We have talked about this for a long time, but never actually did it, so here it is, Oct 31-Nov 4 some of the KTBA gang will be camping at "Energy Lake Campground" in Land Between the Lakes. In Kentucky alone this is 107,000 acres of mostly oak woodlands. there are some food plots as well as corn soybean crops, but probably 95 % wooded.

For those that have never been, deer densities are decent, but not high, good turkey populations, Bobcat, coyotes, bald eagles are frequent sightings, with armadillos become more common. Even though deer densities are not fantastic, the contours of the land and travel routes to the crop/foodplots usually make for ample sightings and some good hunting. For those squirrel hunters in the bunch, this trip is worth it for that alone.

Google "Land Between the Lakes" for their regs. For you KY residents this is a bonus two deer (Bonus buck !) I cant personally help everyone to a hotspot, but can give you a few pointers. Maps are available on their website, with topos and food plots. Motels in Grand Rivers, but the campground is nice.

Im not saying this is the best deer hunting location in the world, but its pretty nice, and my personal favorite . You can hunt easy access, or hike back in away from everyone else, whichever you prefer. Hunting pressure is fairly light. Close to energy is a population of Fallow deer (sorry, off limits) and an elk and bison prairie (also off limits) . You cant hunt 'em, but they are fun to view. Early nov is a great rut activity time, i expect lots of buck sightings.

Chime in anyone intrested, just for curiousity, but this is a dutch hunt, nothing provided but each others campfire entertainment.

Good luck Randy!

there will be a couple of sc boys there the same time i hope. maybe we can get togather

benji

Sounds like a good time Randy! Good luck from Florida to all my Kentucky brethren!

Big John

I looked up the out of state fees. If I read it correctly the 7 day out of state deer hunting license is $55. Plus there is a $25 LBL fee. If I am incorrect someone please tell me. Randy- is there electricity at that camp ground? Showers?

Also, there is no weight restriction on the bow poundage. Broadheads must be 7/8" minimum.

John, the 7 day non resident hunting license is not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear.

An Annual Non Resident hunting license($140.00) is required to deer hunt and a Non Resident deer permit($120.00) is required as well. Also a Hunter Safety Card, if it applies to you.....and I don't remember what the regulation(Birthdate/Non Resident) is on that.

The State hunting license and deer permit are required before you can purchase the LBL user permit($25).

I'm going from memory here so double check me.

heres link to KDFW. http://fw.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx Yes John, its an improved campground, water electric, showers, flush toilets. (We do have a few of those in KY ! )

http://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Pages/Fees.aspx

Looks like a 7 day Nonresident lic is $55, plus a $120 deer tag, plus the $25 LBL user permit. The $120 deer tag is what the killer is, but you have to be a legal state deer hunter to hunt deer in LBL, even though it is bonus tags. I hope this dont deter you out of staters, but i understand if it does. We used to run into some guys from Florida that hunted there every year, said they came to KY to hunt BIG deer ! I guess compared to the far south deer they are. Hope you can make it anyway John. I'll try and get you on some deer if you can.

NR Annual Hunting license $140. The1and 7 day hunting permits not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear. NR Deer Permit (two deer) $120. LBL Permit $25. Hope this helps. Tom

I thought it meant that the 7 day non resident required a deer tag as well, but you might be right.

Called and checked, and it is $140 for annual hunting , and $120 For deer tags, plus the $25 LBL permit.

That is $285 for 4 possible deer, 1 either sex at LBL and statewide, and 1 antlerless at LBL and statewide.

yep, about the only way to take two bucks in Kentucky. I never seem to have a problem running out of tags though ! LOL. A few years ago I killed my best buck at home, than 3 days later another fair buck at LBL. I was stoked that week !

Heres the LBL website, lots of good habbitat maps, topos, campgrounds, roads and trails. http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/

I hope to be there next week,wed, or thursday at the latest. Have a few guys from NC coming and a few from around here.

Plenty of mast this year at LBL on the TN side...scrapes and rubs just now showing up good...

Come on up to Energy campground and say Howdy !

Over scouting TN side today..new scrapes on the grown over logging roads showing up...a few rubs, mostly on cedars...

Here are some pics I have of LBL so newcomers can see the topography.....

Primitive camping...site I used in the Spring...

Hung my stand today..then scouted some in another area ..

Love the pics PO, wish I was at home where I could post some of mine. Cant wait ! I get more excited going to LBL than most people would an African Safari.

Yep..favorite whitetail area..went up to Pennyrile for the first time back in September and plan on going back after TN closes in Jan....

A buck I killed at LBL in 2011

same buck. Not a huge buck, but my best public land buck. The following year I saw two big bucks at same site, but never got a shot.

times past, this sign was nailed up before the whole of LBL became as a result of imminent domain.

If you want to look us up, this is me...., i'll be the good lookin' guy.....

I have 2 hunting friends rolled in today, camping by Rushing Creek..weather is going to be good this weekend for LBL hunters..

is that Tennesee ? (Rushing Creek)

On the state line...

On the state line...

headed that way, drop by and visit at Energy !

Had a great time ! I have hunted LBL for many years, and managed to take my third deer on this trip. Only a spike buck, but he gave me a gravy 10 yard shot and I just couldnt pass it up ! He ran maybe 100 yards in a loop that enabled me to watch him go down. Aproximately one hour later another buddy in our group texted that he had got a doe. Great trip, and lots of fun around the campfire and eating good food. We will try and do this again next year !

scott Record scored on a doe within an hour of me getting this little spike.

Looks like a great time!

We went on and deboned the deer in camp.

Sounds like you guys had a great time!

So how did you're bunch do PO. I was tempted to drive down to Rushing Creek and introduce myself, but frankly we were busy from before daylight to well after dark the whole time. Next time we need to rendezvous somewhere.

So is this going on next year Randy?

Looks like an awesome time. Energy lake has a real nice camp ground.

Yes, we have decided to make it an annual KTBA club function, everyone invited of course. We have our last shoot in August, and don't start up again until January, so this is a nice event in between. Energy Lake campground is a great meeting spot, as too many people backcountry camping could cause some logistics problems. Its nice to have that hot shower, flush toilet, water and electric. Its also a nice centrally located spot for KY LBL, and not too far from those wishing to hunt the TN portion. Im excited, and ready to go back next year !

What area is this in? I have only hunted area 10.

Looks like y'all had a great time! Congrats to you and Scott

I killed mine in area 10, Scotts was the area north of #68 on the west side of trace, not sure which area # it is. Its all good, i have seen der every where, not really a big difference.

Hope to be there next year with you Randy.

Great ! Bring some buddies.

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