Rifle Rut Deer Hunt (Nov. 17-20)

Big Game

Big game in Kentucky includes white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, and wild turkey (turkey is often considered big game in KY regulations, though biologically a bird). Kentucky’s approach to big game is a mix of readily available licenses for common species (deer, turkey) and highly restricted draws for elk (and a small bear hunt with permits).

Deer: Deer licenses (permits) are available over the counter – there is no draw for deer. Both residents and non-residents must purchase a statewide deer permit in addition to their hunting license to hunt deer

Deer season structure: archery (long season, Sept–Jan), crossbow, muzzleloader, and modern firearm seasons are set by zone, but permits cover them all. There are special youth firearm weekends and quota hunts on some public lands, but no lottery is needed for general deer tags.

Turkey: Wild turkey are abundant. No draw – but hunters must have a Turkey Permit (available OTC) All harvested turkeys must be telechecked (reported).

Elk: Kentucky has a limited elk herd in the southeast region (the “elk zone”). Hunting elk in KY is only possible by obtaining a special elk permit through the Kentucky Elk Draw (lottery).
Applications are open from January 1 through April 30 each year, and anyone (resident or non-resident) can apply for a small fee. The drawing is conducted in May; results are posted by mid-May. If drawn, the hunter must then purchase the actual Elk Hunting Permit. Drawn hunters are assigned to a specific Elk Hunt Area and a week window to hunt. The elk hunt is considered once-in-a-lifetime; if you’re drawn (and purchase the permit), you cannot enter the drawing again for a decade.

Black Bear: Kentucky reinstated bear hunting in recent years in designated Bear Zones (primarily in parts of eastern Kentucky). Bear hunting is limited-entry by permits, but not a preseason lottery; instead, it’s managed by quotas and permit purchases. Hunters must buy a Bear Permit (OTC, but with a cap on number sold to non-residents). Bear hunting in KY is still relatively limited; harvest numbers are small (dozens of bears). All bear hunters must telecheck their bear and within 24 hours have the bear physically checked by biologists.

Kentucky also classifies bobcat and otter as furbearer species with set seasons, but those are not “big game” and are covered by the hunting license (with a permit and check requirement for otter). Wild hogs (feral pigs) are present in Kentucky in low numbers; they are invasive and may be killed year-round with no bag limit (no license required on private land for wild hogs, as they are considered nuisance animals – in fact, KY encourages reporting of wild hogs).

Small Game

Kentucky has a rich variety of small game and game bird hunting, with seasons for squirrels, rabbits, bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse (limited), waterfowl (ducks, geese), doves, woodcock, and other migratory birds. Small game hunting in Kentucky is generally accessible over the counter; you just need the appropriate license and perhaps a couple of permits for specific activities:

• A basic Annual Hunting License allows you to hunt small game (rabbit, squirrel, grouse, etc.) statewide by gun, bow, or other legal methods
• Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit. This is obtained OTC and is combined for both upland migratory (dove, woodcock) and waterfowl.
• Federal Duck Stamp: Required for all waterfowl hunters 16 and older, as federally mandated.
• Sandhill Crane Permit: Kentucky has a very limited sandhill crane hunting season in some counties. To participate, a hunter must apply for a special sandhill crane draw.

Documents that you need for hunting in Kentucky:

• Kentucky Hunting License – All hunters age 16 or older must have a valid license (resident or non-resident as appropriate) to hunt small game or big game. Youth 12–15 need a youth license and children under 12 are license-exempt for hunting
• Species Permits
• Hunter Education Card. (Kids under 12 may hunt without hunter ed as long as they are with an adult; also first-time hunters of any age can get a one-time Hunter Ed Exemption Permit which allows hunting for up to a year under adult supervision)
• Harvest Log & Telecheck Confirmation – Upon harvesting deer, turkey, elk, or bear, Kentucky hunters must fill out a harvest log (on the back of your license or on a card) immediately, and then Telecheck the harvest (report via phone or online) on the day of harvest.

Minimum Hunter Age

Kentucky has no minimum age for hunting, but it regulates youth hunting through license exemptions and supervision requirements. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult who meets hunter education requirements.

Links to Read More Information

• Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife - fw.ky.gov