LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES, KY/TN - Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area's 2016 spring squirrel hunting season will open May 14-June 12, in Tennessee and May 21-June 17, in Kentucky. Hunters must have a valid Kentucky or Tennessee state hunting license for the state in which they are hunting. Hunters age 16 and older must also have a Land Between The Lakes Hunter Use Permit. These are available online, 24/7 at http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/reservations/ or North and South Welcome Stations, Golden Pond Visitor Center, and wherever Kentucky and Tennessee state hunting licenses are sold. Hunters must abide by all applicable regulations and stay within legal hunting areas. The Tennessee daily bag limit is 10 with a possession limit of 20, and in Kentucky, the limits are 6 and 12, respectively. Hunters are strongly encouraged to use a tick repellent containing permethrin during these seasons. To find more information about Land Between The Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us<http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us> or call 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. Photos available on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lblkytn/sets. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deer Hunting Program to Change at Land Between The Lakes LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES, KY/TN - Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area has seen a decrease in white-tailed deer numbers over the last several years, especially on the Kentucky portion. Recent analysis shows that adjustments to hunting regulations need to be made now. Officials at Land Between The Lakes have worked with the Kentucky Department of Fish [cid:image008.png@01D194D9.37B64040] and Wildlife Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on possible solutions. These include, but are not limited to: * Eliminating bonus deer in Kentucky and Tennessee on Land Between The Lakes, except for youth quota hunts. * Reducing the length of the archery season and bag limit on the Kentucky portion of the recreation area. "We see enough evidence that we need to make these changes for the fall hunting seasons," said Jan Bush, Public Affairs Officer at Land Between The Lakes. "After these initial changes, we plan to monitor and make adjustments as needed." Numerous factors have contributed to deer declines in recent years. These include outbreaks of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease commonly referred to as EHD, increased archery hunting pressure-especially on the Kentucky portion, and a mature closed canopy forest. Forest and open land habitat must provide adequate forage and conditions for white-tailed deer. Land Between The Lakes in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will conduct a herd health assessment this summer. Herd management depends on hunters correctly reporting harvests and respecting the rules. Regulations require that deer harvested on Land Between The Lakes be recorded at check stations or welcome stations before leaving the recreation area. State checking systems allow reporting after business hours. Hunters are required to check the deer on the day of harvest. Land Between the Lakes works closely with its federal, state, and local partners. Decisions to change the hunting program are pending notification and approval by state authorities in Kentucky and Tennessee. Those wishing to comment, may send an email to comments-southern-land-between-lakes@fs.fed.us<mailto:comments-southern-land-between-lakes@fs.fed.us> or write to Land Between The Lakes, Attn: Hunt Program, 238 Visitor Center Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211. To find more information about Land Between The Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us<http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us> or call 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. Photos available on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lblkytn/sets. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
