SPORTSMAN'S GUIDE

Sloughs Wildlife Management Area

Nearly 10,000 acres of Kentucky's finest hunting grounds. The wetlands are home to nearly 10,000 geese and 10,000 ducks during the winter. A paradise for hunters, fishermen, campers, hikers and nature lovers.

Info: (270) 827-2673

Directions: (2 stops) - Take US 60 West (9 miles), turn right on KY 136 to Geneva (2 miles) then turn right on KY 268 NW (6.5 miles) to Sauerheber Refuge, which will be on the left. Gas, lodging and dining opportunities available in nearby Henderson.

Sauerheber Refuge Habitat and trail info: A 1,775-acre waterfowl refuge houses up to 10,000 geese and 10,000 ducks winter annually. Closed seasonally November 1 through March 15. Observation platforms near refuge edge are open year-round.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: One can view geese, American widgeon, green-winged teal, American avocet, common snipe as well as many other shorebirds and waterfowl. Swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote, and dove are found here as well.

Jenny Hole-Highland Creek: The Creek offers sloughs, bottomland hardwoods and some brushy areas.This is Kentucky's largest Great Blue Heron rookery. Limited access by gravel roads. Primitive camping is available.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Great blue heron, bald eagle, prothonotary warbler, waterfowl, swamp rabbit, squirrel, deer, quail, raccoon, beaver, coyote and dove are all found here.

Public Hunting Areas: Wildlife Management Areas operated by KDFWR in the region provide a variety of game. Check for each area's special regulations and seasons in the Hunting Guides.

John James Audubon State Park

This state park in Henderson is the site of the largest art collection of internationally known wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Many other nature-related artworks are periodically on display at the museum.John James Audubon, the first artist or ornithologist to depict life-size birds and animals in their natural surroundings, lived in Henderson for several years. He valued Henderson because of its position on the Mississippi flyway, a bird migration route. The park preserves the peaceful woods where the famed naturalist walked as he observed the subjects of his paintings.

Info: (270) 826-2247

Website: John James Audubon State Park and Museum

Habitat and trail info: There are 7 miles of walking trails made up of upland and bottomland hardwood forests and lakes.The trails vary in difficulty and length.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: The hiking trails provide a perfect opportunity to observe over 20 species of warblers that migrate through Audubon in the springtime. Belted kingfisher, green heron, woodpeckers, prothonotary warbler and waterfowl may also be observed.

Birding: The observation center looks out over established feeding stations and native plant gardens.The 2-mile wilderness lake loop trail through the nature preserve offers the greatest habitat and bird species diversity. For more information on birding, go to our birding page.

John James Audubon Birding Trail
Four driving tours to cypress swamps, woodlands and marshes where hundreds of species of birds can be found in Western Kentucky. For a brochure request click here.

Other Popular Outdoor Spots

Hunting at High Ground Hunting Club
Highground Hunting Club is a private club in Henderson County, but will book hunts for non-members when their membership is not full. For information on deer, turkey and waterfowl hunts, call the club at 270-844-9911 or go to www.highgroundhuntingclub.com.

Atkinson Park, River Walk & Municipal Golf Course
A scenic 1.2 mile trail high above the banks of the Ohio River offers an excellent view with resting areas and wheelchair accessibility. The riverbank park offers golf, a swimming pool and water slide, playground, picnic facilities and a skate park.

Hays & Water Street Boat Ramps
Easy public access for fishing, boating and waterskiing on the Ohio River. Henderson issues more than 3000 boating licenses each year.

Wildlife Viewing By County

HENDERSON/UNION: Sloughs WMA: 10,000 acres of mostly Ohio River bottoms in four separate units is home to upward of 10,000 geese and thousands of ducks winter here annually. Hunting opportunities also include deer, turkey, swamp rabbit, coyote, squirrel, quail and dove. Contact: Sloughs WMA Office, (270) 827-2673.

HOPKINS: Tradewater WMA: Marked by rugged terrain and mostly wooded,this 745-acre area contains deer, squirrel,raccoon and turkey. Contact:Pat Hahs (270) 759-6913

HOPKINS: White City WMA:5,472 acres contains wooded areas,reclaimed coal mine land and wetlands with rabbits,quail,deer,dove and waterfowl. Contact: Eric Williams (270) 273-3568

MUHLENBERG/OHIO: Peabody WMA: Approximately 35,000 acres of the area ’s total 65,000 acres are in Muhlenberg County,one of the top five Kentucky counties in deer harvest and the top five county in the state for the past four years in turkey harvest.Small game also abounds as well as a resident goose population with a hunting season. A $15.00 user permit is required for the hunting,fishing and hiking activities.

OHIO: L.B.Davidson WMA: A 150-acre wooded tract on Rough River with squirrel, deer, rabbit and quail. Contact: Eric Williams (270) 273-5368.

UNION: Higginson-Henry WMA:The 5,424-acre area provides a variety of public hunting opportunities including deer, dove, rabbit, quail, squirrel, woodcock, turkey, fox and coyote. Contact Scott Buser (270) 389-3580

Looking for a place to stay on your trip? Be sure to check our Accommodations Page for information on lodging as well as any current travel packages they may offer!