Kentucky Hunting & Fishing Seasons Planner

Kentucky Hunting & Fishing Seasons

The following calendar tables reflect current regulations and can be used to anticipate future season dates. However, season regulations are subject to change. Always consult the current hunting or fishing guide to confirm the season you wish to hunt or fish. Download a printable seasons date poster or check the seasons date app for more seasonal information.

Click one of the buttons below to navigate to season dates for a specific species.

White-tailed Deer Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Archery Season	1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)	Sept. 7, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025
Youth/Senior Crossbow	1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)	Sept. 7, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025
Crossbow	3rd Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan. (MLK Day)	Sept. 21, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025
Youth-only Gun	2nd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Oct.	Oct. 12 - 13, 2024
Early Muzzleloader	3rd Full Weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Oct.	Oct. 19 -20, 2024
Late Muzzleloader	2nd Sat. in Dec. for 16 days (closes Sun.)	Dec. 14 - 22, 2024
Free Youth Weekend*	1st Full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) after Christmas	Dec. 28 - 29, 2024
Modern Gun	2nd Sat. in Nov. for 16 days (closes Sun.)	Nov. 9 - 24, 2024
* During the free youth-only weekend, youth (aged 15 or younger) will not be required to have a hunting license or deer permit; however, they must comply with all other statewide deer hunting requirements.
Return to Species	Regulation: 301 KAR 2:172

Turkey Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Spring Youth	1st full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in Apr.	Apr. 6 - 7, 2024
Spring General Season	Sat. closest to Apr. 15, closes on Sun. after 23 days	Apr. 13 - May 5, 2024
Fall Archery	1st Sat. in Sept. thru 3rd Mon. in Jan.	Sept. 7, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025
Fall Shotgun	4th Sat. in Oct. for 7 consecutive days; 1st Sat. in Dec. for 7 consecutive days	Oct. 26 - Nov. 1, 2024 Dec. 7-13, 2024
Fall Crossbow	Oct 1 thru 3rd full weekend in Oct.; 2nd Sat. in Nov. thru Dec. 31	Oct. 1 - 20, 2024 Nov. 9 - Dec. 31, 2024
Return to Species	Regulations: ****301 KAR 2:142 (Spring Turkey) \| 301 KAR 2:144 (Fall Turkey)

Elk Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Firearms - Bull (antlered)	Last Sat. in Sept. for 5 consecutive days; 1st Sat. in Oct. for five consecutive days	Week 1: Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2024; Week 2: Oct. 5 - 9, 2024
Firearms - Cow (antlerless)	Last Saturday in Nov. for 5 consecutive days; Last Saturday in Dec. for 5 consecutive days	Week 1: Nov. 30 - Dec. 4, 2024; Week 2: Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025
Archery/Crossbow (either sex)	2nd Sat. in Sept. thru 4th Fri. in Sept.; 1st Sat. in Dec. thru 2nd Fri. in Dec.	Sept. 14-27, 2024; Dec. 7 - 13, 2024
Youth-only Quota (either sex)	Youths may enter a separate drawing pool for either-sex elk permits that shall be valid for use during all elk seasons as listed above.
Note: Out-of-zone elk hunters must follow deer season regulations and use only the legal elk hunting equipment to take elk from any county not included in the 16-county elk zone, and must have an Out-of-Zone Elk Permit.
Return to Species	Regulation: 301 KAR 2:132

Black Bear Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Both Zones - Chase-only*	Chase seasons June - Aug., Sept. 9 - 30	June 1 - August 31, 2024; Sept. 9 -30, 2024
Zone 1 - Hunt with Dogs**	5 consecutive days beginning the Mon. prior to the 4th Sat. in Oct.	Oct. 21 - 25, 2024
Zone 2 - Hunt with Dogs**	5 consecutive days beginning the Mon. prior to the 4th Sat. in Oct.; and 9 consecutive days beginning the Thur. following the 4th Sat. in Oct.	Oct. 21 - 25, 2024; Oct. 31 - Nov. 8, 2024
Zone 1 - Archery/Crossbow	3 consecutive days beginning on the fourth Sat. in Oct.	Oct. 26 - 28, 2024
Zone 2 - Archery/Crossbow	5 consecutive days beginning on the fourth Sat. in Oct.	Oct. 26 - 30, 2024
Zone 1 - Firearms	3 consecutive days beginning the second Sat. in Dec.	Dec. 14 - 16, 2024
Zone 2 - Firearms	5 consecutive days beginning on the second Sat. in Oct.	Dec. 14 - 18, 2024
* Bear Chase-only is not permitted on WMAs until the third Saturday in August. However, Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA is closed to bear chase and all bear hunting seasons. Any legal equipment may be used during the Hunt with Dogs. Note:** Hunters may participate in the Chase-only season even if they have harvested a bear.
Return to Species	Regulation: 301 KAR 2:300

Migratory Birds (webless) Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Dove*	1st Segment: Sept. 1 for 56 consecutive days; 2nd Segment: Thanksgiving Day for 11 consecutive Days; 3rd Segment: Sat. before Christmas for 23 consecutive days	Sept. 1 - Oct. 26, 2024; Nov. 28 - Dec. 8, 2024; Dec. 21 - Jan. 12, 2025
Common & Purple Gallinule	Sept. 1 for 70 consecutive days	Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2024
Crow	Sept. 1 thru Nov. 7; Jan. 4 thru the last day of Feb.	Sept. 1 - Nov. 7, 2024; Jan. 4 - Feb. 28, 2025
Snipe	3rd Wed. in Sept. for 40 consecutive days; Thanksgiving Day for 67 consecutive Days	Sept. 18 - Oct. 27, 2024; Nov. 28, 2024 - Feb. 2, 2025
Sandhill Crane**	Dec. 7 - Jan. 31	Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Virginia & Sora Rail	Sept. 1 for 70 consecutive days	Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2024
Woodcock***	4th Sat. in Oct. for 47 consecutive days	Oct. 26 - Nov. 8, 2024; Nov. 11 - Dec. 11, 2024
* Youth & mentored dove applications are due on the 1st Monday in August through the 3rd Friday in August. Sandhill Crane permits available only for quota hunt drawings through September. These permits can be purchased online only through the Licenses and Permits app. Hunters must possess printed or electronic proof of valid crane hunting permit. *** Closed first weekend of modern gun season. Note: Dove and waterfowl hunters must complete the HIP migratory bird harvest survey before hunting each year. Please check "MyProfile/HipSurvey**" for more information. For Crows, a Migratory Bird/Waterfowl permit or completion of the HIP survey is not required, however, a hunting license is still required unless license exempt.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 2:225 (Migratory Birds) \| 301 KAR 2:228 (Sandhill Crane) \| 301 KAR 2:260 (Crow)

Waterfowl Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Teal	3rd Sat. in Sept. for 9 consecutive days	Sept. 21 - 29, 2024
Wood Duck	3rd Sat. in Sept. for 5 consecutive days	Sept. 21 - 25, 2024
Eastern September Canada Goose Zone	Sept. 16 for 15 consecutive days	Sept. 16 - Sept. 30, 2024
Western September Canada Goose Zone	Sept. 1 for 15 consecutive days	Sept. 1 - Sept. 15, 2024
Duck, Coot, Merganser	Thanksgiving Day for 4 consecutive days; Dec. 7 thru Jan. 31	Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2024; Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant	Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15	Nov. 28, 2024 - Feb. 15, 2025
Snow Goose (including Ross' Goose)	Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15	Nov. 28, 2024 - Feb. 15, 2025
Note: Dove and waterfowl hunters must complete the HIP migratory bird harvest survey before hunting each year. Please check "MyProfile/HipSurvey" for more information.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 2:225 (Migratory Birds) \| 301 KAR 2:221 (Light Goose)

Waterfowl More
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Light Goose Conservation Order	Feb. 16 - March 31	Feb. 16 - March 31, 2025
Youth-only Waterfowl	Sat. Before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sat. in Feb.	Nov. 23, 2024; Feb. 8, 2025
Military/Veteran-only Waterfowl	Sun. Before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sun. in Feb.	Nov. 24, 2024; Feb. 9, 2025
Falconry - Waterfowl	Thanksgiving Day thru last Sun. in Feb.	Nov. 28, 2024 - Feb. 23, 2025
Note: Dove and waterfowl hunters must complete the HIP migratory bird harvest survey before hunting each year. Please check "MyProfile/HipSurvey" for more information.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 2:225 (Migratory Birds) \| 301 KAR 2:226 (Youth Waterfowl)

Small & Upland Game Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Spring Squirrel Hunting	3rd Sat. in May thru the 3rd Fri. in June	May 18 - June 21, 2024
Fall Squirrel Hunting*	3rd Sat. in Aug. thru Feb.	Aug. 11 - Nov. 8, 2024; Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Fall Squirrel Trapping*	Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping season overlap.	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Rabbit (Eastern Zone) Hunting*	Nov. 1 thru Jan. 31	Nov. 1 - Nov. 8, 2024; Nov. 11, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Rabbit (Eastern Zone) Trapping*	Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping Season overlap.	Nov. 11, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Rabbit (Western Zone) Hunting*	3rd day of modern gun deer season thru Feb. 10	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 10, 2025
Rabbit (Western Zone) Trapping*	Only trap when both small game hunting season and trapping Season overlap.	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 10, 2025
Quail (Eastern Zone)*	Nov. 1 thru Jan. 31	Nov. 1, - Nov. 8, 2024; Nov. 11, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Quail (Western Zone)*	3rd day of modern gun deer season thru Feb. 10	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 10, 2025
Grouse**	Nov. 1 thru the last day of Feb.	Nov. 1, - Nov. 8, 2024; Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Pheasant Quota Hunt (Green River WMA)	3rd Fri. in Nov. for 3 consecutive days	Nov. 15, - Nov 17, 2024
Pheasant Quota Hunt (Clay WMA)	1st Fri. in Dec. for 3 consecutive days	Dec. 6, - Dec. 8, 2024
Pheasant Quota Hunt (Yellowbank WMA)	1st Fri. in Dec. for 3 consecutive days	Dec. 6, - Dec. 8, 2024
Falconry - Small Game	Sept. 1 thru Mar. 30	Sept. 1, 2024 - Mar. 30, 2025
Free Youth Small Game Hunting & Trapping Week***	Sat after Christmas for 7 consecutive days (closes Fri.)	Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025
* Closed for the 1st two days of modern gun deer season. In Grouse Hunting Zone only. Closed for the 1st two days of modern gun deer season. ***** A youth (aged 15 or younger) may take a small game with a hunting or trapping license but shall comply with all other statewide requirements.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 2:122 (Small Game) \| 301 KAR 2:049 (Public Areas)

Furbearer Hunting
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Raccoon Hunting*	Oct. 1st thru last day of Feb.	Oct. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Opossum Hunting*	Oct. 1st thru last day of Feb.	Oct. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Coyote Hunting**	Open Season year-round; Night Huntings with Lights allowed Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 & May 16 - June 30	Year-round Night Hunting with lights: May 16 - June 30, 2024 & Dec. 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
Bobcat Hunting***	Third Saturday in Nov. thru the last day of Feb.	Nov. 16, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
River Otter, Muskrat, Mink, Beaver, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Weasel & Striped Skunk	1/2 hour before sunrise on 3rd day of modern gun deer season thru last day of Feb.	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Groundhog	Open Season	Year-round
Furbearer Trapping	1/2 hour before sunrise on 3rd day of modern gun deer season thru last day of Feb.	Nov. 11, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025
Falconry - Furbearer	Sept. 1 thru Mar. 30	Sept. 1, 2024 - Mar. 30, 2025
Free Youth Furbearer Hunting & Trapping Week	Sat. after Christmas for 7 consecutive days (closes Fri.)	Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025
* Night hunting closes 30-minutes before sunrise on the opening day of modern gun deer season (Nov. 9, 2024). Special Restrictions apply. Please consult the Hunting & Trapping Guide for areas where night hunting on coyotes is prohibited. ***** Bobcat permit required for bobcat hunters.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 2:251 (Furbearer) \| 301 KAR 2:049 (Public Areas)

Fishing
Season	Season in Regulation	2024-25 Season Dates
Traditional Fishing (pole & line)	Open Season	Year-round
Trout Catch & Release (Designated Streams)**	Streams open to fishing year-round; Oct. 1 - Mar. 31 No harvest of trout/artificial lures only	Oct. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2025
Free Fishing Days (No license required)	1st Full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in June	June 1 - 2, 2024
Bow Fishing, Spear Fishing, Sport Fishing Trotlines, Jugging, Setlines	Open Season	Year-round
Free Fishing Days	1st Full weekend (consecutive Sat.-Sun.) in June	June 1 - 2, 2024
Gigging & Snagging for Rough Fish*	Feb. 1 - May 10	Feb. 1 - May 10, 2024
Tickling & Noodling for Rough Fish	June 1 - Aug. 31 (daylight hours)	June 1 - Aug. 31, 2024
Bullfrog	Noon on 3rd Fri. in May to midnight Oct. 31	Noon May 17 - Oct. 31 (midnight)
Turtles***	Open Season	Year-round, day or night
* Areas below Kentucky Lake Dam are open year-round. Special Regulations may apply. Please check the Kentucky Fishing & Boating guide for more information. Please check the Kentucky Fishing & Boating guide for more information. ***** Only common snapping turtles and soft shell turtles may be harvested.
Return to Species	Regulations: 301 KAR 1:201 (Traditional Fishing Methods) \| 301 KAR 1:410 (Nontraditional Fishing Methods) \| 301 KAR 1:210 (Free Fishing Days) \| 301 KAR 1:082 (Bullfrog) \| 301 KAR 1:058 (Turtle)

Kentucky Hunting & Fishing Seasons Planner

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Kentucky Hunting & Fishing Seasons