Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes is giving an early Christmas present to archers in the form of an extended bow hunting (deer) season.
From December 1st through January 16th, archers will be able to hunt in select areas, which were formerly off-limits, to help control the deer population – a move officials hope will ease some of the area’s burden with a growing state herd.
According to the Explore Kentucky Lake website, hunters can access the Southern Nature Watch Demonstration Area, Brandon Spring Group Center, and the Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry and Piney campgrounds. Archery hunters are encouraged to take antlerless deer in these areas.
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Last year, Kentucky had its lowest harvest in nine years, falling 6.58 percent from last year. Meanwhile, the deer population has been slowly increasing.
The good news for hunters is that hemorrhagic disease was down to a few cases and chronic wasting disease (CWD) wasn’t found at all in the 2020-21 season. While this means safer harvests for deer, increasing populations can cause issues for the entire wildlife ecosystem.
Between archery and crossbows, over 30,000 deer were harvested by bow hunters in 2021. John Westbrook, an environmental staff officer with the USDA Forest Service, has high hopes for the effort.
“Hunting is an important component of our wildlife management program here at LBL. Opening these areas to archery deer hunting is of mutual benefit because it helps us manage our deer populations while providing more access to hunters,” Westbrook said in an LBL press release obtained by GunsAmerica.
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Proper state hunting and camping licenses are required to use the LBL areas for those who are 16 and older. Licensing information can be found at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. LBL has over 170,000 acres of wetlands, open lands, and forests crossing the border between western Kentucky and Tennessee.
Hunters are advised to use extra caution in high-maintenance areas due to park employees. Hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any road, facility, building, occupied area, or within 200 yards of any wildlife refuges.