Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Kentucky: 2026-27 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026-27). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery and youth/senior crossbow | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 to Jan 18, 2027 | Youth 15 and under and resident hunters 65 and older may use a crossbow for the whole period. |
| Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 to Jan 18, 2027 | |
| CWD antlerless season | CWD Surveillance Zone counties in zones 1-3 only | Sep 25, 2026 to Sep 28, 2026 | Antlerless only; firearms, bows or crossbows. Zone bag limits apply. |
| Youth-only modern gun | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Hunting license and deer permit required for ages 12-15; none for under 12. |
| Early muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Modern gun | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Late muzzleloader | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Free youth weekend | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | Youth 15 and under need no hunting license or deer permit that weekend. |
Source: KDFWR: deer hunting season dates. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual hunting license, resident | $28.54 | Required with the deer permit for ages 16-64. | Official page |
| Statewide deer permit (four deer), resident | $37.00 | Youth permit (ages 12-15) is $10.57. | Official page |
| Additional deer permit (two deer), resident | $15.86 | Official page | |
| Annual fishing license, resident | $24.31 | Trout permit is $10.57. | Official page |
| Combination hunting/fishing license, resident | $44.39 | Sportsman's License ($100.42) includes combination license, statewide deer permit, turkey and other permits. | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- The statewide deer permit and youth deer permit allow up to four deer: one antlered and three antlerless, or four antlerless. The statewide antlered limit is one per hunter. Zone bag limits apply.
Source: KDFWR: deer hunting. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Zone maps and zone-specific antlerless limits, WMA and state-park hunt dates, turkey, bear and elk dates, small game dates, fishing seasons, non-resident fees.