Kentucky Hunting Seasons

Welcome to the Kentucky Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2024-2023.

As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Kentucky?”

There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.

The Kentucky hunting season website describes the hunting in this State as follows:

“Bring out your inner Daniel Boone with a hunting trip in Kentucky’s beautiful forests, rolling open fields and spectacular mountains. In Kentucky, you’ll discover abundant public lands to explore in search of wild game.

Here you’ll find the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River. Our herd of nearly a million deer produces enough trophy bucks to keep Kentucky consistently in the top five rankings of the Boone and Crockett Club listings. Bear hunting opportunities are expanding as more bruins colonize the state from the southeast.

Kentucky is home to a variety of smaller game including squirrels, rabbits, quail and grouse. Migratory bird opportunities include doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and more. Sunday hunting is allowed in Kentucky. Explore all the hunting that Kentucky has to offer on this website. Then come on out and join us for a day afield.”

IMPORTANT. All care has been taking in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.

Kentucky Deer and Elk Hunting Season

The Kentucky Department Of Fish and Wildlife Resources has this to say about deer hunting during hunting season.

“The story of Kentucky’s rocketing deer herd growth is an amazing success story. Today, Kentucky is a top-10 state for hunters seeking that trophy buck. The herd also is substantial enough to support the harvest of more than 130,000 deer each year. That’s a lot of venison for the table.”

Hunting Category	Hunting Season 2024-2023*
Deer Firearms (General)	Nov 9-24
Deer (Muzzleloader)	Oct 19-20 & Dec 14-22
Deer (Bow)	Sept 7-Jan 20
Deer (Crossbow)	Sept 21-Jan 20
Deer Firearms (Youth)	Oct 12-13
Elk Firearms (General)	(Bull) Sept 28-Oct 2 & Oct 5-9(Cow) Nov 30-Dec 4 & Dec 28-Jan 1
Elk (Bow)	Sept 14-27 & Dec 7-13
Elk (Crossbow)	Sept 14-27 & Dec 7-13
Elk Firearms (Youth)	All Elk Season Dates