The varied terrains of Kentucky, including the soft, rolling hills in the west and the rugged Appalachian mountains in the east, form a perfect environment for outdoor enthusiasts. The state is rich with public land, and flourishing wildlife regions offer promising exploits for hunters of every skill level. Here we share a quick summary of the 2025 hunting season in Kentucky, drawing attention to important dates and animals to pursue.
You need to know some key rules and licenses change based on where you are and what you’ll hunt. This guide covers the newest hunting rules, license details, and season times ahead of your Kentucky pursuit. Also, we’ll take a look at some primo spots in Kentucky, sorted by animal types, to assist in planning your next triumphant trip.
Important Dates for Kentucky Hunters
Big Games
Deer
Archery
- Statewide: Sep 6, 2025 – Jan 19, 2026
Crossbow
- General (Statewide): Sep 20, 2025 – Jan 19, 2026
- Senior/Youth (Statewide): Sep 6, 2025 – Jan 19, 2026 (Archery equipment allowed)
- Zone 4 Restrictions:
- No antlerless harvest during:
- Modern Gun (Nov 8-23, 2025)
- Early Muzzleloader (Oct 18-19, 2025)
- First 6 days of Late Muzzleloader (Dec 13-18, 2025)
- No antlerless harvest during:
Modern Gun
- Zones 1, 2, 3: Nov 8 – Nov 23, 2025 (All legal methods allowed)
- Zone 4: Nov 8 – Nov 23, 2025 (Antlered only, no does)
Muzzleloader
- Early Season (Statewide): Oct 18 – Oct 19, 2025
- Zones 1-3: Either sex
- Zone 4: Antlered only
- Late Season (Statewide): Dec 13 – Dec 21, 2025
- Zone 4:
- No antlerless Dec 13-18
- Antlerless allowed Dec 19-21
- Zone 4:
Youth Seasons
- Youth-Only (Proposed): Oct 11 – Oct 12, 2025 (Check for updates)
- Youth-Free Weekend: Dec 27 – Dec 28, 2025
(Blaze orange required during gun seasons regardless of method.)
Notes:
- Zone 4 has stricter antlerless rules.
- Archery/crossbow is allowed in muzzleloader seasons.
Elk
Archery & Crossbow
- Either Sex:
- Sep 13 – Sep 26, 2025
- Dec 6 – Dec 12, 2025
Firearm
- Bull (Antlered):
- Sep 27 – Oct 1, 2025
- Oct 4 – Oct 8, 2025
- Cow (Antlerless):
- Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2025
- Jan 3 – Jan 7, 2026
Location: Elk Zone for all seasons
Bear
Archery & Crossbow
- Zone 1: Oct 25 – Oct 27
- Zone 2: Oct 25 – Oct 29 (Chase-Only)
Chase-Only (Current Season)
- Zones 1 & 2: Jun 1 – Aug 31
Firearm
- Zone 1: Dec 13 – Dec 15
- Zone 2: Dec 13 – Dec 17
Hunt with Dogs
- Zone 1: Oct 20 – Oct 24
- Zone 2:
- Oct 20 – Oct 24
- Oct 30 – Nov 7
Additional Upcoming Season
Zones 1 & 2: Sep 9 – Sep 30
Turkey
Fall Turkey Rules
- Bag Limit: 2 birds total
- 1 bearded (3+ inch beard)
- 1 non-bearded or <3″ beard
- Daily Limit: 1 bird
Fall Seasons
- Archery:
- Sep 6 – Jan 19, 2026 (Statewide)
- Crossbow:
- Oct 1 – Oct 19, 2025 (Statewide)
- Nov 8 – Dec 31, 2025 (Statewide)
- Shotgun:
- Oct 25 – Oct 31, 2025 (Statewide)
- Dec 6 – Dec 12, 2025 (Statewide)
Spring Turkey Rules
- Eligible Birds: Males or visibly bearded
- Daily Limit: 1
- Season Limit: 2
- Youth Hunts Count toward season limit
Spring 2025 Seasons
- General:
- Apr 12 – May 4 (Statewide)
- Youth-Only:
- Apr 5 – Apr 6 (Statewide)
Small Games
Squirrel
Spring Season
- May 17 – Jun 15, 2025 (Statewide)
Fall Seasons
- First Segment: Aug 16 – Nov 7, 2025 (Statewide)
- Second Segment: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (Statewide)
Rabbit
Eastern Zone
- Hunting:
- Nov 1-7, 2025
- Nov 10, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Trapping:
- Nov 1-7, 2025
- Nov 10, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Western Zone
- Hunting: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026
- Trapping: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026
Quail, Grouse
Similar season structure across zones (either sex):
Eastern Zone
- Early Season: Nov 1-7, 2025
- Main Season: Nov 10, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Western Zone
- Full Season: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026
Pheasant
Green River WMA:
- Dates: Friday, Nov 15 – Sunday, Nov 17
- Details: 3-day hunt starting on the 3rd Friday of November.
Clay WMA and Yellowbank WMA:
- Dates: Friday, Dec 6 – Sunday, Dec 8(both locations)
- Details: 3-day hunt starting on the 1st Friday of December.
Grouse
- Nov 1 2025 – Nov 7 2025
- Nov 10 2025 – Feb 10 2026
Falconry
- Sept 1, 2024 – Mar 30, 2025 (Statewide)
Youth Hunting & Trapping
- Dec 28, 2024-Jan 3, 2025 (small game, statewide)
Migratory Bird
Dove
Three segments with varying dates:
- Fall Segment: Sep 1 – Oct 26, 2025
- Thanksgiving: Nov 27 – Dec 7, 2025
- Winter Segment: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
Common & Purple Gallinule
- Sep 1 2025 – Nov 9 2025 (70 days)
Crow
- Sep 1 2025 – Nov 9 2025
- Jan 4 2026 – Feb 28 2026 (closes on the last day of February)
Snipe
- Sep 17 2025 – Oct 26 2025 (40 days starting on 3rd Wednesday of September)
- Nov 27 2025 – Dec 10 2025 (67 days starting on Thanksgiving Day)
Virginia & Sora Rail
- Year Round
Woodcock
- Oct 26 – Nov 8 (47 days starting on 4th Saturday of October)
- Nov 11 – Dec 11 (additional 31 days)
Waterfowl
Early Waterfowl
- Teal: Sep 20 2025 – Sep 24 2025 (9 days starting on 3rd Saturday of September)
- Wood Duck: Sep 20 2025 – Sep 24 2025 (5 days starting on 3rd Saturday of September)
Duck, Coot, Merganser
- Falconry:
Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 22, 2026 (Statewide) - Hunting:
Nov 27–30, 2025 (Statewide)
Dec 7, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 (Statewide)
Geese
Canada Goose
- Western Zone (Early): Sep 1 – 15, 2025
- Eastern Zone (Early): Sep 16 – 30, 2025
- General Season: Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026 (Statewide)
Special Seasons
- Conservation Order: Feb 16 – Mar 31, 2025 (Statewide)
- Snow/Ross Goose: Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026 (Statewide)
- White-Fronted & Brant: Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026 (Statewide)
Notes:
- Early seasons split by zone
- Standard seasons run concurrently
- Conservation Order occurs post-season
Special Waterfowl Hunts:
- Youth-Only:
- Nov 22 2025 – Nov 22 2025 & Feb 14 2026 – Feb 14 2026
- (Saturday before Thanksgiving and 2nd Saturday of February)
- Military/Veteran-Only:
- Nov 23 2025 – Nov 23 2025 & Feb 8 2026 – Feb 8 2026
- (Sunday before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sunday of February)
Sandhill Crane
- Dec 7 2025 – Jan 31 2026
Furbearer
Raccoon & Opossum
Hunting
- Statewide: Oct 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Restriction: No daylight hunting during modern gun deer season
Trapping
- Statewide: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Groundhog
- Year-round
Coyote
Able to hunt coyotes all year round, even at night at certain times:
General Hunting
- Statewide: Mar 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Night Hunting (No Lights)
- Summer/Fall: Jul 1 – Nov 30, 2025
- Spring: May 16 – Jun 30, 2025
- Winter: Dec 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
Trapping
- Statewide: Nov 10, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Bobcat
- Opens on the third Saturday of November:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 and
- for Trapping Nov 10 2025 – Feb 28 2026
Other Furbearers
- Nov 11, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Includes: River Otter, Muskrat, Mink, Beaver, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Weasel, Striped Skunk
Falconry
Small Game
- Statewide: Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 30, 2026
Waterfowl
- Ducks: Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 22, 2026
- Geese: Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
Free Youth Hunting & Trapping Week
- Dec 27 2025 – Jan 2 2026
Overview of Hunting Guidelines in Kentucky
General:
- Wearing orange is a must for hunters during particular times.
- Generally, pursuing times are half an hour before and after sunrise and sunset, but it changes for certain animals.
- If you see wildlife rules being broken, you can tell someone without giving your name.
Deer:
- Every deer taken needs checking by phone at call 1-800-245-4263.
- Some deer parts can’t be moved because of a disease called Chronic Wasting.
- Statewide deer permit allows up to 4 deer with antler restrictions.
- Telecheck mandatory for all harvested deer.
Migratory Birds:
- If you want to hunt Sandhill Crane, get a permit. Boatwright WMA has an online system for waterfowl game quotas.
- Some days are set aside for duck shooting for youth and those in the military who pass specific criteria.
- A Snow Goose Conservation Order allows hunting with no daily limit.
- But, you need nontoxic shot for Sandhill cranes and ducks.
- Share info about found bird bands online.
Turkey:
- For spring turkey, obtaining a permit and license is a must, unless you’re an exempted youthful or military individual.
- During particular periods, it’s not allowed to feed the wild turkeys grain or seed.
- You’re not allowed to imitate turkey calls before the season in some areas.
- Although not compulsory, wearing hunter orange is advised for spring turkey hunts.
- Every harvested turkey must go through Telcheck.
- You can’t use bait, dogs, or electronic calls in the spring turkey.
Licenses and Permits
| License/Permit | Resident | Nonresident |
| Licenses | ||
| Annual | $27.00 | $150.00 |
| Annual Youth | $6.00 | $10.00 |
| Trout Permit | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Combo Licenses | ||
| Sportsman’s License | $95.00 | Not Available |
| Senior Sportsman’s | $12.00 | Not Available |
| Disabled Sportsman’s | $12.00 | Not Available |
| Youth (12-15) Sportsman’s | $30.00 | Not Available |
| Deer | ||
| Statewide Permit (4 deer) | $35.00 | $185.00 |
| Youth Permit (4 deer) | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| Additional Permit (2 deer) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Elk | ||
| Elk Drawing Application | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Quota Bull Permit (if drawn) | $100.00 | $550.00 |
| Quota Cow Elk Permit (if drawn) | $60.00 | $400.00 |
| Youth Elk Permit (12-15) (if drawn) | $30.00 | $200.00 |
| Out-of-Zone Elk Permit | $30.00 | $400.00 |
| Bear | ||
| Bear Permit | $30.00 | $250.00 |
| Youth Bear Permit (12-15) | $10.00 | $100.00 |
| Birds | ||
| Spring Turkey Permit (2 turkeys) | $30.00 | $85.00 |
| Youth (12-15) Turkey Permit (1 turkey) | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| Fall Turkey Permit (2 turkeys) | $30.00 | $85.00 |
| Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required | Required |
Top Kentucky Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species
From rolling hills to teeming forests, Kentucky is a paradise for hunters on the lookout for different kinds of game. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert outdoorsman or a beginner hoping for your first big catch, Kentucky has much to offer. We present notable spots to find favorite game species:
White-tailed Deer:
- Land Between the Lakes: It’s amazing for deer hunting. This spot is a blend of forests, fields, and lakes which deer find inviting.
- Big Bone Lick State Park: This park has been around for centuries because of the wildlife-attracting salt lick. White-tailed deer hunts are managed here.
- Eastern Kentucky Mountains: The Daniel Boone National Forest there has lots of forest land that’s ideal for seeking whitetails.
- Big Sandy WMA: It covers 60,000 plus acres and offers a great wealth of deer. The challenging layout and diverse habitats make hunting rewarding there. Campbell WMA is in Kentucky’s middle-west area, well-known for deer hunting. The hilly terrain, different types of forests, and farming fields create an ideal deer home.
Wild Turkey:
- Jackson Purchase: Known for its hills, farms and forests, this part of western Kentucky is perfect for wild turkeys. That’s why many come here in spring for turkey hunting.
- Hill Country: This middle Kentucky area has hills and bluegrass fields. It’s a great place for turkey hunting. Plan your hunts near the fields and forests; that’s where turkeys eat and sleep.
- Land Between the Lakes: This area has a lot to offer with its mix of forests and fields. It’s another great spot for spring turkey hunting where hunters can lure careful gobblers.
- Green River Lake: The lands around this lake offer prime hunting spots for spring turkey season. Look for the perfect place to hunt along its forested shoreline and the hilly areas next to the lake.
Small Game:
- Bluegrass Region: Central Kentucky, with its bountiful plains, is a sanctuary for small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and quail. Public spaces such as wildlife conservation zones provide scenic locations to seek out these creatures.
- Western Kentucky Woodlands: The state’s western parts blend farmlands, small woods, and marshy lands. This varied environment is perfect for hunting small game, where you can track down rabbits, squirrels, perhaps bobwhite quail.
- Eastern Kentucky Forests: Eastern Kentucky’s thick forests are prime spots for squirrel hunts. Hunters can discover a variety of squirrel species, including red fox squirrels and sleek gray squirrels, plentiful in these forests.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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