www.RussFalkenburg.com - KY Scouting Guide

Professional, Conservation-Minded Outdoor Consulting

Kentucky Public Land Scouting Guide Series

The HuntScapes Kentucky Public Land Scouting Guide series is designed to train and develop Professional, Conservation-Minded Hunters through practical knowledge, field experience, map reading, terrain analysis, wildlife behavior, scouting and planning.

Kentucky’s WMAs and public hunting areas provide the real-world examples, but the knowledge gained throughout this series can be applied anywhere within the White-tailed Deer range, on public or private land. Rather than simply telling hunters where to go, these guides teach what to look for, how to read the land, how to develop a plan and how to make informed decisions in the field.

With more than 1.6 million acres of public hunting land throughout Kentucky, knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. Each volume builds upon the skills introduced in the previous guide while exploring different WMAs, terrain types and hunting situations. The goal is to make hunters progressively more knowledgeable, confident and self-reliant exploring unfamiliar public land.

Since the release of Volume I in 2023, Kentucky’s trailing three-year average public-land deer harvest has increased to 7,629, approximately 20% above the five-year average prior to the series, with a new record of 7,767 deer harvested from public land.

All guides available as an instant-download PDF or 8.5 × 11" semi-gloss softcover with heavy, high-quality matte interior paper suitable for professional presentation and durable field use.

Conservation in Action: Since the release of our first guide in 2023, HuntScapes has actively promoted both public-land hunting and Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry through our publications, advertising and direct outreach. Our initial campaign reached hundreds of thousands of hunters, introduced many to the donation program for the first time, and generated direct inquiries from both public- and private-land hunters about how to participate. That same season, Kentucky public-land deer harvest and Hunters for the Hungry both reached record levels. While many factors influence statewide harvest and donation totals, we are proud that HuntScapes has made a meaningful contribution through education, increased awareness and the development of more efficient, conservation-minded hunters.

Volume I: Introduction to White-tailed Deer Hunting.

Start here.

Volume I establishes the foundation of the series with an introduction to equipment, White-tailed Deer science and behavior, field craft, scouting and map reading. Ten Kentucky WMAs are highlighted with an emphasis on manageable terrain and access suitable for hunters of all experience levels.

Whether you are new to hunting, new to Kentucky, or simply want to become more effective on public land, Volume I provides the basic knowledge needed before progressing into the more advanced material contained in later guides.

ORDER VOLUME I

Volume II: Advanced Tactics and Techniques

Volume II builds upon the foundation established in Volume I and takes a deeper look at statistical scouting, map reading, hunting pressure, terrain features, field tactics, access and wildlife movement.

Additional Kentucky WMAs are introduced while previously discussed areas are expanded to demonstrate how the same principles can be applied under different terrain, habitat and hunting conditions.

The emphasis begins shifting from simply finding places to hunt toward understanding why wildlife uses particular areas and how hunters can use terrain, pressure and planning to their advantage.

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NEW RELEASE!!! Volume III: Advanced Terrain and Planning

Volume III takes the series farther into advanced terrain analysis, map interpretation, route planning, access and field application, with an increased focus on steep, thick and more demanding public land.

Using Kentucky WMAs as practical examples, this volume examines terrain features that allow hunters to develop a plan before ever entering the field. The objective is to develop the confidence and ability to read unfamiliar terrain, recognize opportunity and safely push farther out and deeper in, away from the crowds and into places many hunters overlook or avoid.

Volume III is geared toward adventurous hunters looking for a greater challenge while remaining useful to newer hunters who want to continue developing their field craft.

ORDER VOLUME III

About the Author

Russ Falkenburg brings a broad combination of military, wildlife, land-management and hunting experience to the HuntScapes series, including 22 years Army Infantry/Scout experience; Forestry and Wildlife Conservation certification; National Deer Association Deer Steward Level 1; Landscape Technology and Design; nine years of private hunt-club operations; and experience with private hunting-tract design, habitat restoration and conservation projects. That combination provides a full-spectrum approach to hunting that extends beyond simply locating and harvesting game. HuntScapes emphasizes planning, field craft, wildlife management, conservation, discipline and the responsible development of knowledgeable hunters.

Start with Volume I.

Each guide builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in the previous volume. For the full HuntScapes experience, we recommend beginning with Introduction to White-tailed Deer Hunting and progressing through the series.

The complete series also makes an excellent gift for hunters interested in improving their skills, to become Professional, Conservation-Minded Hunters.

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