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!
The Ohio River provides a wide variety of species, including
crappie, black and white bass, sunfish, sauger, and catfish. The large mouth 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.
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, muzzle loaders,
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.
Hunting and Fishing Regulations
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
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
