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Kentucky Hunting Seasons 2023

We set out to create the most simplified guide to Kentucky hunting seasons for 2023.

Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?

Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.

Kentucky Hunting Seasons

Kentucky Hunting Season Dates

Kentucky is know for it's amazing whitetail hunting, some might even consider it the best.

Kentucky has gorgeous scenery ranging from forest to fields to even high elevation geography. It truly does fuel passion for the outdoors!

Located East of the Mississippi there is a herd of nearly a million deer that keeps the state a prime hunting destination. There is so much this state has to offer and be sure to bring the entire family out and remember that safety always comes first.

Kentucky Deer Hunting Season 2023

Archery, Youth / Senior Crossbow: September 4 - January 17

Crossbow: September 18 - January 17

Muzzleloader Early Season: October 16 - October 17

Muzzleloader Late Season: October 11 - October 19

Modern Gun: November 13 - November 28

Youth-Only Gun: October 9 - October 10

Youth-Free Weekend: January 1 - January 2

Kentucky Elk Season 2023

Archery/Crossbow (either sex): September 9 - September 11, December 4 - December 10

Firearms (Bull): September 25 - September 29, October 2 - October 6

Firearms (Cow): November 27 - December 1, December 25 - December 29

Kentucky Wild Turkey Season 2023

Kentucky Fall Turkey Season 2023

Fall Archery: September 4 - January 17

Fall Shotgun: October 23 - October 29 and December 4 - December 10

Fall Crossbow: October 1 - October 17, November 13 - December 31

Kentucky Spring Turkey Season 2023

Youth Spring: April 3 - April 4

Spring: April 17 - May 9

Kentucky Small Game Seasons 2023

Squirrel: August 21 - November 12, November 15 - February 28

Kentucky Hunting Zones 2023

See the map below for a breakdown of Alabama's hunting zones:

Kentucky Bag Limits 2023

The statewide deer permit and youth deer permit allows for the harvest up to four deer.

Hunters are limited to harvest one (1) deer with visible antlers per license year. Total deer bag limits vary by zone.

Kentucky Hunting License 2023

Purchase a license at : fw.ky.gov You will need your DOB and Social Security Number as well as the license must be carried at all times along with a picture ID.

To hunt deer you will also need an annual hunting license and a statewide deer permit.This applies to Turkey as well as birds.

LicensesResidentNonresident
Annual Hunting$27$150
Shooting Area License$5$5
Annual Combo Hunt/Fish$42N/A
Sportsman$95N/A

PermitResidentNonresident
Deer$35$185
Additional 2 deer$15$15
Spring Turkey (statewide) (2
turkeys)
$30$85
Fall Turkey (statewide) (4
turkeys)
$30$85
Elk Drawing$10$10
Bear$30$250

Kentucky Hunting Regulations 2023

Hunters can use air guns of .35 caliber or larger during the modern gun deer season

Wearing orange is required except when hunting waterfowl or doves.

Helpful Resources

Official State Site: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/default.aspx

FAQs
What animals can you hunt in Kentucky?

Deer, elk, bear, turkey, hog, coyote, bobcat, fox, duck, goose, dove, crow, groundhog, grouse, rabbit and quail.

How to get hunting license in Kentucky?

You can buy them from the Kentucky's official site here: https://app.fw.ky.gov/Solar/

Can you hunt deer over bait in Kentucky?

It depends where you are hunting. You can hunt over bait on private property but you cannot hunt over bait on public property.

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Born in the northeast, Hunters Guides originally began as a resource to help hunters navigate complex season regulations. After a few months, we realized there was a greater opportunity to help promote hunting. So we started creating the resource we wish existed - a site rich with videos, tutorials and how-to's.

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