LBL | Deer Hunting Guide
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DEER HUNTING INFORMATION

2009-2010

To report a violation call 1-877-861-2457

New for 2009: 2009 Ice Storm: A major ice storm hit LBL in January 2009, causing a lot of downed trees and limb breakage. The greatest damage was on the north end of LBL, and many broken and/or dying limbs remain in the treetops. Hunters should be wary of the condition of trees and overhead limbs, particularly when hunting from treestands.

Quality Deer Management (QDM): Deer harvests in 2008 on LBL showed different patterns for the two state portions. A positive trend continued on the Tennessee portion, with a small increase in the buck harvest and 36% yearling bucks in the adult buck harvest. In Kentucky , there was a small decrease in the harvest and the percent yearling bucks increased to 48%, indicating increased pressure on the KY buck herd. To allow more bucks to reach older age classes, and to allow the Kentucky herd to increase, the number of quota hunts on the Kentucky portion will be reduced from three to two for 2009. All quota hunt permits will continue to be either sex permits, and hunters are encouraged to harvest does.

Archery and Crossbow Seasons: Closing the archery season five days before each quota hunt in 2008 showed mixed results for quota hunts and reduced hunting opportunities for archers. For 2009, we will return to the previous rule of closing archery season during quota hunts and one day immediately before each quota hunt.

New Youth Hunter Regulation: Beginning in 2009, all youth hunters at LBL must have attended a hunter safety course and carry written proof of attendance. This new rule is a safety precaution because LBL is a multiple-use recreation area and other recreationists may be present during hunts. Click here for NEW - 09 Youth Hunter Safety Instructions

Online Quota Hunt Applications: The new online quota hunt application system will be available from July 1 through July 31, 2009. To apply online click on this link.

New LBL Map: The LBL Public Access Roads and Hunt Area Map is no longer available. It has been replaced by the new LBL Recreation Map. This map is available to view or print online at www.lbl.org, or can purchased at LBL Welcome Stations for $3.

HUNTING SEASONS

KENTUCKY:

Quota Hunts

Oct. 24-25 - Youth Hunt

Nov. 20-21

Archery Sept. 26- Jan. 18 Except for quota hunt days and one day immediately before each quota hunt.
Crossbow Oct. 1-18, Nov. 14-18, and Nov. 22- Dec. 31

TENNESSEE:

Quota Hunts

Oct. 24-25 - Youth Hunt

Nov. 13-14

Nov. 28-29

Archery and Crossbow Sept. 26- Jan. 18 Except for quota hunt days and one day immediately before each quota hunt.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Bag Limits (Kentucky and Tennessee): LBL deer are bonus deer and do not count towards statewide bag limits. There is an LBL-wide one buck limit.

Archery: Two white-tailed deer, including one antlered buck, unless a buck has already been harvested on LBL.

Quota Hunt: One deer either sex unless a buck has already been harvested on LBL.

All Hunts:

  • Antlered bucks in KY must have any visible antler above the hair line, excluding button bucks.
  • In TN, antlered bucks must have one three-inch antler.
  • Coyotes and hogs are legal game during any hunting season with weapons specified for that season.
  • European Fallow deer are present on the KY portion of LBL. Fallow deer are not legal to hunt. (To identify fallow deer, request “Deer of Land Between The Lakes” information sheet.)

Hunter Use Permits: An LBL Hunter Use Permit is required for all hunters age 16 and older, in addition to state licenses and tags. Hunter Use Permits may be purchased as follows: $20 Hunter Use Permit, $25 combination Hunter Use Permit/Backcountry Camping Permit (age 18 and older). Permits can be purchased at LBL Welcome Stations (open daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mar. - Nov.), the Golden Pond Visitor Center (open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. year-round), by mail, or anywhere KY & TN state hunting licenses are sold. (Note: Combination permit not available on the KY state licensing system.)

State Licenses and Tags:
Kentucky: In addition to an LBL Hunter Use Permit, hunters must possess a valid KY hunting license and a valid state deer hunting permit.

Tennessee: In addition to an LBL Hunter Use Permit, hunters must have either a Sportsman's License, Young Sportsman's License, or a Hunting and Fishing Combination License (Type 01) accompanied by either a Big Game Gun (Type 09), Big Game Archery (Type 10), or Big Game Muzzleloader (Type 11) license according to state regulations.

Hunter Safety Requirement: All hunters must possess a hunter safety card according to state regulations. Beginning in 2009, all youth hunters (under age 16 in KY, and 6-16 in TN) must have attended a hunter safety course and carry written proof of attendance. This new rule is a safety precaution because LBL is a multiple-use recreation area and other recreationists may be present during hunts.

Tree Stands: Portable stands and climbing devices that do not injure trees may be used. All portable stands must display the name and address of the owner. Portable stands may be placed on trees no more than two weeks before the hunting season and must be removed within one week following a hunting season or portion of a split season. Nails, spikes, screw-in devices, wire, or other devices which injure trees must not be used for attaching stands or climbing trees.

Feral Hogs: have been illegally released on LBL. Hogs may be harvested during any hunting season with weapons specified for that season. Harvested hogs must be checked at LBL hunter check stations or the Golden Pond Administrative Office. Please immediately report any hog sightings at 270-924-2233.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

  • Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted only on roads which are marked by numbered signs and corresponding numbers on the LBL Recreation Map and MVUM. Other LBL roads are for administrative access or trails, but are not legal to drive on.
  • Unlicensed motorized vehicles, including four-wheelers, are allowed only in the Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area and require a permit.
  • Parking is permitted within one vehicle length of a legal road. Blocking access to any road or trail is prohibited. Rutting of fields is prohibited. Do not leave campfire rings (rocks) in fields.
  • Firearms possessed during legal hunting season by licensed hunters must be cased and unloaded (chamber and magazine) while being transported in a motorized vehicle.
  • Spotlighting or the use of any artificial lights to locate wildlife is prohibited at all times.
  • Hunting deer from horseback or hunting deer with the use of dogs is prohibited.
  • Paint, tape, flagging, or other artificial materials shall not be used to mark trees, trails, or routes.
  • No discharge of a firearm or other implement capable of taking animal life within 150 yards of any developed area.
  • The placement of bait or hunting over bait, including food or mineral substances, is prohibited on LBL.
  • Wildlife refuges are closed to all hunting year-round and closed to human entry during the refuge period.
  • Nature Watch Areas are closed to hunting unless otherwise indicated.
  • Hunters must not be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
  • All applicable state and federal regulations must be observed.
  • To protect the future of hunting, hunters are encouraged to be sensitive and courteous to other visitors.

QUOTA HUNTS

Permits: To participate in a Quota Deer Hunt, hunters must apply during the month of July and be selected in a computer drawing. Hunters selected will receive an LBL Quota Hunt Permit. Areas and/or dates cannot be changed, and a permit cannot be transferred to another hunter. Persons under age 16 hunting deer with a firearm must be accompanied at all times by someone at least 21 years of age who meets the hunter safety education requirement.

Check-In: Hunters are not required to check-in prior to hunting. While hunting, hunters must carry on their person the following items: LBL Quota Hunt Permit, LBL Hunter Use Permit, state hunting license, deer tag, and hunter safety card as required by state regulations. LBL Hunter Use Permits are available at LBL Welcome Stations (open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), by mail, or wherever KY or TN state hunting licenses are sold.

Tagging and Check-Out: All harvested deer must be recorded and/or tagged before being moved, and must be checked out at the LBL Hunter Check Station, North Welcome Station, South Welcome Station, or Golden Pond Visitor Center before leaving LBL. See KY/TN instructions below:

Kentucky: Before the deer is moved, mark the box for deer, date, county, and sex, on the harvest log on the back of your KY statewide deer permit. (Note: Areas 1, 2, 4, and Area 3 north of County Line Road are in Lyon County; all other areas are in Trigg County.) Transport deer to nearest LBL check station and LBL staff will complete the check-out process. If the LBL check stations are closed, KY hunters should proceed to the Golden Pond Visitor Center (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round) to check their deer. If the Visitor Center is closed, hunters should proceed to the nearest available phone (there is a public phone on the outside of the North Welcome Station) and Telecheck their LBL deer by calling 1-800-245-4263. Enter the appropriate county code (Lyon - 072 or Trigg - 111), public land, and LBL.

Tennessee: Immediately after harvest, punch and attach on the temporary kill tag according to state regulations. The deer must be transported to the South Welcome Station and checked out by LBL personnel. If the South Welcome Station is closed, proceed to the nearest statewide check station and be certain to check the deer as harvested on LBL.

Hunter Orange: All quota hunters, youth hunters, and adults accompanying youth hunters must wear visible items of hunter orange on the upper portion of their body as required by state regulations.

Legal Firearms: Muzzleloading shotguns and rifles, and conventional shotguns, rifles, and handguns may be used according to state regulations. Firearms transported in vehicles must be cased and unloaded in both magazine and chamber.

Click here for NEW - 09 Youth Hunter Safety Instructions

Youth Hunt: All youth hunters must be under age 16 in Kentucky and must be ages 6-16 years old in Tennesee on the first day of the hunt and must possess a state-approved hunter safety card or certificate on their person while hunting according to state regulations. Youth not required to have a hunter safety card must possess proof of attendance at a hunter safety course. Each youth must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old who meets the hunter safety requirements. The person accompanying the youth must remain with the youth at all times while hunting to provide direct supervision and minimize the possibility of accidents. A Hunter Use Permit is not required for an adult accompanying a youth hunter. Note: While hunting, two youth hunters require two adults, three youth hunters three adults, etc.

ARCHERY

Legal Game: In addition to deer, archers with proper state permits may harvest one turkey (either sex), squirrels, woodchucks, feral hogs, and coyotes.

Area Open: 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.

Archery Equipment: Recurve bows, longbows, compound bows, crossbows, and accessory equipment must conform to state regulations. It is illegal to use or possess a chemical pod-type arrow, pod device, or chemicals used with such devices. Hunters may not carry firearms while archery hunting.

Check-In/Out: Archery hunters are not required to check in, but all deer harvested must be checked out. See directions under Quota Hunt Tagging and Check-Out above.

Ticks: Tick repellent is highly recommended prior to October 15. Tick repellent is available for purchase at LBL.

CAMPING: LBL offers developed campgrounds, lake access areas, and backcountry camping. Energy Lake Campground will remain open through November 30; for reservations call 1-800-525-7077 or www.usedirect.com/CampLBL. Note: Field dressing or skinning deer is not permitted in developed campgrounds. Backcountry camping requires a $20 annual permit, $5 3-day permit, or combination Hunter Use Permit/Backcountry Camping Permit for each person age 18 and older, and is permitted anywhere in LBL except in the Environmental Education Area, Brandon Spring Group Camp, cemeteries, picnic areas, and within 200 yards of The Trace, Silver Trail Road, Mulberry Flat Road, and Fort Henry Road. Campfires are permitted but must be attended at all times and completely extinguished before campers leave the site.

BUNKHOUSES: Available at Wranglers Campground and Piney Campground. Small bunkhouse (sleeps 4) is $35/night, large bunkhouse (sleeps 8, Wranglers only) is $55/night. Call 1-800-525-7077 or visit visit www.usedirect.com/CampLBL for reservations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For additional LBL information, call 270-924-2065, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.