BGSL Deer Hunting 2012-2013

The BGSL has worked hard to provide a healthy deer herd with trophy individuals present. A wide variety of food and cover crops have been planted and managed in an effort to increase forage quality and concealment cover for our deer. Compound this with over 1400 acres (of which, several hundred are wooded) available to qualified hunters – and you have the makings for a quality deer hunting experience second to none. Hunters have the chance to harvest a true trophy whitetail on league property.

BGSL Deer Seasons (Overview)

Youth weekends are open to youth of League members. It is a mentor hunt and a competent adult must accompany youth. Youth may hunt BGSL “fee exempt”; but, they must still follow the antler restriction guidelines and general qualifications for the BGSL property.

ALL STATE GAME AND WILDLIFE REGULATIONS ARE ALWAYS ENFORCED.

General Qualifications

Meeting the qualification minimum(s) for gun and archery is required prior to final approval to hunt on the BGSL. Interested members must qualify each year/season. Meeting standards in previous years does not count toward the 2011-2012 season. However, successfully qualified gun hunters in 2011-2012 will not be required to re-qualify for 3 seasons.

In order to hunt deer, you must:

Be a BGSL Member

You must be a member in good standing in order to apply to hunt. Please ensure that you have a current membership card at the time of hunter orientation.

Pass Gun or Archery Qualification Standards.

You may shoot anytime the ranges are open. RSO’s on duty will have a “deer qualification target” available for those interested in qualifying with a gun. Once the standard is shot and met, the on duty Range Officer must sign the target.

(Gun qualification will be 4 shots at a distance of 50 yds. Three of the four must fall completely within a 6” diameter circle. For youth, the same standard applies – except they must shoot within an 8” circle. You may not fire an excess of 4 rounds/target or attempt to qualify more than three times/day. Archery qualification shall consist of 3 of 5 arrows in an 8” diameter circle at varying distances up to 30 yds. Those shooting traditional bows shall place 3 of 5 arrows within an 8” diameter circle at various distances up to 20 yards. You may attempt to qualify up to three times/day.) Those wishing to hunt with a handgun must qualify with a handgun.

Present Completion of a recognized Hunter Education Course

Interested members will need to produce proof of successful completion of a state-recognized hunter education course.

Pay the Associated Fees

Associated fees must be paid prior to hunting on the BGSL. The current fee structure is as follows: Either Sex Deer: $40 small game (required) + $260 either sex = $300 Antlerless Deer: $40 small game (required) + $40 antlerless = $80

Complete a BGSL Hunter Orientation Class

Participants must attend BGSL hunter orientation class (led by the Operations Manager or designated BGSL substitute) prior to going afield.

Harvest Limits

There is a two deer / BGSL hunter per season limit for both antlerless and either sex hunters. (you cannot kill more than 2 deer on the BGSL, regardless of the county’s designation)

Harvest Quota

The BGSL works closely with the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources to determine a good estimation of our deer herd’s numbers, health, and potential. A harvest quota will be set after surveys are taken and a state biologist makes a recommendation for this year’s harvest. Once obtained, this number will be made available to the hunters.

Deer Tags

A hunter will use his/her own tag for deer harvested on the property. No “special harvest tags” will be issued.

Antlerless Deer

“Antlerless Deer” on the BGSL are considered by the same definition as those outlined in the state hunting regulations. However, we STRONGLY encourage the harvest of adult does.

Antlered Deer

Qualified “either sex” deer hunters have the option of harvesting an antlered deer on the BSGL property. The BGSL does have a minimum standard when harvesting antlered deer. Deer must have a minimum antler spread of 15”. Please be sure that your deer meets this standard before you shoot. If a deer does not meet these standards, you may be subject to discipline from the BGSL Board of Directors. Shooting a marginal buck is not worth your membership!

Lawful Equipment

Archery Equipment must meet state minimums. Crossbows are allowed during regular archery season by those individuals requesting a hardship/disability exemption and able to produce documentation that they are allowed by the state game department to utilize crossbows during regular archery season. Crossbows are also considered lawful equipment during the statewide crossbow season. The use of modern firearms on the BGSL are restricted to shotguns or muzzleloaders meeting state minimums for deer. Straight walled pistol cartridges up to 44 magnum caliber shot in a handgun are allowed. Modern rifles are prohibited.

Checking / Tagging Harvested Deer

ALL deer must meet state telecheck standards and the BGSL must have a confirmation number recorded beside the hunter’s name in the hunt logbook before the deer is transported off the property. BGSL staff must also be notified and the deer inspected (by a BGSL employee or a member of the wildlife committee) prior to leaving the property.

Hunter check-in and check-out procedure

All approved BGSL hunters must check in at the start of each hunt and check out at the conclusion of their hunt. This needs to be done each time and for every hunt. The hunt logbook serves as the record of checking in/out. Please fill the information out correctly and completely. Further details will be covered in the scheduled hunter orientation classes.

Baiting

Baiting deer and wildlife on the BGSL property is prohibited. Salt, sweet syrups, and other common deer attractants are considered bait.

Tree Stands

Permanent tree stands are not allowed. Tree stands that damage trees are not permitted (i.e. “screw-in type” steps, etc.) ALL stands/blinds must be labeled with the owner/hunters name and address. They may be erected no earlier than 2 weeks prior to season opener and shall be removed within 2 weeks after the BGSL season closes. Stands improperly marked or found in the woods outsides the specified times/locations are subject to immediate confiscation and the owner (if known) may be assessed a fine. Additionally, they may have their hunting privileges revoked. Pop-up style blinds are subject to the same labeling and date restrictions as are tree stands.

Driving off Roadways

You may drive off a roadway and through fields only to hang a stand, erect/retrieve a stand, or to retrieve a harvested deer. In all cases, requests should be made to BGSL staff prior to leaving a road. Please be mindful of the time and location of other hunters when you do leave the roadway. Help preserve the hunt quality for others.

Restricted Areas

Due to the nature of the League, certain areas may be closed to hunting for safety and or event conflict rationale. Closings may vary and come with short notice. Please keep yourself informed by faithfully checking the information board located by the hunter logbook in the foyer. Some of the general locations that will be closed to hunting are:

All ranges and the area immediately around such ranges. Please observe a 100 yd. “no hunt” buffer around all ranges/buildings

Hunting from buildings is prohibited (includes barns)

The Gun Dog Division training fields are off-limits

The area inside the “paved loop” on the main road and pasture lands around the main clubhouse.

This is NOT a full list. Please be attentive in orientation class and observe all temporary closures posted.

No guarantees – No Refunds

This is not a “no kill no pay” hunt situation. Meeting all qualification standards does not guarantee you a filled tag at the season’s end. All hunts are fair chase with 100% wild white-tailed deer. Hunts may be restricted or amended as events evolve (i.e. harvest quotas are met, disease in the herd, etc.) There will be NO REFUNDS.

Violations

Again- STATE GAME LAWS ARE ALWAYS ENFORCED. Additional rules may be applied by the BGSL Board of Directors. Please educate yourself on the “can do’s and the can not’s” that come with hunting on League property. Be a good sport and live out the ideals that this club extols. Don’t break the rules and insist that others do the same!

 last updated 8/3/2010