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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is opening one of the state's best places to hunt elk for a special youth-only hunt in September.
Five lucky youth hunters will have the opportunity to gun hunt in a 2,300-acre area normally reserved for bow hunting only. The site of the hunt, Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area in Breathitt County, has numerous mature bulls with trophy potential.
"It's one of our premiere spots for elk in the state," said Tina Brunjes, who oversees Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s elk program. "It's one of our earliest elk release sites, and it's had limited hunting pressure on it since the elk program began."
Wildlife Division Director Karen Alexy said the area should provide young hunters the opportunity to take an elk of a lifetime. "We wanted to give youth hunters an opportunity to take a potential Boone and Crockett Club-class bull," Alexy said. "We're continually looking for new ways to get kids interested in hunting, and looked at this hunt as a good incentive."
Volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation have generously agreed to serve as guides for any hunter wishing assistance.
The three-day youth hunt is set for Sept. 26-28. Youth hunters must apply for the Youth WMA Elk Lottery online only during the month of April, the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It costs $10 to apply. The drawing is open to Kentucky residents and non-residents.
The quota hunt drawing is open to any applicant who will be less than 16 years old prior to May 1. Youths who turn 16 after the application period are still eligible for the hunt. All youth hunters should have the size, strength and maturity to safely handle and shoot a firearm, bow or crossbow. An adult must accompany any youth firearms elk hunter and be in the position to take immediate control of the gun.
Youth hunters may also apply for the general elk hunt by paying an additional $10 application fee online at fw.ky.gov. At least two youth hunters will be drawn for the general hunt.
The deadline to apply for Kentucky's general elk hunt is April 30. Kentucky will issue 1,000 elk permits this year to residents and non-residents. The cost is $10 to apply. Applications are available online only at fw.ky.gov.
For more information about elk hunting in Kentucky, visit the department's website or call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 1-800-858-1549.
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