Conrad’s hosting 'celebrity' baggers

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Conrad's Food Store will once again sponsor Grocers Against Cancer Day on Tuesday. Local elected officials and community leaders will be bagging and carrying out groceries while collecting tips for the American Cancer Society. Conrad's will also make a donation to the charity.

Real healthcare stories from Crittenden Hospital

Click Image to Enlarge

Local teen bags Georgia bear

The first day of my bear hunt was a mess!

Read more about Katie's bear in this week's printed edition
of The Crittenden Press. This is Katie, her guide and her bear.

It was really cold in Georgia and I wasn't prepared for that in October. Up in the mountains next to a stream made the morning air sharp and cool. So when the 500-plus-pound black bear came in close enough, I couldn't draw my bow. 

After the disappointment of that missed opportunity, it was tough to get my nerves back in check. But I did it with the help and encouragement of Larry and Fran Bennett, my guides with Kahuda Mountain Outfitters. 

We determined that besides the fact that I was cold, my fear of heights and unwillingness to trust my harness played a role in the trouble. 

I was reluctant to stand and draw the bow from my lofty perch. My stand was different than most tree stands I'd used before. My guide Larry taught me to stand and use tension on the strap to help hold me steady while drawing. I also dropped my poundage to where I could draw my bow despite the cold weather. I also took some time to re-sight my bow at the new pull weight before we got ready for the second day's hunt.

The following morning, I taped myself up with "Hot Hands" body warmers, eight of them all together. Duct tape helped provide the magic trick, and I braced for a cold, new morning.

On the stand with Larry, I used what I had learned the previous day and avoided the pitfalls of the first morning's hunt. 

I was able to stand comfortably on the little platform and draw my bow without any fear. And, thanks to being better prepared, I wasn't cold on the second day when the action heated up.

We saw a bear that evening and I put my arrow through him. The bear I shot was not as big as the one I didn't get the day before, but I walked away with a great animal and some hunting experience that will aid me in my hunting endeavors for the rest of my life. 

I really need to thank Larry and Fran for taking the time to talk me off the ledge, so to speak, and help me to get back out there and get it done. Not many outfitters would have done that. 

MORE ON BEAR HUNTING:

Kentucky hunting will open to new areas in 2013

KENTUCKY AFIELD

   Hunters in Kentucky now have an expanded area and seasons in which they may attempt to harvest a black bear.

   Regulations passed by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission in June recently received final legislative approval. The new season structure expands the bear zone and the bear chase areas, establishes an archery/crossbow season and increases opportunities for hunting with dogs.

   The changes are not reflected in the current print version of the Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide due to the publication's deadline in late spring. Bear permits are available to residents only; a drawing for the 2013 quota hunt with dogs was held earlier this month.

   "The department has intensively studied and monitored our bear population for over a decade," said Steven Dobey, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "Data clearly indicate that bears can sustain an increased harvest and we are excited to offer these opportunities to our sportsmen and sportswomen."

   The change that will affect most hunters is the expansion of the bear zone - the area in which a person may hunt bears - from four to 16 counties. Kentucky's Bear Zone now includes Bell, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, McCreary, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Wayne and Whitley counties.

   Another change for this year is the creation of a separate archery/crossbow season. This season will take place from Nov. 23 through Dec. 1. The quota for this hunt is 10 bears or five female bears, whichever limit hunters reach first. The season will close if the limit is reached.

   Successful archery and crossbow hunters must telecheck their bears by 8 p.m. on the day of harvest. Hunters also must call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources within 24 hours to arrange for an employee to check the bear.

   "A physical check of all harvested bears is required so that we may provide a harvest tag and collect valuable biological information from each animal taken," Dobey said. "These data allow us to document sex, weight, age, and reproductive condition. We also can determine if we have handled a bear before by the presence of tags."

   Dates for the existing modern gun season remain unchanged. Hunters during this season may use modern firearms, muzzleloaders, bows or crossbows. This year's hunt will take place Dec. 14-16 and remain open until a quota of 10 bears or 5 female bears is reached, whichever limit hunters reach first. All bear seasons are closed the day after a quota is met.

   Hunters in the gun season must bring bears to a department-operated check station upon retrieval to be issued a harvest tag. Unless license exempt, any person participating in the archery/crossbow or modern gun season for bears must be in possession of a hunting license and bear permit.

   Hunting permits for the modern gun and archery/crossbow seasons are available over the counter or online. These are not quota hunts. A hunter may use one permit for either season; a hunter may not take more than one bear a year.

   During July and August, residents may obtain a permit that allows them to only chase bears with dogs. A person wishing to hunt bears with dogs must have this bear chase permit and then apply for the bear quota hunt with dogs in September.

   Houndsmen will also have increased opportunities this year as the bear chase areas are expanded to three units encompassing more than 340,000 acres.

   Chase areas include a new 73,000-acre chase area located east of Fishtrap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Pike County, located in Kentucky along the tri-state border with Virginia and West Virginia. The largest chase area includes 222,000 acres spanning portions of Bell, Harlan and Letcher counties. The third chase area is comprised entirely of public land and encompasses approximately 45,000 acres in Bell County.

   From Aug. 1-31, bear chase areas are open as a chase-only season in which houndsmen may pursue bears with dogs without the intent to kill. Unless license exempt, a person must be in possession of a valid hunting license and bear chase permit to participate in the chase-only season.

   This winter will also mark Kentucky's first separate bear quota hunt with dogs. Previously, this season was only open if the state's bear quota was not met during the modern gun season. Changes approved this year establish a season that will be held regardless of whether the quota for modern gun season is met.

   The bear quota hunt with dogs will take place from Dec. 23-27, or until the annual quota of five bears is reached.

   Participants must apply in September for this hunt. The application is open only to Kentucky residents with a valid bear chase permit; up to five people can apply as a hunting party.

   All members of a party drawn for a quota hunt with dogs must buy a bear permit before participating. Two additional youths can join the hunting party for a total of up to seven people; youths do not need a bear chase permit, but are required to obtain a bear permit if they are 12 years of age or older.

   The chase-only season and bear quota hunt with dogs are each restricted to bear chase areas; individual parties may not have more than eight dogs.

   Hunters are not allowed to take female bears with young or bears weighing less than 75 pounds during any season. Bears may not be hunted over bait or in area where bait has been present for at least 30 days. All bear hunting activities are prohibited on Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

   "Bear hunting is a relatively new pursuit in Kentucky," Dobey said. "Support from the League of Kentucky Sportsmen, United Bowhunters of Kentucky, Kentucky Bear Hunters Association and the Kentucky Houndsmen Association provided valuable insight into the development of our growing season structure."

WMA dedication today

Big Rivers WMA dedication today on Ohio River. New public use area to open Nov. 1.

Local bank offers free estate planning

Click Image to Enlarge

Health care enrollment operates smoothly in Kentucky

Kentucky's state-run implementation of health care reform, Kynect, has enrolled 15,000 people in insurance programs while the federal effort has been hampered by technical problems. At a news conference Monday, President Barack Obama said he was frustrated with the issues that have plagued the federal system run through Healthcare.gov. But in Kentucky, things appear to be running smoothly. Kentucky was one of 17 states that decided to create its own health insurance marketplace known as an exchange. The mostly web-based program is centered at Kynect.Ky.gov, where Kentuckians register to be enrolled in health insurance and explore their options.

For the full story, visit The Herald Leader online.

Area deaths

Kenneth R Myers, 78, a native of Marion, died Oct. 20, 2013, at Baptist Health Paducah. Lone Oak Chapel Milner & Orr Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Ralph Collin Barnes, 90, of Salem, died Oct. 22, 2013, at his home. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Lois Elizabeth Dameron, 96, of Marion, died Oct.22, 2013, at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Load limit placed on Ky. 2123

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has posted a 3-ton limit on a drainage structure along Ky. 2123/Glendale Church Road in the Sheridan area of Crittenden County.

 

This drainage structure on Ky. 2123 carries a branch of Caney Creek under the roadway near the intersection with Love Cemetery Road. KyTC inspectors found erosion had undercut the bridge support structure.

 

This 3-ton load limit restricts the roadway at this location to passenger vehicles and pickup trucks only. Trucks and other vehicles that exceed the 3-ton load limit should seek an alternate route.

 

KyTC engineers are working to determine if the structure can be repaired or should be replaced. The load limit has been posted at the site.

New Kenergy office to open Monday

Kenergy Corp. will be closing its South Main Street office in Marion on Friday. The new office at 3000 U.S. 641 is expected to open Monday.

Members can continue to pay their bills and enter meter readings via computer or smart phone at KenergyCorp.com. Customers can also pay and enter meter readings 24/7 by calling (800) 844-4832, and the drop box at the Main Street location will still be available.

Parks' Eagle Watch Weekends coming up

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Nature lovers should be making plans for a Kentucky State Park tradition—Eagle Watch Weekends in January and February.

The park system will sponsor the wildlife-watching opportunity as bald eagles gather around the major lakes of western Kentucky looking for food.

For four decades, the Kentucky State Parks have offered Eagle Watch Weekends, a chance to view the eagles from land and water and learn about the national symbol and other wildlife, according to a parks system news release.

The tours take place at three resort parks during weekends in January and February, on an excursion yacht and by van. They are led by state park naturalists and Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists.

Ticket prices for the tours range from $25 to $50 a person. Most tours last from two to 3½ hours. The weekends also include evening programs on Friday and Saturday.

The parks, phone numbers and dates for the 2013 Eagle Watch Weekends are:

• Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park ((800) 325-0146): Jan. 10-12. Yacht tours and van tours to the Ballard Wildlife Management Area.
• Lake Barkley State Resort Park ((800) 325-1708): Jan. 24-26. Yacht tours and van tours to the Land Between the Lakes.
• Kenlake State Resort Park ((800) 325-0143): Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Yacht tours only.

Guests should bring warm clothes, rain gear and binoculars. These trips can take place under extreme weather conditions. The resorts offer lodges, cottages and restaurants. Registration is required for the Eagle Watch Weekends. Call the parks for registration, details and fee information or visit: www.parks.ky.gov and click on the “winter adventure” tab.

The Eagle Watch Weekends at Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley and Kenlake will include an option to view eagles from the CQ Princess, a 96-foot yacht. Guests can view eagles from inside the CQ Princess or from outside decks.

Any group or organization interested in a special cruise on the CQ Princess should call Tammy Nanney at Kenlake State Resort Park at (800) 325-0143.