Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Kentucky?

Depending on what you’re hunting, the next open season may already be underway!

This guide includes up-to-date season dates and bag limit information to help you plan. However, always double-check with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) for the most current regulations before heading into the field.

Some 2025–2026 season dates have already been updated here. As KDFWR releases more details, we’ll continue to keep this resource current.

Deer

Restrictions and regulations for deer hunting apply per zone, so be sure to check with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) for the latest information.

• Archery (Statewide): September 6, 2025 – January 19, 2026
  
• Crossbow (Statewide): September 20, 2025 – January 19, 2026
  
• Modern Gun:
  • Zones 1, 2, 3: November 8 – 23, 2025
  • Zone 4: November 8 – 23, 2025
    
• Muzzleloader:
  • Statewide: October 18 – 19, 2025
  • Statewide: December 13 – 21, 2025
    
• Youth-Free (Statewide): December 27 – 28, 2025
  
• Youth-Only (Statewide): October 11 – 12, 2025

Turkey Season

Turkey seasons are also defined by Zones and firearm vs. bow. Hunters can enjoy two opportunities to hunt turkeys: spring and fall.

Spring Dates

• Statewide: April 12 – May 4, 2025
• Youth Only: April 5 – 6, 2025

Fall Dates

• Archery (Statewide): September 6, 2025 – January 19, 2026
  
• Crossbow (Statewide): October 1 – 19, 2025 and November 8 – December 31, 2025
  
• Shotgun (Statewide): October 25 – 31, 2025 and December 6 – 12, 2025

Bear

To legally hunt bear in Kentucky, confirm the dates for various zones and methods (firearm, chase, or with dogs).

• Archery & Crossbow:
  • Bear Zone 1: October 25 – 27, 2025
  • Bear Zone 2: October 25 – 29, 2025
    
• Chase-Only:
  • Bear Zones: June 1 – August 31, 2025
  • Bear Zones: September 9 – 30, 2025
    
• Firearm:
  • Bear Zone 1: December 13 – 15, 2025
  • Bear Zone 2: December 13 – 17, 2025
    
• Hunt With Dogs:
  • Bear Zones 1 & 2: October 20 – 24, 2025
  • Bear Zone 2: October 30 – November 7, 2025

Elk

Hunters must follow specific regulations for hunting elk.

• Archery & Crossbow:
  • Early Season (Either-sex): September 13 – 26, 2025
  • Late Season (Either-sex): December 6 – 12, 2025
    
• Firearm:
  • Bull Hunt 1: September 27 – October 1, 2025
  • Bull Hunt 2: October 4 – 8, 2025
  • Cow Hunt 1: November 29 – December 3, 2025
  • Cow Hunt 2: December 27 – 31, 2025

Migratory Birds

• Dove: September 1 – October 26, 2025, November 27 – December 7, 2025, and December 20, 2025 – January 11, 2026
• Rail: Open year-round
• Woodcock: October 25 – November 7, 2025 and November 10 – December 10, 2025
• Snipe: September 17 – October 26, 2025 and November 27 – December 10, 2025
• Gallinule: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Sandhill Crane: December 7, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Waterfowl

• Early Teal: September 20 – 24, 2025
• Duck: November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 7, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Coot: November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 7 – January 31, 2026
• Merganser: November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 7, 2025 – January 26, 2026
• Goose:
  • Canada (Early Season Western Zone): September 1 – 15, 2025
  • Canada (Early Season Eastern Zone): September 16 – 30, 2025
  • Canada/Cackling, White-Fronted, Brant (Statewide):November 25, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Snow & Ross: November 27, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Conservation Order: February 16 – March 31, 2025

Coyote

• Hunting: March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025 and March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Night Hunting:
  • Lights Allowed: December 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
  • No Lights: July 1 – November 30, 2025
• Trapping: November 11, 2024 – February 28, 2025 and November 10, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Small Game

• Grouse: November 1 – 7, 2025 and November 10 – February 10, 2026
• Squirrel:
  • Spring: May 17 –June 15, 2025
  • Fall: August 16 – November 7, 2025 and November 10 – February 28, 2026
• Rabbit:
  • Hunting & Trapping:
    • Eastern Zone: November 1 – 7 and November 10, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Western Zone: November 10, 2025 – February 10, 2026
• Quail:
  • Eastern Zone: November 1 – 7 and November 10, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Western Zone: November 10, 2025 – February 10, 2026