Officials with the USDA Forest Service and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area have announced the seasonal reopening of several wildlife refuges to human entry — after they were closed this winter to provide waterfowl, shorebirds and bald eagles needed sanctuary.
Reopened locations include Bards, Duncan, Energy, Hematite and Honker lakes; Duncan, Rushing and Smith bays on Kentucky Lake; Fulton and Honker bays on Lake Barkley; and Long Creek Refuge.
Wildlife refuges are annually closed from November 1 to March 15. Undeveloped shorelines, alongside proximity to the Mississippi Flyway, make Land Between the Lakes an ideal destination for migratory species and birdwatchers alike.
Maps with locations of the wildlife refuges are available online at www.landbetweenthelakes.us/maps.