2026 SKL Spring Field Trip
June 5-7, 2026

 

This year's SKL field trip will take place at Ballard and Boatwright WMAs from Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, with back-up dates of June 12 through June 14 if weather causes postponement. We will meet at the Fowler Farm hunting lodge, owned by Bill Black's son David (see end of announcement for directions), at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon for anyone wishing to set traps. Dinner will be at Mi Rancho Mexican Grill in nearby LaCenter around 6/6:30 p.m. On Saturday, we'll meet at the Fowler Farm around 9 a.m. before heading into the field.

If you would like to stay at the Fowler Farm lodge, the price is $50 per person/per night, with no meals provided. The lodge houses up to 16 people; contact Gerald Burnett (geralddaleburnett@gmail.com, 270-559-8214) to reserve a spot. Payment will be due the weekend of the field trip. Primitive camping is available for free, no permit required, at Ballard WMA but is restricted to designated camping areas. Paducah (30 minutes away) has many hotel options, and LaCenter (15 minutes away) has a small hotel.  

Species we hope to encounter while mothing include the Spanish Moth (Xanthopastis regnatrix) and the Red-tailed Specter (Euerythra phasma). We'll also be visiting a small wetland habitat where we encountered both Dukes' (Euphyes dukesi) and Dion Skippers (Euphyes dion) during our last Ballard field trip.  

Collecting is allowed 24/7 with no permit required. All roads that we plan on driving should be okay without four-wheel drive.  

Please let me (sfulton93@gmail.com, 859-285-7442) and/or Gerald Burnett (geralddaleburnett@gmail.com, 270-559-8214) know if you will be attending, as well as which day you plan to arrive. Gerald will be our local guide for the trip, so reach out to him if you have any questions about habitat, collecting locations, etc.

Directions to Ballard WMA and Fowler Farm lodge: Thirty miles west of Paducah, on Ohio River. From Paducah take US 60 for 17 miles to LaCenter, take KY 358 North 5.6 miles to KY 1105. Turn west through Bandana, follow KY 1105 to KY 473. Travel 6 miles to Lodge Road. To get to Fowler Farm continue on 473 past the turnoff at Lodge Road for. 9 miles then turn right onto New Hope Church Lane. Physical addresses are Ballard WMA, 864 Wildlife Lodge Road, LaCenter, KY 42056 and Fowler Farm Lodge, 246 New Hope Church Lane, LaCenter, KY 42056.

Hope to see you all there,
Shelby Fulton