eastern kentucky

[hardtimes]

I am thinking of hunting in Harlan County, I tried it once a couple of years ago but didn't do good. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to hunt in the mountains.

[Mepperson]

I am thinking of hunting in Harlan County, I tried it once a couple of years ago but didn't do good. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to hunt in the mountains.

I'm originally from Harlan and it can be very tough on the ole body lugging gear around the mountains. Just like any place target food sources, main trails, bedding areas and the like. Set up between known food sources and bedding areas. You gonna hunt private or public ground? What food sources are available? Where is the best water source? Where is the thickest place near where you are hunting? Where are the main trails? Answering these questions will help you a great deal.

[Eastky Bowhunter]

Also deer are lazy when it comes to steep hills. I look for old grown up logging road. Deer in my area use them like highways.

[big300mag]

Born and raised in Harlan myself and like Mepperson said, the mountains can be extremely tough. A couple of problems you may run into is, 1. fourwheelers. Finding a place where you can get away from them and have an enjoyable hunt will probably be pretty tough. The last time I hunted in Harlan, I had riders come through on me so often I finally gave up and never went back. 2. When you do find a secluded spot, you will need to find a way in that will allow you to get to your stand undetected. This can be pretty tough, since the majority of the time, the deer will be bedded higher up on the ridges and you will be coming in from below. As tough as the hunting is in the mountains, it can be very rewarding. When you get the opportunity at a mature buck, most of the time, he will be a brute. Good luck this season and keep us posted on how you do.

[Shelbyhunter]

Mt Washington is an awful long way from Harlan! Taylorsville wma is a lot closer and loaded with deer.

[hardtimes]

Mt Washington is an awful long way from Harlan! Taylorsville wma is a lot closer and loaded with deer.
I plan on gun hunting in Harlan Co.

[Mepperson]

http://fw.ky.gov/deerguide08deertrophy.asp?lid=2122&NavPath=C151C540C158C728C731

Well, it looks 1 buck from Harlan made the nontypical list. Look at #4.

[tantor]

What about the deer in Knott Co. I have a place to hunt there but haven't seen any deer alot of elk (20-40) but no deer. Has the elk population run the deer off?

[WaterDog88]

I hunt Breathitt Co. and love it. Logging roads are great places to catch deer on the move, the mouths and heads of hollers are good deer hang outs and few things can beat a good stand of white oaks and there's plenty of those in the hills. But if your gonna still hunt you gotta stay up high becuse those bucks like to bed up top where they can see and smell for a good distance, and its nearly imposible to come at one from down low. Lastly take rope, and lots of it. It makes recovering those deer that die in the worst places possible alittle easier to get out...

[rufusbeard49@yahoo.com]

The Elk should not have any asspects on the deer. Unless you spook the elk then the deer will be long gone.

[kywallace69]

Deer are lazy and bucks are even lazier. I use logging roads and hunt well mannered ridges. I have hunted the mountains all my life. I love ridges and old grown up logging roads. Bucks usually take the path of least resistance.