Kentucky Fish and Wildlife getting ready for hunting season in Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As we get deeper into the back half of 2026, hunters are looking forward to the beginning of many different seasons across the state.

Deer, squirrel, morning dove and some other animals begin their season in late August and early September. Bow hunting and crossbow hunting for deer are the first seasons for Kentucky’s biggest hunted animal, but the state differs from some surrounding states, starting the season earlier than some.

This allows non-Kentuckians to enter the state and hunt before their home state allows. Wildlife officials say that there are restrictions in place to protect the native Kentucky hunters, but population numbers, especially amongst deer, are on the rise and stable enough for everyone to enjoy.

“We have deer in every single county” said Thomas Young, Green River Regional Coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “I mean, back in the 60s and 70s really all the way up until, you know, the 80s, some counties did not have a reproducing population of white tailed deer. That’s not the case. All 120 counties are very successful with their populations. And same goes for wild turkey. They were, you know, from from a lot of the counties in Kentucky. Now they’re thriving”.

But changes do happen. Every single year changes to regulations and zoning is made, and can differ by county. Young says that as a hunter, staying up to date on new regulations and laws is the first step to starting your hunting trip.

“Certain counties or zones that will change from one year to the next. There may be a zone two county that will be a zone three or vice versa. The change from a zone three to a two or a zone two county to a zone one county from from a deer regulation standpoint. And so even myself as a hunter, I have to routinely have to go back and check to make sure” Young said.

If you would like to stay up to date on all hunting information before you head out on your trip you can click here.