Western Kentucky Hunting

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 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.

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.

WHEN 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.

WILDLIFE MANAGMENT AREAS

NAME	ACRES	COUNTY	PHONE	HUNTING	BOATING	BOW/RIFLE RANGE	CAMPING	FISHING	HIKING TRAILS
Reelfoot Lake	2,500	Fulton	(731) 538-2481	Yes	Yes			Yes	Yes
Obion Creek	3,521	Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle	(270) 753-6913	Yes				Yes
Meadwestvaco	3,600	Hickman, Carlisle	(270) 335-3151	Yes
Winford	237	Carlisle	(270) 753-6913	Yes				Yes
Boatwright	6,975	Ballard, Carlisle	(270) 224-2244	Yes	Yes			Yes
Ballard Hunting Unit	400	Ballard	(270) 224-2244	Yes
Ballard WMA	8,473	Ballard	(270) 224-2244	Yes				Yes	Yes
West Kentucky WMA	6,463	McCracken	(270) 488-3233	Yes				Yes	Yes
Ohio River Islands	1,375	Livingston	(270) 753-6913	Yes
Kaler Bottoms	1,930	Graves	(270) 753-6913	Yes			Yes
Clarks River	8,500	Marshall, Graves, McCracken	(270) 527-5770	Yes				Yes	Yes
Kentucky Lake WMA	3,500	Calloway, Marshall, Lyon	(270) 753-6913	Yes	Yes			Yes
Beechy Creek WMA	122	Calloway	(270) 753-6913	Yes
Land Between the Lakes	107,000	Trigg, Lyon	(270) 924-2065	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes
Lake Barkley WMA	5,429	Trigg, Lyon, Livingston	(615) 736-5181	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fort Campbell	85,000	Christian, Trigg	(270) 798-2175	Yes				Yes
Pennyrile State Forest	14,654	Christian	(270) 753-6913	Yes			Yes	Yes	Yes
Tradewater WMA	724	Hopkins-Christian	270) 753-6913	Yes					Yes
Jones-Keeny WMA	2,250	Caldwell	(270) 753-6913	Yes		Yes
(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