State Guide

Kentucky Hunting Guide 2026

Complete Kentucky hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.

Wildlife Agency

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

Kentucky Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $27 Non-res: $195

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Sep 2	Jan 20
Muzzleloader	Oct 21	Oct 22
Rifle	Nov 11	Nov 26

Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources before you plan around them.

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 4 (1 antlered)

One antlered deer and additional antlerless deer with bonus permits. Kentucky has excellent trophy deer potential.

Turkey

Res: $27 Non-res: $195

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Apr 15	May 7
Archery	Apr 15	May 7

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)

Spring gobblers with visible beards. Youth weekend before regular season. Fall season in limited zones.

Elk

Res: $30 Non-res: $400

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Sep 16	Sep 25
Archery	Sep 9	Sep 15

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1

Limited to 16 southeastern counties. Lottery draw with very limited permits. One of the best eastern elk herds in the US.

Planning Tools

Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states

Kentucky Hunting Guides

destinations

Kentucky Deer Hunting: Whitetail in the Bluegrass State

Kentucky Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in Kentucky?

Yes. All hunters in Kentucky must hold a valid hunting license from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.

What is the hunting license cost in Kentucky?

Kentucky license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $27, non-resident $195. Turkey: resident $27, non-resident $195.

When is deer season in Kentucky?

Kentucky deer seasons: Archery: Sep 2 - Jan 20, Muzzleloader: Oct 21 - Oct 22, Rifle: Nov 11 - Nov 26.

Does Kentucky require a hunter safety course?

Yes, Kentucky requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.

Who manages hunting regulations in Kentucky?

The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in Kentucky. Their website (https://fw.ky.gov) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.