Before you choose a hunting date at Land Between the Lakes, sort out the permits. The LBL permit is separate from your Kentucky or Tennessee hunting license, and a quota hunt may require an application as well.
What you need
- LBL Hunter Use Permit: Hunters age 16 and older need the LBL permit. The official LBL page lists the annual permit at $25 and a $50 combination Hunter Use/Backcountry Camping Permit. Check the current LBL permit page for purchase options and pricing before you go.
- State license and species permits: Carry the licenses, tags, and stamps required for the state and species you will hunt. Kentucky and Tennessee licenses are not interchangeable. The official LBL hunting FAQ explains how state rules apply inside the recreation area.
- Quota hunt application: Some hunts require a separate application and selection. The official LBL page currently lists a $10 quota-hunt application fee; read the current fact sheet for dates, eligibility, and the hunt-specific permit process.
Check the season before buying
Open the current species fact sheet and map before making the drive. Hunt dates, legal areas, refuge closures, weapon rules, and application windows vary. A permit does not make every part of LBL open to hunting on every date. Hunter-education requirements and exemptions also depend on the applicable state rules; do not rely on a blanket age rule.
For the field rules, including firearm transport and the 150-yard no-discharge areas, use the current official LBL fact sheets. Our hunting regulations guide helps you plan, but the current official rules control.
A sensible order
- Choose the species and state side of LBL you plan to hunt.
- Read the current LBL fact sheet, map, and any quota-hunt instructions.
- Confirm your state licenses and buy the LBL permit through an official channel.
- Check current alerts and closures just before you travel.
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Permit terms and hunting rules can change; verify them with LBL before hunting.