{"id":1316,"date":"2022-07-31T23:28:06","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T23:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntingal.com\/?page_id=1316"},"modified":"2023-07-20T11:44:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T11:44:55","slug":"kentucky-hunting-seasons","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/huntingal.com\/kentucky-hunting-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Deer & Hunting Seasons 2023 – 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kentucky Deer Season and Hunting Information and Regulations<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky is home to some amazing hunting. With a large elk herd and a consistently high ranking for trophy bucks, Kentucky is a great place to look for game. There is also ample bear hunting, which is rare across the US. If you’re looking for smaller game, Kentucky has you covered with rabbits, grouse, quail, squirrel and more. There are also a variety of migratory birds and some great conditions to hunt them in Kentucky. Plus, the state allows hunters to go after game on Sundays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunting permits can be obtained at any Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources office or online through the website. You will need a valid driver’s license or ID to complete the process. Checking in your harvested game is easy, too. You can do it online, at a check-in station, or by calling 1-800-858-1549. Not every species needs to be checked in, but it’s always a good idea to check the regulations before heading out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Deer Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Archery<\/td>Sep. 2 – Jan 15, 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Early Muzzle-loading<\/td>Oct 21 – Oct 22, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Late Muzzle-loading<\/td>Dec 9 – Dec 17, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Modern Gun<\/td>Nov 11 – Nov 26, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Senior\/Youth Crossbow<\/td>Sep. 2 – Jan 15, 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Crossbow<\/td>Sep. 16 – Jan 15, 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Youth-Only Gun<\/td>Oct 14 – Oct 15, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Free Youth Weekend<\/td>Dec 30 – Dec 31, 2023<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Kentucky is a rich hunting state with a huge variety of games, diverse hunting areas, and different guidelines and regulations for each. For specific details, check the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website<\/a> before planning your hunt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is some phenomenal deer hunting in Kentucky and a lot of guidelines for different parts of the state. A hunter is limited to one deer with antlers, excluding button bucks, per year regardless of the zone in which it is taken. \u00a0Kentucky\u2019s bag limits and season dates are dependent on zoning and there are four zones to be considered. There are a number of zone-specific regulations. Zone 1 allows that unlimited antlerless deer may be harvested with the proper permits. Zone 2 has a bag limit of 4 deer in total. All 4 of those deer may be taken with any weapon. Zone 3 has a bag limit of 4 deer total. Only one antlerless deer is permitted with a firearm and all 4 deer may be taken with archery equipment or a crossbow. Zone 4 has a bag limit of 2 deer total and only one antlerless deer is permitted to be harvested. The antlerless deer may be harvested during the archery season, crossbow season, both youth seasons, or the last three days of the December muzzleloader season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Elk Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Either-Sex Archery\/Crossbow<\/td>Sep. 9 – Sep. 22, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Either-Sex Archery\/Crossbow<\/td>Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Cow Firearms<\/td>Nov. 25 – Nov. 29, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Cow Firearms<\/td>Dec. 30 – Jan. 3, 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Bull Firearms<\/td>Sep. 30 – Oct. 4, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Bull Firearms<\/td>Oct. 7 – Oct. 11, 2023<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Kentucky is a rich hunting state with a huge variety of games, diverse hunting areas, and different guidelines and regulations for each. For specific details, check the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website<\/a> before planning your hunt.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The season bag limit is one elk per season, regardless of the permit type or number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Bear Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bear Chase with Dogs<\/td>June 1 – Aug 31, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Bear Chase with Dogs<\/td>Sept 9 – Sept 30, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Bear Archery<\/td>Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Bear Firearms<\/td>Dec 9 – Dec 15, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Bear Quota Hunt with Dogs<\/td>Oct 16 – Oct 29, 2023<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Kentucky is a rich hunting state with a huge variety of game, diverse hunting areas, and different guidelines and regulations for each. For specific details, check the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website<\/a> before planning your hunt.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chasing and dog-led hunting is allowed in some zones. If this is of interest to you, please refer to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bag limit is one bear per hunter per license year, regardless of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Turkey Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spring Turkey – Youths 15 & younger<\/td>April 7, 2023 – April 8, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Spring Turkey – Regular Season<\/td>April 15, 2023 – Closes on Sun after 23 consecutive days<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Turkey – Archery<\/td>September 2, 2023 – January 15, 2024<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Turkey – Crossbow<\/td>October 1, 2023 – October 22, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Turkey – Crossbow<\/td>November 11, 2023 – December 31, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Turkey – Shotgun<\/td>October 28, 2023 – November 3, 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Fall Turkey – Shotgun<\/td>December 2, 2023 – December 8, 2023<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Kentucky is a rich hunting state with a huge variety of game, diverse hunting areas, and different guidelines and regulations for each. For specific details, check the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website<\/a> before planning your hunt.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey Season in Kentucky, like most states is broken into Spring and Fall. During Spring Season, the hunter may harvest a male turkey or a bearded turkey. The daily bag limit is 1 per day. The spring season limit is 2. During Fall Season, the bag limit is 4 birds total, either sex. No more than two may be harvested using a shotgun, no more than one can have a beard length of 3 inches or longer, and there is a one bird per day limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Small Game Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Crow<\/td>Sep. 1 – Nov. 7<\/td><\/tr>
Dove<\/td>Sep. 1 – Oct. 26, Nov. 24 – Dec. 4, Dec. 24 – Jan. 15<\/td><\/tr>
Duck<\/td>Nov. 24 – Nov. 27, Dec. 7 – Jan. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Groundhog<\/td>Mar. 1 – Feb. 28<\/td><\/tr>
Mink<\/td>Nov. 14 – Feb. 28<\/td><\/tr>
Opossum<\/td>Oct. 1 – Feb. 28<\/td><\/tr>
Quail<\/td>Nov. 1 – Nov. 11, Nov. 14 – Jan. 31, Nov. 14 – Feb. 10<\/td><\/tr>
Rabbit<\/td>Nov. 1 – Nov. 11, Nov. 14 – Jan. 31, Nov. 14 – Feb. 10<\/td><\/tr>
Raccoon<\/td>Oct. 1 – Feb. 28<\/td><\/tr>
Sandhill Crane<\/td>Dec. 7 – Jan. 31<\/td><\/tr>
Squirrel<\/td>Aug. 20 – Nov. 11, Nov. 14 – Feb. 28, May 21 – Jun. 17<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Kentucky is a rich hunting state with a huge variety of game, diverse hunting areas, and different guidelines and regulations for each. For specific details, check the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website<\/a> before planning your hunt.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky Crossbow Regulations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kentucky has pretty open crossbow regulations – like most states, you can’t hunt with them during archery season unless disabled, but otherwise you get a pretty wide range of options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n