KDFWR - Purchase Region

Home
United States
Benton, KY
KDFWR - Purchase Region

This page is your connection to Ky. Fish and Wildlife's Purchase Region.

Follow for updates on local public lands, waterbodies, fishing reports, hunting opportunities, and regional wildlife projects happening in western Kentucky. The official page for the Purchase Region of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Follow for updates on public lands, waterbodies, fish and wildlife management activities, hunting and fishing opportunities, and educational programs throughout western Kentucky.

08/28/2026

The annual National Public Lands Day event at Lake Barkey is happening soon!

📆 Saturday, September 26, 2026
🕒 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Resource Management Shop
213 Administration Drive, Grand Rivers, KY 42045.

If you are someone who frequents Lake Barkley and wants to give back to a place that provides recreation opportunities for people across the state and beyond, this day is for you!

Volunteers will…
•Rehab picnic tables and the practice archery range
•Build mini campsite tables
•Stain the archery shooting range platform

To sign up for the event, call the Resource Manager’s office at 270-362-4236!

*Lunch will be provided

08/27/2026

Just a reminder: the in-person blind drawing for Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is happening THIS Saturday, August 29!

Drawing details:
📅 Saturday, Aug. 29
🕐 Registration starts at 9 am - Drawing at 10 am (CT)
📍The WMA office, 1/2-mile south of Berkley on KY 123.

Don’t miss this opportunity to lock in a blind for the entire waterfowl season.

For more on this drawing and others happening around the state, including rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements, check it out here: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Waterfowl-Hunting.aspx

08/21/2026

Did you know…

Squirrels are not dependent on a source of water. Instead, for the most part, they meet their hydration needs from their food.

They will drink from standing or running water if it is available, but they are not required to go to water regularly, as many animals are.

Just a little fact to take with you as you head outdoors this fall and beyond!

For more on squirrel hunting in Kentucky: Learn to Hunt Squirrel - Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife

08/20/2026

The application period for the four dove quota hunts and four traditional mentor/youth quota hunts hosted by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife ends TOMORROW (8/21)!

All applications are due at 4:30 PM (ET).

Don’t wait any longer… apply now!

🔗 For dates, locations, or more information on the hunts (or to apply): https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Migratory-Bird-Hunting.aspx

🔗 2026-2027 Migratory Birds and Waterfowl Hunting Guide:https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Documents/DoveGuide.pdf

08/14/2026

The 2026 waterfowl season is upon us, and the season-long blind drawings are set!

These in-person blind drawings, which give hunters the opportunity to lock in a blind for the entire waterfowl season, are being held for two wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the Purchase Region: Doug Travis WMA and Lake Barkley WMA.

In-person drawing information:

Doug Travis WMA (Carlisle and Hickman counties)
📅 Saturday, Aug. 29
🕐 Registration starts at 9 am - Drawing at 10 am (CT)
📍The WMA office, 1/2-mile south of Berkley on KY 123.

Lake Barkley WMA (Trigg and Lyon counties)
📅 Monday, Sept. 21.
🕐 Registration starts at 7 am - Registration at 8 am (CT)
📍 The drawing will be at the shelter on the east side of the Cumberland River at Lake Barkley Dam, off U.S. 62 near Lake City. Participants should use the powerhouse entrance and then turn right toward the drawing location.

You don’t want to miss this!

For more on these drawings, including rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements, check it out here: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Waterfowl-Hunting.aspx

08/13/2026

A new week means a new public dove field to highlight!

West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has 4 different fields totaling approximately 33 acres of mixed crops and sunflowers.

If you plan to make Western Kentucky WMA one of your spots for this dove season, make sure you know the rules and regulations of the WMA before heading afield.

🔗 For more on Western Kentucky WMA: https://app.fw.ky.gov/Public_Lands_Search/detail.aspx?Kdfwr_id=137

🔗 To view an interactive map as well as a full list of the public dove fields across the state: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/DoveFields.aspx

08/12/2026

Here is an awesome opportunity for eligible landowners in Livingston and Crittenden Counties!

The Livingston & Crittenden County Wetland Wildlife Initiative is a targeted conservation effort designed to help agricultural producers install and manage seasonal wetlands on suitable cropland.

By participating, you'll…
•Help improve water quality
•Support wildlife along the Mississippi Flyway
•Enhance critical habitat for migrating birds

All while keeping working lands working!

To be eligible, you must have…
•Cropland located in Livingston or Crittenden County
•Property within a 3-mile buffer of the Ohio River
•Somewhat poorly to very poorly drained soils capable of holding shallow water

Interested in learning more or finding out if your property qualifies?
Contact Riley Dollenbacher at:
📞 270-356-6377
📩 [email protected].

08/07/2026

Congratulations to all 757 people across the Commonwealth who received their Hunter Education certification during Hunter Education Day this past weekend!

We had people from every corner of the state complete the course, displaying their ability to hunt safely and sustainably.

Check out the total number of certifications, by region, from this past Saturday:
•Region 1: 244
•Region 2: 162
•Region 3: 206
•Region 4: 107

A special shoutout to the Purchase Region for being part of the region with the most people to receive their certification!

(Way to go, coordinator Courtney Goodman and her team!)

If you’re planning on hunting this fall season and you still need your Hunter Education certification, there’s still time. Classes are still being held throughout the state.

To learn more or to sign up for a course: https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Hunter-Education.aspx

Hunter education is more than just a safety initiative—it’s a key part of preserving Kentucky’s outdoor heritage

08/06/2026

Dove season opens soon (September 1, to be exact), meaning it’s time to start making plans on where you’ll be getting out to this fall!

There are a handful of dove fields across the Wildlife Management Areas in the Purchase Region, with the 11.01 acres of planted sunflowers at Doug Travis WMA being one of them.

Special thanks to our team and all of their hard work in getting this field prepped and ready for the upcoming fall season. Swipe through the photos to see how far this dove field has come!

🔗 To learn more about Doug Travis WMA:
https://app.fw.ky.gov/Public_Lands_Search/detail.aspx?Kdfwr_id=40

🔗 To check out the full list of WMA dove fields across the state, including an interactive map: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/DoveFields.aspx

🔗 2026-2027 Fall Dove Guide:https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Documents/DoveGuide.pdf

07/30/2026

REMINDER!

Hunter Education Day is happening THIS SATURDAY! If you or someone in your household does not have their Hunter Education certification but plans on hunting this fall, this is a great opportunity to knock it off the to-do list.

Don’t wait until the fall season is here before you remember you need your certification: get it now!

🔗 To sign up for a course or to learn more: https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Hunter-Education.aspx

Address

Benton, KY
42025

Telephone

270-753-3886

Website

http://fw.ky.gov/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when KDFWR - Purchase Region posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to KDFWR - Purchase Region:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Benton?