Community Sports https://bgdailynews.com/category/sports/community-sports/ Fri, 09 May 2025 17:25:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 238250852 Supporting Junior Golf https://bgdailynews.com/2025/05/09/supporting-junior-golf/ Fri, 09 May 2025 17:25:16 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=687302

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Kentucky Downs to host 11 stakes worth at least $2M in 2025 https://bgdailynews.com/2025/05/07/sports_kydowns050825/ Wed, 07 May 2025 16:13:20 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=687083

Kentucky Downs’ 2025 meet will feature 18 stakes offering a total of $30.5 million in purses, led by the $3.5 million, Grade 3 Nashville Derby. Another 10 stakes at the Franklin turf track are worth at least $2 million. The stakes are worth a combined $16 million in base purses, with another $14.5 million from […]

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Kentucky Downs’ 2025 meet will feature 18 stakes offering a total of $30.5 million in purses, led by the $3.5 million, Grade 3 Nashville Derby.

Another 10 stakes at the Franklin turf track are worth at least $2 million.

The stakes are worth a combined $16 million in base purses, with another $14.5 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) for registered Kentucky-breds. Even horses not bred in Kentucky will run for some of the biggest stakes purses in country. For instance, the Nashville Derby (G3) has a base purse of $2 million, for which every horse runs, while 10 other stakes worth $2.5 million or $2 million for Kentucky-breds carry a $1 million base purse.

Kentucky Downs’ seven-day meet runs Aug. 28, 30 and 31 and Sept. 4, 6, 7 and 10, with maiden and allowance races also among the highest in the world. The condition book is now online on equibase.com.

The 1 5/16-mile Nashville Derby (G3) again will be America’s richest race for 3-year-olds behind only the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Nashville Derby (G3) will be one of five stakes on Aug. 30, which will feature live coverage on NBC (the mothership, not a cable subsidiary). The card includes the $2 million Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, whose winner earns a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Also that day: the $2 million Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G2), $2 million Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) and the $1 million Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational at 2 1/16 miles.

The Sept. 6 card will feature six stakes each worth at least $2 million for Kentucky-breds, with the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational (G2) and the Mint Millions Invitational (G3) both $2.5 million. The winner of the 1 1/2-mile Turf Cup earns a fees-paid berth in the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The Sept. 6 card also includes the Grade 1 Franklin-Simpson for 3-year-old sprinters, the Music City (G2) for 3-year-old filly sprinters, the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (G3) and the mile Gun Runner for 3-year-olds.

Another five stakes are worth $1 million with KTDF supplements, including four stakes for 2-year-olds.

Kentucky Downs 2025 stakes schedule

All stakes on turf

Thursday, Aug. 28

$500,000 Tapit Stakes (includes $250,000 KTDF), 3-year-olds & up, mile and 70 yards. Restricted to horses that have not won a stakes in 2025.

Saturday, Aug. 30

$3.5 million G3 Nashville Derby Invitational ($1.5 million KTDF), 3-year-olds, 1 5/16 miles.

$2 million G2 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint ($1 million KTDF) — “Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Division,” 3-year-olds & up, 6 furlongs.

$2 million G2 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint ($1 million KTDF), fillies & mares, 3 years old & up, 6 1/2 furlongs.

$2 million G3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf ($1 million KTDF), fillies & mares, 3 years old & up, mile.

$1 million Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational ($500,000 KTDF), 3-year-olds & up, 2 1/16 miles.

Sunday, Aug. 31

$1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies ($500,000 KTDF), 2-year-old fillies, mile.

$1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint ($500,000 KTDF), 2-year-olds, 6 1/2 furlongs.

$500,000 National Thoroughbred League Tight Spot Overnight Handicap, 3-year-olds & up, mile.

Thursday, Sept. 4

$500,000 One Dreamer ($250,000 KTDF), fillies & mares 3-year-olds & up, mile & 70 yards. Restricted to horses that have not won a stakes in 2025.

Saturday, Sept. 6

$2.5 million G2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational ($1 million KTDF) – “Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Turf Division,” 3-year-olds & up, 1 1/2 miles.

$2.5 million G3 The Mint Millions Invitational ($1 million KTDF), 3-year-olds & up, mile.

$2 million G1 Franklin-Simpson ($1 million KTDF), 3-year-olds, 6 1/2 furlongs.

$2 million G2 Music City ($1 million KTDF), 3-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs.

$2 million G3 Ladies Marathon ($1 million KTDF), fillies & mares 3 years old & up, 1 5/16 miles.

$2 million Gun Runner ($1 million KTDF), 3-year-olds, mile.

Sunday, Sept. 7

$1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile ($500,000 KTDF), 2-year-olds, mile.

$1 million Untapable ($500,000 KTDF), 2-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs.

Wednesday, Sept. 10

$2 million G3 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational ($1 million KTDF), 3-year-old fillies, 1 5/16 miles.

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Franklin’s Fiveash ties for first in BGT event at Rolling Hills https://bgdailynews.com/2025/04/27/sports_youthgolf042725/ Sun, 27 Apr 2025 14:42:52 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=686503

Franklin’s Dylan Fiveash shot a 1-over par 73 to share first-place honors in the boys’ 15-18 age division in a Bluegrass Golf Tour event held Saturday at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Russellville. Fiveash tied Elkton’s Noah Rager for first place in the division. Bowling Green’s Eli Wade finished third at 4-over 76, while Franklin’s […]

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Franklin’s Dylan Fiveash shot a 1-over par 73 to share first-place honors in the boys’ 15-18 age division in a Bluegrass Golf Tour event held Saturday at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Russellville.

Fiveash tied Elkton’s Noah Rager for first place in the division.

Bowling Green’s Eli Wade finished third at 4-over 76, while Franklin’s Dai’Shaun Flippin tied with Russellville’s Riley Shepherd for fourth place after each shot a 78. Russellville’s Karson Rodgers tied for sixth with a 79, and Woodburn’s Carson Smith and Bowling Green’s Max Smith tied for ninth with 82s.

Other area players included Bowling Green’s Camden Richerson (11th), Glasgow’s Cam Pippen (tied for 12th), Morgantown’s Cooper Embry (tied for 12th), Bowling Green’s Connor Miller (tied for 14th), Bowling Green’s Luke Richey (18th), Bowling Green’s Luke Usinger (19th) and Bowling Green’s Davis Gary (20th).

Bowling Green’s Mary Douglas Childers claimed a 10-stroke win in the girls’ 15-18 division after shooting a 6-over 78.

Franklin’s Chloe Chaney and Bowling Green’s Amy Tomblinson tied for third after each carded an 89. Other area players included Bowling Green’s Darby Meredith (10th) and Bowling Green’s Hadley Brashear (11th).

Bowling Green’s Nicholas Morris won the boys’ 12-14 division by seven strokes with a 16-over 88. Bowling Green’s Luke McClanahan earned runner-up honors and Scottsville’s Lincoln Zalla finished third.

Annalise Morris of Bowling Green won the girls’ 12 and under (9-hole) division by 14 strokes with a 9-over 45.

Rockfield’s Knox Potter took first in the boys’ 10 and under (9-hole) division by four strokes with a 9-over 45.

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BG’s Stephens wins division in Bluegrass Tour event https://bgdailynews.com/2025/04/12/sports_communitygolf041325/ Sun, 13 Apr 2025 01:02:04 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=685542 Bowling Green’s Ally Jean Stephens won first-place honors in the girls’ 12 and under (9-hole) division in Saturday’s Bluegrass Golf Tour series event at The Woodford Club in Versailles. Stephens fired a 9-over par 46 to win her division by nine strokes. Franklin’s Dai’Shaun Flippin finished in a five-way tie for sixth place in the […]

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Bowling Green’s Ally Jean Stephens won first-place honors in the girls’ 12 and under (9-hole) division in Saturday’s Bluegrass Golf Tour series event at The Woodford Club in Versailles.

Stephens fired a 9-over par 46 to win her division by nine strokes.

Franklin’s Dai’Shaun Flippin finished in a five-way tie for sixth place in the boys’ 15-18 division. Flippin carded a 7-over 78.

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‘Strutting in the Bluegrass’ offers spring turkey hunting highlights https://bgdailynews.com/2025/04/08/sports_outdoors040925/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:10:02 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=685192

Turkey hunting enthusiasts can experience the thrill of spring turkey hunting when “Struttin’ in the Bluegrass” returns for its sixth season running April 12–16. Hosted by Kentucky native Merle Hacker, the series will appear on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Facebook (@kdfwr), Instagram (@kyfishwildlife) and YouTube (@FishandWildlifeKY) accounts the first five days […]

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Turkey hunting enthusiasts can experience the thrill of spring turkey hunting when “Struttin’ in the Bluegrass” returns for its sixth season running April 12–16.

Hosted by Kentucky native Merle Hacker, the series will appear on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Facebook (@kdfwr), Instagram (@kyfishwildlife) and YouTube (@FishandWildlifeKY) accounts the first five days of the general spring turkey season, starting April 12.

A lifelong hunter from Hyden, Hacker grew up chasing small game before calling in his first turkey in 1998. He’s been hooked ever since. With 15 years as a wildlife biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, he’s passionate about protecting Kentucky’s outdoors and sharing the thrill of the hunt. Now, he’s passing that passion on to the next generation.

Join Hacker and special guests as they hit the woods for the beginning of turkey season, chasing gobblers across the Bluegrass. “Struttin’ in the Bluegrass” will feature hunts on both public and private lands throughout central Kentucky. Mid-morning updates will be livestreamed on Facebook and Instagram. Each day features a new video highlighting that day’s hunt and will be posted on YouTube in the evenings.

Kentucky’s spring turkey season spans 23 days. This year, it runs through May 4. Kentucky’s statewide spring harvest limit is two legal turkeys. A legal turkey is defined as a turkey that is male or has a visible beard.

New and experienced hunters alike can find resources on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website (fw.ky.gov) to help improve their odds of harvesting a turkey this season.

The Spring Turkey Hunting webpage includes information about season dates, license, permit and hunter education requirements, as well as safety tips and links to helpful information for novice turkey hunters.

Kentucky offers many public land options on which to hunt. To find one, click the Hunting tab on the department’s homepage to access the Wildlife Management Area and Public Lands Search.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife advises all prospective turkey hunters to consult the Spring Hunting Guide, which summarizes current regulations. The updated hunting guide is only available online.

Hunters also can purchase licenses or permits through the department’s MyProfile online portal or at vendor locations across the state. A list of license agents by county is also available on the department’s website.

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Franklin’s Fiveash ties for first in BGT event at Crosswinds https://bgdailynews.com/2025/03/31/sports_youthgolf040125/ Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:59:06 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=684684

Franklin’s Dylan Fiveash shot a 6-over par 78 to claim co-medalist honors in the boys’ 15-18 age division in a Bluegrass Golf Tour Series event Sunday at Crosswinds Golf Course. Fiveash tied with Paducah’s Jack Farmery for first place in the division. Bowling Green’s Eli Wade took third with a 79. Franklin’s Dai’Shaun Flippen tied […]

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Franklin’s Dylan Fiveash shot a 6-over par 78 to claim co-medalist honors in the boys’ 15-18 age division in a Bluegrass Golf Tour Series event Sunday at Crosswinds Golf Course.

Fiveash tied with Paducah’s Jack Farmery for first place in the division. Bowling Green’s Eli Wade took third with a 79. Franklin’s Dai’Shaun Flippen tied for fifth with an 81, and Morgantown’s Cooper Embry and Glasgow’s Tate Pace were part of a four-way tie for seventh after both carded an 82.

Bowling Green’s Luke Richey (11th), Franklin’s Brayden Roberts (tied for 12th), Franklin’s Hunter Speed (14th), Bowling Green’s Keegan Unick (15th), Bowling Green’s Luke Usinger (tied for 16th) and Bowling Green’s Brady Patterson (tied for 19th) also finished in the top 20.

Bowling Green’s Adrian Bewley won the boys’ 12-14 division by eight strokes after shooting a 3-over 75. Bowling Green’s Nicholas Morris finished third and Scottsville’s Lincoln Zalla was fourth.

Bowling Green’s Annalise Morris won the girls’ 12 and under (9-hole) division by four strokes with a 7-over 43. Bowling Green’s Saanvi Aravantagi was second, followed by BG’s Ally Jean Stephens and Emma Spinks.

Glasgow’s Emory Gardner and Mary Douglas Childers tied for third in the girls’ 15-18 division after both shot 18-over 90. Franklin’s Chloe Chaney was fifth, followed by Scottsville’s Ella Anderson and then a trio of Bowling Green residents – Riley Miller, Hadley Brasher and Darby Meredith.

Bowling Green’s Ellie Morgan took runner-up honors in the girls’ 14 and under division, one shot back with a 15-over 86. Oakland’s Mia Meador was third.

Bowling Green’s Ollie Donnelly took third in the boys’ 10 and under (9-hole) division with a 54.

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Prescribed fires planned for wildlife management areas this spring https://bgdailynews.com/2025/03/18/sports_outdoors031925/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:21:23 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=683805

Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will work with local officials in a number of Kentucky counties to use prescribed fires as part of ongoing habitat management on the department’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Throughout March and April, fire experts will conduct these controlled burns across the state to help restore […]

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Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will work with local officials in a number of Kentucky counties to use prescribed fires as part of ongoing habitat management on the department’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Throughout March and April, fire experts will conduct these controlled burns across the state to help restore the health of local ecosystems that depend on fire.

Properties will be scheduled for one- or two-day prescribed fires as local activity permits and when weather conditions are optimal from both environmental and safety standpoints.

Fire managers will take into consideration wind, air temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture and other factors before determining when to conduct the fires. If favorable conditions do not occur, projects may be pushed to later dates.

Usually, only portions of a property will be closed to accommodate a prescribed fire, leaving large portions of the property unaffected. Signs will be posted and gates will be closed at all access points to project locations and adjacent landowners will be notified of the burns. The prescribed fire areas will be monitored until all fire, embers and smoke are extinguished before reopening to the public.

Prescribed fire is an efficient tool for habitat management. The management goals of the fires are to increase production of nuts and soft fruits and to enhance the regeneration of oaks. Burning sets back woody plant growth in fields and along edges, creates desirable open spaces on the ground’s surface by removing leaf litter, improves native grass and wildflower composition within fields and helps control invasive plants.

Prescribed fires are expected to be conducted in the following counties and WMAs:

• Adair – R.F. Tarter

• Barren – Barren River Lake

• Bell – Cumberland Forest

• Bell/Harlan – Boone Forestlands and Elk Forest

• Breathitt – Paul Van Booven

• Breckinridge – Yellowbank

• Butler – Gabbard Branch

• Carter – Grayson Lake

• Franklin/Owen – John A. Kleber

• Harrison – Griffith Woods

• Henderson – Sloughs

• Livingston – Livingston County

• Madison – Blue Grass Army Depot

• McCracken – West Kentucky

• Nelson/LaRue – Rolling Fork

• Nicholas/Fleming – Clay

• Ohio/Muhlenberg – Peabody

• Powell – Ping-Sinking Valley

• Pulaski – Buck Creek

• Russell/Wayne/Clinton – Lake Cumberland

• Spencer – Taylorsville Lake

• Taylor – Green River Lake

• Union – Higginson-Henry and Big Rivers

• Wayne – Meadow Creek

Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. When there’s smoke in the air, individuals can protect themselves and their families by following the advice at Fires and Your Health | AirNow.gov.

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Woods are ready for spring hunting seasons https://bgdailynews.com/2025/03/17/sports_outdoors031825/ Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:38:22 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=683722

Kentucky’s spring hunting seasons kick off with the youth-only turkey season April 5-6, followed by the general season for turkeys April 12-May 4. Spring squirrel season, a popular activity for both novice and experienced hunters, commences May 17 and continues for nearly a month, concluding June 15. Surveys foreshadow a great turkey season ahead. “During […]

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Kentucky’s spring hunting seasons kick off with the youth-only turkey season April 5-6, followed by the general season for turkeys April 12-May 4. Spring squirrel season, a popular activity for both novice and experienced hunters, commences May 17 and continues for nearly a month, concluding June 15.

Surveys foreshadow a great turkey season ahead.

“During our winter netting and leg banding research, we caught an unusually high number of jakes, or younger birds,” said Zak Danks, Wild Turkey Program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “This aligns with the productive poult hatch in 2024, so I expect hunters will see more jakes this spring.”

Danks suggests this should be an especially good season for youth and new hunters looking to bag a bird for the first time. Younger birds are easier for hunters to fool than older birds that have been hunted previously.

Hunters would do well to have a good turkey call and know how to use it. The online Learn to Hunt Turkey webpage on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website is a great place to start for tips and resources.

While most turkeys are harvested the opening weekend of the spring season, hunters should remember they still have three more weeks to take their bird. Weather plays an important role.

“In general, turkey hunting is more difficult on windy or rainy days, although I still hunt whenever I can,” Danks said.

No more than two legal turkeys may be taken per spring season. A legal turkey is defined as a wild turkey that is male or has a visible beard. Hunters may only harvest one bearded turkey per wildlife management area (WMA), and no more than one bird may be taken per day. Turkeys taken by youths during the youth-only season count toward their spring turkey bag limit.

For those without a place to hunt, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife manages dozens of WMAs across the state open to the public for hunting. Find these online at the department’s Wildlife Management Area & Public Lands Search webpage.

Danks recommends public lands hunters focus on prescribed burn sites with the fresh regrowth favored by turkeys. Scouting via an interactive topographic and aerial photography map, like the one available on the department’s Hunting webpage, will provide a starting point for finding this type of land. Hunters can also contact a regional U.S. Forest Service ranger office or local Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologist in an area they have chosen to hunt to ask about potential burn sites.

Hunters who want to stay in the woods after turkey season have nearly a month in May and June for squirrel season. The department’s online Squirrel Hunting page provides expert advice on hunting, processing and cooking squirrels.

Squirrel hunting is ideal for novice hunters because it is not as equipment-intensive as many kinds of hunting. It also helps hunters develop their woodsmanship skills.

While the state has eastern gray squirrels and eastern fox squirrels, most hunters are harvesting gray squirrels, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Small Game Program Coordinator Cody Rhoden said.

Gray squirrels are widespread and frequent wooded areas, while forests near agricultural fields generally attract more fox squirrels.

“Squirrels will be on the move by the time spring hunting starts,” Rhoden said. “Looking for a food source is a good way to start scouting. They’re not a hibernating species, so they’ll be taking advantage of fresh green growth. You might see them on the ground finishing off winter food caches or foraging for vegetation and fungi.”

Weather isn’t a huge deterrent for squirrels, although they tend to hide on windy days.

“On sunny days, they like to lay prone on branches to absorb the warmth and sunlight,” Rhoden added.

Many hunters use shotguns during the spring season because of the leaves on the trees. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s online Learn to Hunt Squirrel page features squirrel biology, season checklists, hunting advice as well as videos of processing harvested game and deciding on firearm type.

Before heading afield, view the regulations and season dates of each game species by consulting Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s online 2025 Spring Hunting Guide. It’s important to note that this guide can only be found online.

The Learn to Hunt webpage is a hub for resources about Kentucky’s different game species, processing wild game and upcoming learning opportunities with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s conservation educators. Check the department’s Calendar for hunting courses or events.

More information about hunting is available on the department’s website at fw.ky.gov. For questions, please call 1-800-858-1549, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (CT) weekdays, excluding holidays.

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Explore hunting and fishing this season https://bgdailynews.com/2025/03/12/sports_outdoors031325/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:52:37 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=683485

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers numerous classes for those wanting to learn more about hunting and fishing. Programming offered through the department’s Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) branch includes hunter education, basic fishing and hunting skills and courses geared toward women. Most classes are free or offered at a nominal cost. […]

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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers numerous classes for those wanting to learn more about hunting and fishing.

Programming offered through the department’s Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) branch includes hunter education, basic fishing and hunting skills and courses geared toward women. Most classes are free or offered at a nominal cost.

Before going afield for the upcoming spring turkey season or any other hunting period this year, hunters must have completed their hunter education certification.

Unless exempt, Kentucky requires all hunters born after 1974 to earn their certification to be able to hunt legally. Kentucky offers more than 300 hunter education courses throughout the state each year. Classes are available in person or online. Visit Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education webpage for details.

Megan Bagby, who supervises the hunter education program for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said now is the time to look for and schedule classes.

“Kentucky’s turkey hunting season begins April 5-6 for youth hunters, followed by the general season April 12–May 4,” she said. “Registration for the required range day portion of the certification process can fill up before a season opens, so don’t wait to complete your hunter education course. Give yourself time to learn and practice.”

Landowners and tenants who are hunting on their own land are not required to have this training, although it is recommended for all hunters. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also offers a temporary hunter education exemption permit, which allows residents and nonresidents to hunt for one year without first completing a hunter education course. Youth hunters may only take the course after turning 9 years old, but are not required to take the course until turning 12 years old.

“The one-year exemption permit is a great way to experience your first hunt or take a new hunter into the field,” Bagby said. “It is available online for free but expires one year after being acquired. You can only get an exemption permit once.”

Students completing classroom instruction next join instructors at a shooting range to ensure they can handle firearms safely.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Learn to Hunt webpage is a hub for resources about different game species, processing wild game and upcoming classes. Additionally, the department’s Field to Fork programs help hunters learn about hunting.

“Field to Fork programs are unique, start-to-finish workshops that teach adult participants everything they need to know to hunt a specific game species successfully,” Bagby said. “Current offerings include workshops on dove, squirrel, spring turkey and deer hunting.”

Participants learn about basic equipment, game animal biology and regulations. They receive hands-on shooting practice and watch demonstrations of wild game processing. Kentucky hunting licenses are typically required to attend these events.

In addition, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife hosts the Kentucky Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program. Designed primarily for adult women, BOW helps participants learn about the outdoors while building confidence in their skills.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also offers many resources for those wanting to learn more about fishing Kentucky waters. The department’s Learn to Fish webpage helps anglers get started with the basics like gear, techniques and places to fish and links to educational opportunities provided by the agency.

“Our Hook and Cook workshops equip anglers of all skill levels with the knowledge they need to improve their fishing and safely enjoy the fish they catch,” said Rachel Crume, Kentucky’s R3 Branch manager.

“These and other fishing workshops are available for those 16 and over and are usually free. Some courses may require a nominal fee to cover unfunded expenses. Most instruction takes place at Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINS) lakes, with classes currently scheduled in Frankfort, Louisville, Falmouth and Burlington.”

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also has a free Loaner Fishing Pole program. Fishing poles can be checked out like library books at 53 locations throughout the state. More information about the Loaner Fishing Pole Location Map is available online at fw.ky.gov.

Anglers can find places to fish by searching Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Waterbodies Search page. In addition, the free Fish Boat KY app for mobile smartphones showcases fishing regulations, educational materials, reports and updates, maps and more. Anglers will need to be sure to purchase their 2025 fishing license for the new license year that began March 1.

Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online through the department’s online MyProfile license portal. View the department’s 2025-26 Fishing and Boating Guide for more information on fishing regulations, fish species and waterbodies.

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Kentucky to host largest annual “Archery in the Schools” tournament https://bgdailynews.com/2025/03/07/sports_archery030825/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 22:20:17 +0000 https://bgdailynews.com/?p=683112

Kentucky will host the nation’s largest annual school archery tournament March 14-15 as more than 7,000 student archers from nearly 400 schools compete in the Kentucky National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament. Held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville since 2016, the tournament has grown into being one of the largest […]

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Kentucky will host the nation’s largest annual school archery tournament March 14-15 as more than 7,000 student archers from nearly 400 schools compete in the Kentucky National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament.

Held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville since 2016, the tournament has grown into being one of the largest state-level sporting competitions held anywhere.

The National Archery in the Schools Program debuted in Kentucky in 2002 with 21 pilot schools and has since expanded to 900 schools statewide. The in-school program introduces students in grades 4–12 to international-style target archery. Students learn the sport of archery as part of their school curriculum and are then eligible to compete in school-hosted events for the opportunity to qualify for state and national tournaments. Each year, more than 150,000 Kentucky students learn archery during the school day as part of their physical education curriculum, and more than 17,000 compete in Kentucky school-hosted NASP tournaments as part of after-school teams.

“Nationally, 50% of student archers say archery in the schools was their first archery experience,” said Lisa Johnson, state NASP coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “It is exciting to know that so many kids are being introduced into the lifelong sport of archery NASP provides schools with a sport that fits within the school curriculum, is naturally inclusive of all types of students and is relatively inexpensive. Kids love archery. It doesn’t surprise me the program is continuing to grow in Kentucky as well as other states.”

The 2025 Kentucky NASP state tournament will feature two competitions: traditional bullseye shooting at a flat, multi-ringed target and 3D shooting on lifelike foam targets representing various North American game animals. Top-scoring archers will advance to the NASP Eastern Nationals scheduled May 8-10 also at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The state tournament will take place in the North Wing, South Wing A-C, and the East Hall, with hourly competition flights starting at 9:30 a.m. (CDT) on both Friday and Saturday, March 14-15. Spectator admission is free. Parking is $15 per vehicle and $30 per bus.

Elementary, middle and high school archers will compete for individual and team honors. The top 15 senior boys and top 15 senior girls will each receive $1,000 scholarships to the postsecondary school of their choice. Additionally, 10 senior academic archers will be randomly selected to receive $500 scholarships.

For a second year, all Kentucky NASP archers and teams are encouraged to participate in the “Archers Aiming to Reduce Hunger” food drive to support Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry and Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland to help relieve hunger in Kentucky communities. Participating archers are asked to bring one can of beef stew or any Hamburger Helper box item.

Last year, Kentucky NASP archers and school teams collected more than 3,000 pounds of food. This year, they aim to donate 4,000 pounds. Those interested in supporting the effort can email Johnson at lisa.johnson@ky.gov. Donated food items may also be dropped off at the front doors of North Wing lobby of the Kentucky Exposition Center on March 14 or 15.

Complete tournament results will be available online at NASP Tournaments. For more information about NASP, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov, the National Archery in the Schools Program webpage, or call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Information Center at 1-800-858-1549, 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (CDT) weekdays, excluding holidays.

The post Kentucky to host largest annual “Archery in the Schools” tournament appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

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