2011 Black Bear Season in Kentucky

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is there a lottery for bear permits like the elk hunt?

No.  Bear permits ($30.00) are available over the counter from all license vendors.  However, bear hunting is open only to Kentucky residents.  Unless license exempt, all persons hunting bears must have a Bear Permit in addition to an Annual Hunting License.

Is a Bear Permit included with the purchase of my Sportsman’s License?

No.

Is a Bear Permit included with the purchase of my Senor/Disabled Hunting License?

No.

What are the dates for the 2011 black bear season in Kentucky?

December 10 – 11, 2011.

In 2011, where can I hunt bears in Kentucky?

Only in the 3-county Bear Zone that includes Harlan, Letcher, and Pike Counties in southeastern Kentucky.

Are all public lands open to bear hunting in 2010?

No.  Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area is closed to all bear hunting during the 2011 bear season.  All other public lands listed in the 2011-2012 KDFWR Hunting and Trapping Guide are open to bear hunting within the 3-county Bear Zone.

Why is Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA closed to bear hunting?

Almost a decade of research has shown that this WMA on Pine Mountain serves as an important denning area for female bears.  Currently, bear hunting is being prohibited in this immediate area to protect reproducing females.

I own property on Pine Mountain adjacent to Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA.  Can I legally hunt my property for bears?

Yes.  However, bear hunting on private property immediately surrounding Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA is restricted to landowners, their spouses, and dependent children.  This restricted area surrounding Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA extends roughly from KY Highway 160 on the north side of Pine Mountain to US Highway 119 on the south side of Pine Mountain.

An interactive map of the area restricted to landowners, their spouses, and dependent children may be viewed on the KDFWR website at http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.aspx?cid=840&navpath=C811.

Can I hunt bears in Kingdome Come State Park?

No.

There is a quota of 10 bears or 5 female bears for the 2011 hunt.  What happens if more than 10 bears are harvested?

It is possible that more than 10 bears or 5 females will be taken during the 2011 bear hunt.  All hunters are guaranteed the ability to hunt the entire first day of the hunt during legal hunting hours.  If more than 10 bears or 5 females are harvested on the first day, no hunters will be penalized for exceeding the quota on opening day.  In that case, however, the season will then be closed at the end of the day and bear hunting shall not be permitted on Sunday December 11.

If the quota is not reached on day one, the season will remain open for the second and final day of Sunday December 11.  Again, if the season is open on Sunday then all hunters will have the ability to hunt the entire day during legal hours, even if the quota is exceeded.

If I am bear hunting, how will I know if the 2011 season is open on the second day?

Persons interested in hunting bears on Sunday December 11 must check to see if the bear quota was met on the Saturday December 10. 

Hunters may check to see if the bear season is open on the second day by calling the KDFWR Information Center at 1-800-858-1859 after 9:00 pm Saturday December 10, or by visiting the KDFWR website at http://fw.ky.gov. 

Do I have to take my harvested bear to a check station?

Yes.  All successful hunters must take their bear to a KDFWR-operated check station to be legal.  Upon checking in a bear, hunters will receive a permanent kill tag that will make possession of their bear legal.  In addition, successful hunters must Telecheck their bear before leaving a check station.

Where are the check stations for the 2011 bear hunt?

One check station will be open in each of the Harlan, Letcher, and Pike Counties.  Directions to the check stations can be found on this website at the following link:

http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.aspx?cid=808&navpath=C741C810

Harlan County:  Mountain Outdoors, 16 Chappell Drive, Baxter, KY 40806

Letcher County:  Taylor Metal Roofing & Siding, 1314 Gateway Industrial Park, Jenkins, KY 41537

Pike County:  Fishtrap Lake U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Office, 2204 Fishtrap Road, Shelbania, KY 41562

What are the operating hours for bear check stations?

Bear check stations will be open from sunrise until 9:00 pm.  However, successful hunters must take bears to a KDFWR-operated check immediately upon leaving the field.

What weapons can I use to hunt bears?

Hunters may take bears using archery, crossbow, or firearms.  Muzzleloader firearms must be at least .50 caliber and modern forearms must be at least .270 caliber to hunt bears.

Do I have to wear hunter orange while hunting bears?

Yes.  Because this season is open to firearms, all hunters must wear hunter orange visible from all sides on the head, back, and chest.

Is baiting legal for hunting bears?

No.  The intentional or unintentional feeding of black bears is illegal in Kentucky- and that includes during the hunting season.

Can I hunt bears that are visiting garbage cans or open dumpsters?

No.  Garbage cans and open dumpsters are classified as baiting and hunting over or near these attractants are illegal. 

Can dogs be used to hunt bears?

No.  Hunters shall not use dogs, except leashed tracking dogs may be used to recover wounded bears.

Are there weight restrictions on bears that can be killed?

Yes.  Hunters cannot kill bears less than seventy-five (75) pounds.  This restriction will protect bears of the year and smaller females.

Is it legal to shoot a female bear with young?

No.  It is illegal for hunters to harvest a female bear with young.

May I harass a bear out of its den for the purpose of killing it during the hunting season?

No.  It is illegal for anyone to disturb or harass a bear from its den.  This includes during the bear hunting season.