1776-Eastern-Grey-Squirrel

Squirrel Hunting



​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Hunting Squirrel in Kentucky


Every expert hunter was once a beginner. And if you ask the best of the best, they’ll tell you: squirrel hunting is where it all began. Kentucky is home to two huntable tree squirrel species—fox squirrels and eastern grey squirrels—and offers some of the best small game opportunities in the country. It’s affordable, accessible, and packed with lessons that’ll sharpen your skills for life in the woods. So if you’re looking for a reason to step outside this season, this is it. 

In Kentucky, there are two seasons. A Spring Season that is mid-May through mid-June and a Fall Season, that is mid-August through the end of February, with a break on the first weekend of Deer Gun Season (check below for this year's season dates). Learn more about getting started with squirrel hunting on our "Learn to Squirrel Hunt​" page. Read below for a summary of the rules and regulations (Small Game 301 KAR 2:122 and Public Land Hunting (301 KAR 2:049) for hunting this very active animal.


Squirrel-hunt-group-f2f.jpg ​A large group of hunters showing off their harvest after a Squirrel Hunting Field-to-Fork event. 

​ ​​​ ​​

​SEASON DATES AND RESTRICTIONS​


Squirrel​​
Spring Season​
Hunting
​Trapping
May 17 - June 15, 2025 (Shooting Hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters may be in the field before and after shooting hours.) 

Trapping squirrels during the spring season or hunting squirrels at any time with blowguns is prohibited.


​​Squirrel​​
​Fall Season
Hunting
​Trapping
Aug. 16 - Nov. 7​ and Nov. 10, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026

One-half hour before sunrise Nov. 10, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026
​​​​​​​​​​
​​Do I have to telecheck my small game?​​​
​​​​​ ​​​No. However, you can help Kentucky Fish and Wildlife by filling ​out the hunter cooperator surveys for small game.​​
Legacy-LLC-landscape-ck.png

Image Caption - The following animals are considered small game: northern bobwhite (quail), squirrels, rabbits, and grouse. All species have their own hunting bag limits.


Small Game Trapping Guidance

Rabbits and Squirrels can be trapped with the same legal equipment and restrictions as found on our Furbearers Hunting and Trapping page. Quail and Grouse may not be trapped. A trapping license is required for individuals 12 years of age or older. Trappers must harvest squirrels and rabbits upon capture, unless they possess a captive wildlife permit from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Seasons on WMAs 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 Hunting Lands page.


Squirrel-shill-01.png

​​​​​BAG LIMITS

Daily Limit is six (6); the possession limit is twelve (12).​





​ ​
​ ​​
​​​​​​​​​​
​​Legal Hunting Equipment & Methods for Harvesting Squirrels

Hunters may only use the following to take small game during all seasons:

  • ​A rimfire gun or rimfire handgun
  • .410 gauge handgun
  • muzzle-loading or breech-loading shotguns no larger than 10-gauge Breech-loading shotguns must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in a magazine and one in a chamber)
  • Lead or non-toxic shot no larger than No. 2
  • Muzzle-loading rifles
  • Archery or crossbow equipment 
  • Pellets fired from .177, .20, .22 or .25 caliber air guns
  • Falconry (Fall Season Only)
  • Slingshots with manufactured hunting ammunition
  • Dogs may be used to aid in the hunt​

​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​Prohibited Methods for Harvesting Squirrels

Hunters are not allowed to trap Squirrels during the Spring Season. Blowguns are prohibited for hunting all year.


 

How To Process a Squirrel - with Becky Bloomfield​​​​​​​

​​

FREE YOUTH WEEK

Resident and nonresident youth hunters and trappers ages 15 and younger may hunt and trap small game without a hunting or trapping license for seven consecutive days starting the Saturday after Christmas.

All hunters must wear hunter orange clothing during the first weekend after Christmas, as youth hunters are also permitted to hunt deer with firearms at that time.​

Youth hunters must comply with all equipment regulations and bag limits for small game when hunting or trapping. Hunter education is not required for license-exempt hunters. Adults accompanying youth hunting and trapping week do not need a license if they are not hunting/trapping.​


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 fall and winter seasons when the limits are the same for other methods. Falconers must possess a falconry permit, which costs $75 and is valid for three years, as well as a valid Kentucky hunting license, unless license-exempt, and comply with all applicable state and federal laws.​​​​​​​