State guide

Public land that may allow hunting in Kentucky

150 named public land units in Kentucky from PAD-US 4.1: 111 state wildlife & game areas, 9 forests & grasslands, 4 wildlife refuges & WPAs, 17 lake & reservoir project lands, 9 other public land units. The largest are Daniel Boone National Forest, Redbird Purchase Unit, Land Between the Lakes Other.

150listed areas
1.7Macres (approx.)
111state wildlife & game areas

Deer season 2026–27: archery opens Sept. 5, 2026; firearms Nov. 14, 2026 (Modern gun, statewide). All Kentucky dates by zone (checked Sep 26, 2026)

Kentucky deer season dates for 2026 (from the state agency) · Deer score calculator · How to score a buck

Regulations & licenses: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

This site does not list seasons, bag limits, license or permit rules. Those change every year and differ by area. Check them with the state agency before you go, and confirm the specific area is open to the hunting you plan.

Check regulations with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Where the listed areas are

State wildlife & game areas (111)Forests & grasslands (9)Wildlife refuges & WPAs (4)Lake & reservoir project land (17)Other public land (9)

One dot per area at its reference point; larger dots are larger areas. Outline: U.S. Census Bureau.

Acres by land type

Approximate acres for the portion of each unit inside Kentucky.

Photos from Kentucky public lands

All photo credits

National Forest land
Daniel Boone National Forest
563,891 acres
Photo: US Forest Service - Southern Region · public domain · original source
National Forest land
Jefferson National Forest
879 acres
Photo: US Forest Service - Southern Region · public domain · original source

Public-domain photos by U.S. federal agencies, taken in the place named on each card.

All 150 areas, largest first

Land type Manager PAD-US access Minimum size

National Forest land
Daniel Boone National Forest
563,891 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · McCreary County, Laurel County + 14 more
Open access
National Forest land
Redbird Purchase Unit
146,480 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Clay County, Leslie County + 3 more
Open access
National Forest land
Land Between the Lakes Other
107,071 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Trigg County, Lyon County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Cumberland Recreation Area
90,055 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Russell County, Wayne County + 2 more
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Barkley Recreation Area
53,082 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Lyon County, Trigg County + 1 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area
50,349 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Wayne County, Russell County + 2 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Peabody Wildlife Management Area
41,318 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Muhlenberg County, Ohio County + 1 more
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Green Rv Recreation Area
32,398 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Adair County, Taylor County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area
31,608 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Bell County + 2 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Redbird Wildlife Management Area
24,024 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Clay County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Green River Lake Wildlife Management Area
20,947 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Adair County, Taylor County
Restricted access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Barren River Recreation Area
20,666 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Barren County, Allen County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Yatesville Recreation Area
20,122 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Lawrence County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area
17,734 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · McCreary County, Pulaski County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Elk Forest Wildlife Management Area
16,868 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Clay County + 2 more
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Fishtrap Recreation Area
15,589 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Pike County
Open access
State forest
Pennyrile State Forest
14,353 acres
State: department of natural resources · Christian County, Caldwell County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Nolin Rv Recreation Area
13,337 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Grayson County, Edmonson County + 1 more
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Paintsville Recreation Area
13,183 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Johnson County, Morgan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area
13,156 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lawrence County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Fishtrap Lake Wildlife Management Area
13,135 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pike County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area
13,014 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Jackson County
Open access
State forest
Kentucky Ridge State Forest
11,821 acres
State: department of natural resources · Bell County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Grayson Recreation Area
11,664 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Carter County, Elliott County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
C. F. Ataya Wildlife Management Area
11,585 acres
Joint management · Leslie County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Paintsville Lake Wildlife Management Area
11,215 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Johnson County, Morgan County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Sloughs Wildlife Management Area
11,157 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Henderson County, Union County
Open access
National Wildlife Refuge
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
9,394 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Marshall County, McCracken County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area
9,329 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Spencer County, Anderson County + 1 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Dewey Lake Wildlife Management Area
9,148 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Floyd County
Restricted access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Dale Hollow Recreation Area
9,146 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Clinton County, Cumberland County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Barren River Lake Wildlife Management Area
8,993 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Barren County, Allen County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Clay Wildlife Management Area
8,975 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Nicholas County, Fleming County + 1 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Boatwright Wildlife Management Area
8,843 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Ballard County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Grayson Lake Wildlife Management Area
8,005 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Carter County, Elliott County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Ballard Wildlife Management Area
7,986 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Ballard County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area
7,714 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Bath County, Menifee County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Big Rivers Wildlife Management Area and State Forest
7,602 acres
Joint management · Crittenden County, Union County
Open access
Other state land
Green River Wild River
7,024 acres
State: department of conservation · Edmonson County, Hart County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area
6,741 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Breckinridge County
Mixed (open and restricted parcels)
State wildlife / game area
Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area
6,684 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Laurel County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area
6,446 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · McCracken County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Nolin River Lake Wildlife Management Area
6,428 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Grayson County, Hart County + 1 more
Open access
Other state land
Rock Creek Wild River
6,184 acres
State: department of conservation · McCreary County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Dale Hollow Lake Wildlife Management Area
5,481 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Clinton County, Cumberland County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area
5,456 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Union County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Dewey Recreation Area
4,963 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Floyd County, Pike County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area
4,851 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Letcher County, Harlan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Kentucky Fuel Corporation Wildlife Management Area
4,665 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Knott County, Floyd County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
John A. Kleber Wildlife Management Area
4,271 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Owen County, Franklin County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Obion Creek Wildlife Management Area
4,258 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Fulton County, Hickman County + 1 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Rough River Lake Wildlife Management Area
4,231 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Breckinridge County, Grayson County + 1 more
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Kentucky Lake Wildlife Management Area
4,191 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Calloway County, Marshall County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area
4,132 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Carlisle County, Hickman County
Open access
State forest
Kentenia State Forest
4,102 acres
State: department of natural resources · Harlan County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Carr Creek Recreation Area
3,862 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Knott County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Buckhorn Lake Wildlife Management Area
3,602 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Perry County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Kentucky River Wildlife Management Area
3,569 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Henry County, Owen County
Open access
Other state land
Rockcastle River Wild River
3,517 acres
State: department of conservation · Laurel County, Pulaski County + 1 more
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Kentucky Ridge Forest Wildlife Management Area
3,502 acres
Joint management · Bell County
Open access
Other state land
Cumberland River Wild River
3,123 acres
State: department of conservation · Whitley County, McCreary County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area
2,932 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pulaski County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Rolling Fork Wildlife Management Area
2,910 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Larue County, Nelson County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Carr Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area
2,901 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Knott County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Shillalah Creek Wildlife Management Area
2,546 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Bell County, Harlan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Ashland Wildlife Management Area
2,504 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lee County
Open access
Other state land
Big South Fork Wild River
2,496 acres
State: department of conservation · McCreary County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area
2,491 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Scott County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area
2,292 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Breathitt County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Dr. James R. Rich Wildlife Management Area
2,269 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Owen County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Cranks Creek Wildlife Management Area
2,144 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Harlan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area
2,053 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Caldwell County
Open access
National Wildlife Refuge
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
2,048 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Fulton County
Restricted access
National Wildlife Refuge
Green River National Wildlife Refuge And Conservation Partnership Area
2,044 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Henderson County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Knobs State Forest and Wildlife Management Area
2,044 acres
Joint management · Bullitt County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Robinson Forest Wildlife Management Area
2,014 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Breathitt County, Perry County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Marrowbone State Forest and Wildlife Management Area
1,961 acres
Joint management · Metcalfe County, Cumberland County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Kaler Bottoms Wildlife Management Area
1,912 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Graves County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Fleming Wildlife Management Area
1,905 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Fleming County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Harris-Dickerson Wildlife Management Area
1,838 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Hopkins County, Muhlenberg County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Miller Welch-Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area
1,837 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Madison County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Martins Fork Recreation Area
1,514 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Harlan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Ed Mabry - Laurel Gorge Wildlife Management Area
1,503 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Elliott County
Open access
Other state land
Little South Fork Wild River
1,403 acres
State: department of conservation · Wayne County, McCreary County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Fortner-Davis Wildlife Management Area
1,360 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Bell County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Marion County Wildlife Management Area and State Forest
1,344 acres
Joint management · Marion County
Open access
Other state land
Bad Branch Wild River
1,342 acres
State: department of conservation · Letcher County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area
1,241 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Clay County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Ohio River Islands Wildlife Management Area
1,224 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Livingston County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
R. F. Tarter Wildlife Management Area
1,162 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Adair County, Russell County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Curtis Gates Lloyd Wildlife Management Area
1,097 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Grant County
Open access
State forest
Green River State Forest
1,093 acres
State: department of natural resources · Henderson County
Open access
Other state land
Red River Wild River
1,035 acres
State: department of conservation · Wolfe County, Menifee County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Stone Mountain Wildlife Management Area and State Natural Area
1,013 acres
Joint management · Harlan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Livingston County Wildlife Management Area and State Nature Preserve (Newman's Bluff SNP)
994 acres
Joint management · Livingston County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Simon Kenton Wildlife Management Area
985 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Mason County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
John C. Williams Wildlife Management Area
962 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Nelson County
Open access
State forest
Tygarts State Forest
953 acres
State: department of natural resources · Carter County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Ross Creek Wildlife Management Area
949 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lee County, Estill County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Lake Malone
883 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Muhlenberg County, Logan County + 1 more
Open access
National Forest land
Jefferson National Forest
879 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Letcher County, Pike County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Livingston County Wildlife Management Area (Reynolds Tract)
875 acres
Joint management · Livingston County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Buck Creek Wildlife Management Area
874 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pulaski County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Lake Beshear
872 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Caldwell County, Christian County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area
857 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Hopkins County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Martins Fork Lake Wildlife Management Area
828 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Harlan County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Ping-Sinking Valley Wildlife Management Area
816 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pulaski County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Lake Barkley Wildlife Management Area
804 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Trigg County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Coil Estate Wildlife Management Area
799 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Carlisle County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Cedar Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area
740 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lincoln County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Griffith Woods Wildlife Management Area
736 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Harrison County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Tradewater Wildlife Management Area
733 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Christian County, Hopkins County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Laurel Rv Recreation Area
676 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Laurel County, Whitley County
Open access
Other state land
Martin's Fork Wild River
676 acres
State: department of conservation · Harlan County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Dr. Norman and Martha Adair Wildlife Management Area
634 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Boone County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Mud Camp Creek Wildlife Management Area
573 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Cumberland County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Livingston County Wildlife Management Area and State Nature Preserve (Bissell Bluff SNP)
567 acres
Joint management · Livingston County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Dix River Wildlife Management Area
395 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lincoln County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Stephen's Creek Wildlife Management Area
393 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Gallatin County
Open access
National Wildlife Refuge
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
380 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Lewis County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Guist Creek Lake
333 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Shelby County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Cave Run Recreation Area
331 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Bath County, Rowan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Old Trace Wildlife Management Area
330 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lewis County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Camp John Currie
281 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Marshall County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Mullins Wildlife Management Area
261 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Kenton County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Dr. James C. Salato Wildlife Education Center
244 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Franklin County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Camp Earl Wallace
243 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Wayne County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area
239 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Wayne County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Winford Wildlife Management Area
233 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Carlisle County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
KDFWR Game Farm
226 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Franklin County
Restricted access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Meldahl Pool Recreation Area
178 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Bracken County
Open access
Army Corps of Engineers project land
Greenup Pool Recreation Area
177 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Greenup County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Twin Eagle Wildlife Management Area
174 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Owen County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Bayou Creek Ridge TVA Habitat Protection Area
163 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · McCracken County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Beaver Lake
154 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Anderson County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Elmer Davis Lake
154 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Owen County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
T. N. Sullivan Wildlife Management Area
144 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Franklin County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Sunnybrook Wildlife Management Area
143 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Rowan County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
L.B. Davison Wildlife Management Area
142 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Ohio County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Bullock Pen Lake
142 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Grant County, Boone County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Shanty Hollow Lake
124 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Warren County, Edmonson County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Beechy Creek Wildlife Management Area
114 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Calloway County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Mutter's Cave Conservation Area
109 acres
State: other or unknown agency · Barren County
Restricted access
State wildlife / game area
Boltz Lake
103 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Grant County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Dennis-Gray Wildlife Management Area
102 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Adair County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Corinth Lake
100 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Grant County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
South Shore Wildlife Management Area
96 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Greenup County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Carpenter Lake
67 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Daviess County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
Lee K. Nelson Wildlife Management Area
57 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Webster County
Open access
State wildlife / game area
McNeely Lake
52 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Jefferson County
Open access

Acreage is calculated from simplified PAD-US boundaries for the portion inside Kentucky. “Access” is the PAD-US public access field, not a statement about hunting. National wildlife refuges are generally coded “restricted” in PAD-US because of seasonal or area closures.