DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST Hunting for a challenge?

Northern hunters hankering for rugged terrain may want to head south.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- One of the many joys of a deer hunter's life is witnessing first light bleeding into a remote forest at dawn and, at that moment, hearing a hawk utter its piercing screech, as though it were heralding the new day.
These are among the pleasures awaiting those willing to trek to Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, a 700,000-acre preserve of rugged, picturesque ground stretching over 21 counties.
Hunters can have the forest largely to themselves if they do as we did and visit during Kentucky's mid-December muzzleloader season.
You'll see other orange-clad deer seekers, but not as many as during the preceding rifle campaign.
Kentucky deer season
Kentucky's deer archery season continues through Jan. 19, so there's still time for the dedicated hunter to pursue his quarry on terrain once tramped by the legendary Boone himself.
Our five-man party used one of the many primitive campsites sprinkled throughout the forest and pitched our tents along a meadow near Leatherwood Creek where it feeds into the 8,270-acre Cave Run Lake.
The Boone's primitive sites provide little more than access off the road and a fire ring.
Those who prefer a more civilized outing may bring camping trailers or motor homes. There are developed campgrounds in the forest but most are closed by November.
Visitors also are allowed, with a few restrictions, to bivouac where they want.
Fires are permitted just about anywhere. Wood may be gathered or cut, as long as it's downed timber. No felling of standing trees is allowed, even if they're dead.
Hunting deer this late in the season is challenging. Despite abundant sign and glimpsing a nicely racked buck crossing the road near where we camped, none in our party bagged one of the four-legged phantoms during our one full day of hunting.
Others had more luck, as indicated by the booming echoes of muzzleloading rifles being touched off elsewhere amid the steep hills and foggy ravines.
Honors namesake
One way the Boone honors its frontiersman namesake is the presence of the Pioneer Weapons Hunting Area, a 7,610-acre tract in the park's north section that's reserved for traditional smokepoles and bows.
Modern in-line muzzleloading rifles are barred in this area.
Regardless of your choice of hunting instrument, there's plenty of room for everyone at the Boone.
Access to the forest is made easier by the dozens of service roads carved into it. Many of these wide pathways are gated to keep vehicles out. Walkers are welcome, however.
The Boone also offers numerous hiking trails that enable the roaming hunter to probe deeply into the woods for prey.
Demanding time
Camping out in December, especially in tents, can be demanding.
But the hardships are worth it when you leave the woods at dusk amid falling snow and see the welcoming light of your campfire. The coffee pot is on, the stew kettle is steaming and your companions are there, ready to share tales -- mostly true -- of a day in the woods.
leigh@vindy.com