ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
[ Photo Journal ]Click below to see photos from a recent NWTF hunt at LBL in the northern Tennesee area and Kentucky Lake, sponsored by Hunter’s Specialties and Garry Mason’s Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. |
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Land Between the
Lakes: It’s complicated, but worth the effort
By P.J. Perea
Covering more than 170,000 acres between Kentucky and Tennessee, the USDA Forest Service’s Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. For more than 40 years, hunters have roamed the hardwood ridges and river bottoms in pursuit of deer and turkeys on this incredible public area.
The USDA Forest Service administers deer and turkey hunts on LBL through a lottery quota system. Since LBL spans two states, there are two sets of regulations regarding limits and hunting dates. Hunters should tackle the area with as much information as possible. Here’s a primer to get you started:
The Low-Down on Hunting LBL
- A major ice storm hit LBL in January 2009, resulting in a lot of downed trees and broken limbs. The greatest damage was on the north end of LBL, and many broken and/or dying limbs remain in the treetops. Be wary of the condition of trees and overhead limbs, particularly when hunting from tree stands.
- Beginning in 2009, all youth hunters at LBL must have attended a hunter safety course and carry written proof of attendance. The new rule is a safety precaution, because LBL is a multiple-use recreation area and other recreationists may be present during hunts.
- The new online quota hunt application system will be available from July 1 through July 31, 2010 for deer hunters and in February 2011. Click here to apply online. www.usedirect.com/quotahunt
- A new LBL Public Access Roads and Hunt Area Map has replaced any older versions. It’s available to view or print www.lbl.org, or purchase one at LBL welcome stations for $3.
Deer Hunting LBL
- LBL deer are bonus deer and do not count towards statewide bag limits. There is an LBL-wide one-buck limit.
- European Fallow deer are present in the Kentucky portion of LBL, but are not legal to hunt. (To identify fallow deer, request a “Deer of Land Between The Lakes” information sheet.)
- An LBL Hunter Use Permit is required for all hunters ages 16 and older, in addition to state licenses and tags. Various permits can be purchased anywhere Kentucky and Tennessee state hunting licenses are sold.
- Portable stands and climbing devices that do not injure trees may be used. All must display the name and address of the owner and placed on trees no more than two weeks before the hunting season. They must be removed within one week following a hunting season or portion of a split season.
- The entire LBL area is open to bowhunting during archery season except Nature Watch Areas, wildlife refuges, safety zones around facilities and other areas posted as closed. Some closed areas may be opened to bowhunting in December and January, call (270) 924-2065 for a list of areas or go to www.lbl.org.
Turkey Hunting LBL
- The bag limit for the Kentucky side of LBL is one turkey with a visible beard, whether it was harvested on a quota hunt or not. The Kentucky statewide spring bag limit is two turkeys, including turkeys harvested at LBL.
- Tennessee’s bag limit includes two turkeys with visible beards; however, only one turkey may be taken during each of the spring hunts.
- Hunters harvesting a turkey in an LBL quota hunt (Kentucky or Tennessee) may not hunt during the April Tennessee hunt. A quota hunt turkey is a bonus turkey in Tennessee and does not count towards the
- Tennessee statewide bag limit, but does count toward the LBL limit of two turkeys.
Shooting hours throughout LBL are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Get the full scoop
For additional LBL hunting information, including season dates, required permits, bag limits are more, visit www.lbl.org.
Check out these other great resources on LBL and the surrounding area: www.lakebarkley.org and www.explorekentuckylake.com. Both lakes provide abundant fishing and recreational opportunities.