“The 119,656 deer taken was the highest total since the 2008-2009 season,” said Tina Brunjes, deer program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Good hunting weather may have been a contributing factor to the excellent harvest during the last two months of the season.” 

 Hunters bagged a record harvest of 12,989 in December, which surpassed the previous record by 4,261 set in December 2004. “Muzzleloader hunters were responsible for that big jump, checking in 10,536 deer during their nine-day late season that ran Dec. 10-18,” said Brunjes. 

January’s harvest was excellent, too with hunters telechecking 2,628 deer – just 73 short of last year’s record harvest for the month.  Overall, hunters reported taking 55 percent male deer and 45 percent female deer. Modern firearms hunters bagged 83,357 deer, muzzleloader hunters 15,161 deer and archers 18,169 deer.

“For the last 10 years our harvest has gone up and down a bit, but overall the trend is stable,” said Brunjes. “That’s a good sign.”  This past season, Kentucky had 90,247 successful deer hunters, but 77 percent (69,776 hunters) took just one deer. “Seventeen percent of our successful deer hunters (15,118 hunters) took two deer, and six percent of our successful deer hunters (5,353 hunters) took three or more deer,” said Brunjes.
    By zone, hunters harvested 52,664 deer in the 35 Zone 1 counties; 30,160 deer in the 27 Zone 2 counties; 25,324 deer in the 33 Zone 3 counties and 11,505 in the 25 Zone 4 counties.  The bulk of Kentucky counties are in deer management Zones 2 and 3. Brunjes said there’s still work to be done in the Zone 1 counties, where deer densities are too high, and in the Zone 4 counties, where deer densities are below target levels.

Archers and muzzleloader hunters took 61 percent antlerless deer. Modern gun hunters bagged the lowest percent of antlerless deer 38 percent. 

Crossbow hunters posted the highest percent of antlerless deer in the harvest, 63 percent. They also established a new harvest record in the process. Crossbow hunters bagged 1,969 deer, which represents about 1.6 percent of the overall harvest.  For the third consecutive season, archers posted a harvest record by taking 18,169 deer, about 15 percent of the total harvest.  

“Overall, the hunters we have are being more successful,” said Brunjes. “We hope that all this success will help them in mentoring new hunters.” 
    
 ** Author Art Lander Jr. has been writing about the outdoors since the 1970s. He is a staff writer for Kentucky Afield Magazine **

According to Circuit Court records obtained by WJRS NEWS….the following persons were indicted:

• Steven Daniels, age 34….Sodomy and Rape
• Dawn Swalley, age 31….Criminal Abuse
• David Barnett, age 41….Robbery 1st Degree
• Wesley Taylor, age 23….Burglary, Being A Persistent Felony Offender
• Eric Rowe, age 26….and 20 year old Nicolette Rowe were both indicted on charges of Burglary and Theft with Eric Rowe also being charged with Being A Persistent Felony Offender
• Cody T. Owens, age 18….Wanton Endangerment and Criminal Mischief
• Ronald Sams, age 42….Theft By Deception
• Cody Foley, age 26….Flagrant Non-Support of a Child (3 counts) and one count of Being A Persistent Felony Offender
• Johnny Brandt, age 24….Flagrant Non-Support of a Child
• David G. Burton, age 36….Flagrant Non-Support of a Child

One other indictment was returned by the Grand Jury, however, in that case, the indictment was sealed by ORDER of the Circuit Judge until the individual named in the indictment is taken into custody.

WJRS NEWS reminds you that an “Indictment” does not imply guilt.  An “Indictment” is a “legal accusation” and means “probable cause” was established for the charges and further court action is necessary in these cases.

Seven of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and five of the victims were not wearing seat belts.  Single-fatality crashes occurred in Carroll, Clay, Hardin, Jefferson, Knott, McCracken, and Pike counties.  Crashes in Jefferson and McCracken counties involved the suspected use of alcohol.  One pedestrian involved fatal crash occurred in Bell County.

Through Jan. 29^th preliminary statistics indicate that 46 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2012.  This is 6 more fatalities than reported for the same time period in 2011.  There have been 41 motor vehicle fatalities and 23 of those victims were not wearing seat belts.  Five of those crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle. One crash involved a motorcycle and that victim was wearing a helmet. Four crashes involved a pedestrian.  Seven deaths have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Superintendent Kenny Pickett said most teachers have completed their required number of Professional Development training hours and those that haven’t will obtain the final hours needed before the semester ends in May.  The final dates for teachers are now May 11^th and 12^th.

Those changes will remain in place if school is not missed due to inclement weather.  For the first time in several years, and possibly the first time ever, winter weather has not forced Russell County Schools to close during the month of January and based on current weather forecasts, missing school due to winter weather isn’t likely before the end of the month. 

The calendar for the 2012-2013 school year was adopted Monday night by the School Board.  After summer break, teachers will return to work August 6^th with students returning August 8th.  The schedule includes a three day fall break….October 10^th, 11^th and 12^th plus the regular weekend.  Christmas break will begin December 20^th with students returning to the classroom January 2^nd.  Final day of school for students next year will be May 13^th and May 16^th for teachers.

Stephanie Grant, 23, was taken into custody Saturday on charges of Burglary, Theft By Unlawful Taking and Theft of Controlled Substances.

She is accused of breaking into the June Johnson residence on Boat Dock Road Friday afternoon.

Sgt. Jeff Kerns of the Jamestown Police Department told WJRS NEWS that jewelry and prescription medication was stolen from the Johnson residence.

The investigation is continuing by Sgt. Kerns along with Officer Nathan Bradshaw of the Russell Springs Police Department.

Grant was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

The charges allege Morales had been selling prescription medications.  Morales was arrested at 584 McQueary Ridge Road.  She was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Helton Wheeler

A Jamestown residence was totally destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon.  The home, located on Happy Acre Lane, east of Jamestown on Ky. 619, belonged to the Davis Curtsinger family and was heavily involved with fire and smoke when the first members of the Jamestown Fire Department arrived on the scene soon after the 1:40 p.m. alarm. 

The Russell Springs and South Russell Fire Departments were summoned to the scene to bring additional water and manpower.  Ultimately, despite the efforts of the three departments, the home became engulfed in flames and was a total loss.  The cause of the fire is under investigation but foul play is not suspected.

The Jamestown Fire Department is coordinating relief efforts for the Curtsinger family and is asking for donations of clothing and other necessities.  Sizes needed are Men’s pants 36 waist by 30 length, large shirts and size 11 shoes or boots….women’s size 11 clothing and size 9 shoes. 

To donate clothing, money or other items, call the Jamestown Fire Department’s non-emergency number at 343-3400 or you can also call 566-1519.