that down in Kentucky as well.

Should be a fun trip regardless and any turkeys heard will be a bonus.  Half the fun is not knowing exactly what to expect.

With an attitude like that , you should do just fine. Good luck to the young man and his Dad   

[joey46]

There was a lengthy post in the last few seasons on this forum or the "other one" from a guy who hunted the Daniel Boone and based his trip near Harlan.  It was picture heavy and showed how mountainous some sections of that forest is in it's s/e sections.  Maybe the poster is still around or it can be bumped up.  The thread didn't end well since some thought it too specific and could ruin "their" areas.  When I lived in Ohio I hunted the DB's northern sections near Rowan County.  That terrain wasn't too bad. I'm sure I'm now way too old for some of it's southern section mountains.  Good luck.  Please post how you do.

[toneloc]

Thanks, appreciate the well wishes.  We will definitely report back.  I was intentionally generic, as don't want specific spots or even areas.  Will do the same on my report out...Things change year to year, and information isn't cheap (hard earned).  A big part of my fun is map scouting and trying to find them ourselves.  I used to DIY for Elk out West before kids came along, so this is a trials for getting back into that with the little man eventually.  We have a plan A, B, and C already mapped out.  We are coming down late Thursday night...only have 2 3/4 days to cover.  Realistically not going to be able to cover all (3) of those spots in that amount of time with an 11 year old...but we are going to try like hell....Best case scenario we locate some Friday, worst case we eliminate some places they aren't, lol.