Hunting in Big South Fork

View the Big South Fork Safety Zone maps on the Superintendent's Compendium page at the bottom.

BUY YOUR HUNTING AND/OR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Online Licenses
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Online Licenses

VIRTUAL CHECK-IN FOR HUNTERS:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife online check-in
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency online check-in

 

Whitetail deer is a top hunting choice.

Ky. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

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.

As a unit of the National Park System, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area follows standard regulations applying to hunting. In general, hunting regulations within the park are the same as the respective state in which you are hunting. For those hunting in Tennessee, Tennessee regulations apply, and for those hunting in Kentucky, Kentucky regulations apply, including 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.

Feral hog hunting is permitted only during established deer hunting seasons in both states, and hunters must use the weapon type authorized for the active deer season (archery, muzzleloader or black powder, or modern firearm) in accordance with applicable state regulations. No separate hog permit is required, there is no limit on the number of feral hogs that may be harvested, and there is no extended or standalone hog hunting season outside of deer seasons. A valid state hunting license is required for the state in which you are hunting, and hunting licenses from other states are not valid. Dogs may not be used to hunt hogs.

View authorized hunting access routes [1.1 MB PDF] on which ATV's may be driven while actively hunting deer and boar.