Bobwhite Quail

​​Quail	HUNTING	​TRAPPING
​Eastern Zone	Nov. 1-13​​ and Nov. 16​​, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027	No trapping​
​​​Western​ Zone	Nov. 16​​​, 202​​6 - Feb. 10, 2027	No trapping​​

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BAG LIMITS

• ​​​​Daily limit: 8
• Possession Limit: 16​

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Seasons on Wildlife Management Areas and other public hunting lands not managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife may be different from statewide seasons. Individual area listings are available on our Public Lands page​.

BOBWHITE SHOOT-TO-TRAIN SEASON

​​​​​​For the purpose of bird dog training on private lands only, pen-reared bobwhite quail may be harvested Aug. 15 through May 15 (excluding bobwhite hunting season), provided that prior to shooting a person:

• Submits a completed application to the department.
• Possesses a valid hunting license, or be license-exempt.
• Possesses proof of the sale/ownership of the birds.
• Possesses a captive wildlife permit for pen-reared bobwhite if more than 100 birds are in possession, or if kept for more than 10 days.
• Makes sure that the training area is free of wild quail.
• Bands pen-reared birds before release with No. 7 leg bands or departmentsupplied bands.
• Release the banded birds immediately before dog training or shooting.

• ​​ Quail Biology
• Peabody WMA Quail Booklet (PDF)
• Quail Hunter Cooperator Survey (PDF)
• 2015 Quail Benchmark Report (PDF)
• Quail Hunting Survey Reports
• Bobwhite Quail Restoration Plan (PDF)
• Manage Your Property for Small Game
• Hunters: We Need Your Help!
• Quail Plan 2020 (PDF)