An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Every public lands property in Kentucky is unique, varying by location, ownership, land and water features, local wildlife, and recreational opportunities. The information below explains what to expect based on different public land designations to help you find the right spot for your intended outdoor activities—anywhere, anytime.
Research the opportunities, regulations, and boundaries of possible destinations in advance to ensure the most enjoyable time afield. Always consult Kentucky's hunting and fishing guides because regulations differ between areas and sometimes change. Be aware of applicable hunting seasons or quota (drawing) hunts, which could impact your plans. If you have additional questions, call 1-800-858-1549, email Info.Center@ky.gov, or contact your local public lands officer.
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The Wildlife Management Area & Public Lands Search is a go-to source for information about where to hunt, fish, hike and more in Kentucky.
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Kentucky's Public Hunting areas are organized into five regions based on geographical features. Select the region where you want to learn more about specific dates and regulations. You can also download and print a document at your convenience.
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Kentucky Fish and Wildlife owns, leases or manages more than 85 wildlife management areas (WMAs) for public use. In some areas, a user permit is required. It also has agreements to provide public access on certain privately owned lands, known as Hunting Access Areas. Many public-use areas have special regulations and hunting season dates that differ from statewide sea sons. In some public-use regions, a user permit is required. Please refer to specific area listings for that information. The rest are open to hunting free of additional charge.
The information here applies to users of all WMAs owned or managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. If you intend to hunt (or otherwise visit) public lands listed under “Wildlife Management Areas,” you must comply with the following guidelines.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife offers special exceptions to hunting and fishing regulations for mobility-impaired persons who want to hunt and fish on select WMAs. (Eligibility requirements appear in the Quota Hunts section.) Persons interested in applying for a Mobility-Impaired Access Permit should contact the department for an application or print one here.
Applicants for a Mobility-Impaired Access Permit shall fill out the required information on the application and obtain the attestation and signature from a licensed physician describing the mobility impairment.
A mobility-impaired individual shall have a completed Mobility-Impaired Access Permit application on his or her person at all times while participating in such activities, along with the appropriate hunting licenses and permits.
Mobility-impaired access areas have been designated on portions of the following WMAs:
Icon Guide
On the Charts below, all Mobility-Impaired Accessible WMAs are marked with an "Accessible/ Mobility-Impaired WMA" icon.
To select these WMAs in the "Public Lands Search," please click the " Accessible" Icon. )
The Mobility-Impaired Access Permit allows the following activities by a mobility-impaired individual:
A person with a Mobility-Impaired Access Permit may designate one (1) qualified assistant. The assistant may:
A qualified assistant shall not:
During WMA deer quota hunts and the open firearm deer hunts at Grayson Lake and West Kentucky WMAs, only participating hunters and accompanying non-hunting assistants (limit one per hunter) are allowed to be on those WMAs, except waterfowl hunters in some areas that may be open, or if a part of the WMA is otherwise open as noted in the following area listings. Non-hunting assistants must check in with the quota hunter they are accompanying and abide by hunter-orange requirements.
Open deer hunts are offered in the following state parks on the following dates. Contact the host state park for complete details, including the number of available slots, equipment restrictions, bag limits and check-in and check-out procedures.
Are available on Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA, Higginson-Henry WMA, John A. Kleber WMA, Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA, Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, Peabody WMA, Taylorsville Lake WMA and West Kentucky WMA. (Please Note: Jones-Kenney WMA range is temporarily closed.) Users must comply with all rules posed by sign per each area. Shooting ranges are closed on Mondays and during deer quota hunts at applicable WMAs. Some ranges can be reserved for special events by contacting the WMA manager 30 days in advance of the event. For more information, visit www.arcgis.com and type "Kentucky Shooting Ranges on Public Hunting Areas" in the search box. Public shooting ranges are also available in Daniel Boone National Forest. Details are available online at www.fs.usda.gov/dbnf by clicking "Recreation" and "Other Activities."
The charts in this section should be used as a quick reference only. WMAs and other public lands may be open to hunting and trapping during statewide seasons or have different dates and regulations determined by the managing agency. Check out the Public Lands Search App for all the details on these public lands. Also note that some of these public lands may have areas off-limits to hunting or trapping, as indicated by signs, and that units within these areas may have different season dates or regulations.
KEY: Open under statewide regulations Open under statewide regulations Closed Closed Quota Hunt OnlyQuota hunt Open under statewide regulations with exceptions. Quota Hunt only with exceptions Open with exception(s) [Desktop users please click over to see exceptions.]
OPEN UNDER STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR ALL SPECIES in accordance with the county which they are located:11. Beechy Creek WMA (270-753-6913); 12. Coil Estate WMA (270-224-2244); 13. Ferguson Creek WMA (270-753-6913); 14. Jones-Keeney WMA (270-753-6913); 15. Kaler Bottoms WMA Accessible/ Mobility-Impaired WMA (270-753-6913); 16. Kentucky Lake WMA (270-753-6913); 17. Obion Creek WMA (270-210-9774) and 18. Winford WMA (270-224-2244).CALL FOR DETAILS: A. Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (270-527-5770); B. Fort Campbell Military Reservation (270-798-9824); C. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (270-924-2065); D. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge (731-538-2481).
KEY: Open under statewide regulations Closed Quota hunt Open with exception(s) [Desktop users please click over to see exceptions.]
OPEN UNDER STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR ALL SPECIES in accordance with the county which they are located:9. Blackford Oaks WMA (270-389-3580); 10. Clear Creek WMA (270-476-1889); 11. Gabbard Branch WMA (270-476-1889); 12. Green River State Forest (270-797-3241); 13. Harris-Dickerson WMA (270-476-1889); 14. L.B. Davison WMA (270-476-1889); 15. Lee K. Nelson WMA (270-389-3580); 16. Rough River Lake WMA (270-646-5167).CALL FOR DETAILS: A. Fort Knox Military Reservation (502-624-7311 or 502-624-2712).
OPEN UNDER STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR ALL SPECIES in accordance with the county which they are located:16. Marion County WMA & State Forest (502-477-9024); 17. Rolling Fork WMA (502-477-9024)*; 18. Stephens Creek WMA (859-428-2262).CALL FOR DETAILS: A. Bluegrass Army Dept (859-779-6651).
OPEN UNDER STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR ALL SPECIES in accordance with the county which they are located:14.Betterment Wildlife Hunting Access Area(606-776-2620); 15. Ed Mabry-Laurel Gorge WMA (606-776-2620); 16. Elk Horn Coal Hunting Access Area* (606-776-2620); 17.Horse Mill Branch WMA* (606-776-2620); 18.Old Trace Creek WMA (606-780-0854); 19.Simon Kenton WMA (859-289-8564); 20.Sunny Brook WMA* (606-780-0854); 21.Tygarts State Forest (502-564-4496).CALL FOR DETAILS: B. Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (304-375-2923).
South Shore WMA: Closed to all hunting and public access November 15 - January 15, except open for waterfowl and dove hunting when statewide seasons are open.
OPEN UNDER STATEWIDE REGULATIONS FOR ALL SPECIES in accordance with the county which they are located:22.Ashland WMA (606-878-9595); 23. Betterment Wildlife Hunting Access Area, Knott & Letcher portions: (606-654-2533), Leslie & Perry portions: (606-877-8409); 24.Boone Forestlands WMA (606-654-2533); 25.Buck Creek WMA (606-677-1098); 26.Buckhorn Lake WMA (606-435-6229); 27.Burchell-Beech Creek WMA (606-677-1098); 28. Carr Creek Lake WMA (606-654-2533); 29. Cumberland Forest WMA (606-878-9595); 30. Cranks Creek WMA (606-654-2533); 31. Dale Hollow Lake WMA (270-465-5039); 32. Elk Forest WMA (606-654-2533); 33. Elk Horn Coal Hunting Access Area* WMA (606-654-2533); 34. Fortner-Davis WMA (606-654-2533); 35. Hoskins WMA (606-654-2533); 36. Jefferson National Forest (888-265-0019); 37. Kentenia State Forest (502-564-4496); 38. Kentucky Ridge Forest WMA (606-654-2533)/ Kentucky Ridge State Forest (502-564-4496); 39. Martins Fork Lake WMA (606-654-2533); 40. Martins Fork WMA & State Natural Area (606-654-2533); 41. Meadow Creek WMA (606-376-8083); 42. Ross Creek WMA (606-677-1098); 43. Shillalah Creek WMA (606-654-2533); 44. Stone Mountian WMA & State Natural Area (606-654-2533); 45. Wells Hunting Access Area(606-435-6229);