Deer Citizen Science

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History of Deer Management

WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK

Public involvement in citizen science is vital for effective deer management in Kentucky. When individuals actively participate by reporting deer sightings, gathering data, and supporting conservation efforts, we enhance our understanding and ability to protect deer populations, ensuring their sustainable management and the preservation of their habitats. Here is how you can contribute.

COMMON QUESTIONS

When can you hunt?
No place to hunt?
How many deer can you harvest?
What can you hunt deer with?
What license do you need?
Where can you buy a license?
What are the hunter education requirements and how do I get certified?
Where do I learn to hunt deer?
Learn to process deer with Field to Fork class.
Deer Season FAQs
Can’t find the answers to your questions? (Email: info.center@ky.gov)

HUNTER OBSERVATION SURVEY

Observed interesting wildlife, such as a Bobcat, while out deer hunting? Use the Hunter Observation Survey to record your wildlife sightings during Kentucky's deer hunting season (Sept. 7, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025).

OBSERVATION SURVEY

JAWBONE SUBMISSION SURVEY

Help us understand our deer population better! We want to age your harvested female deer. Please upload images of the lower LEFT SIDE of the jawbone of your harvested doe.

JAWBONE SURVEY

REPORT A SICK DEER

Help Kentucky Fish and Wildlife monitor the health of the state’s deer herd by reporting animals acting strangely or appearing ill.

REPORT A SICK DEER

Chronic Wasting Disease in Kentucky

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurologic disease that affects deer, elk, and other species in the deer family. It is caused by a prion, a type of protein that attacks the brain and nervous system of infected animals. There is currently no known cure for CWD. Highly contaigous, the disease has spread extensively among deer and elk populations across North American over the past two decades.

View more info on our CWD page here.

Hunting Deer, Elk, Moose or Caribou in Other States?

If you plan to hunt outside the state of Kentucky for cervids (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, caribou or moose) please know that state law prohibits bringing whole carcasses of a deer, elk, moose and caribou into Kentucky from other states. The brain and spinal column must be removed. Hunters can only bring back the following:

Deboned meat
Antlers
Antlers that are attached to a skull cap having no meat matter or tissue attached.
A skull having no meat matter or tissue attached.
Teeth have no meat matter or tissue attached.
Finished taxidermy products.
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Taxidermists and processors who receive whole carcasses of white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, caribou, or moose from out of state should call 1-800-25-ALERT (1-800-252-5378) to contact their local conservation officer. For further information please review KAR 2:095 Importation of Cervid Carcasses and Parts.

CWD Series Episode 1 - Introduction
Credit: MSU Deer Lab TV

CWD Surveillance Zones

Special Restrictions Apply

Two Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Zones are in effect:

CWD Surveillance Zone With Mandatory Check Stations: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken,

CWD Surveillance Zone Without Mandatory Check Stations: Breckinridge, Hardin, and Meade counties

Important CWD Links

TEST YOUR DEER

Drop off the head of your harvest for free CWD testing at designated drop-off sites located across the state.

KENTUCKY HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY

Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry (KHFH) is a charitable volunteer-run organization comprised of responsible hunters and conservationists who encourage hunters to harvest and donate deer each season. KHFH is a statewide hunger relief program dedicated to providing a healthy source of protein to needy Kentuckians with a mission to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in Kentucky by processing and distributing donated venison to those in need. Additionally, this program provides an outlet for hunters to help their communities and promote environmental stewardship through wildlife management. An estimated 684,000 people live in poverty in the Commonwealth, and one in every four Kentucky children lives in poverty.

HOW TO DONATE YOUR DEER

After the harvest of your deer, a hunter must complete their harvest log and successfully record their telecheck number (1-800-245-4263). The deer needs to be properly field dressed. If the temperature is above 40 degrees, please put two large bags of ice in the deer; one in the chest cavity and one in between the hind quarters. This will help prevent the meat from spoilage before donation.

Contact a Hunters for the Hungry affiliated deer processor before donation to ensure their shop hours and which deer seasons they accept. Approved processors are independently owned and operated and are not under KHFH control.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

All Kentucky hunters can participate in the Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry Program. This program is a completely free service for hunters to donate harvested deer. Funding is essential, and without support and charitable donations, the program could not exist. To donate, see the Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry donation page. Additionally, you can also donate $2 when renewing your vehicle registration. Your donation will help pay the cost of turning venison into a nutritious meal for the less fortunate in communities across Kentucky!