Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area - Hunting Regulations (U.S. National Park Service)

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

No Hunting/Safety Zones:
Hunting is permitted anywhere within the Big South Fork except for those areas designated as safety zones. These safety zones generally are located around areas of concentrated visitor use such as campgrounds and river access points. Download a PDF map of the Big South Fork Safety Zones. (1,600 kb)

Baiting:
The placement of salt, minerals, or food items or other bait to attract wildlife to a specific area is prohibited. (36 C.F.R. 2.2(b)(4)) This does not prohibit the use of cover scents, or attractant scents.

Hunter Orange:
All hunters, including those hunting small game, and those accompanying hunters during any big game firearm season (except turkey) shall wear a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange on their head and upper body during day light hours. (36 C.F.R. 1.5(2))

Horses:
Hunting from or possessing a loaded weapon upon a horse or other animal is prohibited within the park. (36 C.F.R. 2.4(b)) This does not prohibited you from using your horse to get to the area in which you wish to hunt as long as it is an area that is open to horse use. You must, however, dismount from your horse prior to loading your gun or beginning to hunt.

Wild Turkeys are one of the big game animals located in Big South Fork.

National Park Service

Wild Turkey's is one of several big game species found in Big South Fork.

Firearms:
You may not possess a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle. A firearm is considered loaded if there are rounds in the chamber or magazine, a muzzleloader is unloaded if there is no cap on the nipple or powder in the priming pan. (36 C.F.R. 2.4 (b)) You may not possess a loaded firearm in a boat or vessel except when that boat or vessel is being used as a shooting platform in accordance with State and Federal law. You may only load your firearm after the motor has been shut off and all forward motion due to that motor has stopped. (36 C.F.R. 2.4(b)) Firearms may be transported in or on a motor vehicle, boat or horse but they must be rendered temporarily inoperable, or packed, stored or cased in a manner that prevents their ready use. (36 C.F.R. 2.4 (a)(3)) This law can be satisfied several ways, a cased unloaded gun satisfies the requirements of this law. An unloaded gun with a trigger lock installed satisfies this law. An unloaded gun with the ammunition stored in a separate part of the vehicle satisfies this law. A unloaded gun laying in the passengers seat with the ammunition right beside it does not satisfy the requirements of this law.

Dogs:
Dogs may not be used to hunt any big game animal within the Big South Fork. Dogs may be used to hunt small game, game birds, and those furbearers authorized by State Law. The practice known as trolling or tramming of raccoon and squirrel dogs and related activities are prohibited along the Leatherwood Ford Road, the Bandy Creek East and West Access Roads, the Blue Heron Road, East Rim Overlook Road, Yahoo Falls and Alum Ford Roads within the boundaries of the Big South Fork. (36 C.F.R. 2.15(b))

Food Storage:
Food storage regulations are strictly enforced throughout the park. Campers must have all food storage containers and/or coolers placed inside a vehicle when not attended. If backpacking, campers should hang backpacks and food packs from trees using the proper technique (contact visitor centers for more information). Do not leave any food or food scraps behind, please leave a clean camp.

Vehicles/ATV's:
Vehicles and ATV's must stay on designated roads and routes. ATV's are not allowed in the gorge area of the park. 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.

Rockshelters/Arches:
This is a National Park Service area, therefore, cultural resources are protected from looting and digging. These types of offenses constitute a criminal offense and will be prosecuted.

Tree stands:
Permanent tree stands and "screw-in" tree stand steps are prohibited.