When preparing to hunt in the Land Between the Lakes, it is important to know the regulations. While it is easy to stay within the bounds of the law, a good hunter will be sure to understand the rules before they embark on their hunt.
Important: Regulations and closures can change by season and location. Official USDA Forest Service and state-agency information takes precedence over this summary.
Approved Hunting Seasons
Hunting is permitted during approved seasons only. Consult the current official LBL fact sheets for hunt dates, application periods, closures, and species-specific instructions.
Required Permits and Licenses
- LBL Hunter Use Permit: Hunters age 16 and older must carry the $25 annual LBL Hunter Use Permit. Confirm current purchase options on the official LBL Hunting and Fishing page before traveling.
- State Hunting Licenses: Hunters must also have applicable state hunting licenses and permits.
- Waterfowl Hunting: A Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamp and state waterfowl stamps are needed for waterfowl hunting in addition to LBL and state licenses and permits.
Hunter Safety
- Hunter Safety Card: Hunters must meet the hunter-education requirements for the state section where they hunt and be able to show proof. Kentucky and Tennessee have different age rules and exemptions; check the current state guidance before traveling.
Equipment and Vehicles
- Portable Tree Stands: Portable tree stands and climbing devices that do not injure trees are permitted.
- Motorized Vehicles: Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted only on roads marked by numbered signs and corresponding numbers on the LBL Recreation Map and MVUM. Other LBL roads are for administrative access or trails and are not legal to drive on.
- OHV Area: Unlicensed motorized vehicles, including four-wheelers, are allowed only in the Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area and require a permit.
Parking and Firearms
- Parking: 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.
- Transporting Firearms: Transport firearms in accordance with current federal law and the rules of the state section where you hunt. The official LBL deer fact sheet directs hunters to those current requirements.
Prohibited Activities
- Spotlighting: The use of any artificial lights to locate wildlife is prohibited at all times.
- Hunting Deer: Hunting deer from horseback or with the use of dogs is prohibited.
- Marking Trees: Paint, tape, flagging, or other artificial materials shall not be used to mark trees, trails, or routes.
- Firearm Discharge: The current LBL deer fact sheet prohibits discharging a weapon capable of taking a human life within 150 yards of a campsite, recreation site, facility, occupied area, or National Forest System road.
- Baiting: The placement of bait or hunting over bait, including food or mineral substances, is prohibited.
- Wildlife Refuges: Closed to all hunting year-round and closed to human entry during the refuge period.
- Nature Watch Areas: Closed to hunting unless otherwise indicated.
- Alcohol and Controlled Substances: Hunters must not be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
Additional Regulations
- State and Federal Regulations: All applicable state and federal regulations must be observed.
- Courtesy: To protect the future of hunting, hunters are encouraged to be sensitive and courteous to other visitors.
Plan Your Hunting Trip
Use this page as a planning summary, not as a substitute for current rules. Review the official LBL hunting information, then visit our guides to LBL permits and planning an LBL hunting trip, or return to the main Hunting hub.