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Currently in Season

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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:

  1. It shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm season is open;
  2. A person shall not use artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night from June 1 through November 30;
  3. Any artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall not be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle;
  4. A person shall not use any weapon other than a shotgun on public land;
  5. 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;
  6. 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

For more information, click exemptions and requirements or check our current Hunting Guide. Buy or renew your license here.



Hunting

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Year Round
either sex
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 multiple projectile 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

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Jun 1 2023 - Nov 30 2023
either sex
***Changes pending; check the hunting guide for current information.*** 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

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Year Round
either sex
***Changes Pending; check hunting guide for current information*** 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

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 13 2023 - Feb 29 2024
either sex
One-half hour before sunrise on Nov. 13, 2023 - Feb. 28, 2024.
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Hunting

Past Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Feb 1 2023 - Feb 15 2023

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Mar 1 2023 - Mar 30 2023

*** Proposed Season Date Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Sep 1 2023 - Mar 30 2024
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You must fill out your HIP survey before you go hunting. Go to "My Profile" to access this survey.


License and permit needed:


Younger than 12

  • License and permit 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
  • Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit**
  • Federal Duck Stamp

*Included in the Youth Sportsman License / **Included in Resident Sportsman's License


Ages 65 and older OR Disabled

  • Senior/Disabled License
  • Federal Duck Stamp

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


For more information, click exemptions and requirements or check our current Waterfowl Hunting Guide. Buy or renew your license here.




Hunting

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Feb 16 2023 - Mar 31 2023
either sex
Only Snow and Ross’ geese Must have a Permit to hunt: https://app.fw.ky.gov/snowgoosesurvey/snowgoose.aspx
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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


For more information, click exemptions and requirements or check our current Hunting Guide. Buy or renew your license here.




Hunting

Past Season

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

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Year Round
either sex


Trapping

Past Season

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

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Nov 13 2023 - Feb 29 2024
either sex
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Gigging and Snagging

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Feb 1 2023 - May 10 2023
Some exceptions apply. Please check the current Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide for more information.


Tickling and Noodling

Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Jun 1 2023 - Aug 31 2023
Some exceptions apply. Please check the current Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide for more information.
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General

Currently in Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Sep 1 2022 - Mar 30 2023

*** Proposed Season Date Upcoming Season

Location:
Statewide
Season Dates:
Sep 1 2023 - Mar 30 2024
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Catch and Release

Currently in Season

Location:
Trout Stream except Swift Camp Creek
Season Dates:
Oct 1 2022 - Mar 31 2023

Currently in Season

Location:
Swift Camp Creek
Season Dates:
Oct 1 2022 - May 31 2023

Upcoming Season

Location:
Trout Stream except Swift Camp Creek
Season Dates:
Oct 1 2023 - Mar 31 2024

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