Kentucky Deer Hunting Seasons 2026-2027
Kentucky deer dates are statewide in shape, but county Zone 1-4 rules change harvest opportunity and antlerless availability.
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Season data compiled and verified against official state sources. Regulations can change. Confirm current rules before hunting.
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Field Honest summarizes official hunting regulations for convenience. Official agency regulations remain controlling.Kentucky deer map
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Source detail Open official-source records Detailed notes, harvest classes, eligibility flags, and agency links.
Official-source season details
The quick finder above is the main view. These records keep the supporting geography, harvest notes, and source links together.
Archery
Bow, crossbow, or archery-only windows where listed.
4 seasons
Zone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. During modern gun and muzzleloader windows, Zone 4 antlerless timing restrictions still apply regardless of method.
Official source
Crossbow
Crossbow-specific opportunities where the state separates them.
4 seasons
Zone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. General crossbow season. Senior and youth crossbow eligibility starts Sept. 5, 2026.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. General crossbow season. Senior and youth crossbow eligibility starts Sept. 5, 2026.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. General crossbow season. Senior and youth crossbow eligibility starts Sept. 5, 2026.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. General crossbow season. Senior and youth crossbow eligibility starts Sept. 5, 2026. Zone 4 antlerless deer cannot be taken during modern gun, early muzzleloader, or the first six days of late muzzleloader.
Official source
Firearm
General rifle, gun, and firearm framework seasons.
4 seasons
Zone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. Hunters may use any method legal for deer hunting during modern gun season.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Hunters may use any method legal for deer hunting during modern gun season.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. Hunters may use any method legal for deer hunting during modern gun season.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Zone 4 is antlered deer only during modern gun season, regardless of hunting method.
Official source
Muzzleloader
Muzzleloader-only or late muzzleloader opportunities.
9 seasons
Zone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. Early muzzleloader is open to either sex in Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Official sourceZone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. Late muzzleloader season.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Early muzzleloader is open to either sex in Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Late muzzleloader season.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. Early muzzleloader is open to either sex in Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. Late muzzleloader season.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Early muzzleloader is antlered deer only in Zone 4.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Antlerless deer may not be taken Dec. 12-17; Dec. 18-20 has a limited antlerless opportunity.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Antlerless deer may be harvested Dec. 18-20 only during late muzzleloader.
Official source
Youth
Youth-only, apprentice, or early youth windows.
8 seasons
Zone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. Youth-only firearms season.
Official sourceZone 1: one antlered deer statewide; antlerless may be unlimited with appropriate additional permits. Free youth weekend.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Youth-only firearms season.
Official sourceZone 2: up to four total deer; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Free youth weekend.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. Youth-only firearms season.
Official sourceZone 3: up to four total deer; firearm or air gun may not take more than one antlerless deer. Free youth weekend.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Youth-only firearms season.
Official sourceZone 4: one antlerless deer only during limited listed windows; one-antlered-deer statewide limit applies. Free youth weekend.
Official source