Bear season in Kentucky runs Oct 25 – Oct 24 across 2 Zones.
| Zone | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Zone 1 | Archery/Crossbow | Oct 25 — Oct 27 | — | — | — |
| Bear Zone 2 | Archery/Crossbow | Oct 25 — Oct 29 | — | — | — |
| Zone | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Zone 1 | Firearm | Dec 13 — Dec 15 | — | — | — |
| Bear Zone 2 | Firearm | Dec 13 — Dec 17 | — | — | — |
| Zone | Type | Dates | Harvest | Pressure | Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Zone 2 | Hound | Oct 20 — Oct 24 | — | — | — |
| Bear Zone 2 | Hound (Late) | Oct 30 — Nov 7 | — | — | — |
Bear season in Kentucky currently runs Oct 25 to Oct 24, across 6 season rows and 2 Zones, split by weapon (Archery, Rifle, Dog).
The best Zones for bear in Kentucky depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per Zone above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.
View Zone boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.
Also see Kentucky seasons, public land, and license.