Kentucky · Deer · 2026–27 Edition
Kentucky Deer Season 2026–27: Dates, Zones & Bag Limits
Sep 5 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons by method
| Method | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 5 – Jan 18 |
| Youth/Senior Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 5 – Jan 18 |
| Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 19 – Jan 18 |
| Youth-only Gun | Statewide | Oct 10 – Oct 18 |
| Muzzleloader (early) | Statewide | Oct 17 – Oct 18 |
| Modern Gun | Statewide | Nov 14 – Nov 29 |
| Muzzleloader (late) | Statewide | Dec 12 – Dec 20 |
| Free Youth Weekend | Statewide | Dec 26 – Dec 27 |
02 — Bag limits
| Statewide | 1 deer with visible antlers (excluding button bucks), regardless of zone, method or season |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Unlimited antlerless with statewide + additional deer permits |
| Zone 2 | No more than 4 deer |
| Zone 3 | No more than 4 deer; firearm/air gun may take no more than 1 antlerless |
| Zone 4 | No more than 2 deer, only 1 antlerless (antlerless not during modern gun, early muzzleloader, or first 6 days of late muzzleloader) |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 5, 2026) 06:45 — 20:33
Rule: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset (per KDFWR). Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Kentucky sun times for any other date.
04 — License
A Kentucky hunting license and deer permit are required. A dedicated Kentucky license page — costs, age rules and where to buy — is coming; for now, buy and read the rules straight from the agency.
Kentucky licenses & permits — Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources →
05 — FAQ
When does deer season start in Kentucky?
The earliest 2026–27 opener is September 5, 2026 (archery). Gun and muzzleloader dates differ — see the table above.
When does deer season end in Kentucky?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 18, 2027. Individual methods and zones close on their own dates.
Verified · Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Statewide dates from KDFWR 2026-27 guide (Aug 2026 – Mar 2027). Season dates are statewide; Zones 1–4 govern bag limits only. A two-day antlerless-only CWD Surveillance Zone hunt is announced but its dates were TBA at retrieval — check KDFWR before planning.