Hunting in Western Kentucky

ONE FOR THE RECORDS! Kentucky’s growing deer herd and turkey flock mean this season will be one of the best years ever to go hunting in the state. Kentucky has 1.6 million acres of land open to the public for hunting — so you broyles deer don’t have to own a farm to enjoy a day afield. Kentucky has one of the country’s highest concentrations of trophy deer in the country. Pictured Left: Roger Broyles’ huge non-typical gun kill from 2004-2005 season had a Boone & Crockett score of 252 4/8. This No. 3 non-typical, of all time, in Kentucky, was taken in Livingston County. Photo courtesy of Roger Broyles

Modern gun season for deer opens in November, while archery season begins in September and runs through January. Kentucky also has spring and fall seasons for turkey. Some of the best hunting in the state is found on public land. Several of these areas are managed under a quota hunt system open to both resident and non-resident hunters. You can apply for many of the quota hunts during the month of September by calling 877-598-2401. Kentucky offers more than just deer and turkey. For small game and waterfowl hunters, Kentucky offers hunting opportunities for quail, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, dove, ducks, geese and more. Hunting licenses are available at many sporting goods stores. Top

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
NAME	ACRES	MAP	COUNTY	PHONE	Hunting	Boating	Bow/Rifle Range	Camping	Fishing	Hiking Trails
Reelfoot Lake	2,500		Fulton	(731) 538-2481	•	•			•	•
Obion Creek	3,521		Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle	(270) 753-6913	•				•
Obion Creek	3,521		Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle	(270) 753-6913	•				•
MEADWESTVACO	3,600		Hickman, Carlisle	(270) 335-3151	•
WINFORD	237		Carlisle	(270) 753-6913	•				•
BOATWRIGHT	6,975		Ballard, Carlisle	(270) 224-2244	•	•			•
BALLARD HUNTING UNIT	400		Ballard	(270) 224-2244	•
Ballard WMA	8,473		Ballard	(270) 224-2244	•				•	•
WEST KENTUCKY WMA	6,463		McCracken	(270) 488-3233	•				•	•
OHIO RIVER ISLANDS	1,375		Livingston	(270) 753-6913	•
KALER BOTTOMS	1,930		Graves	(270) 753-6913	•			•
clarks river	8,500		Marshall, Graves, McCracken	(270) 527-5770	•				•	•
KY LAKE WMA	3,500		Calloway, Marshall, Lyon	(270) 753-6913	•	•			•
KY LAKE WMA	3,500		Calloway, Marshall, Lyon	(270) 753-6913	•	•			•
BEECHY CREEK WMA	122		Calloway	(270) 753-6913	•
LBL	107,000	LBL General Map	Trigg, Lyon	(270) 924-2065	•	•		•	•	•
LAKE BARKLEY WMA	5,429		Trigg, Lyon, Livingston	(615) 736-5181	•	•	•	•	•	•
LAKE BARKLEY WMA	5,429		Trigg, Lyon, Livingston	(615) 736-5181	•	•	•	•	•	•
FORT CAMPBELL	85,000		Christian, Trigg	(270) 798-2175	•				•
PENNYRILE STATE FOREST	14,654		Christian	(270) 753-6913	•			•	•	•
TRADEWATER WMA	724		Hopkins-Christian	270) 753-6913	•					•
JONES-KEENEY WMA	2,250		Caldwell	(270) 753-6913	•		•
(NEW) Livingston co WMA	732		Livingston	More information to come: Management of these tracts is shared between the Livingston County Fiscal Court, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission
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2008 Hunting Seasons

DEER Modern Gun: Zones 1-2 Nov. 8-23, 2008 & Zones 3-4 Nov. 8-17, 2008 Archery: Sept. 6, 2008 - Jan. 19, 2009 Youth Only Firearms: Oct. 11-12, 2008 Muzzleloader Oct 18 - 19 & Dec 13 - 21 2008 Free Youth Hunting Weekend Dec. 27-28, 2008 Crossbow: Oct. 1-19 and Nov. 8 - Dec. 31, 2008 Hunters ages 15 and under may hunt deer with a firearm without a license or deer permit, if accompanied by an adult. (See elsewhere for county zones, harvest restrictions and hunter requirements for each zone.) TURKEY Fall (archery) Sept 6, 2008 - Jan 19, 2009 Fall (crossbow) Oct 1 - 19 & Nov 8 - Dec 31, 2008 Fall (shotgun) Oct 25 - 31 & Dec 6 - 12, 2008 Spring Youth-only April 5 - 6, 2008 Spring April 12 - May 4, 2008 SQUIRREL Fall Aug 16 - Nov 7 & Nov 10, 2008 - Feb 28, 2009 Spring June 7 - 20, 2008 RABBIT & QUAIL Nov 10, 2008 – Feb 10, 2009: In the following counties: Allen, Ballard, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McLean, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, and Webster Nov 1 - 7, 2008; Nov 10, 2008 - Feb 10, 2009 in all other counties WATERFOWL AND OTHER MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING 2008 dates tba DUCKS, COOTS & MERGANSERS • The duck seasons will be split for 2006-2007. The first duck season runs from November 23 (Thanksgiving Day) through November 26, 2006 statewide. The season again opens December 4, 2006 and closes January 28, 2007 statewide. Canvasbacks may now be taken for the entire duck season, but under a 1 duck daily bag limit. • Season dates for mergansers and coots are the same as the duck season dates for 2006-2007 GOOSE • Canada Goose : Extreme western Kentucky - Dec 4, 2006 - Jan 31, 2007. (Fulton County will remain open until Feb 15, 2007 unless quota is met by Jan 31, 2006). Remainder of Kentucky’s Western Lakes & Rivers Region; Dec 13, 2006 - Jan 31, 2007 • White-Fronted Goose Nov 23, 2006 - Jan 31, 2007 • Snow Goose Nov 23, 2006 - Jan 31, 2007 (Fulton County will remain open until Feb 15, 2007) YOUTH WATERFOWL DAYS: Feb 3 - 4, 2007 DOVES: Sept 1, 2006 - Oct 24, 2006 and Nov 23, 2006 - Nov 28, 2006 COMMON SNIPE: Sept 19, 2007; Nov 4, 2007; Nov 22, 2007 - Jan 20, 2008 EARLY WOOD DUCK AND TEAL: Sept 19, 2007 – Sept 23, 2007 In many areas goose hunters are required to register prior to hunting. A federal duck stamp is required for any waterfowl hunting. Proof of hunter education is required for those born Jan 1, 1975 or later. Many of the wildlife management areas have special seasons unique to them. The dates listed here are late 2006 – early 2007. The late 2007 – early 2008 dates had not been set at press time. With all of this in mind, prior to hunting we strongly advise that you contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that you will meet all requirements. 800-858-1549. Website Maintenance by K-Squared Designs, LLC

where you can hunt
On public land

Land Between The Lakes offers more than 230 days of hunting opportunities throughout the year. Six days of spring quota hunts for turkeys (February application required) and 14 days of open season yield a consistently good opportunity. Deer may be hunted during a 115-day fall archery season and three fall quota hunts (July application required), including a youth hunt for hunters 10-15 years old. Hunters will also find opportunities for small game and waterfowl . For more info call 270-924-2065 or 800-LBL-7077

Public Wildlife Areas: Most of the public wildlife areas are owned by various agencies of the state and federal government. Many have special regulations on hunting/fishing or require special permits. Contact before going. Top

Wildlife Management Areas
Hunting Seasons
Hunting Booklets (PDF)
Guide Services

Dann Hughes of Princeton, KY, recently harvested this incredible non-typical, 55 pt. whitetail in western Kentucky using a muzzleloader.

Wildlife Management Area Information, Maps and Booklets provided by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife

Kentucky’s record white-tailed deer ranks among the top 10 in the world!

• The famous hunting team of Harold Knight and David Hale, who created the highly successful Knight & Hale Game Calls, are located in Cadiz, KY. Their national TV show "Ultimate Hunting" features hunting and fishing regularly in western Kentucky.

• Western Kentucky is ranked #7 in the March 2006 edition of "Outdoor Life" ias one of the TOP 10 HOT SPOTS for hunting whitetail deer

Good online source for online articles on hunting and fishing in Kentucky