The Grassy Pond-Powell's Lake Unit and portions of the Highland Creek Unit went to a new drawing system in 2004. Hunting blind sites on these two units have now been assigned for the entire season to a waterfowl hunter and a partner who take part in the October drawing. Hunters who are drawn and assigned a site are responsible to clean, prepare, camouflage and make the site ready for the waterfowl-hunting season.

According to Morton, this new system should make for improved hunting facilities and opportunities for public hunters throughout the season. "If the drawn hunters do not claim their assigned blind site by one-half hour before shooting time, blinds are open on a first-come, first-served basis to other hunters daily."

Waterfowl hunting on the Jenny Hole Unit and a majority of the Highland Creek Unit remains open to a "walk-in" or "boat-in" hunting system. However, hunters or hunting parties are required to maintain a 200-yard spacing from others.

Pritchert was also quick to point out that hunters in this region may want to consider nearby Peabody WMA as well. The 60,000-acre area in Ohio and Muhlenberg counties is dotted with numerous water-filled strip pits that can hold waterfowl throughout the season. The area also has the added attraction of a healthy population of resident geese that can produce some shooting action when the migrants are still holding tight up north.

Hunting Peabody WMA requires the purchase of a $12.50 user permit, which can be obtained wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Shooting hours on the area are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m., and there are three refuge areas within the WMA that are closed to all access from Oct. 15 through March 15. For more information on hunting Peabody WMA, contact the regional KDFWR office at (270) 273-3568.

BLUEGRASS REGION
In the central portion of the state, much of the waterfowl hunting activity is focused on the streams, rivers and farm ponds that dot the landscape. When the weather turns cold, however, and these small bodies of water begin to freeze, the ducks and geese will head for big, open water, such as that found on the Ohio River. More and more hunters are realizing the Ohio's waterfowling potential. Spanning the entire length of the Commonwealth's northern border, the river provides hundreds of miles of hunting opportunity.

As a starting point, Pritchert recommends looking at areas where larger rivers and streams enter the main channel of the Ohio River. Conditions change frequently on the river, and as a result, hunters are encouraged to scout regularly and remain mobile.

One other point to keep in mind for those hunting the Ohio River is safety. While safety is always a factor regardless of where you are waterfowl hunting, it is even more so when the hunting takes place on a big river. Factors such as strong current, drift, passing barges and locks and dams can all increase the risk of having a good hunt turn tragic. When it comes to choosing a boat for big-river hunting, the bigger and wider, the better.

NORTHEAST REGION
While northeast Kentucky is not traditionally known for its waterfowl hunting, opportunities do exist to harvest several ducks and geese in that region of the state. One reason for this is the expanding resident goose population around the Cave Run Lake area. The 8,000-plus-acre impoundment is part of a designated goose refuge that was developed by the KDFWR and U.S. Forest Service in order to provide a place for both migrant and local geese to rest and feed.

Despite the fact that goose hunting is off-limits at Cave Run, the lake is open to duck hunting under statewide regulations, and regularly offers opportunities at mallards, blacks, scaup, buffleheads and ringnecks. Hunters seem to find their best success in the lake's headwaters and tributaries.