Kentucky
167,600
Duck Statewide Harvest
36,400
Goose Statewide Harvest
12,800
No. Waterfowl Licenses Sold Annually
13.6
Ducks Per Hunter
4.8
Geese Per Hunter
Season $27; one-day $7
Cost of Resident Waterfowl Hunting License
$15
Cost of Resident State Stamps and Permits
$25
Federal Duck Stamp
Season $150; seven-day $65; one-day $25
Cost of Non-Resident Waterfowl Hunting License
$15
Cost of Non-Resident State Stamps and Permits
$25
Federal Duck Stamp
Photo by Jordi Jornet
You never heard of Daniel Boone lining up the sights of his old Kentucky rifle on a duck. Maybe that's because Kentucky is better known for deer, turkeys and elk than waterfowl hunting. Still, some pockets in the state hold excellent waterfowl hunting, namely along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
The commonwealth has no shortage of public land, with about 90 WMAs. Hunters will need to study the rules ahead of time, however, as some properties have regulations and season dates that differ from statewide rules.
Your best bet for duck hunting in Kentucky might be Ballard WMA. At times, up to 100,000 ducks and geese congregate here. Hunting is regulated by a quota system.
Quota hunts are also held at Sloughs WMA. Up to 20,000 geese and 10,000 ducks winter at this 11,000-acre complex of wetlands, forest and open land.
Another must-visit waterfowl destination is Boatwright WMA. Other places of note include Peabody, Tradewater, Barlow Bottoms, Dale Hollow, Obion Creek and Doug Travis WMAs.
The Ohio River is also a major draw for waterfowl, and hunting at the Ohio River Islands WMA can be very good, although hunters should take note of closed areas there.
Unfortunately, most of the best waterfowling opportunities in Kentucky occur along the western and southern portions of the commonwealth. Hunters in other areas have slim pickings. Because of this, we can only rate Kentucky as a C-grade waterfowling destination.
— Compiled and written by Joe Shead
