buck in field

Deer Hunting

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​HUNTING DEER IN KENTUCKY


Zero to a million in 100 years. While that may sound slow to SpaceX, the story of Kentucky’s rocketing deer herd growth is an amazing success story. Today, Kentucky is a top-10 state for hunters seeking that trophy buck. The herd also is substantial enough to support the harvest of more than 130,000 deer each year. That’s a lot of venison for the table. Buy a license here.

This success story is brought to you by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s long and storied history of sound, science-based deer management. Nowadays, hunters are the primary managers of the state’s deer herd. The department’s guidelines maximize opportunities for hunters while helping to balance deer herd numbers through carefully considered zones and bag limits. Read on for more information about deer hunting in Kentucky.

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DEER HUNTING SEASONS

Hunting Guide Buy LICENSES/PERMITS

DEER​ Early Season Late Season
Archery Sept. 2, 2023  - Jan. 15, 2024
Youth/Senior Crossbow
Crossbow Sept. 16, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024
Youth-only Gun Oct. 14 - 15, 2023
Muzzleloader Oct. 21 - 22, 2023
Dec. 9 - 17, 2023
Modern Gun Nov. 11 - 26, 2023
Free Youth Weekend Dec. 30 - 31, 2023

​GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The statewide deer permit and youth deer permit allow for the harvest of up to four deer. Hunters may take up to one antlered deer and three antlerless deer, or four antlerless deer using the statewide deer permit or youth deer permit.
  • The statewide season limit for antlered deer is one per hunter
  • A hunter may take as many deer as allowed for each zone. In order to take more than four deer statewide, an additional deer permit must be purchased.
  • An additional deer permit allows a hunter to take up to two additional deer beyond the four deer allowed by the statewide or youth deer permits.  Zone bag limits apply. Hunters who did not harvest an antlered deer using their statewide or youth deer permits can take one antlered deer and up to one antlerless deer, or up to two antlerless deer with the deer management permit.
  • Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.​

​HUNTER ORANGE REQUIRED!

Hunters and people accompanying them must wear solid, unbroken hunter orange color visible from all sides on the head, back and chest when hunting for any species during the modern gun, muzzleloader, and youth firearm deer seasons, or a firearm elk or bear season. 

However, hunter orange is not required when hunting waterfowl or doves during a gun deer, elk or bear season, or when hunting furbearers at night during a legal furbearer season.​

Father-daughter-modern-gun-hunt-Sieyason-Chantavong-photo-webedit.jpeg ​Stay fun and safe!
Wear hunter orange!

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​The Deer Program is sponsored in part by:

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Important Info

  • Wear surgical gloves when field dressing and handling raw meat.
  • Telecheck (check-in) requirements for deer and other big game.
  • Transportation Restrictions
    NOTE: Because of disease risks, entire carcasses and intact heads of deer, elk, moose and caribou from other states may NOT be transported into or through Kentucky. Please see TRANSPORTATION RESTRICTIONS section on this page.
  • Help Kentucky Fish and Wildlife monitor the health of the state’s deer herd by reporting animals acting strangely or appearing ill.
  • Submit Images of Your Deer's Jaw Bone for Aging
    side_view_deer_jawbone.jpgHelp Us understand our Kentucky deer herd better! Submit photos of your harvest’s jawbone through the Jaw Bone Submission Survey to see how old your harvest was.​

​Deer Season Reports

Other Reports

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SCOUTING​

Hunters usually fare better if they spend some time exploring the area(s) they will hunt before hunting season.

BUCK OR DOE?

Depending on when and where you’re hunting, there may be restrictions on the sex available for harvest.   Be sure to check the regulations.​

PUBLIC LANDS

If you don’t have a place to hunt or want to try a different place, Kentucky has over 1.5 Million acres of public hunting lands. Maps are available for these areas. It is vital that you are aware of public lands regulations for the area you will hunt on. Some public lands have “quota” hunts, which involve an application process for a limited number of hunter slots and hunting periods. Other public lands are open for some or all seasons within the hunting regulations for the prevailing county.

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​BAG LIMITS

Bag limits and harvest restrictions apply to all hunters. A person may take no more than one (1) deer with visible antlers, excluding male fawns (button bucks), regardless of zone, method or season. For more information about Deer Harvest Zones, please check the Deer Hunting Regulations Page.​​​

However, on some federally controlled areas, including Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Campbell and Fort Knox military reservations and Blue Grass Army Depot, a bonus antlered deer may be taken, as determined by the governing agency for each area.

Only one antlered deer per hunter may be harvested statewide, regardless of zone, method or season.​

DEER BAG LIMITS

Only one antlered deer may be harvested statewide,
regardless of zone or method

​ZONE 1
A hunter may harvest an unlimited number of antlerless deer in Zone 1 using the statewide deer permit and additional deer permits.
ZONE 2
A hunter may harvest no more than four deer in Zone 2.
ZONE 3 A hunter may harvest no more than four deer in Zone 3. A firearm or air gun cannot be used to take more than one antlerless deer.
ZONE 4 A hunter may harvest no more than two deer in Zone 4. Only one can be antlerless. Antlerless deer cannot be harvested during the modern gun season, the early muzzleloader season or the first six days of late muzzleloader season. The statewide bag limit of one antlered deer still applies.
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​CAR​​​​RY PROOF

Hunters who buy their license or permit by p​​hone or the Internet must carry a picture ID and proof of purchase (an authorization number, paper license, or computer printout) while hunting. Paper licenses/permits must be signed and all information completed before hunting.

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STATEWIDE DEER PERMIT

Unless license-exempt, all deer hunters age 16 and older must first buy and carry proof of purchasing an annual hunting license and a statewide deer permit while hunting. The permit allows a hunter to take four deer: one antlered and three antlerless or four antlerless. It does not matter if the antlered or antlerless dear is taken first.​

​ADDITIONAL DEER PERMIT

An additional deer permit must be purchased to take more than four deer. The additional deer permit allows a hunter to take up to two additional deer beyond those allowed by the statewide permit in the following combinations: one antlered and one antlerless or two antlerless. Regardless of what permit a deer hunter carries, the statewide season limit for antlered deer is one per hunter. The additional deer permit is not valid unless the hunter has first purchased an annual hunting license and statewide deer permit and is able to show proof of that in the field. A statewide or additional deer permit may be used on public and private lands and during some quota hunts. ​​​​Additional deer permits can only be used in counties with unlimited antlerless harvests (Zone 1).


​CHECKING AND TAGGING

All deer must be telechecked. Hunters must call 1-800-245-4263 or complete the online check-in process through My Profile. See the “Recording, Checking, Tagging and Transportation” portion of this guide's "General Information" section for full details.

If the hide or head is removed before the harvested deer is checked in – to quarter the animal, for example – it is necessary to demonstrate proof of sex by retaining the head or keeping the genitalia attached to the carcass. In such cases, it is still necessary to fill out the harvest log immediately after harvest and telecheck the animal before midnight on the day the deer is harvested or recovered.

A carcass tag is required if a harvested deer leaves the hunter’s possession for any reason.

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LEGAL HUNTING EQUIPMENT

MODERN GUN EQUIPMENT

  • ​Any caliber centerfire rifle or centerfire handgun.
  • Rifle or handgun magazines may not be capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
  • Rifles or handguns may not be fully automatic (capable of firing more than one round with one trigger pull).
  • Full metal jacketed or tracer bullet ammunition is prohibited.
  • Shotguns, no larger than 10-gauge, shooting slug ammunition only (includes saboted bullets).
  • Muzzle-loading rifles, handguns, or shotguns shooting round balls, conical bullets, or saboted bullets.
  • Air guns of .35 caliber or larger charged by an external tank, shooting single projectile ammunition designed to expand upon impact.

ARCHERY EQUIPMENT

  • Longbows, recurves and compound bows of any draw weight (no minimum).
  • Wood, carbon or metal arrows, but arrows may not be chemically-treated.
  • Fixed blade or mechanical broadheads at least 7/8” wide (when blades extended), but broadheads may not be chemically-treated.

CROSSBOW EQUIPMENT

  • Crossbows of any draw weight (no minimum), with a working safety.
  • Wood, carbon or metal arrows (bolts), but arrows (bolts) may not be chemically treated.
  • Fixed blade or mechanical broadheads at least 7/8” (when blades extended), but broadheads may not be chemically treated.

MUZZLELOADING EQUIPMENT

  • Muzzle-loading rifles or handguns of any caliber, with flint or percussion ignition (including in-lines), shooting round balls, conical bullets or saboted bullets.
  • Muzzle-loading firearms equipped with open sights or telescopic sights (scopes).
  • Muzzle-loading shotguns no larger than 10-gauge, shooting round balls, conical bullets or saboted bullets.
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HUNTING EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS​

ANTLER TRAPS

Devices designed to entangle or trap the antlers of deer cannot be used.

MODERN GUN SEASON

During modern gun deer season, hunters may hunt with modern guns, including air guns of .35 caliber or larger charged by an external tank, muzzleloaders, and archery and crossbow equipment, and must follow season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements.

All hunters, including archery and crossbow hunters, and persons accompanying hunters, must wear hunter orange clothing during modern gun season.

Persons ages 15 and younger hunting deer with a firearm must be accompanied by an adult who shall be in a position to take immediate control of the youth's firearm at all times.

ARCHERY SEASON

Hunters using archery equipment during a deer firearms season must follow all firearm season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements, and must wear hunter orange clothing.

The only exception is on state owned or managed WMAs where firearms hunting for deer or elk is prohibited.

CROSSBOW SEASON

Hunters using crossbows during a deer firearms season must follow all firearm season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements, and must wear hunter orange clothing.

The only exception is on state owned or managed WMAs where firearms hunting for deer or elk is prohibited.

A legal resident hunter age 65 years or older or a youth hunter (resident or non-resident), age 15 or younger, may hunt deer with a crossbow from the first Saturday in September through the third Monday in January.

MUZZLELOADER SEASON

Muzzleloaders, archery and crossbow equipment may be used during this season.

All hunters must comply with the hunter orange clothing law.

Youths ages 15 and younger hunting deer with a muzzleloader must be accompanied by an adult who shall remain able and in a position to take immediate control of the youth’s muzzleloader at all times.

TREE STANDS

Construction and use of tree stands on private lands is regulated by landowners.


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KENTUCKY'S TROPHY BUCKS​​​​

BOONE CROCKETT TROPHY DEER
2022 SEASON - TYPICAL
​SCORE Hunter County Method
200 3/8
Joby Gossett
Pulaski
Modern Gun
173 2/8
Austin Ponder
Whitley
Modern Gun
172 7/8
Jared Kenner
Logan
Modern Gun​
170 5/8 Aaron Jolly
Breckinridge
Modern Gun
170 1/8
Jearmy S. Wilson
Hardin​
Archery
169 6/8 (velvet)
Clark Vice
Bath
Archery
167 3/8
Craig Browning
Edmonson
Archery
166 2/8
James Dalton
Boone
Muzzleloader
165 7/8
Justin Berry
Todd
Archery
165 4/8
Dale Vickers
Woodford
Crossbow
164 3/8
Christopher A. Anderson
Oldham
Modern Gun
162 5/8
Allen R. McQueary
Russell
Modern Gun
162 4/8
William Joey Reid
Madison
Crossbow
162
Braden Cheek
Scott
Archery
161 1/8
Jerry Loughran
Pulaski
Modern Gun
160 6/8
James A. Williams
Henderson
Modern Gun
160 2/8
Craig S. Burrell
Pulaski
Crossbow
160 2/8
Josh Earlywine
Roberston
Archery
160 2/8
Brannon Whisman
Jefferson
Modern Gun
160
David Andrew Newton
Nelson
Modern Gun
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BOONE & CROCKETT TROPHY DEER
2022 SEASON - NON-TYPICAL
SCORE Hunter County Method
232 5/8
Ian Meredith
Grayson
Archery
229 4/8
Bridgett Smith
Union
Modern Gun
219 2/8
Dawson Mashburn
Muhlenberg
Modern Gun
216 4/8
Daniel Lappe Jr.
Henderson
Modern Gun
215 4/8
Kevin Clements
Casey
Crossbow
206 2/8
Colt Stumbo
Hardin
Modern Gun
203 4/8
Philip Travis
Edmonson
Crossbow
201 6/8
Roger Maynard
Johnson
Modern Gun
201 5/8
Brett Salyers
Pike
Archery
195 2/8
Jeff Humphrey
Franklin
Crossbow
195
Kevin W. Dunn
Meade
Crossbow
191 5/8
Kyle Montgomery
Jessamine
Modern Gun
189 1/8
Aaron C. Johnson
Edmonson
Crossbow
188 4/8
Curt Bangerter
Roberston
Crossbow
187 1/8
Allison Nardi
Todd
Modern Gun
186 7/8
Josh Harlow
Barren
Archery
185 1/8
Charles Watkins
Breathitt
Modern Gun
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These lists include deer scored and reported to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. It is possible that unreported bucks taken last year in Kentucky may have scored 160 typical or 185 non-typical or higher.


HOW TO GET ON NEXT YEAR'S TROPHY LIST

To be eligible for next year’s trophy list a hunter must take a white-tailed deer in Kentucky this season that officially net scores 160 or higher typical, or net scores 185 or higher non-typical, as determined by the Boone & Crockett scoring system. Velvet deer scored under the Pope and Young Club system for bowhunters.

No later than May 1, send the completed and signed score sheet with a photo to Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Include the county where the deer was taken, and the equipment used to harvest the deer. Please send a copy, for score sheets and photos will not be returned. Emailed submissions to info.center@ky.gov also will be accepted.

To get a list of official Boone & Crockett Club scorers in Kentucky visit: http://www.boone-crockett.org.

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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!​

See Also
Your Deer Questions Answered
Public Lands Hunting
Entire Hunting and Trapping Guide PDF
Deer Hunting PDF
Take Someone Hunting!


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