2008 Spring Turkey and Squirrel Hunting Guide

SQUIRREL & OTHER SPECIES

SPRING HUNTING SEASONS

SQUIRREL & OTHER SPECIES (Open statewide)

Squirrel: June 7-20

Coyote, Groundhog & Wild Hog: year-round

SQUIRREL EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS

Legal

Hunters shall use any of the following to take squirrels:

• Rimfire gun

• Shotguns no larger than 10-gauge

• Muzzle-loading gun

• .22 caliber handgun           

• Bow and arrow

• Crossbow

• .22 caliber or larger airgun

• Dogs   

Shotguns used to hunt squirrels must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in magazine and one in chamber).

Illegal

Squirrel hunters shall not possess:

• A shotshell containing larger than number 2 size shot

• Single-projectile shotgun ammunition (except during the modern gun deer season as a legal deer hunter)

Hunting squirrels with slingshots is prohibited.

SQUIRREL BAG LIMITS

• Daily limit is 6; possession limit is 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does ‘possession limit’ mean?

A: Possession limit is the maximum number of squirrels you can hold in the field after two or more days of hunting.

COYOTE HUNTING

The hunting season on coyotes is open statewide and year-round with no bag limit. The appropriate hunting license is required, unless exempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I hunt coyotes at night?

A: No. Shooting hours for coyotes are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

COYOTE, GROUNDHOG AND WILD HOG EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS

Legal

Hunters may use the following:

• Muzzle-loading or modern rifles or handguns of any caliber

• Shotguns no larger than 10-gauge

• Archery or crossbow equipment

• Dogs

• Falconry (Sept. 1 - March 30)                  

Shotguns used to hunt these species must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in magazine and one in chamber).

Illegal

The following is prohibited:

• Hunting these species with slingshots

• Using or carrying buckshot when hunting these species

WILD HOG & GROUNDHOG HUNTING

The hunting season on wild hogs and groundhogs is open statewide and year-round with no bag limit. The appropriate hunting license is required, unless exempt.

EXOTIC SPECIES OPEN TO YEAR-ROUND HUNTING

Persons may hunt the following exotic wildlife year-round without a hunting license, and with no bag limit or checking requirement: English sparrows, starlings, Eurasian collared doves, free-ranging NON-native cervid species and NON-domesticated bovid species (any deer species EXCEPT whitetails and elk, any type of NON-domesticated sheep, antelope, goat, buffalo or other exotic hoofed species.)

Equipment restrictions for hunting these species are the same as for coyote, groundhog and wild hog.

Pheasants released during Kentucky Fish and Wildlife pheasant quota hunts, fallow deer on Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area are NOT open to year-round hunting.

All birds of prey, songbirds, spotted skunks, black bears and threatened or endangered species are strictly protected at all times under state and federal laws.

All species of mice, moles, rats, shrews and terrestrial invertebrates (except threatened or endangered species) are unprotected species and may be taken year-round without a hunting license.