2024 Kentucky Hunting Season Dates & Bags Latest Guide!

Kentucky provides hunters a variety of hunting options. With several species to pursue, Kentucky’s 2024 hunting season could be thrilling. Deer, other big-game animals such as turkey, furbearers, migratory and waterfowl birds, and upland games have the following season dates. Check the below hunting guide to confirm your dates. Additionally, the table below lists all species’ bag limitations. Happy hunting! 🦌🦃🐇🐿️🦝🦡🦊🐗🦢

Kentucky Hunting Season Dates

Deer

ArcherySeptember 2 – January 15
Muzzle-loadingEarly: 3rd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat-Sun) in Oct – Late: 2nd Sat in Dec for 9 consecutive days (closes Sun)
Modern Gun2nd Sat in Nov for 16 days (closes Sun)
Senior/Youth Crossbow1st Sat in Sept. thru 3rd Mon in January (MLK Day)
Crossbow3rd Sat in Sept thru 3rd Mon in January
Youth-Only Gun2nd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat-Sun) in Oct
Free Youth Weekend1st Full Weekend (consecutive Sat-Sun) after Christmas

Other Big Games

ElkArchery: Sept 15 – Oct 15 and Dec 9 – Jan 31;
Muzzleloader: Oct 20 – 27;
Firearms: Nov 3 – 10
Wild BoarYear-round
Black BearArchery: Sept 15 – Nov 17;
Muzzleloader: Oct 20 – 27;
Firearms: Nov 3 – 10

Turkey

Spring SeasonApril 15 – May 5,
Fall Turkey RegulationsArchery: 1st Sat in Sept thru 3rd Mon in January,
Crossbow: Oct 1 thru 3rd full weekend in Oct, 2nd Sat in Nov thru Dec 31,
Shotgun: 4th Sat in Oct for 7 consecutive days, 1st Sat in Dec for 7 consecutive days

Migratory & Waterfowl Birds

Ducks & Geese (Early Teal)Sep 8 – 22
Ducks & Geese (North Zone)Oct 26 – Dec 16
Ducks & Geese (South Zone)Nov 2 – Dec 29
MergansersDec 15 – Feb 29
CootsOct 26 – Feb 29
Mourning DovesSep 1 – Dec 15
Wood DucksNov 10 – Dec 29
Sora & Virginia RailSep 1 – Nov 30
Common Snipe & Wilson’s SnipeOct 19 – Feb 29
Canada Geese (Subsequent Seasons)Additional seasons after Dec 29 available in specific zones

Upland Games

Squirrel (Gray & Fox)Sep 15 – Feb 29
Rabbit (Cottontail & Eastern Cottontail)No season
Grouse & WoodcockNov 1 – Dec 31
Pheasant (Northern Zone)Nov 10 – Jan 31
Pheasant (Southern Zone)Nov 24 – Jan 31
Quail (Northern Zone)Nov 10 – Jan 31
Quail (Southern Zone)Nov 24 – Jan 31
Wild Turkey (Fall)Oct 1 – Nov 10

Furbearers

BobcatTrapping: Nov 13 – Feb 29
CoyoteYear-round
Raccoon & OpossumOct 1 – Feb 29
Gray & Red FoxNov 18- Feb 29
BeaverTrapping: Dec 9 – Jan 31
Muskrat & MinkDec 9 – Mar 31
NutriaNo season
Weasel & SkunkNo season

Bag Limits

SpeciesBag Limit
Deer2 (1 antlered and 1 antlerless) per license year
Bear1 per license year
Turkey2 per license year
CoyoteNo limit
Quail8 per day
Pheasant2 per day
Rabbit4 per day
Squirrel6 per day
Grouse3 per day
Woodcock3 per day

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