An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Before hunting doves, ducks or any other migratory birds, hunters must now go online to My Profile and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey to be legal to hunt.
Daily Bag Limit- The total limit of a specific migratory game bird species that may be taken during legal shooting hours for one calendar day, regardless of state boundaries.
Posession limit- The total limit of a specific migratory game bird species that may be in your possession at anytime, whether on your person or stored in another location (including your home or taxidermist).
Migratory birds shot in another state, count toward a hunter's daily and possession limits.
Hunters age 15 and younger can hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese on these days (Eastern Zone: November 6-7, 2021; Western Zone: February 5-6, 2022). Youth hunting during these seasons must comply with hunter education and hunting license requirements and be accompanied by an adult (at least 18 years of age).
Bag limits are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons.
Sandhill crane season opens Dec. 7, 2021 and closes Jan. 31, 2022. The daily bag limit is two birds. Hunters must apply for a sandhill crane permit online from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2021 and pay a $3 application fee.
Applicants must have a valid Kentucky hunting license or be license exempt when they apply. Results are posted to individual applicants online following the drawing. Drawn hunters must pass an online identification exam before receiving a sandhill crane hunting permit.
Hunters must telecheck harvested birds on the day taken.
Hunters participating in the sandhill crane hunting season must complete a post-season survey no later than 14 days after the close of the season or lose eligibility to apply the following year.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- approved nontoxic shot no larger than size “T” is required for all waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. Shot larger than size “T”, or shotshells longer than 3.5 inches, MAY NOT BE POSSESSED OR USED while hunting waterfowl or sandhill cranes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may approve other types of nontoxic shot which, if approved, will be permitted for waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. Possession or use of any lead shot or any shot not approved by USFWS while hunting or attempting to take waterfowl or sandhill cranes is prohibited statewide. https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/hunting/nontoxic.php
To report bird bands, visit www.reportband.gov. Many existing bands list a toll-free number that can no longer be used for reporting. Consequently, hunters may now only report bands online.
Banding plays a critical role in the management of migratory bird species. The data you provide by reporting bands gives wildlife biologists information on harvest rates and movements of migratory game birds. Please report the bands you recover.
* Included in Youth Sportsman's License** Included in Resident Sportsman's LicenseNOTE: HIP survey required for all migratory bird hunters 16 and over
View license and permit fees
Unless license-exempt under KRS 150.170, all hunters must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license when waterfowl hunting. Persons using a license authorization number in lieu of a paper license must have the authorization number and a picture ID with them while hunting. All Kentucky residents 65 years of age and older and Kentucky residents who are certified totally and permanently disabled by the Federal Social Security Administration, by a state Workers Compensation Board, by the Kentucky Teacher’s Retirement System, by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, by the United States Railroad Retirement Board, or Kentucky resident veterans who have a permanent 50 percent disability as the result of military-related injuries are required to purchase the Senior/Disabled combination hunting and fishing license ($12) and carry it while hunting or fishing. This license includes all the following state permits: deer, turkey, migratory bird, waterfowl and trout.) and carry it while hunting or fishing. This license includes all the following state permits: deer, turkey, migratory bird, waterfowl and trout.
Any person required to possess a hunting license, except children under the age of 16, taking or attempting to take waterfowl must possess a Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit. (This permit is included with the Senior/Disabled and Sportsman’s License). The waterfowl permit covers all species of migratory birds. Those who buy a Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit, senior/disabled license, or Sportsman's license MUST COMPLETE a Harvest Information Program Survey (HIP) by going online here before they are legal waterfowl hunters. This takes you to a page that asks for some basic information to confirm your identity. Then, click on the “HIP Migratory Bird Survey” on the right of the page. After completing the HIP survey, you receive a confirmation number that must be written on your hunting license or Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit. Hunters may call 1-800-858-1549 for questions.
In addition to the Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit requirement listed above, all persons age 16 or older must carry a valid federal migratory bird hunting stamp (commonly called duck stamp) to hunt waterfowl. Hunters younger than 16 must possess a youth hunting license but the Federal Duck Stamp and Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit are not required. The federal stamp must be validated by the hunter’s signature written across the face of the stamp in ink.
Electronic duck stamps may now be purchased from many state license vendors. When you buy an E-Stamp, you will receive an E-Stamp certificate. This certificate is unique to the purchaser and is valid as a Federal Duck Stamp across the nation for up to 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time, a physical Duck Stamp will be mailed to you. Your Estamp certificate may be printed out or downloaded onto your mobile device and must be carried on your person while hunting waterfowl.
As soon as you receive your physical stamp, you must sign it and use it for hunting. Your E-Stamp certification is no longer valid once you receive your physical stamp. Regardless of whether you received your physical stamp, after 45 days from the date of purchase, the E-Stamp certificate is no longer valid. You must carry your current, signed Federal Duck Stamp while hunting.
All hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry a valid hunter education course completion card while hunting, in addition to the appropriate Kentucky hunting license, federal duck stamp and Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit. Hunters not required to have a hunting license are not required to possess the hunter education card. Hunters under the age of 12 may hunt without a course completion card, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age who remains in a position to take immediate control of the child’s firearm.
A one-time temporary hunter education exemption permit is available online. This free (for a limited time) permit allows hunting without a hunter education card for one year from the date of purchase. After it expires, the hunter is no longer exempt and must successfully complete a hunter education course.
Starting at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County to the middle of the Mississippi River, then north along the Mississippi to the low water mark of the Ohio River along the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line; then along the county line south to KY 358, then south along KY 358 to its junction with U.S. 60 at LaCenter; then following U.S. 60 southwest to the northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
All constructed or used blinds (including boats) must be at least 100 yards apart and at least 50 yards from any property line. A waterfowl hunter shall not possess more than one shotgun while in the blind.
In addition to the state regulations, the following federal laws apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory game birds.
Note: The material below is only a summary. Each hunter should also consult the actual federal regulations, which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.
More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For more information on Federal Regulations, consult Assistant Regional Director - LE, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 4839, Atlanta, Georgia, 30302-4839; or call (404) 331-5872.
No person shall take migratory game birds:
No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season.
No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting as prescribed.
No person shall take in any one day more than one daily bag limit.
No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit while in the field or while returning from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc.
All migratory game birds shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field.
No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: a) the hunter’s signature; b) the hunter’s address; c) the total number of birds involved, by species; d) the dates such birds were killed.
Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another person for the hunter, or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services.
Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit.
No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except doves and pigeons) and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.
No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: a) the name and the address of the person sending the birds; b) the name and the address of the person to whom the birds are being sent; and the number of birds, by species, contained in the package.
For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between the port of entry and one’s home, or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except as required in 20.63), drawn, and the head and feet are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.
Violation of state migratory game bird regulations is also a violation of federal regulations.
On the following areas, hunt sites must be registered on a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Kentucky Fish & Wildlife before the blind is constructed: Barkley Lake, Barren River Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Doug Travis, Green River Lake, Nolin River Lake, Rough River Lake, and Sloughs. Applicants must show a valid hunting license, Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit, and Federal Migratory (Duck) Bird Stamp when applying. An applicant may designate one other person as a partner and shall not hold more than one permit per area. Hunt sites registered on these areas not occupied by one hour before sunrise of any day are considered open to other hunters, first-come, first- served basis for that day. Permittees shall not lock blinds to prevent use by other hunters in absence of the permittee. Hunt sites on the above listed areas must be constructed by November 20 and removed within 30 days of the close of the season. Permittees who fail to remove their blind as stated will forfeit the opportunity to obtain a blind the following year. Hunters selected for a waterfowl blind at Sloughs Wildlife Management Area must complete a hunter survey report or lose eligibility for a blind the following year.
On Barkley, Barren River, Doug Travis, Green River and Sloughs WMAs, hunters who want hunt sites must register and be selected by random drawing. Drawings are held August through October and applicants must be 18 years of age and show a valid Kentucky hunting license, a Kentucky waterfowl permit and a Federal migratory bird stamp at that time. Each person drawn may select a partner of the hunt site for hunting in the absence of the person drawn. Partners must be present at the drawing. Drawn hunters may use their hunt site the entire season and may use a boat or a portable blind or construct a permanent blind. Each hunt site must be pinned with a permanent marker identifying the permit holders for the hunt site. If drawn hunters do not occupy a blind or hunt site by one- hour before sunrise that day, the blind or hunt site is open to other hunters on a first-come, first-served basis.
Unless otherwise stated under the CLOSED AREAS AND SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR WMAs, the following restrictions apply to all open WMAs:
Not all lands managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) are open to statewide seasons and bag-limits for waterfowl hunting. This section will list any special season dates, limits and requirements that are in effect for the following areas. If specific season dates are given for an area, then that is the only time waterfowl hunting is permitted. Otherwise, hunting is open under statewide season dates and regulations in that waterfowl zone. This section also lists any areas that are closed to hunting or public access. Areas owned or managed by the KDFWR that are not listed below are open to statewide seasons and limits, based on the zone in which they are located.
BOATWRIGHT WMA - Boatwright WMA is open for waterfowl hunting, Wednesdays - Sundays, during the regular waterfowl season. Boatwright WMA is closed to waterfowl hunting on Mondays-Tuesdays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Hunting methods available at Boatwright include hunting from an in-ground pit or above ground blind, layout blind hunting, walk-in hunting within a designated hunt unit at a drawn hunt site, or boat-in hunting for designated areas only. Hunt units mostly consist of harvested grain fields and seasonally flooded crops, moist soil units, and natural depressions or “Sloughs”, that are lined with shrubby cover and trees. Chest waders should be used to hunt in the water on all units. Woody vegetation, unsure footing and fast elevation changes are a possibility on all waterfowl hunting units. Boatwright WMA is separated into multiple units, each with specific regulations and hunt procedures. All hunters are limited to 25 shells/person per day. Bag limit and possession limit are the same as statewide limits. All decoys and gear must be removed at the end of each day’s hunt, and may not be left unattended. Areas identified by signs are closed to all access Oct. 15 - March 15.
During the first segment of the regular waterfowl season, shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset, and the WMA is open to waterfowl hunting except that the Swan Lake Unit is closed. Hunters do not have to check in during these dates, and blinds and hunt units are available on a first-come first-served basis.
During the second segment of the regular waterfowl season, shooting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise, and all hunters and equipment must be off the area by 2:00 p.m. CST. All hunters are required to check in during these dates. For all units, hunters must check in at the Ballard Bottoms Tourism Council building (the old First General Baptist Church Fellowship Hall), 255 S. 4th Street, Barlow KY 42024. Hunters are not allowed to enter the area to hunt until after they have checked in, and are in possession of the daily check-in card. See details below for check in procedures, daily drawing procedures, and specific hunt unit regulations.
Any unit open to hunting during the regular waterfowl season are also open to snow goose hunting during the Snow Goose Conservation Order season.
Doug Travis WMA is open to statewide regulations for hunting EXCEPT the portions of the WMA as identified by signs, which are CLOSED to the public from Nov. 1 to March 15. Waterfowl hunting opportunities at Doug Travis WMA include walk-in, boat-in and season-long blind drawings. There are also two blind locations available for Mobility-Impaired hunters. One blind, blind 13, is an above ground blind that can be driven to, and is wheel chair accessible. The other blind, blind 19, is a boat-in blind location, built to conceal a mobility-impaired hunter in their boat. Both, blinds 13 and 19, are available through a mail-in preseason draw (see below for details). Hunters who wish to draw a season-long blind must register and be selected by random drawing the last Saturday in August. Certain regulations apply on this area and are listed below. For more details, see the “Blind Drawings” portion of this guide, or the online waterfowl-hunting page. Hunt units on this area mostly consist of harvested grain fields and seasonally flooded crops, moist soil units, and natural depressions or “Sloughs” that are lined with shrubby cover and trees. Chest waders should be used to hunt in the water on all units. Woody vegetation, beaver runs, and rapid changes in elevation are a possibility on all waterfowl hunting units. Mississippi River levels should be closely monitored to determine if a boat is needed to access and hunt the area. Mississippi River levels exceeding 35 feet at the Cairo, Illinois river gauge indicate the potential loss of road access to some areas of the WMA. Click here to check levels. Typically, river levels above 41 feet on the Cairo gauge cut off road access on both ends of the Berkley - Fish Lake Road, making a boat necessary to access most of the area. On all hunt units, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 2 p.m. CST. Hunters must exit the area by 2 p.m. daily. Hunters may not enter a hunt area until 4 a.m. CST daily.. Special WMA Regulations
On Forked Lake, Indian Camp Lake, Fish Lake, Number Four Lake, Black Lake, Upper Goose Pond Field, Twin Ponds Field and Town Creek Moist Soil Unit, all waterfowl hunting after Nov. 1 will be from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife-designated sites assigned by preseason drawing, even during periods of Mississippi River flooding. Hunters may walk in or boat in to hunt any units not mentioned in this list, except for the areas closed November 1 – March 15. Individuals must be 18 years of age and possess a valid Kentucky Hunting License, Kentucky Waterfowl Permit and Federal Migratory Bird (Duck) Stamp when applying for designated hunt sites. All blinds must remain within 10 yards of the designated numbered location. Permanent blinds, if constructed, must be in place by Nov. 20 and removed within 30 days of the close of the season. Persons who fail to remove their blind will forfeit the opportunity to obtain a blind site the following year. Persons drawn for a designated site (blind owners) may name one other person as a co-owner who may also claim the site each day. Blind owners and co-owners may not have more than one designated permanent blind site on the area each year. All selected sites must be marked with the blind owner’s name and permit number. Blind sites that are not claimed by the blind owners one hour before sunrise, may be claimed by other hunters on a first-come first-served basis. All hunting parties, both at designated blind sites and those walk-in/boat-in hunting, must be at least 200 yards apart. No more than four persons shall occupy a single blind at any time. The WMA road into the Twin Ponds Field is open for entry from 4 A.M. until 30 minutes prior to sunrise each day during waterfowl season. Potential stand-by hunters for Blinds 16 and 17 may enter the area during this time frame, but MAY NOT ENTER after 30 minutes prior to sunrise. Hunters already present at these sites before 30 minutes prior to sunrise may exit this unit at any time, although they MUST exit the unit by 2 P.M. each day.
Mobility-impaired Blind Drawing and Procedures
To register to be drawn for these blinds during one or more of the mobility-impaired hunts, mail a 3 x 5 white index card in an envelope addressed to: “Attn. Wes Little – Doug Travis WMA Mobility-Impaired Waterfowl Hunt Application, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY, 40601.” The envelope must be post marked between Sept. 1-30. You must specify on the index card the dates for which you are applying and list them in order of preference. You may list up to three sets of dates for either blind, but will only be drawn for one set until all applicants are successful. (see dates below) The index card must include your name and complete mailing address, and phone number, as well as an email address if possible. Successful applicants may invite up to three guests. After Nov. 15, those selected for hunts will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the dates they are drawn, a map showing the blind location and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. Duplicate applications for the same hunt will result in disqualification.
Each hunting party will be responsible for bringing and placing decoys as well as retrieving birds. These blinds will be open to standby hunters on a first-come, first-serve basis if the drawn party does not occupy the blind by one hour before sunrise.
The hunt dates for the mobility-impaired quota hunts during the 2021/2022 waterfowl season are: Nov. 25 – 28; Dec. 6 – 9; Dec. 10 – 12; Dec. 13 – 16; Dec. 17 – 19; Dec. 20 – 23; Dec. 24 – 26; Dec. 27– 30 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 2 (2022); Jan. 3 - Jan. 6; Jan. 7 – 9; Jan. 10 – 13; Jan. 14 – 16; Jan 17 – 20; Jan. 21 – 23; Jan. 24 – 27 and Jan. 28 - 31, 2022.
KALER BOTTOMS WMA - Walk-in hunting is available on this area. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
At Lake Barkley WMA, waterfowl opportunities include walk-in or boat-in hunting on the lake, & season long hunting blind sites drawn in September (see Blind Drawings and Blind Restrictions sections of this guide). No person shall hunt within 200 yards of another hunting party. Lake Barkley has two waterfowl refuge areas that are closed to hunting. (see WMA map found online) Each refuge has specific rules for boating and other access.
1. On the refuge area west of the main river channel, that is between river mile 51 (Hayes Landing Light) and the TVA power transmission lines at river mile 55.5, there shall be no hunting, fishing or boating or molesting of any species, from Nov. 1 - Feb. 15. Also within this refuge area, the portion west of a line from the north point of the mouth of Fulton Bay to the south point of the mouth of Honker Bay will be closed to all access Nov. 1 - Mar. 15.
2. On the refuge area known as Duck Island, boating is allowed but hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of the area surrounded by a levee and located between river mile 68.4 and river mile 70.4, from October 15 – March 15.
The following sections of Lake Barkley have special regulations for hunting blinds. Only temporary hunting blinds are allowed on these sections, except for the permanent blind sites drawn in the season long blind drawing. Any permanent hunting blind must remain within 10 yards of the assigned numbered blind marker within the two areas described as follows:
1. Beginning at the mouth of Donaldson Creek and proceeding south along the east side of the old Cumberland River channel as marked by buoys, to a point due west of the boat ramp at Linton, then east to the Linton boat ramp, and then north along the east shore of Lake Barkley to the mouth of Donaldson Creek;
2. Beginning at Pryor’s Creek Light and extending south along the western shore of Barkley Lake, to the boat ramp at the end of Land Between The Lakes Road 204, to the west side of the Cumberland River channel marked with buoys, to river mile 73.5 and then north along the west side of the Cumberland River channel marked with buoys to the Pryor Creek Light.
OHIO RIVER ISLANDS WMA - Waterfowl hunting can be found on the Ohio River Islands WMA. The following special regulations apply on this area. The portion of the Ohio River from Smithland Lock and Dam upstream to the powerline crossing at river mile 911.5 is closed to hunting from Oct 15 - March 15. Stewart (Birdsville) Island is closed to all public access from Oct. 15 - March 15, except for October muzzleloader season. Shooting hours on this area are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES - Trigg & Lyon counties
Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is a United States National Recreation Area and is managed by the United States Forest Service. To hunt LBL, you must purchase a LBL permit in addition to the applicable hunting licenses and permits. This includes hunting on land, as well as hunting from a boat on flooded portions of LBL when the lake level is above 359. Waterfowl hunting opportunities at LBL include walk-in or boat-in hunting from the shoreline, or on any inland water bodies that are open to waterfowl hunting. Permanent blinds are prohibited on inland areas of LBL, and along the Kentucky Lake shoreline. All decoys, equipment and temporary hunting blinds must be removed at the end of each hunting day. LBL inland areas are also closed to waterfowl hunting during quota deer hunts. The following areas are closed to waterfowl hunting, and have special regulations that apply:
1. Long Creek Pond- The eastern one/third of Smith Bay and the eastern two/thirds of Duncan Bay on Kentucky Lake are closed to all activity Nov. 1 – March 15, as indicated by a visible marker on the south corner.
2. The Environmental Education Center and Energy Lake are also closed to all waterfowl hunting.
1. Sinclair Unit refuge: That portion as bounded by Hwy. 176, S1 road and Goose Lake Rd., (including Goose Lake) and as posted by signs, is closed Oct. 15 - March 15.
2. Ken Unit refuge: That portion as bounded by Wysox Rd., H2 road, H1 road and H6 road (including Island and South lakes) and as posted by signs, is closed Oct. 15 - March 15.
KENTUCKY RIVER WMA - Henry & Owen counties
Walk-in hunting is available on this area. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
J.C. WILLIAMS WMA - Walk-in hunting is available on this area. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
GREEN RIVER LAKE WMA - Taylor & Adair counties
CAVE RUN LAKE AREA – Bath, Menifee, Morgan, and Rowan Counties
Cave Run Lake is open to waterfowl hunting, except that no goose hunting is permitted on public lands or waters within the block of land lying inside the boundaries of Hwy. 801, Hwy. 1274, Hwy. 36, Hwy. 211, Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 826.
PIONEER WEAPONS WMA - Bath & Menifee counties
This WMA is a place for hunters who practice traditional methods of hunting, to pursue waterfowl in Kentucky. Modern firearms are not allowed on this area. Hunters may use breech or muzzle-loading shotguns for duck hunting along the Cave Run Lake shoreline bordering the area, but hunters must use muzzle-loading shotguns or archery equipment elsewhere on the WMA. Crossbows, though allowed on the WMA, are not a legal means to take waterfowl in Kentucky.
GRAYSON LAKE WMA - Carter & Elliott counties
Grayson Lake WMA waterfowl hunting opportunities include walk-in or boat-in hunting from the shoreline or from the lake. The following portions of the lake are closed to all waterfowl hunting: You cannot hunt waterfowl within three-quarters of a mile of the dam, within the no-wake zone of the dam site marina, along the shores of Camp Webb or in the Deer Creek Fork of Grayson Lake. All other portions are open to statewide seasons and limits.
YATESVILLE LAKE WMA - Lawrence County
Yatesville Lake WMA waterfowl hunting opportunities include walk-in or boat-in hunting from the shoreline or from the lake. The following portions of the lake are closed to waterfowl hunting:
1. The Greenbriar Creek Branch of Yatesville Lake
2. The portion of Yatesville Lake, including all islands, north of the mouth of Greenbriar Creek Branch are closed to waterfowl hunting, except for Yatesville Lake State Park. (see the State Park hunting section of this guide for more details)
ROBINSON FOREST WMA - Breathitt, Perry & Knott counties
Waterfowl hunting is allowed on the outer tracts of this WMA; however, the main block of Robinson Forest WMA is closed to all hunting.
CEDAR CREEK LAKE WMA - Waterfowl hunting opportunities here include walk-in and boat-in hunting along the shoreline or on the lake. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
DIX RIVER WMA - Walk-in hunting is available on this area. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not enter the area until 4 a.m.
LAKE CUMBERLAND WMA - Lake Cumberland WMA waterfowl hunting opportunities include walk-in or boat-in hunting from the shoreline or from the lake. The following portions of the lake are closed to the public from October 15 – March 15:
- Wesley Bend, the area bounded to the north, west and south by Fishing Creek and to the east by Beech Grove Road and Fishing Creek Road.
- Yellowhole, the area bounded to the west by Fishing Creek Road and the south by Hickory Nut Road.
Regulations for Greenbo Lake, Lake Barkley, Lincoln Homestead, Nolin River Lake, Paintsville Lake, and Yatesville Lake state parks are as follows:
Apply here for Mentor/Mobility-Impaired Hatchery Hunts
Open for waterfowl Mentor quota hunts Jan. 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 (2022).
Individuals wishing to be drawn for one or more of the Mentor Hatchery Waterfowl hunts must apply online between Nov. 1 - 15. A youth may apply for more than one date. A mentor and youth selected may invite two additional youth or one youth and one mentor to hunt with them. The names of guests do not have to be listed on the application. By the end of November, individuals selected will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the date(s) they are drawn, a map showing hatchery location, blinds and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. An individual drawn for one quota hunt during a season will have lower preference to be drawn for a second quota hunt during the same season. Duplicate applications for the same hunt day will result in disqualification.
MINOR CLARK AND PFEIFFER FISH HATCHERIES
Apply HERE