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Compound Bow Hunting in Kentucky — Mountain Whitetail & Fall Turkey

Whitetail DeerWild TurkeyBlack BearElk

📅 2026 Season & License Info

Archery Season Open

September 3

Archery Season Close

January 18

Min Draw Weight

35 lbs

Resident License

$30/yr

Non-Resident License

$155/yr

Top Species

Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Black Bear, Elk

📍 Top Public Hunting Spots

Daniel Boone National Forest

708,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear, Elk

Eastern Kentucky mountains. Kentucky's growing elk herd is centered here. Outstanding deer hunting throughout.

Land Between the Lakes NRA

170,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bison

Western KY between Kentucky and Barkley lakes. Abundant deer and unique bison viewing.

Beaver Creek WMA

13,400 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear

Bell County. Excellent mountain deer hunting with low pressure compared to private land.

⚖️ Kentucky Archery Regulations

  • •Minimum draw weight: 35 lbs
  • •Kentucky elk hunting requires draw — very limited archery tags
  • •Early archery season opens September — great for bachelor group bucks
  • •Sunday hunting allowed

💡 Expert Tips for Kentucky

  • →Kentucky has a growing elk herd — archery elk tags are rare and precious, start accumulating points
  • →Eastern Kentucky mountain whitetail hunting is underrated — rugged but produces quality bucks
  • →Land Between the Lakes has exceptional deer numbers with less pressure than surrounding states
  • →The rut in Kentucky peaks around November 5–15 in most of the state
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Kentucky state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.

Kentucky Bowhunting FAQ

Yes — Kentucky has one of the fastest-growing elk herds east of the Mississippi, centered in the eastern coal country (Zone 1). Archery elk tags are very limited and require a draw with points. Resident preference is strong. Start accumulating preference points immediately if elk hunting in Kentucky is on your bucket list. Bulls regularly exceed 300 inches in the Daniel Boone National Forest area.