As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and current restrictions on large gatherings in Kentucky, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, has announced changes to the 2020 Lake Barkley Duck Blind Drawing.
Spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bill Peoples said the drawing will not be conducted as usual. He added in an effort to continue to provide quality waterfowl opportunities, blind permits from the 2019-20 season will be “grandfathered.”
Wes Davenport, a park ranger at Lake Barkley, apologized for the inconvenience this is causing, but said they feel this is the safest course of action while still providing hunting opportunities to the public. He added they do not anticipate this to be the new normal, and they hope to host the duck drawing next year on its normal days.
So 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. Officials said grandfathered permit holders must call the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office/Visitor Center by 4:00, Thursday afternoon, on September 24th to renew their existing blind permit for the upcoming 2020-21 season. Grandfathered permits that have not been renewed by that time, will be terminated.
Officials say if you do not have a permit from last season, hunters may visit the Lake Barkley Resource Manager’s Office/Visitor Center from September 28 through October 16 to pin any remaining blind locations on a first-come/first-served basis.
In addition, officials note that face coverings will be required when entering the Visitor Center to obtain a blind permit.
