Kentucky black bear season 2026-27 Upcoming
Black bear season in Kentucky is opens Dec 12, 2026 (Firearm).
Dates only. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Read yesterday.
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery & Crossbow | Bear Zone 1 | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 26, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Archery & Crossbow | Bear Zone 2 and Bear Zone 3 | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 28, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Archery & Crossbow | Bear Zone 3 | Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 2, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 1 | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 14, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 2 and Bear Zone 3 | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Chase-Only segment 2 | All Bear Zones | Sep 9, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Hunt with Dogs | All Bear Zones | Oct 19, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Hunt with Dogs | Bear Zone 2 and Bear Zone 3 | Oct 29, 2026 to Nov 6, 2026 | Closed closed |
Black bear hunting in Kentucky runs from Sep 9, 2026 (Chase-Only, All Bear Zones) to Dec 16, 2026 (Firearm) in the 2026-27 season, and is opens Dec 12, 2026 (Firearm).
Dates differ by zone or unit (All Bear Zones, Bear Zone 1, Bear Zone 2 and Bear Zone 3 and Bear Zone 3); check the zone column before you plan.
Some seasons run in two or more segments; each segment is its own row.
Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, KDFWR Season Dates viewer (page). Read yesterday.