Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
From the open waters of lakes and ponds to the shady banks of rivers and streams and the hills and hollers in between, the Daniel Boone National Forest provides over 700,000 acres of public land opportunities for sportsmen of all ages and experience levels. The forest is home to a wide variety of game species, including deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, quail, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, waterfowl and elk, and our waterways are just as diverse.
Seasons, bag limits and license requirements are determined by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is every sportsman's responsibility to understand and adhere to state hunting and fishing regulations.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Rivers, creeks and reservoirs within the national forest system offer great opportunities for fishing. Many of the slow-moving bodies of water, especially reservoirs, offer an excellent variety of fishing opportunities.
Fishing areas provide opportunities to fish from the water's edge. To find put-ins or boat ramps for fishing on the open water, see opportunities for motorized and non-motorized boating.
River and Stream Fishing
Rivers, creeks and reservoirs within the national forest system offer great opportunities for fishing. Several streams throughout the forest are routinely stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout. The rating and type of trout fishery is provided by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Fishing areas provide opportunities to fish from the water's edge. To find put-ins or boat ramps for fishing on the open water, see opportunities for motorized and non-motorized boating.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed in most areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest though there are some general rules and specific restrictions you must follow.
- No hunting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
- No shooting across a developed roadway or body of water.
- No shooting into or from inside of any cave.
- No displaying of firearms within a developed recreation site except for cleaning and/or transporting to and from vehicle.
- No baiting is allowed at any time.
- Hunters cannot use dogs to chase bears on National Forest lands.
- Any deer stand or blind used on public lands must be removable – do not use any device that requires nails, spikes, or screws.
Areas with Hunting Restrictions
- Forest land between KY 801 and the shores of Cave Run Lake, Cumberland District. This includes the Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area.
- Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area, Cumberland District. Hunting is limited to longbow, crossbow and muzzle loading firearms only.
- Within 150 yards of or inside the boundaries of any developed recreation site in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- Any area closed for the protection of endangered, threatened, rare, unique, or vanishing species of plants, animals, birds or fish.
In addition to the federal rules above, all rules and regulations established by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding hunting apply to all areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Recreational and Target Shooting
In addition to our developed shooting ranges, recreational and target shooting is allowed in most areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest with some restrictions.
- No shooting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
- No shooting across a developed roadway or body of water.
- No shooting into or from inside of any cave.
- No displaying of firearms within a developed recreation site except for cleaning and/or transporting to and from vehicle.
- No shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage due to such discharge.
- No shooting of any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.
Regardless of where you're shooting, remember that you share the Forest with many other visitors and that your responsible firearm usage helps keep both you and them safe.
- ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Always be sure of your target and what is beyond. Ricochets can cause fires. Conditions in the forest can be dry at any time of year. When shooting firearms, please take safety precautions and be mindful that hot projectiles and sparks from ricochets can ignite fires in dry, grassy, brushy fuels.
Search for Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Opportunities
Appletree Shooting Range
Barren Fork Horse Camp
Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area
Bell Farm Horse Camp
Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area
Clear Creek Shooting Range
Clifty Wilderness
Fishing Point
Great Meadows Campground
Hemlock Grove Picnic Area
