Big Rivers WMA, Kentucky

[hilliard113]

Hey, I am new to Old Gobbler forum and happy to be here and look forward to future posts/topics of conversation.  With that being said, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I will be hunting in Southern Illinois this spring and I am thinking about jumping across the river to hunt the Big Rivers WMA in North Western Kentucky for a few days while I am that close and was just curious if anyone in here had hunted it before? Not looking for specific locations or any kind of tips on where to start or anything like that. Just asking if anyone knew how the bird population was and if anyone had any luck hunting it in the past. Any general information would be helpful.  Thanks!

[ruination]

 

[Dtrkyman]

Welcome aboard, not many folks are going to give any info these days on specific locations.

Go down and get boots on the ground!

[hilliard113]

Noted. Again, not looking for specifics, just general knowledge as far as past experiences/success.

[The Lung]

If it were me I would study aerial maps until you were cross-eyed then put boots on the ground. Spend all day, take a lunch and binoculars.
Sorry to say, but providing the information you are asking is generally frowned upon on this forum. That's just the state of turkey hunting in 2025.

[joey46]

I lived in the Paducah area for close to ten years and honestly can say I never heard of it. Maybe a newer WMA? Drive 90 minutes or so east of Paducah and you'll find some other public.  In the late 90s early 2000s they were hit hard.  Can't imagine what they would be like now.  KY Fish and Wildlife once had some very detailed harvest data on their website for both deer and turkey.  Good luck.

[Bowguy]

Mentioning specific spots even just questioning about them causes spot burn. Not a good idea bud

[joey46]

hilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

[Old Gobbler]

Public opinion has really shifted on the open distribution of spot particulars lately ..to the status of "LOW BROW"

Anyways let me share with you some info - in turkey hunting the biggest problem isn't the turkeys..its the people !

I can literally look on satellite images and tell you like a CIA photo analyst where "enemy guerrilla concentrations " are holed up , lol

I go directly to the areas that are the FURTHEST away from and road , trail etc....I will ride a mountain bike for 4 miles ...I actually have a folding kayak...cross a river ...once you are far...far away from other shotgun toting hunters ..in suitable habitat ....there you will find a good chance of quality hunting

I had a secret turkey hunting spot for several years on a island in the middle of a river.. this island was 4 miles long by 300 yards ...its was practically devoid of trees  exept a few short immature willow trees that were like large bushes ..I had to be dropped of in the mornings because I didn't want anyone seeing my truck there ..I killed alot of gobblers there...look in places others with overlook

Also talk to the area biologists

[Zach.Hannigan]

Don't know bout kentucky but most south eastern states will have either a wma turkey harvest for previous years, and/or a county harvest from previous years. You might get lucky and get someone to private message you but if i were you id get on kentuckys game and fish website and see what kind of info they have on last year's harvest.

[joey46]

KY has one of the longest running and best harvest data info sites on line. Easy to find and easy to navigate. Multiple years harvest on both private land by county and WMAs by name.  Florida's FWC web site now mirrors this.  IMO many states have mirrored KY's publicly accessible data.

[TrackeySauresRex]

Lots of times the game commission will help you where you may want to start. Just a little tidbit 

[aclawrence]

Welcome to Old Gobbler. This is a great turkey hunting forum! If you start naming specific WMA's you're not going to get much of a response. I know you said not specifics but that's kind of regarded as specific I'd say. 


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[joey46]

Be sure and have your account set to accept Private Messages.  Another little forum secret is that often someone will respond that way if they don't want to deal with the spot burn criticism.  And for heaven's sake don't ever even hint you've watched an episode of THP or they'll be no "cool guy" spot for you at the lunch table.
I hope you aren't one of the many one time posters who after being shamed by this bunch is never heard from again. 

[Bowguy]

hilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

hilliard113 - IMO - the "spot burn" fanatics on this forum are extreme at times so as a new guy don't worry about it.  FYI Kentucky's Harvest Data pages does all the spot burning you'll ever need.  Those on some local KY forums always cry and moan over this.  I had not looked at it for some time but did last night. I may have missed it but the WMA you are asking about wasn't listed although it does exist.  It was established after I had moved to Florida so that explains that.  Again good luck and enjoy this forum for what it is.

Seems odd the way you view guys having brains bout protecting spots. Hey would you announce exactly what wmas you hunt? Be a great idea to share?