NR 20-021: Lake Barkley duck blind drawing changes due to COVID-19

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Aug. 26, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug 26, 2020) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is announcing changes to the 2020 Lake Barkley Duck Blind Drawing.  As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent restrictions on large gatherings, the drawing will not be conducted as usual.  In an effort to continue to provide quality waterfowl hunting opportunities, blind permits from the 2019-20 season will be “grandfathered.”   

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this is causing, but we feel this is the safest course of action while still providing hunting opportunities to the public” said Wes Davenport, a park ranger at Lake Barkley. “We do not anticipate this to be the new normal, we hope to host the duck drawing next year on its normal days.”

What does this mean?  Hunters who had a permitted blind location during the previous season will have the option to carry this permit over to the 2020-21 season.

Will this process happen automatically?  No, grandfathered permit holders must call the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office/Visitor Center by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020, to renew their existing blind permit for the upcoming 2020-21 season. 

How will I get a copy of my permit?  When the permit is renewed via phone, a copy will be emailed to the permit holder. 

What if I do not call to renew my permit for 2020-21?  Grandfathered permits that have not been renewed by 4 p.m. on September 24 will be terminated. 

What if I did not have a permit last season?  As in previous years, hunters may visit the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office/Visitor Center from September 28 thru October 16 to pin any remaining blind locations on a first come/first served basis.  Office hours are 7a.m. until 4p.m., Monday thru Friday.  This will also apply to any hunters who fail to renew their 2019-20 permit.  In order to pin a blind location, hunters must have all necessary permits to hunts ducks in Kentucky (including valid Ky. hunting license, Ky. Migratory Bird Permit, HIP survey and a federal duck stamp).

What else do I need to know about this process?  Note that face coverings will be required when entering the Visitor Center to obtain a blind permit. 

For more information, please contact the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office/Visitor Center at: (270) 362-4236. The address to the office is 200 Barkley Dam Overlook, Grand Rivers, KY 42045.

 

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps or https://www.facebook.com/lakebarkley/and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)

 


Contact
Lake Barkley Resource Manager's Office / Visitor Center
(270) 362-4236
200 Barkley Dam Overlook, Grand Rivers, KY 42045

Release no. 20-110