In the year 1774 the original owner of the land surrounding Treasure Hill’s Lodge, Howard Lekain, is said to have buried his considerable “fortune” of gold and silver in a cave or caves on the property near the original homestead to keep it out of the hands of the invading British.  Mr. Larkain never told a soul, even his family (but it is said he left a map on a deer hide no one could read) where the fortune was hidden and soon after the Revolutionary War ended Mr. Lekain passed away.  Many of the owners of the land since have searched for the fortune without success.  Having been given a tour of the property and seeing some (just some) of the many caves and deep crevices located there as well as the sheer granite rock faced cliffs, it is easy to believe it’s quite possible this treasure could still be buried on the property.   There are many open caves on the property and probably many more that have collapsed over the last 237 years.

 The current “treasure” of this property is the diverse wildlife located here and on the surrounding farms.  Turkey and deer abound, the setting is peaceful and relaxing and the planned development of habitat for small game will enhance the use of the property.  This farm and the surrounding land are definitely the place to be in North-Eastern Kentucky for a get away to pursue Whitetail deer and wild turkey.  The lodge was clean, modern and cozy with panoramic views from the highest point above sea level in Carter County. The ease of driving is a plus, with the trip after exiting Interstate 64 taking less than 20 minutes.

 The Chief Guide and Manager, Mike Back, KNOWS HIS BUSINESS.  He has been a professional videographer and hunting guide for over 10 years and has professional film footage on several outdoor television shows and DVDs offered by such names as Steve’s Outdoor Adventures and Slunger Hollow Productions.  

 The Hunt…

 I arrived late on Tuesday afternoon an hour behind schedule because I felt it safer to sit out a heavy thunderstorm in Huntington, West Virginia than drive on.  I was met near the exit by Mike, and followed him to Treasure Hill.  It was still raining when I arrived at the lodge but had become light enough to scout for possible roosting turkey that evening and then devise a game plan to go after one bird we had watched for over an hour.

 Wake-up was at 4:45 AM, and we were headed to our “spot” to set up well before dawn.  That morning proved the birds to be locked down tight.  Not a Gobbler said a word until well after 8:30 AM.  Like the birds in Virginia, the severe weather that moved through the Deep South and mid Atlantic on Wednesday, April 27^th had affected the turkey, by shutting down their gobbling in the morning and vocalizing sporadically all day long.  With a repeat of Tuesday’s weather on Wednesday afternoon the birds seemed to hunker down and not move or talk to anyone for any reason.   We did spot some at the edges of a couple of fields over a half a mile away but they were being smart and there was no way to approach them through the open cattle pastures without being busted before we ever started.

 Heavy frost and 38 degree temperatures on Thursday morning put the birds deep in the woods, again not gobbling or moving.  We took a different approach on Thursday afternoon and went into the woods after the birds with a run and gun strategy but no matter how much sweet talking we did the big boys had lock jaw again.  It was time to sit at the dinner table after the sun went down and regroup.

 Friday morning brought clear skies, little wind and an extraordinary number of Gobblers sounding off just as the sun was coming over the horizon.  We set up the blind in an ambush point between a pasture and a food plot.  Just at daylight we heard turkeys flying down from their roosts.  Then we spotted them, two boys were at the edge of the food plot, BUT the boys were just that, two Jakes.  One was a typical Eastern bird and the other was a rare color phase which is common to the area and especially the farm which we had located ourselves on that day – COPPER,  yes, a Copper color phase.  The pictures posted with this article do not do these birds justice and to see them strutting around will make the most savvy turkey hunter shake in his boots.  Well, these two Jakes strutted, gobbled (like a boy who’s voice has not changed yet) and just plain hung out around the blind for over 2 hours.  They moved off and all of the sudden behind the blind a full fledged adult Thunder Chicken started sounding off and was closing the distance fast.  Low and behold his entrance was not to be, the “Juvenile Delinquent Jakes” came back….and ran the big Tom off.  The Jakes were so proud of themselves that they hung around the blind for another hour or so strutting and gobbling. 

I could have killed one or both of those Jakes over a dozen times but that was never a consideration on my part.  But let me warn those youngsters now—I will be back next spring and one of those boys has an appointment with some lead.

 We came back to the cabin to eat some lunch and were going to head out to another location for the afternoon.  We decided to turn on the weather report and found out that severe thunderstorms with heavy rain and high winds were moving in.  Flash flood warnings were being issued for all of the areas around Treasure Hill Outfitters and we had bridges and streams all around us.  After we discussed our options we decided it was time to beat a hasty retreat and hit the road before we might not be able to.  Mike Back had to go north and get over the mighty Ohio River before his access would be blocked by the rising waters there and I needed to head six and a half hours do east and get ahead of the bad weather.  I left promising to return soon and I am looking forward to doing just that.

 All in all, this was a GREAT hunt.  If the weather would have been more cooperative I have no doubt I would have connected with a mature Tom Turkey.

 NOTE: Treasure Hill Outfitters has closed since the time this hunt was taken. There has been no word if they will reopen under new management

PHOTOS: Welcoming sign, view from front of lodge, outbuildings and woods, Megan Back with typical color phase eastern and Taylor Carr with copper color phase eastern

By Luanne Bragg

TalkHunting Pro Staffer, Luanne "Beaglepup" Bragg, started hunting (going hunting) with her Grandfather in the fall of 1965.  He loved to squirrel hunt and would carry her into the woods and sit her on a rock and let her hold his prizes.  He took Luanne on her first Pheasant and Rabbit hunts when she was 7.  Shortly after that he had a massive stroke and was never able to return to the woods again.  When Luanne was 9 her Father, who was about to retire from the Marine Corps after 20 years active duty, and Uncle decided that since she could shoot she could remove the ground hogs and crows from the farm fields.  Luanne spent the next few years watching all the wildlife and removing varmints from the farm.  She took herself deer hunting for the first time when she was 15 and took her first deer at 17.  There was a long time between Luanne's first deer and her next deer due to college and work and general life.  She did a lot of small game hunting with her ex-husband starting in 1985 and killed her next deer in 1988.  She has not missed a deer or turkey season since.  When not hunting she is fishing or working in her garden (when not WORKING...).

Luanne has raised, trained and field trialed Beagles in the UKC and ARHA formats for 20 years and has produced several Field and Show Champions and Grand Field and Show Champions.  There is usually at least one litter of puppies born on her place every year.

She holds a Real Estate License in Virginia and owns a Dog Boarding Kennel.  Luanne belongs to the National Association of Realtors, Central Virginia Beaglers Association, NRA, NWTF and Buckmasters.  She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio,  and started showing Appaloosa horses in 1969 and was the Pennsylvania Appaloosa Queen in 1980 and runner up to the National Queen Title the same year. When she gets the chance she still enjoys a long trail ride.  She graduated from Kent State University in Kent Ohio in 1982 with a degree in Applied Science. Luanne relocated from Ohio to Virginia in 1984.