Wildlife refuges in the Land Between the Lakes are officially closed for the winter to human activity, starting Friday.
According to a news release, nine wildlife refuges are now closed from now through March 16, to all hunting, fishing and boating, with closed areas clearly marked. Those closed refuges including Lake Bards, Lake Duncan, Energy Lake, Hematite Lake and Honker Lake, along with Duncan, Rushing and Smith Bays on Kentucky Lake.
On Lake Barkley, Fulton and Honker Bays have been closed, along with Long Creek Refuge.
These annual closures of the wildlife refuges are to provide undisturbed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bald eagles. Staff at Land Between the Lakes asks for public cooperation with refuge regulations.
Hunters should be aware that hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any Land Between the Lakes facility. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted within 200 yards of a refuge boundary.