Western Kentucky has long been known as a Hunter's Paradise, as Teddy Roosevelt and Daniel Boone testified. We have an abundance of deer, dove, wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel, and other wild game. But despite the abundance, you can still expect a challenge!

Hunting Lodge Directory

White Tail Deer are Kentucky's favorite game animal, and Crittenden County ranks second in the state for the number of deer harvested. Seasons for archery, muzzleloaders, and modern firearms are scheduled between September and January. Regulations vary year by year and county by county; they are outline in the current Deer Guide available from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Marion's annual Big Buck competition attracts hunters from across the nation!

Wild Turkey. Kentucky's turkey restoration program has become a model for the nation over the past decade and a half. Crittenden County has both a Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting Season. Some of the best gobbler hunting in Kentucky is found in Crittenden County. An annual guide to turkey hunting is published by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Ohio River provides a wide variety of species, including crappie, black and white bass, sunfish, sauger, and catfish. The largemouth bass fishing is outstanding enough to attract several local and national bass tournaments. The angling possibilities are wide enough in numbers and variety to satisfy the most demanding fisherman. For easy access to the river, boat ramps with ample parking are located…

Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake, within 20 miles of Marion, offer some of the best crappie, bass, catfish and bluegill fishing in the nation. Professionals and amateurs alike enjoy the vast fishing opportunities these great lakes have to offer.

Public Hunting Areas

Wildlife management Areas operated by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife in the region provide a variety of game, but hunting is often under special regulations and seasons.

Located in Henderson County and Union County:
Sloughs Wildlife Management Area is 10,000 acres of mostly Ohio River bottoms in four separate units is home to upward of 30,000 geese and thousands of ducks winter here annually. Hunting opportunities also include deer, turkey, swamp rabbit, coyote, squirrel, quail and dove. Contact Mike Morton at 270-827-2673

Located in neighboring Union County is the Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area, 5,424 acre area provides a variety of public hunting opportunities including deer, dove, rabbit, quail, squirrel, woodcock, turkey, fox and coyote.

This area also offers ten miles of hiking trails as well as 18 miles of roads including many old roads which may be hiked and an 80 acre lake with two smaller lakes. Camping and picnic areas are available.

There are also wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities with more than 135 species of birds, including dove, quail, woodcock, turkey and bald eagles.
Coyote, deer, red and grey fox, rabbit, raccoon, groundhog, and red, grey and fox squirrel have been also been sighted here.

Contact Scott Buser at 270-389-3580

Hunting and Fishing Regulations

Hunting Guide

Information on is available from

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources,
1 Game Farm Road
Frankfort, KY 40601.

For the help desk call: 1-800-858-1549
or visit their web site at www.fw.ky.gov

Crittenden County Conservation Officer:
Randy Conway, 270-965-3049

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Boat Ramps:

• E-town Landing, Highway 297
• Cave in Rock Ferry Landing, Highway 91 N
• Dam 50, Highway 387