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
2023-24 Kentucky Turkey Season
- KY Fall Archery Hunt Dates: Fall turkey season is archery only and occurs during the Land Between the Lakes archery deer season. Archery and crossbow hunters may harvest one either-sex turkey with state turkey permit.
- September 2-November 2, 2023
- November 6-15, 2023
- November 20, 2023-December 14, 2023
- December 18, 2023-January 15, 2024
- December 18, 2023-January 15, 2024
- KY Spring Quota Hunts:
- Adult Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 adult quota turkey hunts have ended. 2024 dates will be announced in late 2023.
- Youth Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 youth quota turkey hunts have ended. 2024 dates will be announced in late 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 2024 turkey quota hunts during February 1-28, 2024.
- KY Spring Non-Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 spring turkey hunting season has ended. 2024 hunt dates will be announced in late 2023.
- For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023 Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet
2023-24 Tennessee Turkey Season
- TN Fall Archery Hunt Dates: Fall turkey season is archery only and occurs during the Land Between the Lakes archery deer season. Archery and crossbow hunters may harvest one either-sex turkey with state turkey permit.
- September 2-October 25, 2023
- October 30-November 2, 2023
- November 6-15, 2023
- November 20-December 14, 2023
- December 18, 2023-January 15, 2024
- TN Spring Quota Hunts:
- Adult Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 adult quota turkey hunts have ended. 2024 dates will be announced in late 2023.
- Youth Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 youth quota turkey hunts have ended. 2024 dates will be announced in late 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 2024 turkey quota hunts during February 1-28, 2024.
- TN Spring Non-Quota Hunt Dates: The 2023 spring turkey hunting season has ended. 2024 hunt dates will be announced in late 2023.
- For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023 Turkey Hunting Fact Sheet
Turkey Hunting Resources
- 2024 Quota Hunts: Hunters must apply online through the Quota Hunt Application System during February 2024 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 Permits & Regulations section tab below for required permits, safety requirements, and licenses.
- Purchase Hunter Use Permit
- Turkey Hunt Road Barricades-North
- Turkey Hunt Road Barricades-South
Deer Hunting
2023-2024 Kentucky Deer Hunting Season
- KY Deer Quota Hunts:
- Adult KY Quota Hunt Dates: November 17-19, 2023
- There are no bonus bucks for adult hunters at Land Between the Lakes.
- Youth KY Quota Hunt Dates: November 4-5 & December 16-17, 2023
- Youth ages 15 and younger
- One adult, 21 years or older, must accompany one youth
- All youth drawn for the November 4-5, 2023 LBL Youth Quota Hunt may also hunt the December 16-17, 2023 LBL Youth Quota Hunt in the same hunt area they were drawn to use.
- 2023 Quota Deer Hunt Applications: Hunters can apply online for the deer quota hunts during July 1-31, 2023.
- Adult KY Quota Hunt Dates: November 17-19, 2023
- KY Archery & Crossbow Hunt Dates:
- September 2-November 2, 2023
- November 6-15, 2023
- November 20, 2023-December 14, 2023
- December 18, 2023-January 15, 2024
- Late Season Archery Hunt Dates: Check this webpage at the end of November 2023 for a list of areas that will be open for late-season archery deer hunting during the December and January archery and crossbow seasons, beginning December 1, 2023.
- For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023-2024 Deer Hunting Fact Sheet
2023-2024 Tennessee Deer Hunting Season
- TN Deer Quota Hunts:
- Adult TN Quota Hunt Dates: October 27-29 & November 17-19, 2023
- Youth TN Quota Hunt Dates: November 4-5 & December 16-17, 2023
- Youth ages 6-16
- One adult, 21 years or older, must accompany one youth
- All youth drawn for the November 4-5, 2023 LBL Youth Quota Hunt may also hunt the December 16-17, 2023 LBL Youth Quota Hunt in the same hunt area they were drawn to use.
- 2023 Quota Deer Hunt Applications: Hunters can apply online for the deer quota hunts during July 1-31, 2023.
- TN Archery & Crossbow Hunt Dates:
- September 2-October 25, 2023
- October 30-November 2, 2023
- November 6-15, 2023
- November 20-December 14, 2023
- December 18, 2023-January 15, 2024
- Late Season Archery Hunt Dates: Check this webpage at the end of November 2023 for a list of areas that will be open for late-season archery deer hunting during the December & January archery & crossbow seasons, beginning December 1, 2023.
- For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023-2024 Deer Hunting Fact Sheet
Deer Hunting Resources
- 2023 Quota Hunts: Hunters must apply online through the Quota Hunt Application System during July 2023 and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit.
- Report Your Harvest: Hunters are required to check harvested deer at hunter check stations BEFORE leaving Land Between the Lakes.
- For more information, read the 2023-2024 Deer Hunting Fact Sheet. The Land Between the Lakes Deer Hunting Fact Sheet is the official document that includes the hunt dates. If state agencies indicate something different, this document has precedence.
See Permits & Regulations section tab below for required permits, safety requirements, and licenses.
- Purchase Hunter Use Permit
- Quota Hunt Application System
- 2023-2024 Deer Hunt Fact Sheet
- Deer Identification Information
- Archived Photo Gallery
- CWD & EHD: What’s the Difference?
- Deer Hunting Results | 2020-2021
- Deer Hunting Results | 2019-2020
- Deer Hunting Results | 2018-2019
- Deer Report | 2017
Small Game & Waterfowl
2023-24 Small Game & Waterfowl Season
- For dates, limits, regulations, and guidelines on small game and waterfowl hunting, see the 2023-24 Small Game, Waterfowl, and Trapping Fact Sheet.
- This is the official document that includes hunt dates. If state agencies indicate something different, this document has precedence.
Please Note:
- Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Land Between the Lakes. Persons are prohibited from hunting coyotes from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes prior to sunrise. 36 CFR 261.58(v). This order is established for regulating the night hunting of coyote in order for the protection of visitors, local, state, and federal personnel.
- No hog hunting. It is illegal to chase, hunt, transport, or release feral hogs on Land Between the Lakes. Those caught are subject to citation. Learn more on our feral hog information webpage.
Small Game & Waterfowl Hunting Resources
- Purchase Hunter Use Permit
- For more information, read the 2023-24 Small Game, Waterfowl, and Trapping Fact Sheet. This is the official document that includes hunt dates. If state agencies indicate something different, this document has precedence.
Trapping
2024 Kentucky & Tennessee Trapping Season
- Trapping Season: January 8-21, 2024
- Beaver Trapping Season: February 1-29, 2024.
- Trapping is only permitted in Hunt Areas 2, 6, 7, 11, and 13.
- All trappers must possess a Hunter Use Permit and a Trapping Permit plus the appropriate state trapping license.
- Areas closed to hunting are also closed to trapping.
- All state and federal regulations apply for trapping including legal traps, sets, species, limits, reporting, and tagging requirements.
- All traps must display owner’s name and address.
- For limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2023-24 Small Game, Waterfowl, and Trapping Fact Sheet.
Trapping Permit Application
- Print, complete, and sign the 2024 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
- 2024 Trapping Report Form: COMING SOON. 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
- Purchase Hunter Use Permit
- For more information, read the 2023-24 Small Game, Waterfowl, and Trapping Fact Sheet. This is the official document that includes hunting and trapping dates. If state agencies indicate something different, this document has precedence.
Permits & Regulations
Permits
- Hunters may use printed or digital documentation with proof of identity.
- Permits can not be changed, altered, or transferred to another hunter.
All hunters ages 16 and over must have in their possession at all times:
Land Between the Lakes Hunter 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)
Hunter Safety Requirements
- All hunters must possess a hunter safety card as required by state regulations for the state portion of Land Between the Lakes in which they are hunting.
- All hunters and youth sponsors must wear visible items of hunter orange as required by state regulations.
- Adults accompanying youth hunters are not required to have a hunting license or LBL Hunter Use Permit, unless the youth has not completed a hunter safety course, in which case respective state regulations apply.
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”.
- All State and Federal Regulations Apply. The two most common hunting violations are carrying a loaded or uncased firearm in a vehicle and driving on illegal roads or in fields.
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 Central Hunter Check Station (KY), North Welcome Station (KY), or South Welcome Station (TN).
- 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
- 2024 Trapping Report Form: COMING SOON. 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].
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.
