EmberKentucky Deer & Turkey Season Dates
2026-2027 deer and turkey season dates for Kentucky.
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Whitetail Deer
Statewide
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer Season | Sep 5, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027 | archery | |
| Crossbow Deer Season | Sep 19, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027 | crossbow | |
| Youth-Only Deer Weekend | Oct 10, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026 | any | |
| Early Muzzleloader Deer Season | Oct 17, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026 | muzzleloader | |
| Late Muzzleloader Deer Season | Dec 12, 2026 – Dec 20, 2026 | muzzleloader | |
| Free Youth Weekend Deer Hunt | Dec 26, 2026 – Dec 27, 2026 | any |
Crossbow Deer Season: General crossbow season: Senior/youth crossbow season is Sept. 5, 2026, through Jan. 18, 2027. Hunters may use archery equipment during this season. Exceptions for Zone 4: Antlerless deer (does) cannot be harvested during the modern gun season, Nov. 14-29, 2026, during the early muzzleloader season, Oct. 17-18, 2026, or during the first six days of muzzleloader season, Dec. 12-20, 2026.
Early Muzzleloader Deer Season: Early Muzzleloader season: Zones 1, 2 and 3: Open to either sex. Zone 4: Antlered Deer Only.
Late Muzzleloader Deer Season: Late muzzleloader season. In Zone 4, antlerless deer may not be taken Dec. 12, 2026 through Dec. 17, 2026. From Dec. 18, 2026 through Dec. 20, 2026, hunters may harvest an antlerless deer. Hunters may use archery equipment or crossbows during this season. Blaze orange requirements for deer hunters still apply regardless of method.
Zone 1, 2 and 3
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Gun Deer Season | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026 | firearm |
Modern Gun Deer Season: Hunters may use any method legal for deer hunting during modern firearms season, including muzzleloading firearms, archery and crossbow equipment. Blaze orange requirements for deer hunters still apply regardless of the method used. See Zone 4 listing for separate harvest regulations
Zone 4
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Gun Deer Season | Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026 | firearm |
Modern Gun Deer Season: Hunters may use any method legal for deer hunting during modern firearms season, including muzzleloading firearms, archery and crossbow equipment. In Zone 4, which includes much of southeastern Kentucky, hunters may not harvest antlerless deer (does) during modern gun season, regardless of hunting method. antlered bucks only
Whitetail Deer source: app.fw.ky.gov
Turkey
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Turkey Archery Season | Sep 5, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027 | archery | |
| Fall Turkey Crossbow Season | Oct 1, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026 | crossbow | |
| Fall Turkey Shotgun Season | Oct 24, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026 | shotgun | |
| Fall Turkey Crossbow Season | Nov 14, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | crossbow | |
| Fall Turkey Shotgun Season | Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026 | shotgun |
Turkey source: app.fw.ky.gov
Season dates and regulations can change. Always verify current dates with the Kentucky state wildlife agency before you hunt.
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