Small Game and Furbearers

SOME BASICS

Season dates and limits for the various small game and furbearer species that can be hunted or trapped in Kentucky are listed in this section.

ALL hunters are required to abide by the hunter orange clothing law when it applies. Be sure you are aware of ALL deer or elk firearms hunting season dates. During periods when multiple hunting seasons are open at the same time, hunters must abide by the equipment restrictions in effect for the type of hunting they engage in.

SEASON DATES

All seasons are statewide unless otherwise indicated.

Squirrel hunting

Aug. 18 - Nov. 9, Nov. 12, 2007 - Feb. 29, 2008 and June 7 - 20, 2008

Crow hunting

Sept. 1 - Nov. 7, 2007 and Jan. 4 - Feb. 29, 2008

Wild Hog & Groundhog hunting

year-round

Bullfrog hunting

Noon May 18 - Oct. 31, 2007

Noon May 16 - Oct. 31, 2008

Falconry

Sept. 1, 2007 - Mar. 30, 2008

Coyote hunting

year-round

Coyote trapping

Noon Nov. 12, 2007 - noon Feb. 29, 2008

Bobcat hunting

Noon Nov. 17, 2007 - Jan. 31, 2008

Bobcat trapping

Noon Nov. 12, 2007 - Jan. 31, 2008

Raccoon & Opossum hunting

Nov. 1, 2007 - noon Feb. 29, 2008; hunting only at night during Modern Gun Deer Season.

Raccoon & Opossum trapping

Noon Nov. 12, 2007 - noon Feb. 29, 2008

Otter hunting and trapping

Noon Nov. 12, 2007 - noon Feb. 29, 2008

Muskrat, Mink, Beaver, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Weasel & Striped Skunk hunting and trapping

Noon Nov. 12, 2007 - noon Feb. 29, 2008

Rabbit & Quail hunting

Nov. 12, 2007 - Feb. 10, 2008, in the following counties: Allen, Ballard, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McLean, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren and Webster.

Nov. 1-9 and Nov. 12, 2007 - Jan. 31, 2008 in all other counties.

Grouse hunting

Nov. 1-9 and Nov. 12, 2007 - Feb. 29, 2008 in the following counties only: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Bracken, Breathitt, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Greenup, Harlan, Harrison, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, McCreary, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.

Free Youth Small Game Hunting & Trapping Week

Dec. 29, 2007 - Jan. 4, 2008

FREE YOUTH HUNTING & TRAPPING WEEK

For one week beginning the Saturday after Christmas Day, youth hunters and trappers ages 15 and under are permitted to hunt and trap small game and furbearers without a hunting or trapping license. (Since youth hunters are also permitted to hunt deer with a firearm on the Saturday and Sunday following Christmas Day, the hunter orange clothing law applies these two days for ALL hunters.) Statewide equipment requirements and bag limits for small game and furbearer hunting and trapping remain in effect. Hunter education is not required for license-exempt hunters; however, it is strongly recommended. Adults accompanying youth hunters/trappers during the Free Youth Hunting & Trapping Week do not have to have a hunting/trapping license if the adult is not hunting/trapping.

Check first!

Hunters who intend to hunt on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), or any other public hunting area, should ALWAYS CHECK the season dates and special requirements for the area they intend to hunt. Season dates on public land may not be the same as the statewide seasons. See the Public Land Hunting section for individual area listings.

RESTRICTIONS FOR SMALL GAME SEASONS

The following animals are considered small game: squirrels, rabbits, northern bobwhite (quail) and grouse. However, these species may have different hunting seasons as listed above.

BAG LIMITS

• Squirrel: Daily limit is 6; possession limit is 12.

• Rabbit: Daily limit is 4; possession limit is 8.

• Quail: Daily limit is 8; possession limit is 16.

• Grouse: Daily limit is 4; possession limit is 8.

SMALL GAME EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS

Legal

Hunters shall use any of the following to take small game:

• Rimfire gun

• Shotguns no larger than 10-gauge

• Muzzle-loading gun

• .22 caliber handgun           

• Bow and arrow

• Crossbow

• .22 caliber or larger airgun

• Dogs   

• Falconry                  

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

Illegal

Small game 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 these species with slingshots is prohibited.

On some WMAs, special equipment restrictions apply, as noted in the Public Land Hunting section of this guide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I use a centerfire gun to take small game?

A: No. Centerfire guns are not legal for small game hunting. You must use only the equipment listed under “Legal” above.

RESTRICTIONS FOR FURBEARER SEASONS

The following animals are considered furbearers: mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote and striped skunk. However, these species may have different hunting or trapping seasons as listed above.

FURBEARER EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS

Legal

Furbearer hunters may use the following to take furbearers:

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

• Shotguns no larger than 10-gauge

• Archery or crossbow equipment

• Dogs

• Falconry                  

Shotguns used to hunt furbearers 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

On some WMAs, special equipment restrictions apply, as noted in the Public Land Hunting section of this guide.

RIVER OTTER

Otters may be taken statewide and the season limit is six (6) otters per person.

BOBCAT HUNTING & TRAPPING

Bobcats may be taken statewide and the season limit is five (5) bobcats per person. Only three (3) may be taken with a gun.

Legal Taking Methods

Bobcats and otters may be taken by hunting during daylight hours or by trapping. The appropriate hunting or trapping license is required. Hunters may use hand- or mouth-operated calls, electronic calls, or attracting devices. Harvested bobcats and otters must be telechecked by calling 1-800-245-4263 by midnight of the day the animal is recovered. (This is the same checking system as for deer, elk and turkeys).

A hunter or trapper who wants to have a bobcat or otter mounted shall provide his or her Telecheck confirmation number to the taxidermist.  Taxidermists cannot legally accept an unchecked otter or bobcat for mounting.

Hunters or trappers who intend to sell the raw fur of an otter or bobcat must call 1-800-858-1549 or go online to fw.ky.gov, provide their Telecheck confirmation number and request a CITES tag. The CITES tag shall be attached to and remain with the pelt until it is processed. Possession of an unused bobcat or otter CITES tag is prohibited, unless expressly authorized by the KDFWR. 

Bobcat hunting and trapping is also permitted at Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area. (See the Public Land Hunting section for contact information.)

RACCOON & OPOSSUM HUNTING SEASON

During modern gun deer season raccoon and opossum hunters may not hunt during daylight hours or carry guns other than .22-caliber rimfire while hunting at night. Night hunting on Friday, Nov. 9 shall conclude by ½-hour before sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, which is when shooting hours for modern gun deer season open. No bag limit.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM TRAPPING SEASON

No bag limit. Raccoons and opossums may not be taken with the aid of lights from a boat except by trapping. 

MINK, MUSKRAT, BEAVER, RED FOX, GRAY FOX, WEASEL & STRIPED SKUNK

These species may be taken by hunting or trapping during this season. No bag limits.

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.

COYOTE TRAPPING SEASON

Trapping coyotes is permitted only during the furbearer season. The appropriate trapping license is required, unless exempt.

BUYING AND SELLING FURS & HIDES

There is no time restriction on the holding of raw furs of furbearers by a trapper or hunter after the close of furbearer season. Raw furs (including hides from legally harvested deer) may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, licensed fur buyers or licensed fur processors. Wildlife carcasses (except certain species produced by licensed propagators) may not be bought or sold. Inedible parts of wildlife (including the hooves or other inedible parts of legally taken deer) and wildlife mounts may be sold to or purchased from licensed taxidermists only.

Spotted skunks are protected year-round and may not be taken or possessed.

LEGAL TRAPPING EQUIPMENT & RUNNING THE TRAP LINE

The following equipment is permitted for dry-land sets: Deadfalls, wire cages or box traps, foothold traps with a maximum inside jaw spread of six (6) inches measured perpendicular to the hinges, body-gripping traps with a maximum inside jaw spread of seven and one-half (7.5) inches measured parallel with the trigger, and non-locking snares.

Trappers may use lights from boats or vehicles. All traps must bear a metal tag giving the name and address of the trapper. Any trap found without a tag can be immediately confiscated by the KDFWR without a court order. Landowner permission is required for trapping.

All traps must be visited at least once every 24 hours and all animals removed. Traps set on land must be at least 10 feet apart and not set in trails/paths commonly used by humans or domestic animals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I hunt coyotes at night?

A: No. The only furbearers that can be taken at night are raccoons and opossums.

OTHER SEASON RESTRICTIONS FALCONRY SEASON

The limit for this hunting method is two (2) of any small game or furbearer species per falconer per day, except during the regular hunting season when the limits are the same as for other methods. Falconers must possess a falconry permit, as well as a valid Kentucky hunting license, and obey all applicable state and federal laws.

CROW SEASON

There is no daily or possession limit on crows.

Crows observed committing or about to commit acts of depredation may be taken year-round; however, persons attempting to take depredating crows shall not use blinds, decoys, calls or other lures to attract birds into shooting range during the closed season.

BULLFROG SEASON

The daily limit (noon to noon) is 15; possession limit is 30.

If frogs are taken by gun or bow and arrow, a hunting license is required. If taken by pole and line, a fishing license is required. If frogs are taken by gig or by hand, either a hunting or fishing license is valid. It is illegal to possess a gig on a stream or lake, or in a boat, from November 1 through January 31.

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. Hog hunters in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area must have a permit.

EXOTIC SPECIES OPEN TO YEAR-ROUND HUNTING

(Including English sparrows, starlings, Eurasian collared doves and NON-native cervid and NON-domesticated bovid species)

Except as stated here, no person shall take any other wildlife species except during an open season for that species.

Persons may hunt exotic wildlife (except pheasants released during KDFWR pheasant quota hunts), including English sparrows, starlings, Eurasian collared doves, free-ranging NON-native cervid species (except for fallow deer on Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area) or NON-domesticated bovid species without a hunting license year-round. NON-native cervids include any deer species EXCEPT whitetails and elk. NON-domesticated bovids include any type of NON-domesticated sheep, antelope, goat, buffalo or other exotic hoofed species. There is no bag limit or checking requirement on these species.

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.

CALLING ALL HUNTERS & TRAPPERS!

HOW SMALLGAME HUNTERS CAN HELP

To effectively manage Kentucky’s wildlife, the KDFWR conducts a variety of surveys with hunters and trappers about their pursuits and observations of wildlife. You can greatly assist this effort by participating in these surveys. The samples and information you provide are essential for determining the size, trends and health of game populations. Survey forms are available from the KDFWR.