Seasons

• Deer hunting season is in the fall for the most part. Seasons vary slightly over four zones in the state, and they vary by choice of weapons. Modern gun season runs from Nov. 13 to Nov. 28 in all zones. Archery season runs from Sept. 4 through Jan. 17. Crossbow seasons are Oct. 1 through Oct. 17, and Nov 13 through Dec. 31. Muzzleloader seasons are Oct. 16 and 17 and Dec. 11 through Dec. 19. There are two special youth hunts; one is Oct. 9 and 10 and the other is Jan. 1 and 2.
  
  

Licensing

• Most people over the age of 12 must have a license to hunt in Kentucky. Exceptions are that property owners and their immediate families may hunt on their own land without a license, and members of the military on furlough longer than three days may hunt without a license. All hunters must take and pass a hunter safety education course.
  
  

Considerations

• The deer population is at an all-time high in Kentucky thanks to some careful game management. Numbers of deer are only part of the picture, as quality of animal is also a major consideration for hunters. Hunting outfitters at Wallhanger Farms say the state ranks second in the nation per square mile for Boone and Crockett Class Bucks, and seventh overall in the nation for deer of that class. Crockett and Boone Classification is a rating system based on size of the animal and size of rack if antlered. Animals worthy of mounting have this classification.
  
  

Types

• Several options are available for types of deer hunts. One option is to find a landowner and get permission to hunt on his or her land. There is also public land available, such as wildlife management areas and state parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land and some land owned by large companies. Another option is to lease a piece of land as many farmers lease their land during hunting season.
  
  

Guided Hunts

• Many outfitters offer guide services to hunters, for deer and many other types of animals. Guides can be a good option if you do not know the area and want to get to a hunt quickly. Guides, or outfitters, take care of all the details so you only have to worry about hunting. They will take you to a good area for hunting and put you in position to make a kill. They will also help you get the animal out of the woods and dress the deer. Some offer taxidermy services. Lodging and meals are often included.
  
  

Benefits

• Hunters may donate deer they have killed to a program to provide food for those in need. The program allows hunters to drop their deer off at approved deer processors, who take care of sending the meat to where it needs to go. The state pays for the processing and distribution.