It’s an exciting time for hunters as modern gun deer season opens Saturday and continues through Nov. 27 in Kentucky.
Historically, most deer hunters are in the woods during the 16-day modern gun season that coincides with the peak of deer breeding activity known as the rut.
About 300,000 residents participate in deer hunting annually, contributing $550 million in economic benefit.
Noelle Thompson, deer program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, points out that the modern gun season alone accounted for 73% of the statewide harvest of more than 132,000 deer last year.
“We aren’t seeing a bumper crop of acorns in most areas, so deer should be on the move in search of food this fall to sustain them through the winter,” Thompson said. “This will mean good opportunities for hunters to see more deer and fill their freezers with healthy venison this season. I recommend hunting near oak trees or groves with good acorn crops this year and not solely on food plots or green fields.”
With over 1 million acres of public land available for hunting spots, fishing and other outdoor activities, Kentucky is one of the top 10 states where hunters go. Hunters can find places to hunt by using Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s online Public Lands Search at fw.ky.gov. Using the ArcGIS app, hunters can view GPS locations directly on boundary maps for public lands in Kentucky.
Hunters may use firearms, crossbows, bows, pistols, muzzleloaders or certain high-caliber air guns to take deer during specific seasons.
Deer hunting began with archery season Sept. 4 and posted the second-highest harvest total on record for September, while October’s numbers were up over last year, according to KDFWR. Bowhunters can hunt through Jan. 17.
Unless otherwise exempt, all deer hunters must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license and deer permit. Licensed hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must have hunter education certification.
Rachel Crume, manager who oversees Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) programs, said there’s still time for hunters to get their certification. Training includes online or in-person classwork, plus live-firing at a range.
“There’s a free classroom portion of hunter education offered online,” she said. “First-time eligible hunters can also speed up the process through the temporary hunter education exemption permit option with a qualified mentor to accompany them afield.”
Visit the department’s “Hunter Education” webpage fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Hunter-Education.aspx to view more information on obtaining certification, license requirements and one-time exemption permits for new hunters.
As a safety reminder, all hunters must wear a blaze orange hat plus a vest or jacket during firearms deer seasons.
Hunters can telecheck by phone: Call 800-245-4263 (800-CHK-GAME). When telechecking by phone, use the County Codes Chart.