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.
Hunting Season Calendar:
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.
Hunting with Land Between the Lakes
Hunting is a popular recreational activity and is an integral part of our wildlife management program at Land Between the Lakes. In the absence of large predators, hunting helps to maintain healthy populations of such species 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 back-country areas. Many hunters bring their families and stay in one of the area resorts.
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 at Welcome Stations, Visitor Center, and anywhere Kentucky and Tennessee State hunting licenses are sold:
- Hunter Use Permit, $25 fee
- Hunter Use Permit + Basic Camping Combo, $75 fee
- Quota Hunt Online Application, $10 fee
Kentucky Deer Hunting Dates 2021-2022
- Youth Quota Hunt November 6-7
- Regular Quota Hunt November 12-14
Archery & Crossbow
- September 25- November 4
- November 8 – 10
- November 15 – January 17, 2022
Tennessee Deer Hunting Dates 2021-2022
- Youth Quota Hunt — October 23-24
- Regular Quota Hunts November 20-21 and December 3-4
Archery & Crossbow
- September 25 -October 21
- October 25-November 18
- November 22-December 1
- December 5-January 2, 2022
Deer Hunting Resources
Deer Hunting Results
Turkey Hunting Season 2022
Kentucky Turkey
- Quota Hunts
- YOUTH – April 2-3
- April 9-10
- April 14-15
- Non-Quota Hunts
- April 16- May 8
Tennessee Turkey
- Quota Hunts
- YOUTH – April 9-10
- April 12-13
- April 16-17
- Non-Quota Hunts
- April 18- May 1
Trapping Season 2022
The Land Between the Lakes trapping season is January 15-30, 2022 in Kentucky Hunt Areas 3, 4, 5, and Tennessee Hunt Areas 12 and 14. There will also be a beaver trapping season February 1-28 in Kentucky and Tennessee in all Hunt Areas. Areas closed to hunting are also closed to trapping.
Print, complete, sign, and mail 2022 Trapping Permit 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, signed form to: [email protected]
Applications will be reviewed, signed and returned to the applicants.
- 2022 Trapping Report Form for Land Between the Lakes:
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. - See Small Game, Waterfowl, and Trapping Fact Sheet for more information.
Small Game Hunting Season 2021-2022
State Hunting Information
Rules and Regulations
- Be sure to read Land Between the Lakes General Hunting Rules as well as the Rules and Regulations before you hunt. If you are camping, read the Camping Rules.