Hunting – Land Between the Lakes

Important Links

Advisory: While most of Land Between the Lakes was unaffected by tornado damage, there are significant areas of damaged timber. Care needs to be taken when hunting in and around these areas. Beware of loose overhead limbs as well as logging operations. Check out the vicinity map.

Hunting Information

Turkey Hunting

2023 Kentucky Turkey Season

KY Spring Quota Hunts:
- Adult Quota Hunt Dates: April 11-12 & April 15-16, 2023
- Youth Quota Hunt Dates: April 1-2 & April 8-9, 2023
  - Youth ages 15 and younger
  - One adult, 21 years or older, must accompany one youth
  - Youth drawn can hunt both weekends
- Quota Turkey Hunt Applications: Hunters can apply online for the turkey quota hunts during February 1-28, 2023.
KY Spring Non-Quota Hunt Dates: April 17-May 7, 2023
KY Fall Archery Hunt Dates: Fall turkey season is archery only and occurs during the Land Between the Lakes archery deer season. Fall archery dates will be announced later in 2023.
For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023 Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet

2023 Tennessee Turkey Season

TN Spring Quota Hunts:
- Adult Quota Hunt Dates: April 11-12 & April 15-16, 2023
- Youth Quota Hunt Dates: April 1-2 & April 8-9, 2023
  - Youth ages 6-16
  - One adult, 21 years or older, must accompany one youth
  - Youth drawn can hunt both weekends
- Quota Turkey Hunt Applications: Hunters can apply online for the turkey quota hunts during February 1-28, 2023.
TN Spring Non-Quota Hunt Dates: April 17-May 7, 2023
TN Fall Archery Hunt Dates: Fall turkey season is archery only and occurs during the Land Between the Lakes archery deer season. Fall archery dates will be announced later in 2023.
For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023 Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet

Turkey Hunting Resources

Quota Hunts: Hunters must apply online through the Quota Hunt Application System during February 2023 and be drawn for a quota turkey hunt permit. Quota turkey hunters are not assigned to specific hunt areas. Hunt Area 1 or Area 2 is the default display on the application website, but hunters who are drawn for the quota hunt will be able to hunt any open hunt area within their respective state portion of Land Between the Lakes.
Report Your Harvest: Hunters are required to self-check harvested turkeys at Hunter Check Stations or Welcome Stations before leaving Land Between the Lakes.
More Information: 2023 Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet
See Rules and Regulations section tab for required permits and licenses
Purchase Hunter Use Permit
Turkey Hunt Road Barricades-North
Turkey Hunt Road Barricades-South

Deer Hunting

2022-23 Kentucky Deer Season

Quota and firearm deer hunting for the 2022 season is over. To hunt deer with firearms for the 2023-24 season, hunters must apply online during the month of July 2023 and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit.
KY archery and crossbow deer hunting for the 2022-2023 season has ended. 2023-2024 archery dates will be announced later in 2023.

2022-23 Tennessee Deer Season

Quota and firearm deer hunting for the 2022-23 season is over. To hunt deer with firearms for the 2023-24 season, hunters must apply online during the month of July 2023 and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit.
TN archery and crossbow deer hunting for the 2022-2023 season has ended. 2023-2024 archery and crossbow dates will be announced later in 2023.

Deer Hunting Resources

In response to the discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer in Tennessee, close to the Kentucky border, both states have issued alerts warning hunters of the risks associated with CWD and with the guidance for deer harvesting in the area. See updates and guidelines on CWD in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Small Game & Waterfowl

2022-23 Small Game & Waterfowl Season

For dates, regulations, and guidelines on small game and waterfowl hunting, see the 2022-23 Small Game Hunting Fact Sheet.

Trapping

2023 Kentucky Trapping Season

January 14-30, 2023 in Kentucky Hunt Areas 3, 4, 5.
Beaver trapping season: February 1-28, 2023 in all Hunt Areas.
Areas closed to hunting are also closed to trapping.

2023 Tennessee Trapping Season

January 14-30, 2023 in Tennessee Hunt Areas 10, 12, and 14.
Beaver trapping season: February 1-28, 2023 in all Hunt Areas.
Areas closed to hunting are also closed to trapping.

Trapping Permit Application

Print, complete, and sign the 2023 Trapping Permit Application
Mail completed application to:
USDA Forest Service-Land Between the Lakes
Attn: Trapping Application
100 Van Morgan Drive
Golden Pond, KY 42211
Or scan and email completed and signed application to: [email protected]
Applications will be reviewed, signed, and returned to the applicants.

Trapping Report Form

2023 Trapping Report Form: This form must be printed and carried throughout the season for reporting purposes and mailed to the address above at the end of the season.

Trapping Resources

All trappers must possess a Hunter Use Permit and a Trapping Permit plus the appropriate state trapping license.

Permits & Regulations

Permits

All hunters ages 16 and over must have in their possession at all times:
Land Between the Lakes H unter Use Permit. Hunter Use Permits are $25 and are valid for one year from date of purchase. The Hunter Use Permit is available for purchase online, in-person at the Welcome Stations and Visitor Center, or anywhere Tennessee state hunting licenses are sold. It is currently unavailable where Kentucky state hunting licenses are sold.
Applicable state hunting licenses- ie: must hunt in Kentucky if hunter possesses a Kentucky state license. There is not a reciprocal agreement between states. State hunting licenses are not sold at Land Between the Lakes and must be purchased prior to hunting.
Quota hunt permit (if applicable)
Trapping permit (if applicable)
Youth Hunter Safety form (if applicable)
Hunters may use printed or digital documentation with proof of identity.
Permits can not be changed, altered, or transferred to another hunter.

Rules & Regulations

Be sure to read Land Between the Lakes Hunting Rules as well as the General Rules and Regulations before you hunt.
If you are camping, read the Camping Rules.
For specific information on hunting seasons, bag limits, etc., click on the tabs above for each game species and read its corresponding "fact sheet".

Reporting Your Harvest

Deer and Turkey

All harvested deer and turkeys must be reported BEFORE leaving Land Between the Lakes.
During business hours hunters must check in their harvested deer and turkeys at the North/South Welcome Stations or Central Hunter Check Station.
After hours or when the check station is not staffed, hunters must self-check their harvested deer and turkeys at a Welcome Station or at the Central Hunter Check Station by completing a Harvest Self Check Out Card. They can be found in the brochure rack located at the check stations.
In addition to Land Between the Lakes reporting, hunters must also comply with all Kentucky or Tennessee harvest reporting regulations, i.e. telecheck.

Trapping

2023 Trapping Report Form: This form must be printed and carried throughout the season for reporting purposes and mailed to the address above at the end of the season.

State Hunting Information

Hunting at Land Between the Lakes

Hunting is a popular recreational activity and is an integral part of our wildlife management program. In the absence of large predators, hunting helps to maintain healthy populations of species such as white-tailed deer.

With thousands of acres teeming with game and over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, Land Between the Lakes offers an impressive variety of hunting opportunities and more than 250 days a year of in-season hunting. Hunters will find white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, and other forest game species abundant.

We offer annual spring turkey and squirrel hunts, fall/winter hunts for deer, waterfowl, and a variety of small game species. Hunters can also enjoy a variety of camping choices, from the convenience of our developed campgrounds to the rustic adventure of camping in our dispersed areas. For more detailed hunting information, email us at [email protected].

Hunter Use Permits

All hunters age 16 and over must have a Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit and applicable state licenses- ie: must hunt in Kentucky if hunter possesses a Kentucky state license.

The Annual Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit is available online, in-person at the Welcome Stations and Visitor Center, or anywhere Tennessee State hunting licenses are sold.

Hunter Use Permits are valid for one year from date of purchase.