Kentucky
Largest elk herd east of the Mississippi, top Boone & Crockett whitetails, and rolling bluegrass hardwood ridges.
Weapons & Regulations in Kentucky
Official Regulatory Authority
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
Centerfire Rifle
Centerfire rifles of any caliber firing expanding soft-point or hollow-point ammunition are legal for deer and elk hunting during the modern gun season. Recommended .243 Win to .30-06 for trophy whitetails; minimum .270 Win recommended for Appalachian restored elk herds. Suppressors legal with ATF paperwork. FMJ prohibited.
Muzzleloader
Minimum .40 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 ignitions, sabots, and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the October 2-day early muzzleloader and the 9-day December muzzleloader season. Black powder or Pyrodex only.
Archery (Vertical Bow)
Longbow, recurve, and compound bows of any draw weight capable of propelling an arrow with hunting broadhead. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Mechanical expanding heads legal. Kentucky's archery deer season opens the first Saturday in September and runs through mid-January.
Crossbows
Fully legal for ALL hunters during the modern gun season, muzzleloader seasons, and from mid-September through mid-January under the general archery/crossbow framework. Minimum 100 lb draw weight with working safety and legal broadheads.
Handguns
Centerfire handguns firing expanding ammunition are legal for deer and elk. Semiautomatic, single-shot, and revolver handguns are legal. .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and 10mm Auto widely used in hardwood ridges and river bottoms.
Shotgun
10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing single slugs or sabots legal for deer. 3-shell capacity limit. Buckshot prohibited for deer. Non-toxic shot required for all waterfowl hunting across Ballard WMA and the Ohio River flyway.