Kentucky Bear Hunting
Plan your Kentucky bear hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land bear hunts across Kentucky, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Kentucky Bear Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Chase-only Season With Dogs
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Zone 2 only. Two segments: June 1 - Aug 31 and Sept 9-30, 2025. Chase only during legal daylight hours. Not permitted on WMAs until third Saturday in August. Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA closed to bear chase and all bear hunting. Requires combination bear permit, bear chase permit, or youth bear chase permit plus annual hunting license.
Archery/crossbow
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Dates vary by zone. Zone 1: Oct 25-27. Zone 2: Oct 25-29. Zone 3: Sept 20 - Oct 3 and Oct 25-29. Archery and crossbow equipment legal for deer hunting is permitted.
Hunt With Dogs
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Any legal equipment may be used during the Hunt with Dogs season. Dogs must be on department-approved breed list. Hunters may only harvest a bear using a legal weapon assisted by dogs actively pursuing, chasing, baying or treeing a bear prior to harvest. Closed in Daniel Boone National Forest and several WMAs.
Firearm
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Rifle
Zone 1: Dec 13-15. Zones 2 and 3: Dec 13-17. Bear hunters may harvest bear with archery/crossbow and muzzleloader equipment during bear firearm season.
Kentucky Bear Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Chase Permit (Resident) | OTC | — | $31.71 |
Bear dog training permit. | |||
| Bear Permit (Resident) | OTC | — | $31.71 |
Not included with Sportsman's License. | |||
| Combo Bear/Chase Permit (Resident) | OTC | — | $52.85 |
Bear hunting/bear dog training permits combined. Not available for nonresidents. | |||
| Youth Bear Chase Permit (Resident) | OTC | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | $10.57 |
Ages 12-15. Bear dog training permit. | |||
| Youth Bear Permit (Resident) | OTC | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | $10.57 |
Ages 12-15. | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Chase Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | — | $52.85 |
Bear dog training permit. | |||
| Bear Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | — | $264.25 |
Not included with Sportsman's License. | |||
| Youth Bear Chase Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | $15.86 |
Ages 12-15. Bear dog training permit. | |||
| Youth Bear Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | Ages 12–15; Youth hunters | $105.70 |
Ages 12-15. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Kentucky bear season consists of multiple phases with dates and methods varying by zone. Chase-only season with dogs in Zone 2 runs June 1 through August 31 and September 9 through 30, 2025, during legal daylight hours and not permitted on wildlife management areas until the third Saturday in August; this phase requires a combination bear permit, bear chase permit, or youth bear chase permit plus an annual hunting license. Archery and crossbow season dates vary by zone, with Zone 1 running October 25 through 27, Zone 2 running October 25 through 29, and Zone 3 running September 20 through October 3 and October 25 through 29, 2025, using archery and crossbow equipment legal for deer hunting. Hunt with dogs season runs October 20 through November 7, 2025, with any legal equipment and dogs on the department-approved breed list, though this season is closed in Daniel Boone National Forest and several wildlife management areas. Firearm season runs December 13 through 15 in Zone 1 and December 13 through 17 in Zones 2 and 3, 2025, and bear hunters may also use archery, crossbow, and muzzleloader equipment during this phase.
