2009 Spring Turkey Hunt Dates

March 28-29	LBL KY Youth Turkey Hunt
April 4-5	LBL TN Youth Turkey Hunt
April 11-12	LBL KY & TN Quota Hunt
April 18-19	LBL KY & TN Quota Hunt
April 20-May 3	LBL Non-Quota Turkey Hunt

NOTE: Turkey hunting has one of the highest accident rates in sport hunting. Please see safety tips at end.

New for 2009:

• We are evaluating LBL turkey hunts, including the need for quota hunts and reduced road access. Please email any comments with "Turkey Hunting" in the subject line to: comments-southern-land-between-lakes@fs.fed.us
• All youth hunters who hunt at LBL must have attended a hunter safety course.
• Parking is permitted within on vehicle-length of a public access road (formerly within 50 yards).

Nonquota: One 14-day hunt, April 20 - May 3

Bag Limit: One turkey with visible beard. The Kentucky statewide spring bag limit is two turkeys, only one of which can be harvested at LBL.

Licenses: Hunters must have a valid Kentucky hunting license (five-day nonresident license is not valid for turkey hunting) and a valid state turkey hunting permit. Hunters age 16 and older must purchase an LBL Hunter Use Permit ($20)

TENNESSEE
Quota: Youth hunt, April 4-5; one 2-day hunt, April 11-12; and one 2-day hunt, April 18-19 (Quota permit required.)

Nonquota: Two 7-day hunts, April 20-26 and April 27 - May 3.

Bag Limit: Two turkeys with visible beard; 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 on the April 20-26 Tennessee hunt. The total bag limit for Tennessee (statewide and Wildlife Management Areas, including LBL) cannot exceed four wild turkeys, except for bonus turkeys on Quota Hunts.

Licenses: Hunters must have either a Sportsmans License, Young Sportsmans License, or a Combination Hunting and Fishing License (Type 01) accompanied by either a Big Game Gun (Type 09), Big Game Archery (Type 10), or Big Game Muzzleloader (Type 11) license as determined by the type of weapon being used. Hunters age 16 and older must purchase an LBL Hunter Use Permit ($20). For further information, refer to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wild Turkey Regulations.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

HABITAT IMPROVEMENT: The Forest Service is partnering with the National Wild Turkey Federation to improve wildlife habitat on LBL.

Area Open: Entire Land Between The Lakes (LBL) area is open to hunting, except shaded areas on the public access road map and other areas posted as closed.

LBL Permits: To participate in a quota hunt, each hunter must apply in early February and be selected in a computer drawing. Hunters selected will receive an LBL Quota Turkey Hunt Permit. If you would like to be put on the mailing list to receive an LBL Quota Turkey Hunt application when they become available for the 2010 season, call 270-924-2065. An annual LBL Hunter Use Permit is required for all hunters age 16 and older (quota and nonquota). Hunter Use Permits for 2009 may be purchased for $20 and are valid for hunting all game from March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010. A combination Hunter Use Permit/Backcountry Camping Permit is also available for $25. Permits may be purchased at LBL welcome stations (open March 1), the Golden Pond Visitor Center, and anywhere Kentucky or Tennessee state licenses are sold.

HUNTER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Hunters must possess a hunter safety card according to state regulations.

Youth Quota Hunt: Hunters must have been drawn for a Youth Quota Hunt permit and must have attended a hunter safety course. While hunting, each youth must be accompanied by a person at least 21 years old who meets hunter education requirements. The person accompanying the youth must remain with the youth at all times to provide direct supervision and minimize the possibility of accidents. (Note: Two youth hunters require two adults, three youth hunters require three adults, etc.)

GENERAL REGULATIONS:

• Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted only on legal roads which are marked by numbered signs and corresponding numbers on the LBL Visitor Map. Unlicensed motorized vehicles are allowed only 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.
• Firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded in both magazine and chamber and must be in a case.
• Hunting is prohibited within 150 yards of any developed LBL facility.
• Spotlighting or the use of any artificial lights to locate wildlife is prohibited at all times.
• Paint, tape, flagging, or other artificial materials shall not be used to mark trees, trails, or routes to hunting sites.
• Hunters must not be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
• All applicable state and federal regulations must be observed.

Check-In: Check-in is not required for quota hunts or nonquota hunts. While turkey hunting on LBL, hunters must carry on their person the following items: LBL Hunter Use Permit, (age 16 and under) state hunting license and turkey tag, Hunter Safety Card as required by state regulations, and an LBL Quota Hunt Permit (if hunting on a quota hunt).

Check-Out: All harvested turkeys must be checked-out at the LBL Hunter Check Station, Golden Pond Visitor Center, or North or South Welcome Stations before leaving LBL. Kentucky - If the LBL check stations are closed, Kentucky hunters should proceed to a public phone at an LBL Welcome Center and Telecheck their LBL turkey before leaving LBL by calling 1-800-245-4263. (No coins are needed.) Enter the appropriate county code (Lyon - 072 or Trigg - 111) and that the turkey was harvested on public land. Tennessee - If the LBL check stations are closed, Tennessee hunters should proceed to the nearest statewide check station and be certain to check the turkey as harvested on LBL.

Legal Firearms and Archery Equipment: Conventional or muzzleloading shotguns, not smaller than 20 gauge or larger than 10 gauge. Conventional shotguns may hold no more than three shells (Kentucky portion) or five shells (Tennessee portion). Shells may be loaded with lead or steel No. 4 shot or smaller only. All archery equipment must conform to state regulations.

Prohibited Hunting Methods: Rifles, sidearms, electronic calls, and baiting are prohibited.

No Preseason Calling: Calling or attempting to call turkeys by imitating the sounds of a wild turkey is prohibited by law in LBL from March 1 until the opening of turkey season. Locator calls, such as owl or crow calls, are permitted.

Reduced Road Access: Several public roads will be closed to all motorized vehicle access from March 26 through the end of turkey season. These closures were suggested by LBL turkey hunters to provide additional walk-in areas. Roads closed will be barricaded and highlighted on a map at hunter check stations. We are reevaluating this policy. Email comments to comments-southern-land-between-lakes@fs.fed.us.

Camping: LBL offers developed campgrounds, lake access areas, and backcountry camping. Camping fees can be paid on-site at developed campgrounds and lake access areas. Backcountry camping requires a $20 annual permit or a $5 three-day permit or a $25 combination under Use Permit/Backcountry Camping Permit for each person age 18 and older. Backcountry camping is permitted anywhere in LBL except in the Nature Watch Demonstration Area, Brandon Spring Group Camp, fee campgrounds, 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 leaving the site.

Bunkhouses Available at Wranglers Campground and Piney Campground. Small bunkhouse (sleeps 4) is $35/night, large bunkhouse (Wranglers only, sleeps 8) is $55/night. Call 270-924-2000 for reservation iinformation.

Additional Information: For additional LBL hunt information, write Land Between The Lakes, 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky 42211-9001, or telephone 270-924-2065 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday or visit the LBL website at www.lbl.org.

TURKEY HUNTING HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST ACCIDENT RATES IN SPORT HUNTING. PLEASE HUNT SAFELY:

• DO know and practice safe gun handling.
• DO see the beard before you shoot. It will positively identify the legal target.
• DO shout to reveal your presence to another hunter. Moving, whistling, or making unusual noises may draw fire. There's no mistaking the human voice.
• DO wear an orange vest or use an orange bag when carrying your turkey out of the woods.
• DON'T scout in the hunting woods while other hunters are hunting.
• DON'T wear any garment which has red, white, blue, or black - items that could be mistaken for colors of a turkey.
• DON'T hunt hen calls. Stalking such calls could lead to a dangerous encounter with another hunter.
• DON'T use a gobble call. Experienced turkey hunters know this to be dangerous and might attract careless shooters.

For more information on LBL write: Land Between The Lakes, 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211-9001, or call (270) 924-2000 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.