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Kentucky

Hunting

Hunting

Deer Hunting Seasons & Limits

Deer Hunting Seasons & Limits

DEEREarly SeasonLate Season
ArcherySept. 2, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024
Youth/Senior Crossbow
CrossbowSept. 16, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024
Youth-only GunOct. 14 - 15, 2023
MuzzleloaderOct. 21 - 22, 2023
Dec. 9 - 17, 2023
Modern GunNov. 11 - 26, 2023
Free Youth WeekendDec. 30 - 31, 2023

WHAT LICENSE DO YOU NEED? ​

The tables below provide a quick overview of current licensing requirements. See the rest of this section for exemptions and complete residency, licensing and hunter education requirements. Licenses and permits for species below are not required for children younger than 12.

KENTUCKY RESIDENTSAges 12-15Ages 16-64Ages 65 and older OR Disabled
Deer​Youth Hunting License* +Youth Deer Permit*​Annual Hunting License† +Statewide Permit†​Senior/Disabled or Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License
​​​*Included in Youth Sportsman's License
†Included in Resident Sportsman's License​
NONRESIDENTS
(Must buy nonresident licenses/permits)
Ages 12-15Ages 16 and Older
DeerYouth Hunting License* +Youth Deer Permit*
​Annual Hunting License† +Statewide Permit†


Deer Zones in Kentucky


BAG LIMITS

Bag limits and harvest restrictions apply to all hunters. A pe​rson may take no more than one (1) deer with visible antlers, excluding male fawns (button bucks), regardless of zone, method or season.

However, on some federally controlled areas, including Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Campbell and Fort Knox military reservations and Blue Grass Army Depot, a bonus antlered deer may be taken, as determined by the governing agency for each area.

Only one antlered deer per hunter may be harvested statewide, regardless of zone, method or season.​

DEER BAG LIMITS

Only one antlered deer may be harvested statewide,
regardless of zone or method

​ZONE 1A hunter may harvest an unlimited number of antlerless deer in Zone 1 using the statewide deer permit and additional deer permits.
ZONE 2
A hunter may harvest no more than four deer in Zone 2.
ZONE 3A hunter may harvest no more than four deer in Zone 3. A firearm or air gun cannot be used to take more than one antlerless deer.
ZONE 4A hunter may harvest no more than two deer in Zone 4. Only one can be antlerless. Antlerless deer cannot be harvested during the modern gun season, the early muzzleloader season or the first six days of late muzzleloader season. The statewide bag limit of one antlered deer still applies.