Hunting

Buy a Hunting/Trapping License Season Dates Public Lands Hunting Hunting and Trapping Guides Quota Hunts Telecheck

Game Species

Deer, elk, bear, small game & waterfowl hunting in Kentucky is fun for every skill level!

Tap an animal portrait to learn more information on what you can hunt and/or trap.

Other Wildlife

Get in the Season:
Know Upcoming Season Dates to Stay Legal

Planning your next hunt or fishing trip? Use the Season Viewer Application from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources to quickly see what’s in season, upcoming dates, and species-specific regulations — all in one place.

Use the application to do the following:

Filter by game species or see what seasons are presently open.
Download a printable Season Dates poster, or plan ahead with the web-based Season's Planner.
Add seasons to your personal calendar.

Game Seasons

Wildlife Management Area & Public Lands Search

Looking for a place to hunt, fish, or hike? Our interactive map will help you find out where you can do what you want. Select a county or click on the icons below to narrow down your results.

County

Info

Interactive Maps

Hunting Areas

Shooting Ranges

Plan Your Hunt

With scenic forests, open farmland, and abundant wildlife, Kentucky offers memorable hunting opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re planning a trip for elk, deer, waterfowl, or small game, start here to find season dates, licensing information, and public land opportunities to help you prepare for a successful hunt.

Hunter showing another hunter how to shoot

Learn to Hunt

New to hunting? Kentucky offers beginner-friendly programs to help you get started safely.

Take Hands-on Workshops via our Field to Fork.
Safety and skills training via our Hunter Education program.
Learn guidance on regulations and licenses via our print publications.
Follow simple Hunting Tips via our KyAfield TV show, podcast, or magazine.

Start Here

Check out the activity on WMAs via the WMA Explorer maps

Managed Habitat. Healthy Wildlife. Quality Outdoors.

Active habitat management keeps Kentucky’s public lands productive, biodiverse, and ready for your next outdoor experience.

WMA Explorer

Know the Law Before You Hunt

Regulations protect wildlife, landowners, and hunters. Before heading afield in Kentucky, review hunting and trapping rules to avoid violations and ensure a safe, legal hunt.

Most common citations:

No valid license
No landowner permission
Illegal take of game
Exceeding bag limits
Failure to tag or check harvested game

Questions about a regulation?

Call 800-858-1549 (weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

View Regulations Buy/Check License

Hunting

Game Species

Get in the Season:
Know Upcoming Season Dates to Stay Legal