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Big South Fork is one of only a few National Park Service units legislated to allow hunting. Big game species found within the park are whitetail deer, turkey and wild boar. In addition, the area is rich in small game species, such as squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, and game birds.
Whitetail deer is a top hunting choice.
Ky. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
As a unit of the National Park System, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (park) follows standard regulations applying to hunting. In general, the hunting regulations within the park are the same as the respective state in which you are hunting. For those hunting in Tennessee, the Tennessee regulations would apply, and for those hunting in Kentucky, the Kentucky regulations would apply except for wild hogs.
In the Tennessee portion of the park, the licensing requirements and hunting seasons are the same as those identified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for the state. You can purchase your Tennessee license online.
In the Kentucky portion of the park, the licensing requirements are the same as those identified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The hunting seasons for the Kentucky portion of the park are the same as those seasons throughout the state. In Kentucky, Big South Fork NRRA is managed as a Wildlife Management Area. You can purchase your Kentucky license online.
Per the Tennessee hunting regulations, wild hogs may be hunted in Big South Fork NRRA from mid-September through the end of February each year. Wild hogs can be hunted in Kentucky during deer season only. A permit is required to hunt hogs during this season and may be purchased online (this link is only active from mid-September to the end of February each year) or by check through the mail starting late August each year. The permit costs $5. You must have a valid hunting license for the state you will be hunting in and the hog permit to hunt. Hunting licenses from states other than Tennessee or Kentucky are NOT valid. Dogs may not be used to hunt hogs. Contact us for more information about how to mail in your payment for a permit.
View authorized hunting access routes [1.1 MB PDF] on which ATV's may be driven while actively hunting deer and boar.
