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Kentucky Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against KY Dept of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $27 · nonresident $160. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
ArcherySep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
Youth/Senior Crossbow (residents 65+ and youth under 16)Sep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
Crossbow (general)Sep 19, 2026Jan 18, 2027Hunting License + Deer Permit
CWD Surveillance Zone antlerless-only season (Zone 1-3 counties): CWD Surveillance Zone (Zone 1-3 counties)Sep 25, 2026Sep 28, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit; mandatory CWD sample drop-off
Youth-only Modern FirearmsOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026Youth Hunting License + Deer Permit (under 12 exempt)
Early MuzzleloaderOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
Modern FirearmsNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
Late MuzzleloaderDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026Hunting License + Deer Permit
Free Youth WeekendDec 26, 2026Dec 27, 2026No license or deer permit required for youth under 16 accompanied by an adult

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall ArcherySep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit
Fall Crossbow (first segment)Oct 1, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit
Fall Crossbow (second segment)Nov 14, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit
Fall Shotgun (first segment)Oct 24, 2026Oct 30, 2026Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit
Fall Shotgun (second segment)Dec 5, 2026Dec 11, 2026Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunt with Dogs - Zone 1: Bear Zone 1Oct 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit + Bear Chase Permit
Archery/Crossbow - Zone 1: Bear Zone 1Oct 24, 2026Oct 26, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Firearms - Zone 1: Bear Zone 1Dec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Hunt with Dogs (first segment) - Zone 2: Bear Zone 2Oct 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit + Bear Chase Permit
Hunt with Dogs (second segment) - Zone 2: Bear Zone 2Oct 29, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit + Bear Chase Permit
Archery/Crossbow - Zone 2: Bear Zone 2Oct 24, 2026Oct 28, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Firearms - Zone 2: Bear Zone 2Dec 12, 2026Dec 16, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Hunt with Dogs (first segment) - Zone 3: Bear Zone 3Oct 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit + Bear Chase Permit
Hunt with Dogs (second segment) - Zone 3: Bear Zone 3Oct 29, 2026Nov 6, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit + Bear Chase Permit
Archery/Crossbow (first segment) - Zone 3: Bear Zone 3Sep 19, 2026Oct 2, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Archery/Crossbow (second segment) - Zone 3: Bear Zone 3Oct 24, 2026Oct 28, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit
Firearms - Zone 3: Bear Zone 3Dec 12, 2026Dec 16, 2026Hunting License + Bear Permit

Elk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Bull (antlered) Firearms - Week 1: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Sep 26, 2026Sep 30, 2026Quota Elk Permit (bull firearm) + Hunting License
Bull (antlered) Firearms - Week 2: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Oct 3, 2026Oct 7, 2026Quota Elk Permit (bull firearm) + Hunting License
Either-sex Archery/Crossbow - Week 1: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Sep 12, 2026Sep 25, 2026Quota Elk Permit (archery/crossbow) + Hunting License
Either-sex Archery/Crossbow - Week 2: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Dec 5, 2026Dec 11, 2026Quota Elk Permit (archery/crossbow) + Hunting License
Cow (antlerless) Firearms - Week 1: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Nov 28, 2026Dec 2, 2026Quota Elk Permit (cow firearm) + Hunting License
Cow (antlerless) Firearms - Week 2: Elk Restoration Zone (quota hunt area)Jan 2, 2027Jan 6, 2027Quota Elk Permit (cow firearm) + Hunting License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting and trapping (daylight hours only)Nov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License (plus Trapping License to trap)

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round, day or nightSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License

Sandhill Crane Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Quota hunt (drawn permit holders only)Dec 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027Sandhill Crane Permit (drawing, apply online in September) + Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Nov 7, 2026Hunting License (no Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit required)
Regular (second segment)Jan 4, 2027Feb 28, 2027Hunting License (no Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit required)

Mourning and White-winged Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Oct 26, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Nov 26, 2026Dec 6, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP
Regular (third segment)Dec 19, 2026Jan 10, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP

Muskrat, Mink, Beaver, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Weasel and Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting and trapping (daylight hours only)Nov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License (plus Trapping License to trap)

Common and Purple Gallinule Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP

Groundhog (Woodchuck) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round statewideSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Grouse Zone (first segment): Ruffed Grouse ZoneNov 1, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License
Grouse Zone (second segment): Ruffed Grouse ZoneNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting (day or night)Oct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License
Trapping - water setsNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting and trapping (daylight hours only)Nov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License

Northern Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Eastern Zone (first segment): Rabbit and Quail Eastern ZoneNov 1, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License
Eastern Zone (second segment): Rabbit and Quail Eastern ZoneNov 16, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License
Western Zone: Rabbit and Quail Western ZoneNov 16, 2026Feb 10, 2027Hunting License

Cottontail Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Eastern Zone (first segment): Rabbit and Quail Eastern ZoneNov 1, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License
Eastern Zone (second segment): Rabbit and Quail Eastern ZoneNov 16, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License
Western Zone: Rabbit and Quail Western ZoneNov 16, 2026Feb 10, 2027Hunting License
Trapping - Eastern Zone: Rabbit and Quail Eastern ZoneNov 16, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License
Trapping - Western Zone: Rabbit and Quail Western ZoneNov 16, 2026Feb 10, 2027Trapping License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting (day or night)Oct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License
Trapping - water setsNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License

Virginia and Sora Rail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 16, 2026Oct 25, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Nov 26, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP

Gray and Fox Squirrel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall (first segment)Aug 15, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License
Fall (second segment)Nov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027Trapping License (required age 12 and older)

European Starling and English Sparrow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round statewideSep 1, 2026Aug 31, 2027Hunting License

Waterfowl (ducks, coots, mergansers, geese, brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
September Canada Goose - Western Zone: September Canada Goose Western ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 15, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
September Canada Goose - Eastern Zone: September Canada Goose Eastern ZoneSep 16, 2026Sep 30, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Teal and Wood Duck (September)Sep 19, 2026Sep 23, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Duck, Coot and Merganser (first segment)Nov 26, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Duck, Coot and Merganser (second segment)Dec 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant and Snow GooseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Light Goose Conservation OrderFeb 16, 2027Mar 31, 2027Free Snow Goose Conservation Order Permit + Hunting License
Youth-only Waterfowl Day (first)Nov 21, 2026Nov 21, 2026Youth hunters only; same requirements as regular season
Youth-only Waterfowl Day (second)Feb 13, 2027Feb 13, 2027Youth hunters only; same requirements as regular season
Military/Veteran-only Waterfowl Day (first)Nov 22, 2026Nov 22, 2026Active military and veterans only; same requirements as regular season
Military/Veteran-only Waterfowl Day (second)Feb 14, 2027Feb 14, 2027Active military and veterans only; same requirements as regular season
Falconry - ducks, coots and mergansersNov 26, 2026Feb 21, 2027Falconry Permit + Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Falconry - geeseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027Falconry Permit + Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Oct 24, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Nov 16, 2026Dec 9, 2026Hunting License + Migratory Bird-Waterfowl Permit + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with KY Dept of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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