Hunting FAQ

Deer Quota Application Period is July 1 to July 31.

Turkey Quota Application Period is February 1 to February 28.

You will need to create an account. You must have an email address unique to each hunter per account.

We cannot create accounts or take applications over the phone.

Refer to the Fact Sheets for Deer, Turkey, and Small Game, Waterfowl and Trapping. Fact Sheets can be found on the Land Between the Lakes hunting page.

NO. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Land Between the Lakes.

A properly licensed hunter may hunt coyotes and coyotes may be taken during daylight hours in any open hunting season with weapons specified for that season. During February, center-fire rifles and handguns, and shotguns with shot size T or smaller may be used for coyotes. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Land Between the Lakes.

NO. Hog hunting is prohibited at Land Between the Lakes. It is illegal to chase, hunt, transport, or release feral hogs on Land Between the Lakes. Those caught are subject to citation.

Hunting feral hogs in Land Between the Lakes is illegal. Throughout the country, research and management efforts have shown that hunting does not control feral hog numbers. Specifically, hunting pressure causes hogs to go nocturnal and actually promotes their spread as they seek areas with less human disturbance. Successful control and removal efforts have very limited success when competing with concurrent pressure from recreational hog hunting. Instead, we are pursuing a cooperative strategy for intensive trapping and removal efforts to effectively control the hog population. Learn more on our feral hog information page.

Licenses & Permits

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.

Quota hunt permit (if applicable). To hunt deer with firearms, hunters must apply during the month of July and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit. To hunt during the first several days of spring turkey season, hunters must apply during February and be drawn for a quota turkey hunt permit.

Trapping permit (if applicable)

Youth Hunter Safety form (if applicable)

Hunters may use printed or digital documentation with proof of identity.

A. The LBL Z-map ($5) or Recreation Map ($16) are available at the visitor centers and campgrounds. They can also be downloaded and printed from our maps page.

B. Restricted Road Access – The roads closed to allow walk-in areas will be barricaded and highlighted on maps at the hunter check stations, and on maps on the website listed above (look for “Turkey Hunt Walk-In Maps”). North & South Maps are available and can be printed from the LBL website. In addition, the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), the habitat maps, and the hunt area maps are available on the website. Maps of the campgrounds are also available.

Areas are only assigned for quota deer hunts. While other hunting does not have areas assigned, it is unlawful to hunt within 150 yards of any developed area or trail. Additionally, wildlife refuges, Nature Watch Areas, safety zones around facilities, and trails are closed to hunting.

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.

Check the Recreation Map or the Hunt Areas maps on the LBL Maps page. Most of the areas are bounded by roads.

In Kentucky, anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975, and in Tennessee, anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1969, must possess a hunter safety card while hunting, unless the person is exempted by state regulations. Children age 12 & up in KY and age 10 & up in TN are required to have one. Regulations are also available through the Kentucky Dept. of Fish & WildlifeResources or Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

You have to have the state licenses for the state where you are hunting. You can hunt in both states if you have licenses in both states. The LBL Hunter Use Permit is valid in both states. For deer hunting, only one antlered deer can be taken in LBL even if you are hunting both states.

Camping is available at campgrounds and camping areas. Reservations can be made for our larger developed campgrounds and camping is also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out more info on our rules and regulations page.

Primitive cabins are available at Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry, and Piney Campgrounds from March 1 through November 30. Wranglers Campground offers primitive cabins year-round.

Basic and dispersed camping requires a permit for each person ages 18 & older. The basic/dispersed camping permit is $50 for an annual permit or $10 for a three-day permit. Dispersed camping is permitted anywhere in Land Between the Lakes except in the Nature Watch Demonstration Areas, Brandon Spring Group Center, fee campgrounds, cemeteries, picnic areas, and within 200 yards of US Hwy 68/80, The Trace, Silver Trail Road, Mulberry Flat Road, and Fort Henry Road.

Dispersed camping permits can be purchased online or at our facilities.

Anyone age 18 and older needs a basic or dispersed camping permit. For basic or dispersed camping. See our rules and regulations page.

Feral swine have been confirmed in Land Between the Lakes. We are working with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and state wildlife agencies to eradicate wild hogs on LBL.  Learn more on our Feral Hog Info page.

Hunting feral hogs in Land Between the Lakes is illegal. Throughout the country, research and management efforts have shown that hunting does not control feral hog numbers. Specifically, hunting pressure causes hogs to go nocturnal and actually promotes their spread as they seek areas with less human disturbance. Successful control and removal efforts have very limited success when competing with concurrent pressure from recreational hog hunting. Instead, we are pursuing a cooperative strategy for intensive trapping and removal efforts to effectively control the hog population.

Visitors who observe feral hogs or their sign (rooting damage, tracks, wallows, etc.) at Land Between the Lakes should fill out a report form: Report Hog Sightings

All that is needed is the required state fishing license. Learn more through our Fishing Fact Sheet.

State regulations limit what wildlife species and how those species can be hunted from a boat, so check current state regulations for the species you are hunting. Generally, it is not legal to hunt from a boat under motorized power (neither electric or fuel powered engines). TVA and the Corps of Engineers also likely have legal limitations on firing a weapon from the lake surface, which are their legal jurisdictions. Hunters that plan to hunt on LBL but want to access the land using a boat is legal.

Note: Any deer carcass harvested must not cross a state line when transporting it back to the dock or boat ramp and the deer must be checked at an LBL check station.

A. LBL has a stewardship agreement with the https://www.nwtf.org/ (NWTF). The NWTF helps us with forest and open land management for wildlife habitat.

Yes, there are prescribed burns planned for this upcoming year, weather permitting. They will blacken an area for a short time, but in the long run, will help to stimulate and improve wildlife habitat. Please check our Alerts page for the latest updates and information.

No. Even though the state of Kentucky may say you can hunt fallow deer elsewhere in the state, they cannot be hunted on Land Between the Lakes. Learn how to tell the difference between fallow and white-tailed deer in our Deer Identification Fact Sheet.

No, but you can hunt within Turkey Bay OHV Area; however, you cannot hunt within 150 yards of any trail and cannot have a loaded weapon on a vehicle, and the area only allows archery hunting for deer. You cannot take a motorized vehicle off of a legal road (or trail at Turkey Bay) either.

No, you cannot drive or park more than one vehicle length off of a legal road.

No, Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is the only designated area for UTV/ATVs. If archery hunting at Turkey Bay OHV Area, you cannot take a motorized vehicle off of a legal road or trail.

A. Electric bikes, or e-Bikes, are considered motorized equipment and can only be operated on designated motorized routes (Forest Service legal roads and OHV trails). They are not permitted on non-motorized (hiking/biking/equestrian) trails. To learn more about our motorized routes, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map.

A. There are no discounts available for the LBL Hunter Use Permit.

Use of thermal imagery or infrared optics to locate any game species is prohibited. Use of any artificial light to locate wildlife is prohibited at all times except while hunting raccoons or opossums.

The placement of bait or hunting over bait, including food or mineral substances, is prohibited.

All game cameras are only allowed on LBL 2 weeks prior to any open deer or turkey season and must be removed within one week post season. All property being used on LBL 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.

Any weapon carried while hunting must be limited to those legal for hunting the game pursued according to state regulations. If the weapon being carried for self-defense is legal for hunting a game animal that is in season and that the hunter is licensed to hunt on LBL, then it would be permissible. It should not be concealed while hunting.

Yes; remember that there is still a one buck total for LBL per season, regardless of which state it was harvested. See our Hunting page for full information, including bag limits.

Maximum per state IF you are drawn for a quota hunt also in that state: (counts toward statewide bag limit):

*Remember that there is still a one buck total for LBL per season, regardless of which state it was harvested.

1. Kentucky= 2 during quota + 2 during KY archery + 2 during TN archery= 6 deer total*
2. Tennessee= 2 during quota + 2 during TN archery + 2 during KY archery= 6 deer total*

Yes, but be sure to pay attention to deer hunting rules, regulations, and archery season dates for LBL. There is a one buck total for LBL per season, regardless of which state it was harvested. See our Hunting page for full information, including bag limits. 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). To hunt deer with firearms, hunters must apply during the month of July and be drawn for a quota deer hunt permit. To hunt during the first several days of spring turkey season, hunters must apply during February and be drawn for a quota turkey hunt permit.
• Trapping permit (if applicable)
• Hunters may use printed or digital documentation with proof of identity.
• Permits can not be changed, altered, or transferred to another hunter.

You can use anything non-motorized, such as a horse, mule, cart, dolly, or hunting partner. ATV/UTV use is not allowed. Electronic bikes, or e-Bikes, are considered motorized equipment and can only be operated on designated motorized routes (Forest Service legal roads and OHV trails). They are not permitted on non-motorized (hiking/biking/equestrian) trails. To learn more about our motorized routes, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Someone can accompany you on your hunt to take pictures and does not need a hunting permit as long as he/she is not carrying a weapon. However, if the hunter has 2 weapons usable for hunting carried into the woods with them, then they would also have to have a license and LBL Hunter Use Permit.

No, all motorized vehicles must stay on the paths where they can be legally driven. On LBL, electric bikes and carts cannot be legally used on trails or access roads. Electric bikes, or e-Bikes, are considered motorized equipment and can only be operated on designated motorized routes (Forest Service legal roads and OHV trails). They are not permitted on non-motorized (hiking/biking/equestrian) trails. To learn more about our motorized routes, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Duck hunters who hunt from the shores of LBL or launch their boat from an LBL boat ramp or shoreline must carry an LBL Hunter Use Permit. If they are hunting offshore and access that site by boat, then they do not need an LBL Hunter Use Permit. If they come ashore to eat lunch or to cut branches for their blind, they must have a LBL Hunter Use Permit.

Hunters calling to ask about registering to hunt from a blind or looking to participate in a drawing for duck blinds will need to contact the Corps of Engineers for Lake Barkley and TVA for Kentucky Lake; otherwise they should contact the state wildlife agency for more info.C. See the Small Game & Waterfowl tab on our Hunting page for more information.