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Currently in Season

Bear

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BEAR ZONES

McCreary County Zone

Letcher County Zone

Harlan County Zone

Bell County Zone

Wayne County Zone

Zone 2 West: Clinton, Jackson, Laurel, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Whitley counties

Zone 2 East: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties

Zone 3: Adair, Bath, Boyd, Carter, Casey, Clark, Cumberland, Elliot, Estill, Fleming, Garrard, Greenup, Lee, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell, Rowan and Wolfe.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

License and Permit needed:

  • Annual Hunting License (Hunting/Sportsman's/Disability/Senior)
  • Bear Permit

Click here for exemptions and requirements and Fall Hunting Guide.

Buy your license.

Archery

*** Proposed Season Date Upcoming Season

Location:
Bear Zone, Zone 3 closed
Season Dates:
Oct 22 2022 - Oct 28 2022
either sex
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Chase-Only

*** Proposed Season Date Currently in Season

Location:
Bear Zone
Season Dates:
Jun 1 2022 - Aug 31 2022
either sex
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*** Proposed Season Date Upcoming Season

Location:
Bear Zone
Season Dates:
Sep 9 2022 - Sep 30 2022
either sex
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Firearm

*** Proposed Season Date Upcoming Season

Location:
Bear Zone
Season Dates:
Dec 10 2022 - Dec 16 2022
either sex
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Bullfrog

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Daily limit (noon to noon) is 15. Possession limit 30.

__________________________________________________________________________

License needed:

  • Day (1 or 7 day) hunting license or annual* hunting license (If taken by gun or bow/arrow)
  • Day (1 or 7 day) fishing license or annual* fishing license (If taken by pole and line)
  • Fishing or Hunting license (If taken by gig or hand)

*Included in Sportsman's and Disability/SeniorLicense

Click here for exemption and requirements and Spring Hunting Guide.

Buy your license.


General

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
May 20 2022 - Oct 31 2022
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Opens at noon

Coyote

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Coyotes may be hunted year-round with no bag limit.

A person may take a coyote after daylight hours, except that:

  • (a) It shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm season is open;
  • (b) A person shall not use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from June 1 through November 30;
  • (c) Any artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall not be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle;
  • (d) A person shall not use any weapon other than a shotgun on public land;
  • (e) A person shall not use any weapon other than a shotgun, or a rifle of 6.5mm Creedmoor caliber or smaller (equivalent to a .264 caliber; .223 and .243 calibers may be used) on private land from December 1 through March 31;
  • (f) A person using a shotgun shall not use a shell with a single projectile.

Hunting

Ages 16 and Older:

  • Day Hunting License (1 or 7 Day)
    - OR -
  • Annual Hunting License
    - OR -
  • Sportsman's License
    - OR -
  • Disability/Senior License

Youth (12-15):

  • Annual Youth Hunting License
    - OR -
  • Youth Sportsman's License

Younger than 12:

  • License Exempt

Trapping

Ages 16 and Older:

  • Trapping License

Youth (12-15):

  • Youth Trapping License

Younger than 12:

  • License Exempt

Additional Information

Exemptions and Requirements
Spring Hunting Guide
Buy Your License

Hunting

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Mar 1 2021 - Feb 28 2022
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Daylight Hours Only - Open Year round

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Mar 1 2022 - Feb 28 2023
Add to Calendar
Coyotes may be hunted year-round, day or night, with no bag limit. Hunters may only use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from Dec. 1 – May 31. Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night cannot be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle. Coyote hunters with valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permits or Hunting Methods Exemption Vehicle Permits may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform, and may use lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle. On public land after daylight hours, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multipleprojectile shell. On private land after daylight hours, coyote hunters may not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multiple-projectile shell, except that from Dec. 1 – March 31 hunters may also use a rifle of 6.5mm (.264 caliber) or smaller bullet diameter; a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less; or a shotgun shell with a single-projectile. Night hunting shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm or muzzleloader season is open. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Kentucky lands managed by Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, including Beaver Creek, Cane Creek, Mill Creek, Pioneer Weapons and Redbird wildlife management areas (WMAs). Hand or mouth-operated calls and electronic calls that imitate wounded prey or coyote calls are legal. It is legal to hunt coyotes over animal carcasses. Animal carcasses are considered bait. A hunter shall not place or distribute bait or otherwise participate in baiting wildlife on all WMAs, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Jefferson National Forest, Land Between The Lakes and state parks open to hunting.

Night Hunting - No Lights Allowed

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Jun 1 2022 - Nov 30 2022
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Coyotes may be hunted year-round, day or night, with no bag limit. Hunters may only use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from Dec. 1 – May 31. Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night cannot be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle. Coyote hunters with valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permits or Hunting Methods Exemption Vehicle Permits may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform, and may use lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle. On public land after daylight hours, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multipleprojectile shell. On private land after daylight hours, coyote hunters may not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multiple-projectile shell, except that from Dec. 1 – March 31 hunters may also use a rifle of 6.5mm (.264 caliber) or smaller bullet diameter; a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less; or a shotgun shell with a single-projectile. Night hunting shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm or muzzleloader season is open. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Kentucky lands managed by Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, including Beaver Creek, Cane Creek, Mill Creek, Pioneer Weapons and Redbird wildlife management areas (WMAs). Hand or mouth-operated calls and electronic calls that imitate wounded prey or coyote calls are legal. It is legal to hunt coyotes over animal carcasses. Animal carcasses are considered bait. A hunter shall not place or distribute bait or otherwise participate in baiting wildlife on all WMAs, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Jefferson National Forest, Land Between The Lakes and state parks open to hunting.

Night Hunting with Lights

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Dec 1 2021 - Mar 31 2022
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Modern Firearms of 6.5mm or smaller legal

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Year Round
Add to Calendar
Coyotes may be hunted year-round, day or night, with no bag limit. Hunters may only use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from Dec. 1 – May 31. Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night cannot be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle. Coyote hunters with valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permits or Hunting Methods Exemption Vehicle Permits may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform, and may use lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle. On public land after daylight hours, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multipleprojectile shell. On private land after daylight hours, coyote hunters may not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multiple-projectile shell, except that from Dec. 1 – March 31 hunters may also use a rifle of 6.5mm (.264 caliber) or smaller bullet diameter; a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less; or a shotgun shell with a single-projectile. Night hunting shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm or muzzleloader season is open. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Kentucky lands managed by Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, including Beaver Creek, Cane Creek, Mill Creek, Pioneer Weapons and Redbird wildlife management areas (WMAs). Hand or mouth-operated calls and electronic calls that imitate wounded prey or coyote calls are legal. It is legal to hunt coyotes over animal carcasses. Animal carcasses are considered bait. A hunter shall not place or distribute bait or otherwise participate in baiting wildlife on all WMAs, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Jefferson National Forest, Land Between The Lakes and state parks open to hunting.

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Dec 1 2022 - May 31 2023
Add to Calendar
Coyotes may be hunted year-round, day or night, with no bag limit. Hunters may only use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from Dec. 1 – May 31. Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night cannot be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle. Coyote hunters with valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permits or Hunting Methods Exemption Vehicle Permits may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform, and may use lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle. On public land after daylight hours, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multipleprojectile shell. On private land after daylight hours, coyote hunters may not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun loaded with a multiple-projectile shell, except that from Dec. 1 – March 31 hunters may also use a rifle of 6.5mm (.264 caliber) or smaller bullet diameter; a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less; or a shotgun shell with a single-projectile. Night hunting shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm or muzzleloader season is open. Night hunting for coyotes is prohibited on Kentucky lands managed by Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, including Beaver Creek, Cane Creek, Mill Creek, Pioneer Weapons and Redbird wildlife management areas (WMAs). Hand or mouth-operated calls and electronic calls that imitate wounded prey or coyote calls are legal. It is legal to hunt coyotes over animal carcasses. Animal carcasses are considered bait. A hunter shall not place or distribute bait or otherwise participate in baiting wildlife on all WMAs, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Jefferson National Forest, Land Between The Lakes and state parks open to hunting.

Trapping

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 15 2021 - Feb 28 2022
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Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 14 2022 - Feb 28 2023
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Groundhog

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License needed:

Younger than 12:

  • License exempt

Youth 12-15:

  • Annual youth hunting license*

*Included in Youth Sportsman's License

Ages 16 and older:

  • Day (1 or 7 day) hunting license or annual hunting license**

**Included in Sportsman's and Disability/Senior License

Click here for exemptions and requirements and Spring Hunting Guide.

Buy your license.


Hunting

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Mar 1 2021 - Feb 28 2022
Add to Calendar
Year Round Hunting

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Mar 1 2022 - Feb 28 2023
Add to Calendar

Trapping

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 15 2021 - Feb 28 2022
Add to Calendar

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 14 2022 - Feb 28 2023
Add to Calendar

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