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Hunting Seasons in Kentucky 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 KY hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing your rifle for fall deer seasons in ridge‑and‑valley woodlands or slipping into flooded timber for early teal flights, Kentucky offers diverse opportunities backed by clear regulations and accessible licensing.
What Is There to Hunt in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s varied landscape of hardwood forests, farmlands, and river bottomlands supports abundant game: whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, furbearers like raccoon and opossum, and predators such as coyote. Waterfowl hunters pursue ducks, geese, and light geese across public and private wetlands, while small‑game enthusiasts chase rabbits, squirrels, grouse, and quail in the state’s rolling hills.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Kentucky?
On private lands, unprotected or open‑season species like coyote, groundhogs, and furbearers (raccoon, opossum) carry no closed season and no bag limits, offering off‑season predator‑control and trapping opportunities. Public‑land hunts must still follow season and method rules set by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Kentucky Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery (Rifle‑season archery): Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025
Firearms: Nov 21 – Dec 1, Dec 5 – Dec 28, 2025
Muzzleloader: Dec 2 – Dec 4, 2025
Youth Deer Hunt: Oct 24 – 25, 2025
Kentucky’s deer seasons include extended archery windows overlapping rifle and muzzleloader splits. Bag limits and local WMU quotas ensure balanced herd management across zones.
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Apr 6 – May 25, 2026
Youth Hunt: Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2026
Fall Turkey: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Calling in gobblers across oak ridges and creek hollows, spring turkey hunters choose bows or shotguns under season‑specific permit rules, while a fall archery season offers additional opportunities.
Black Bear
Fall Season: Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2025 (quota‑based permit)
Limited bear harvests via draw permits help maintain healthy populations; hunters must follow strict tagging and reporting protocols.
Kentucky Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Rabbit: Oct 1 – Feb 28, 2026
Squirrel: Sept 1 – Feb 28, 2026
Ruffed Grouse: Sept 1 – Jan 15, 2026
Bobwhite Quail: Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026
Shotgunners and bird dogs patrol field edges and hardwood ridges for small game opportunities throughout fall and winter.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Ducks & Geese: Nov 7 – Dec 13, Dec 21 – Jan 31, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Day: Oct 24, 2025
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Oct 13, 2025
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required
Kentucky’s waterfowl seasons align with migration through the Mississippi Flyway, with daily limits designed to sustain healthy waterfowl populations and robust license revenues.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 1 buck per license; antlerless tags via WMU quotas
Wild Turkey: 1 gobbler per spring; fall archery youth only
Black Bear: 1 per permit
Ducks: 6 per day; sub‑limits on mallard and teal
Geese: 5 Canada geese per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each
Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private lands
Bag limits combine season length with daily limits to achieve management objectives; confirm WMU‑specific quotas and harvest reporting duties.
License & Tags Information for Kentucky Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Kentucky hunting license and appropriate permits:
Resident License: ~$25
Nonresident License: ~$175
Deer Harvest Permits: Antlered and antlerless, drawn or OTC by WMU
Turkey Permits: Spring applications; fall archery open OTC
Waterfowl Stamps & HIP Registration: Required for ducks and geese
Hunter Education: Mandatory for hunters born after Jan 1 1990
Licenses and permits fund conservation and access programs; purchase early and note draw deadlines for limited hunts.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Kentucky permits multiple gear types:
Archery: Compound, recurve bows, crossbows (archery seasons)
Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns with slugs during firearm seasons
Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms in designated windows
Dogs & Bait: Permitted for raccoon and turkey under specific guidelines
Weapon choice must align with season regulations and WMU restrictions to maintain safety and fair chase.
Regulations & Resources
Kentucky DFW regulations include:
Shooting Hours: Sunrise to sunset; migratory birds vary
WMU Boundaries: Defined for deer, turkey, and waterfowl seasons; maps online
Mandatory Harvest Reporting: Required for deer and turkey
Special Zones: Wildlife management areas, DOW properties, and bait restrictions
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR): https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/default.aspx
With extensive archery and firearms seasons, generous small game and waterfowl opportunities, and accessible license structures, Kentucky delivers rewarding hunts across its woodlands, fields, and wetlands. Secure your permits, review WMU quotas, and prepare for a safe, ethical 2025–26 hunting season in the Bluegrass State.
Deer Hunting Seasons in Connecticut: Timing, Licenses, Rules, Restrictions and Prohibitions, Hunting Tips
Hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the state of Connecticut is a popular activity among local and visiting hunters. The state offers diverse hunting conditions thanks to its forested terrain and temperate climate. However, hunting is strictly regulated by state laws to preserve animal populations and ensure safety.
Main Natural Features and Season Dates for Hunting in Connecticut
The hunting year in Connecticut is divided into several seasons: early fall, main season, mid-winter season, and spring. These dates are adjusted annually by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), based on data about deer population and environmental factors.
Regulation is carried out through limited issuance of licenses and permits for harvesting deer. For example, in 2023, the main hunting season started on November 14 and ended on December 3. The winter season ran from December 27 to January 28, and the spring season was held from March 1 to March 31. These dates may vary depending on the county.
Connecticut tends to have slightly later start dates compared to neighboring states like New York and Massachusetts. This is due to lower population density in border areas and efforts to avoid disrupting deer migration patterns.
Over the past decade, Connecticut has introduced changes in antlerless deer harvesting rules to better manage population numbers. There has also been an increase in licenses available for young hunters.
Hunting Seasons and Dates in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the following hunting seasons exist:
Early Fall (bow and crossbow)
Main Season (firearms)
Mid-Winter Season (firearms and crossbow)
Spring Season (crossbow only)
The main firearms season is the most popular, as it coincides with the deer rutting period, increasing animal activity. The best time for hunting is in November, especially during the first two weeks when bucks are most active.
Hunting events such as “Deer Hunt Weekend” or the “Connecticut Bowhunters Festival” are held annually and attract thousands of participants. These events not only promote responsible hunting but also help gather statistics on harvested animals.
Restrictions and Prohibitions, What’s Off-Limits
Connecticut enforces strict restrictions on deer harvesting. In some counties, shooting does is prohibited unless the hunter holds a special permit. This helps maintain stable population levels in certain areas.
Protected species such as black bears and lynxes cannot be hunted at all. Additionally, there are temporary bans during breeding periods, typically from late October to early November.
There is a complete hunting ban from April to September across the state, except for limited cases involving scientific research or wildlife management programs.
How to Get a Hunting License, Documents, Training, and Clubs
To obtain a hunting license in Connecticut, you must:
Complete a Hunter Safety Education course
Have a valid government-issued ID
Submit your application online via the DEEP website
There are various license categories: resident, non-resident, junior, and veteran licenses. Prices range from $25 to $160. A separate deer permit ($10–$25) is required for deer hunting.
Many hunters work with local clubs such as the Connecticut Bowhunters Association, which provides training, organizes trips, and keeps members informed about regulatory updates.
Penalties for Violating Hunting Regulations
Violations of hunting dates, license terms, or illegal harvest of protected animals can result in fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, confiscation of weapons, and temporary bans from hunting. Repeat offenses carry harsher penalties, including potential criminal charges.
DEEP regularly conducts patrols and checks documentation. The state also uses an electronic harvest reporting system via a mobile app.
Hunting Tips, Tactics, Gear, and Choosing the Right Time
Timing depends on the season. In the fall, early morning or evening hunts are best. During winter, midday hunting is more effective when temperatures are higher. In spring, focus on water sources and trails where deer are more likely to appear.
Common tactics include using calls, camouflage suits, and trail monitoring. Crossbow hunting requires close-range encounters, so proper concealment and knowledge of deer behavior are crucial.
Top hunting areas include Shenipsit State Forest and Bear Mountain. These regions have high deer density and well-developed infrastructure for hunters.
HUNTING SEASONS IN SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 Saskatchewan hunt with our province-by-province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species: Whitetail Deer, Moose, Ducks and more.
Saskatchewan’s expansive prairie grasslands, parkland forests and boreal woodlands support some of Canada’s largest whitetail deer herds, robust moose and elk populations, and world-class waterfowl staging areas. Across 39 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), hunters pursue archery and rifle deer seasons, limited-draw moose and elk tag hunts, and spring/fall duck excursions—governed by Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment regulations.
Prepare an ethical, compliant hunt with exact season windows, bag limits and WMU-specific requirements for 2025–26.
What Is There to Hunt in Saskatchewan?
Big Game: Whitetail deer, mule deer, moose, elk, pronghorn antelope
Small Game & Upland Birds: Sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, snowshoe hare, wild turkey
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, mourning dove (federal permit required)
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, wolf, beaver, muskrat
Saskatchewan’s diverse habitats offer year-round opportunity—from spring bear and turkey to late-fall duck seasons.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year-Round in Saskatchewan?
Unprotected predators (coyote, fox, wolf) may be taken any time on private land with landowner permission. Public-land predator control outside open seasons requires a Fur Harvester’s Licence and adherence to WMU regulations.
Saskatchewan Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer & Mule Deer
Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 15
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 1 – Dec 15
Tags: Most WMUs over-the-counter; antlerless drawn in select units
Moose
Archery: Sep 10 – Oct 31
Rifle: Oct 10 – Nov 30
Tags: Draw only; applications Feb 1 – Mar 1, 2025
Elk
Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 15
Rifle: Oct 1 – Dec 1
Tags: Limited-draw in northern WMUs; spring application
Pronghorn Antelope
Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 7
Rifle: Oct 1 – Oct 15
Tags: Draw only in southeast WMUs
Note: Detailed WMU calendars, quotas and weapon-type restrictions are published annually by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.
Saskatchewan Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Upland Birds & Small Game:
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Hungarian Partridge: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 5)
Snowshoe Hare: Sep 1 – Mar 31 (daily limit 3)
Wild Turkey: Apr 1 – May 15; Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 1; spring draw)
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds:
Ducks & Geese: Sep 16 – Dec 5; Jan 1 – Jan 15 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese)
Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15)
Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Permit & Habitat Conservation Stamp
Bag Limits by Species
Deer (Whitetail/Mule): 1 antlered or antlerless per season
Moose & Elk: 1 per draw tag
Pronghorn: 1 per draw tag
Wild Turkey: 1 per licence period
Grouse/Partridge: 5 daily; possession 10
Snowshoe Hare: 3 daily; possession 6
Ducks/Geese: 5 daily; possession 15
Mourning Dove: 15 daily; possession 45
Coyote/Fox/Wolf: no limit private; Fur Harvester’s Licence required public
License & Tags Information for Saskatchewan Hunters (2025–26)
Resident Licence: $36 (annual); includes one deer tag; big-game tags $12/species
Non-Resident Licence: $150 (annual); tags $45/species; draw fee $15
Additional Permits:
Fur Harvester’s Licence (free; required)
Spring Turkey draw (applications Mar 1 – 15, 2025)
Hunter Education: Mandatory Saskatchewan Hunter Education Certificate or equivalent
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows by special permit only; broadhead cut ≥ 7/8″
Rifle: Centrefire ≥ .24 cal; shotguns with slugs permitted; handgun calibres prohibited
Muzzleloader: .40 cal+ patched ball or conical bullet; approved ignition only; single-projectile conversions
Regulations & Resources
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
WMU Maps & Calendars: Available from Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours via online portal or phone
Special Areas: Provincial parks and Wildlife Refuges require additional access permits
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-culture-heritage-and-sport/hunting-trapping-and-angling/hunting
Armed with precise season windows, WMU-specific bag limits and complete licence details, you’re ready to plan your 2025–26 Saskatchewan hunt. Prepare thoroughly and experience the province’s unparalleled hunting heritage.
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