Golden Pond, KY. – Nov. 26, 2024 – The USDA Forest Service will allow archery and crossbow deer hunting in areas typically off-limits to hunting in select areas of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL). Opening these additional areas to hunting helps with wildlife conservation and population management at LBL.
Archery and crossbow hunters are encouraged to take antlerless deer to help reduce deer populations within these select areas and dates:
- December 1, 2024 through January 20, 2025: Energy Lake and Hillman Ferry Campgrounds in Kentucky and Brandon Spring Group Center, Piney Campground, and the southern Nature Watch Area in Tennessee
- A ‘Limited White Tail Deer Hunt Area’ within the Woodlands Nature Watch Area in Kentucky will also be opened during this period. A special map showing the boundaries of that huntable area is available on our website.
Hunting area maps, including the Limited White Tail Deer Hunt Area map, that shows the limited areas within the larger Woodlands Nature Watch Area, can be located online at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/maps. Fallow deer frequent the Woodlands Nature Watch Area and are illegal to harvest. Hunters should review the Deer Identification Fact Sheet before hunting. All harvested deer must be checked with the appropriate state wildlife agency. For bag limits, rules, and permit information, see the 2024 -2025 Deer Hunting Fact Sheet.
“Hunting is an important component of our wildlife management program here at LBL. Opening these areas to archery and crossbow deer hunting is of mutual benefit because it helps us manage our deer populations while providing more access to hunters,” said Jamey Thweatt, Recreation and Engineering Staff Officer with the USDA Forest Service.
Archery and crossbow deer hunters may hunt within facility boundaries away from campsites and structures at Brandon Spring Group Center, and Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry and Piney Campgrounds. Maintenance staff will continue working throughout the winter at facilities. Hunters are advised to use extra caution when hunting in those areas.
Hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any road, facility, building, occupied area, or within 200 yards of any wildlife refuges. Hunters must possess all state-required licenses and permits for the state being hunted. LBL Hunter Use Permits, required for hunters age 16 and older, can be purchased online 24/7 under Reservations and Permits, or year-round at Golden Pond Visitor Center and Wranglers Campground or anywhere state hunting licenses are sold.
Year-round camping opportunities are available at Wranglers, Energy Lake and self-service campgrounds. Camping is also permitted in basic and dispersed camping areas with the purchase of a basic/dispersed camping permit.