KY.gov

An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Ballard WMA
Click here for a detailed Printable map

WMA Overview

Size: 8014 acres
Location: Ballard
Contact: (270) 224-2244
Elevation: minimum 286 feet, maximum 367 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 37.1821, Longitude W -89.0271
Area Habitat: open land 27.34%, forest 27.69%, wetland 38.64%, open water 6.35%.

Regulations

Special regulations apply for hunting on Ballard WMA. For complete details, check out our hunting guide, or our website, fw.ky.gov. Ballard WMA is closed to unauthorized public access annually Oct. 15 - March 15. The area west of Hwy. 473 within the two-mile driving loop is closed to all hunting as marked by signs.

The 400-acre tract located south of SallieCrice/Terrell Landing Road is open under statewide regulations for all hunting and trapping seasons.

Hunting seasons on the Main Unit are as follows:

Squirrel: Open from the third Saturday in August through Oct. 14.

Rabbit & Quail: Closed.

Deer: Open under statewide archery and crossbow seasons through Oct.14 only, and the youth gun season.

Quota Hunt, either sex, two consecutive days starting on the first Saturday in November. Drawn quota hunters awarded one preference point for each female deer harvested, up to four. Scouting permitted through Oct. 14. Portions of the area are closed, as marked by signs, during quota hunt.

Closed for the free youth weekend

Turkey: Closed during the fall firearm, crossbow or archery seasons. Open under statewide regulations during the spring season.

Waterfowl

  • $15 per hunter/per day fee for waterfowl hunting

  • Duck, coot and merganser season is Dec. 5, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019. Youth waterfowl season is Feb. 2-3, 2019.

  • Bag and possession limits are the same as statewide limits

  • Hunting must cease, and hunters and equipment must be off the area by 2 p.m. CST

  • Hunting by advance application or standby is available. Hunters must apply online at fw.ky.gov. Application deadline is Sept. 30. Applicants and standby hunters must check in by 5 a.m. CST.

  • No hunting is permitted on Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

  • No more than four persons will be allowed in a hunting party, and at least one person in the party must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Waterfowl hunters are limited to 25 shells per day.

  • Any person whose transportation to and from hunt units is provided by the department must have his/her gun encased.

  • The Ohio River from 50 yards upstream from Dam 53 to 50 yards downstream from the southern border of Ballard WMA is closed to waterfowl hunting Oct. 15 - March 15.

  • Those participating in a Kentucky Fish & Wildlife quota hunt must follow state and federal regulations or the hunter will be prohibited from participating in any other waterfowl quota hunts that year and all other quota hunts the following year.

Directions & Description

Thirty miles west of Paducah, on Ohio River. From Paducah take US 60 for 17 miles to LaCenter, take KY 358 north 5.6 miles to KY 1105. Turn west through Bandana, follow KY 1105 to KY 473. Travel 6 miles to Lodge Road. Several roads within area.

Sloughs and agricultural bottomlands, some hardwood stands. Wintering bald eagles, eagle nests. Fishing in 11 lakes on area.

Special regulations for hunting and fishing. The 400-acre tract located south of Sallie Crice/Terrell Landing Road (formerly the Ballard Hunting Unit) falls under Boatwright WMA Olmsted and Peal Unit hunting regulations. Fee, advance application required of deer, waterfowl hunters. Write, email or call Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for additional information.

Area closed Oct. 15-March 15. Owned by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.