Big South Fork is one of only a few National Park Service units legislated to allow hunting. Popular big game species found within the park are Whitetail Deer, Turkey and Wild Boar. In addition to big game, the area is also rich in small game species such as squirrel, raccoon, rabbit and game birds.

As a unit of the National Park Service, there are additional regulations which apply to hunting in Big South Fork. Apart from for these, the hunting regulations within the Big South Fork 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.

In the Tennessee portion of Big South Fork the licensing requirements and hunting seasons are the same as those identified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for the state.

In the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork 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 Big South Fork is the same as those seasons throughout the state. In Kentucky the Big South Fork is managed as a Wildlife Management Area.

An extended season for hog hunting runs from January 21 through February 28 in both Tennessee and Kentucky every year.  A permit is required to hunt hogs during this season in Big South Fork and may be purchased at numerous vendors adjacent to the park or at either park visitor center.  You must have a valid hunting license and the hog permit to hunt hogs during the extended season. 

Big South Fork has developed a new trail map depicting the authorized trail system as it currently exists on the ground which is available for download.  You may also download map of the authorized Hunting Access Routes (pdf 929kb) on which ATV's may be driven while actively hunting deer and boar.

We hope you enjoy your hunting experience in Big South Fork and wish you good luck!