Looking for a hunting adventure? Kentucky Hunting Seasons offers EVERY hunter an UNFORGETTABLE opportunity to catch animals in its scenic woods and explore numerous hunting areas.
Kentucky is a state of wonderful forests, fantastic mountains and vas open fields where any hunter can enjoy a quality hunt for various species. There’s a massive amount of public lands which are rich in game species that you won’t be able to decide where and what. The largest elk herd can be found right here located east of the Mississippi River.
There’s a million deer at your disposal, and that’s one of the reasons why Kentucky is in top 5 of the Boone and Crockett Club rankings. Aside from deer, you can hunt turkey, elk and many other small game species such as crow, squirrel, rabbits and others.
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Kentucky Hunting Seasons and All Available Games
#1. Kentucky Deer Seasons
Types | Seasons |
|---|---|
Crossbow | October 1 – 21 |
Archery | September 1 – January 21 |
Firearms | November 10 – 25 |
Muzzleloader | *October 20 – 21 |
Youth-Free Weekend | December 29 – 30 |
Youth-Only Firearms | October 13 - 14 |
*NOTE: Season dates may vary by zone.
#2. Kentucky Turkey Seasons
Fall/Spring | Types | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
Fall | Archery | September 1 – January 21 |
Crossbow | October 1 – 21 | |
Firearms | October 27 – November 2 | |
Spring | General Season | *April 13 – May 5 |
Youth-Only | *April 6 – 7 |
*NOTE: The spring dates are PROPOSED. To make sure you know the exact dates got to the official website.
#3. Kentucky Elk Seasons
Types | Seasons |
|---|---|
Crossbow | *September 22 – December 31 |
Archery | *September 15 – December 31 |
Firearms | *September 29 – December 14 |
*NOTE: Season dates vary by: zone, bull or cow take.
#4. Kentucky Bear Seasons
Types | Seasons |
|---|---|
Chase Only | August 1 – 31 & September 9 - 30 |
Archery | October 27 – November 2 |
Crossbow | April 20 - April 24 |
Firearms | December 15 – 21 |
Muzzleloader | December 8 – 16 |
Quota Hunt With Dogs | October 20 – November 2 |
*NOTE: Season dates may vary by zone and bear hunting is only available for Kentucky residents.
#5. Kentucky Small Game Seasons
Types | Seasons |
|---|---|
Crow | September 1 – November 7 |
Squirrel | August 18 – November 9 |
Groundhog | March 1 – February 28 |
Grouse | November 1 – 9 |
Rabbit | *November 1 – February 10 |
Quail | *November 1 – February 10 |
*NOTE: Season dates may vary by zone.
License Requirements
For hunting any game species in Kentucky, you will have to purchase a proper hunting license. In other words, all individuals both residents and nonresidents must carry and fill out a proper license. For trapping, a license is required of trappers of the age of 12 and older, and this includes the tenants/landowners.
Wonder how you can get a hold of a proper hunting license? Well, there are several ways, and all of them will provide you with it. You can try and get it online through an official website where a replacement license can also be printed free of charge. Getting one in person is also a possibility since there are about 900 locations where it can be done. These locations include county clerks offices, hunting and fishing businesses, some chain stores and country stores.
The price of a permit for a resident is $27.00 a whole year and for a nonresident it’s $150.00. Know that there are some differences in prices if you’re interested in a particular type of hunting or game species.
Night Hunting in Kentucky
In the state of Kentucky, the night hunting as well as using night vision for hunting is allowed. Also, the hunters can use a shotgun for coyotes night hunt all year.
However, there’s a limitation when it comes to night vision; it can be used only from February 1st until May the 31st.
Where to Hunt in Kentucky?
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife department leases manages or owns around 85 wildlife management areas which are available for public use. There is also a possibility for one to get access to privately owned lands which are known as Hunting Access Areas.
These WMAs are concentrated within 5 regions – Purchase Region, Bluegrass region, Green River region, Southeast region and Northeast region.