One of the favorite times of the year for tens of thousands of Kentuckians begins November 9 as modern gun deer season opens statewide. The 16-day season closes November 24.
The season sits squarely in the rut, when male deer are most actively pursuing does to breed.
Around 300,000 people hunt deer in Kentucky each year.
Dry, hot weather early in the season has affected this year’s initial deer harvest.
Deer hunters have reported more than 21,500 deer harvested during the archery and youth season this year.
Kentucky’s spotty 2019 crop of mast, primarily tree nuts favored by deer such as beechnuts and acorns, may help hunters by keeping deer on the move for food during modern gun season. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s annual mast survey shows low production of white oak acorns and hickory nuts.
Hunters must check current regulations to ensure they are following all the legal requirements before going afield. Some general regulations and tips for this season include:
Kentucky’s statewide limit is one buck per season. Harvest limits for does vary within the state’s four deer hunting zones.
Zone 1 counties have the highest concentrations of deer; concentrations are lowest in Zone 4. The zone system allows hunters to help manage the deer herd.
The statewide deer permit allows the harvest of up to four deer.
Hunters may take an unlimited number of deer in Zone 1 counties with the purchase of additional deer permits. Each additional deer permit allows for the take of two deer.
Hunters in Zone 4 counties may only take two deer. Only one may be antlerless.
Hunters must have proper licenses, permits and hunter education certification, if required. Go online to fw.ky.gov for details.
Hunters may not bring whole carcasses of deer, elk, moose or caribou into Kentucky from another state. Brain or spinal material of the animal is prohibited as well. This is designed to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease into Kentucky.
Residents hunting out of state who wish to have their animal mounted should cape it and skull cap it – or have it done by a local processor or taxidermist in that state – before bringing it into Kentucky.
Hunters pursuing any species during the modern gun deer season must wear unbroken hunter orange visible from all sides on the head, chest and back at all times while in the field.
Licenses or permits may be purchased at any time by calling 1-800-598-2401, or visiting the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov.
Licenses are also available at hundreds of locations where sporting goods are sold.
Finally, the recent cold snap has all but put an end to a minor outbreak of hemorrhagic disease in deer this year. The disease, which is transmitted by midges, concludes when a hard freeze kills the insect carriers.
Biologists have not detected the presence of tuberculosis in Kentucky’s deer, or chronic wasting disease in its deer and elk.
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