General Hunting Rules and Regulations
Permits
- 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.
- 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.
Reporting Your Harvest:
- Be sure to report your harvest as occurring on Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. In addition to Land Between the Lakes harvest reporting, hunters must also comply with all Kentucky or Tennessee harvest reporting regulations, i.e. Telecheck.
- All deer and turkey harvested on Land Between the Lakes must be checked at the Hunter Check Station or North or South Welcome Stations before leaving the recreation unit. Self-check forms are available when stations are unstaffed.
Rules of the Road:
- Remember to observe all applicable state and federal regulations.
- Licensed motorized vehicles permitted on numbered roads only. You can find these roads on our Hunt Recreation Maps and Motorized Vehicle Use Map online under “Maps” here. Other roads are for administrative access only.
- Parking is permitted within one vehicle length of a legal road. Avoid blocking emergency vehicle access to any road or trail. Please refrain from rutting fields and roads.
- Vehicles classified as off-highway vehicles are only allowed in the Turkey Bay
Off-Highway Vehicle Area and require a riding permit.
General Hunting Rules & Regulations:
- 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.
- When transporting firearms in a vehicle, keep them cased and unloaded in both chamber and magazine.
- It is unlawful to discharge a firearm or other implement capable of taking human life within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area OR across or on a Forest Development Road or a body of water adjacent to a road, or in a manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge, OR into a cave.
- It is unlawful to hunt within 150 yards of any developed area or trail.
- Nature Watch Areas, wildlife refuges, safety zones around facilities, and other posted areas are closed to hunting.
- The placement of bait or hunting over bait, including food or mineral substances, is prohibited.
- Harassing animals or hunting out of season is prohibited.
- Do not leave campfire rings/rocks in fields or roads.
- Use of any artificial light to locate wildlife is prohibited at all times.
- Do not use paint, tape, flagging, or other artificial materials to mark trees, trails, or routes.
- Hunters must not be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
- Temporary blinds are permitted and must be removed at the end of the hunt season.
- Use of thermal imagery or infrared optics to locate any game species is prohibited.
- All game cameras are only allowed on Land Between the Lakes 30 days prior to any open deer or turkey season and must be removed 30 days post season. All property being used on Land Between the Lakes must have the name, address, and phone number of the owner permanently affixed to it. Any property located and found to be in violation of the above requirements will be removed.
- To protect the future of hunting, please remain courteous and helpful to our visitors.
Deer Hunting
- Hunting deer from horseback or with dogs is prohibited.
- Turkey Bay OHV Area is an archery-only area for deer hunting.
- Portable tree stands and climbing devices that do not injure trees are permitted. All property must have name, address, and phone number of owner permanently affixed to it. Stands may be hung 2 weeks prior to season and must be removed within 1 week post season.
- Deer hunters must apply online during the month of July and be computer drawn for a quota deer hunt permit to hunt using firearms.
Small Game Hunting
- Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited.
- Hunting dogs must have current rabies vaccinations. Dogs must wear collars identifying owner, address, and phone number.
- Small game hunting from horseback is permitted.
- Air guns are permitted for small game in both Kentucky and Tennessee according to state regulations. Tennessee allows the use of air guns for furbearers and crow.
- All trappers must possess a Hunter Use Permit and a Trapping Permit plus the appropriate state trapping license.
Quota Hunts
- Quota Hunt Application System
- Turkey hunters must apply online during February and be computer drawn for a quota turkey hunt permit for the first spring’s hunt using firearms.
- Deer hunters must apply online during the month of July and be computer drawn for a quota deer hunt permit to hunt using firearms.
- Quota hunt permits must be with the hunter while hunting. All hunters 16 and older must possess a Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit.
