Black Bear Hunting

​​​​​​Black Bear Hunting in Kentucky

Kentucky has a growing black bear population and a regulated bear hunting season. Hunters can pursue bears through archery, crossbow, firearm, or dog hunts, with specific dates as listed below, based on three specific zones and seasons. Hunt​ers must obtain the necessary permits and adhere to regulations regarding firearms, baiting, and bag limits.

This is only a SUMMARY of the black bear hunting rul​es and regulations as found under 301 KAR 2:300​. You can always review our ​Kentucky ​Hunting Guide, contact your Local F&W Law Enforcement Officer, or call our Info Center (1-800-858-1549) to help with unanswered questions.

​​​​​​​​​BEAR ZONE MAP

​​More Information​

Kentucky Mast Survey Reports

LEGAL BEAR HUNTING EQUIPMENT

• A modern rifle of 6.5 mm (.264 caliber) or larger, with a magazine capable of holding no more than 10 rounds
• A muzzle-loading rifle of .45 caliber or larger
  
• A muzzle-loading or breech-loading shotgun no larger than 10-guage, and no smaller than 20-gauge, firing a single projectile (Slug, round ball, conical bullet or saboted bullet) only
  
• A handgun loaded with centerfire cartridges with a case length of 1.285 inches or larger, firing bullets of 6.5 mm (.264 caliber) or larger, designed to expand upon impact
• Firearms 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
• Archery and crossbow equipment that is legal for deer hunting
• During the bear hunt with dogs season, hunters may only harvest a bear using a legal weapon assisted by dogs that are actively pursuing, chasing, baying or treeing a bear prior to harvest. Dogs must be included on the department-approved breed list for the bear season.
  

CHASE-ONLY SEASON AND BEAR HUNTING WITH DOGS

HUNTING SEASONS​

Unless license-exempt, hunters must purchase and possess proof of the appropriate valid bear permit(s) in addition to an annual hunting license.

Hunters who harvest a bear during any bear hunting season must telecheck it by 8 p.m. Eastern time on the day of harvest. Hunters also call must call 1-800-858-1549 within 24 hours of harvest (and prior to removing the harvested bear from the Bear Zone) to arrange for a physical check of the animal and receive a tag issued by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife

Bears physically checked during any hunting season must include a carcass or an intact hide that contains the skull and proof of sex.

Bear hunters may harvest bear with archery/crossbow and muzzleloader equipment during bear firearm season.

HUNTER RESTRICTIONS

• The bag limit is one bear per person per license year, regardless of the season.
• Garbage is considered bait. It is not legal to shoot a bear that is feeding at a trash can or dumpster.
• Hunters and houndsmen may not disturb or take bears from dens.
• Bear hunting and bear chase is prohibited in the following areas within the bear zone: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Kingdom Come State Park and the Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA.​
• The chase-only and bear hunt with dogs seasons are closed in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Miller-Welch Central Kentucky WMA, Beaver Creek WMA, Cane Creek WMA, Mill Creek WMA, Pioneer Weapons WMA and Redbird WMA.
• Hunters may not take female bears with cubs, or any bear weighing less than 75 pounds.
• Hunters may not use bait or other substances capable of luring black bears.
  
• Dogs may not be used to hunt bears during the archery/crossbow or modern gun seasons, but leashed tracking dogs may be used to recover wounded bears.
• Hunters 15 years old and younger who use a firearm must be accompanied by an adult, who shall remain in a position to take immediate control of the youth’s firearm.​
  

HUNTER ORANGE REQUIREMENT​

Bear hunters and those who accompany them, or any other person hunting on public or private lands in the bear hunting zones during a firearm season for bears, must comply with the hunter-orange clothing law. This requirement also applies to any person chasing bears during the bear hunt with dogs season.