37 S.

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Jefferson National Forest

2026-27 season.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in Kentucky Public Lands Hunting 2026-27. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Deer

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Archery and crossbow: Sep 5 – Jan 18
  • Youth: Oct 10–18, Dec 26–27
  • Muzzleloader: Oct 17–18, Dec 12–20
  • Modern firearms: Nov 14–29

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species in accordance with the county in which they are located: deer”

Bear

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Zone 1 hunt with dogs: Oct 19–23
  • Zone 1 archery/crossbow: Oct 24–26
  • Zone 1 firearm: Dec 12–14

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: bear (Bear Zone 1)”

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Zone 2 hunt with dogs: Oct 19–23, Oct 29 – Nov 6
  • Zone 2 archery/crossbow: Oct 24–28
  • Zone 2 firearm: Dec 12–16

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: bear (Bear Zone 2)”

Turkey

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Archery: Sep 5 – Jan 18
  • Crossbow: Oct 1–18, Nov 14 – Dec 31
  • Shotgun: Oct 24–30, Dec 5–11

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: turkey”

Rabbit and quail

Follows the statewide season (rabbit, eastern zone and quail, eastern zone Nov 1–13, Nov 16 – Jan 31).

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: rabbit and quail (Eastern Zone)”

Squirrel

Follows the statewide season (Aug 15 – Nov 13, Nov 16 – Feb 28).

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: squirrel”

Grouse

Follows the statewide season (Nov 1–13, Nov 16 – Feb 28).

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: grouse (grouse zone)”

Raccoon, furbearers, and coyote

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Raccoon: Oct 1 – Feb 28
  • Furbearers, hunting and trapping: Nov 16 – Feb 28
  • Furbearers, water-set trapping: Mar 1–31
  • Coyote: Aug 1 – Mar 31

In the guide: “Open under statewide regulations for all species: furbearers”

Area rules

Night coyote hunting is prohibited (hunting guide p. 23).

Nearby areas

Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA around 10 miles away

Continental Hunting Access Area around 10 miles away

Elk Horn Coal Hunting Access Area around 15 miles away

Carr Creek Lake WMA around 20 miles away

Betterment Wildlife Hunting Access Area around 20 miles away

County zone deer bag limits apply on all WMAs; quota deer hunters may take up to two deer on a quota hunt in Zones 2, 3 and 4, only one antlered, and any buck counts toward the statewide one-buck limit. Hunting for squirrels, rabbits, quail, grouse and furbearers is closed the first two days of modern firearms deer season (Nov. 14-15) on WMAs. Dogs must be leashed on WMAs from March 1 until the third Saturday in August, with exceptions. Camping only where designated; no baiting; no nails or screw-in steps in trees; trail cameras must carry the owner's customer ID. Hunter orange during any firearms season for deer, bear or elk, also on ground blinds, except on WMAs where firearms hunting for those species is prohibited. Public dove fields are closed to all access from Aug. 15 until sunrise Sept. 1; on WMAs and leased fields, dove shooting hours are 11 a.m. to sunset Sept. 1-Oct. 26. Areas manipulated for dove hunting are not legal for waterfowl hunting. Youth-only waterfowl days are Nov. 21 and Feb. 13, and military/veteran-only days Nov. 22 and Feb. 14. A light goose conservation order runs Feb. 16-Mar. 31 with a free permit. Sandhill cranes (Dec. 7-Jan. 31) are by drawn permit only. During WMA deer quota hunts, only drawn hunters and one non-hunting assistant each may be on the area.

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