LBL | Small Game & Waterfowl Hunting Guide
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SMALL GAME & WATERFOWL HUNTING INFORMATION
2009-2010
(Valid through July 31, 2010)

NWTF STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT:
The Forest Service and National Wild Turkey Federation have signed a 10-year stewardship agreement to cooperatively manage open lands in LBL. Cooperative work under this agreement will improve open lands habitat and benefit many species of wildlife, including deer and turkey. See habitat maps at LBL Welcome Stations and Hunter Check Station for locations or on the map page of our website.

FERAL HOGS
Feral Hogs have been illegally released in LBL and may be harvested during any open season with weapons specified for that season. Feral hogs are destructive pests that transmit diseases and compete with native wildlife for food and habitat. Please immediately report any sightings of feral hogs or hog signs to:

Wildlife Unit: 270-924-2065

HUNTER USE PERMITS
An annual LBL Hunter Use Permit ($20) is required for all hunters, age 16 and older, in addition to a valid Kentucky or Tennessee hunting license for the state portion of LBL in which you are hunting. A combination Hunter Use Permit/Backcountry Camping Permit (age 18 and older) is also available. Permits may also be purchased at LBL welcome stations, the Golden Pond Visitor Center, or wherever Kentucky or Tennessee State hunting licenses are sold. Note: Combination permits not available in KY state licensing system.

HUNTER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Hunters must possess a hunter safety card according to state regulations. All youth who hunt on LBL must have previously attended a hunter safety course.

CAMPING
LBL offers developed campgrounds, lake access areas, and backcountry camping. Backcountry camping requires a $20 annual permit for each person 18 years and older ($5 for a 3-day permit) or a combination Hunting/Backcountry Camping Permit (for $25), 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. The backcountry length of stay limit is 14 days on a site. Campfires are permitted but must be attended at all times and completely extinguished before leaving the site. Fire ring rocks shall not be left in fields. During periods of extreme fire danger all open-air fires may be prohibited. Additional camping information is available in the camping section of our web site.

LEGAL WEAPONS FOR SMALL GAME HUNTING
Shotguns, rimfire rifles, rimfire handguns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment according to state regulations with the following exceptions: the use of centerfire rifles, centerfire handguns, and shotguns loaded with slugs or buckshot are prohibited. (See exceptions under Coyote/Feral Hog section below.) Broadheads may not be used for small game hunting except for specified game during the deer archery season.

TICKS
Tick repellent is highly recommended from March 15 to October 15. Tick repellents are available at LBL.

GENERAL REGULATIONS
To Report a violation or an emergency call 877-861-2457

  • All areas are open to small game and waterfowl hunting during specified seasons except: Nature Watch areas, wildlife refuges, safety zones around facilities, and areas posted as closed.
  • Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted only on roads that are marked by numbered signs and corresponding numbers on the LBL Recreation and MVUM Maps. Other roads are maintained for administrative access or trails, but are not legal for driving.
  • Unlicensed motorized vehicles, including four-wheelers, are allowed only on designated trails in the Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area and require an OHV 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.
  • There shall be no discharge of a firearm, or other implement capable of taking life, within 150 yards of any developed area.
  • Wildlife refuges are closed to all hunting year-round and closed to human entry during the refuge period.
  • Hunters hunting on LBL all the way to the waters' edge, at any elevation of Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley, must possess a valid LBL Hunter Use Permit.
  • Hunters possessing weapons who use LBL to access hunting opportunities off of LBL, (e.g. launch a boat from LBL or wade into the lake from the LBL shoreline) must possess a valid LBL Hunter Use Permit.
  • Small game hunting from horseback is permitted (except in conjunction with deer bow hunting).
  • Hunting dogs must have a current rabies vaccination and wear a collar showing owner¹s name, address, and phone number.
  • No species of wildlife may be harassed or taken except those authorized.
  • Spotlighting or the use of any artificial lights to locate wildlife is prohibited.
  • Hunters must not be under the influence of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages.
  • All applicable state and federal regulations must be observed.
  • Paint, tape, flagging, or other artificial materials shall not be used to mark trees, trails, or routes.
  • The placement of bait or hunting over bait, including food or mineral substances, is prohibited on LBL.
  • To protect the future of hunting, hunters are encouraged to be sensitive and courteous to other visitors.

WATERFOWL
Waterfowl hunting is allowed throughout the inland portion of LBL except as designated under General Regulations above. Permanent blinds and pits are not allowed. Portable blinds are permitted, but must be removed at the end of each hunting day. Goose and duck hunting are allowed according to state seasons for the zone in which LBL is located; however, there is no waterfowl hunting on LBL during quota deer hunts (KY portion closed Oct. 24-25 and Nov. 20-21, TN portion closed Oct 24-25, Nov 13-14 and Nov. 28-29). Steel shot is required for all waterfowl hunting. Hunters must not have lead shot in their possession while waterfowl hunting. All state and federal waterfowl regulations, license requirements, and bag limits apply. Carefully review all General Regulations above.

FOX CHASING & HUNTING
Fox chasing is permitted south of U.S. Highway 68 only, from sunset to sunrise. Foxes (gray and red) may be harvested only during the specified hunting seasons during daylight hours in any open hunting area. Hand- or mouth-operated calling devices are permitted. Electronic calling devices for taking foxes are prohibited.

COYOTE / FERAL HOGS
Coyotes and feral hogs may be taken during daylight hours in any open hunting season with weapons specified for that season. Hand, mouth, or electronic calling devices are permitted. During February, center-fire rifles and handguns, and shotguns with shot size T or smaller may be used for coyote/hog hunting. Hog hunting with dogs is prohibited.

CROW
Crows may be hunted during dates and days indicated on the front of this sheet. Decoys and hand, mouth, or electronic calls are permitted.

BOBCAT
Kentucky
The bobcat hunting season is Dec. 1-Jan. 31. All bobcats must be Telechecked and tagged according to state regulations. The statewide season limit is five bobcats per person, (only three may be taken with a gun), including bobcats harvested on LBL. Bobcats may be hunted during daylight hours only. Legal weapons are those specified for small game hunting, or for deer archery hunting during the Dec.-Jan. bow season. Callers may use hand- or mouth-operated calls only. Electronic calls are not permitted for bobcat hunting.

Tennessee
Bobcats may be taken Dec. 1 - Feb 15 by legally licensed and/or permitted hunters. Statewide regulations and limits apply.

FIELD TRIALS & DOG TRAINING
A field trial permit from LBL and approval by the appropriate state wildlife agency are required to conduct field trials. Trials must be scheduled at least two months in advance to prevent conflicts with hunting seasons or recreational events. An LBL Hunter Use Permit is required for all dog training. No game may be taken or shaken out and no firearms possessed during field trials or dog training. Horses may be used. Raccoon dog training is permitted only in Hunt Areas 1, 9, 13, and 15. closed dates in Oct. are during youth deer hunt.

TRAPPING
Trappers must obtain a trapping permit in advance at the Golden Pond Administrative Office and submit a completed report at the end of the season. The trapping season is Jan. 11-24, on Kentucky Hunt Areas 5, 6, & 7 and Jan 18-31 on Tennessee Hunt Areas 12 and 14. Areas shaded on the Public Access Roads & Hunt Area Map or areas posted Closed to Hunting are also closed to trapping. All trappers must possess an LBL Hunter Use Permit and state trapping license. Legal traps, sets, and species must conform to state regulations. All traps must bear the trapper's name and address. All bobcats and otters harvested on the Kentucky portion of LBL must be Telechecked and tagged according to state regulations and statewide limits apply. There will be a beaver trapping season Feb. 1-28 in KY and TN in all areas except those shaded areas on the LBL Public Access Roads and Hunt Area Map or areas posted No Hunting. Otters may be taken during February days which coincide with state otter seasons for the respective counties.

*NOTE: Trappers will be in Hunt Areas 5, 6, & 7 from Jan. 11-24 and Areas 12 & 14 Jan. 18-31. Hunters with dogs should avoid those areas during this period.

2009 - 2010 SMALL GAME HUNTING & TRAPPING INFORMATION
 SEASONLIMIT
SPECIESKentuckyTennesseeKentucky
Daily/
Possession
Tennessee
Daily /
Possession
SquirrelAug 15-Sep 25
Oct 1-14
Dec 1-Feb 28
June 5-June 18
Aug 15-Sep 25
Oct 1-14
Dec 1-Feb 28
May 8-June 13
6/1210/20
QuailDec 1-Feb 10Dec 1-Feb 288/166/12
RabbitDec 1-Feb 10Dec 1-Feb 284/85/10
Raccoon*Dec 1-Feb 28 Dec 1-Feb 15One per person per nightOne per person per night
Opossum*Dec 1-Feb 28Dec 1-Feb 15No limitNo limit
Dove, Woodcock, Wilson SnipeOpen to conform to statewide seasons before Sept. 26 & after Nov. 30 Open to conform to statewide seasons before before Sept. 26& after Nov. 30 According
to state &
federal regulations
According to state & federal regulations
WaterfowlSee textSee textSee textSee text
Fox HuntingDec 1-Feb 28Dec 1-Feb 28No limit -- see textNo limit -- see text
Fox ChasingAug 15-Sep 19 Aug 15-Sep 19 None may be taken, see textNone may be taken, see text
BobcatDec. 1 - Jan. 31 Dec. 1 - Feb. 15 See Bobcat regulationsSee Bobcat regulations
Coyote/Feral HogsDuring any open hunting seasonDuring any open hunting seasonNo limit -- see text No limit -- see text
CrowSept 1-Sept 25
Jan 4-Feb 28
Aug 15-Sept 25
Dec 1-Feb 28
June 1-13
Fri, Sat, Sun only
No limit -- see textNo limit -- see text
Bird Dog, Rabbit Dog, Raccoon Hound TrainingOct 1-Oct 22

Oct 26-31

Oct 1-Oct 22

Oct 26-31

See textSee text
Field TrialsJul 1-Mar 31Jul 1-Mar 31See textSee text
TrappingJan 11-24Jan 18-31Permit required — See Trapping textPermit required — See Trapping text
Beaver TrappingFeb 1-Feb 28Feb 1-Feb 28Permit required — See Trapping textPermit required — See Trapping text
*Raccoon and Opossum hunting is from sunrise of opening date to sunset of
the closing date.
 

Additional Information: For Additional Information call 270-924-2065, between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday.