Deer season 2026–27 · last checked Sep 26, 2026
Kentucky deer season dates 2026–27
Official dates from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, by season and zone, plus the public land in Kentucky from our directory. Archery opens Sept. 5, 2026. Firearms: Nov. 14, 2026 (Modern gun, statewide).
Last checked Sep 26, 2026 against the official Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources page. Dates vary by zone, unit and county, and agencies can change them. Confirm with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before you hunt.
Quick answers
- When does archery deer season start in Kentucky?
- Sept. 5, 2026, per Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. See the table for zone differences and closing dates.
- When does gun (firearms) deer season start in Kentucky?
- Nov. 14, 2026 (Modern gun, statewide).
- Where are the official rules?
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources: hunting information. Bag limits, licenses, tags and weapon rules are not repeated here.
Kentucky deer season dates, 2026–27
Deer
| Season | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | — | Sept. 5, 2026 – Jan. 18, 2027 |
| Crossbow | — | Sept. 19, 2026 – Jan. 18, 2027 |
| CWD antlerless season | CWD Surveillance Zone counties only | Sept. 25–28, 2026 |
| Youth-only gun | — | Oct. 10–18, 2026 |
| Muzzleloader | — | Oct. 17–18, 2026 and Dec. 12–20, 2026 |
| Modern gun | — | Nov. 14–29, 2026 |
| Free youth weekend | — | Dec. 26–27, 2026 |
- Bag limits and antlerless rules depend on the county’s deer zone (Zones 1–4). WMAs can have their own quota hunts and restrictions.
Official sources (checked Sep 26, 2026)
Public land in Kentucky that may allow deer hunting
Our directory lists 150 named public land units in Kentucky (about 1.7M ac, from USGS PAD-US 4.1): 111 state wildlife & game areas, 9 forests & grasslands, 4 wildlife refuges & WPAs, 17 lake & reservoir project lands, 9 other public land units. PAD-US shows who manages the land. It doesn’t cover hunting rules. Before you go, check the area’s own rules with the managing agency. WMAs, refuges and forests often have special dates, permits or closed zones.
State wildlife areas & game lands in Kentucky
All 111 →- State wildlife / game area
Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area
50,349 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Wayne County, Russell County + 2 more
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Peabody Wildlife Management Area
41,318 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Muhlenberg County, Ohio County + 1 more
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area
31,608 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Bell County + 2 more
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Redbird Wildlife Management Area
24,024 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Clay County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Green River Lake Wildlife Management Area
20,947 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Adair County, Taylor County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area
17,734 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · McCreary County, Pulaski County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Elk Forest Wildlife Management Area
16,868 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Leslie County, Clay County + 2 more
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area
13,156 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Lawrence County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Fishtrap Lake Wildlife Management Area
13,135 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pike County
Restricted access
National & state forests and grasslands in Kentucky
All 9 →- National Forest land
Daniel Boone National Forest
563,891 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · McCreary County, Laurel County + 14 more
Open access - National Forest land
Redbird Purchase Unit
146,480 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Clay County, Leslie County + 3 more
Open access - State forest
Pennyrile State Forest
14,353 acres
State: department of natural resources · Christian County, Caldwell County
Open access - State forest
Kentucky Ridge State Forest
11,821 acres
State: department of natural resources · Bell County
Open access - State forest
Kentenia State Forest
4,102 acres
State: department of natural resources · Harlan County
Open access - State forest
Green River State Forest
1,093 acres
State: department of natural resources · Henderson County
Open access
National wildlife refuges & WPAs in Kentucky
- National Wildlife Refuge
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
9,394 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Marshall County, McCracken County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
2,048 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Fulton County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Green River National Wildlife Refuge And Conservation Partnership Area
2,044 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Henderson County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
380 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Lewis County
Restricted access
Counties with the most listed public land
- Harlan County (10)
- Pulaski County (8)
- Wayne County (6)
- Mccreary County (6)
- Leslie County (6)
- Bell County (6)
- Livingston County (5)
- Clay County (5)
- Owen County (5)
- Pike County (4)
- Bath County (4)
- Adair County (4)
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.
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