Kentucky Deer Population and Management ArchiveKentucky

View the archive by scrolling through the window below or Load the Archive DocumentHistoric deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Kentucky Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Deer Hunt

1950:             0

1968:      8.000

1976:      3,476

1979:      8,000 est.

1980:      9,702

1981:    14,983

1986:    39,520

1989:    70,149

1991:    92,934

1999:    95,229

2000:  106,263

2001:  103,338

2002:  115,082

2003:  116,540

2004:  124,752

2005:  112,462

2006:  122,233

2007:  113,436

2008:  120,610

2009:  113,584

2010:  110,376

2011:  119,663

2012131,395

2013144,409

2014138,899

2015155,730

2016139,450

2017136,026

2018145,753

2019:  148,382

2020:  141,633

2021132,322

2022:

144,515


Kentucky Deer Harvest Data


Deer Reports


Elk


2021:  249



2021

Kentucky’s 2020-2021 deer season results in fifth-highest harvest on record February 12, 2021

State wildlife commission concerned about turkey, deer populations June 8, 2021 Kentucky

2020

2020-21 Kentucky Deer Season set to open on rescheduled Derby Day August 28, 2020

Elk return to Kentucky, bringing economic life July 3, 2020 The Baltimore Sun

Once nonexistent, elk are making a major comeback in Kentucky January 16, 2020 Kentucky

The environmental history of Newport, a former woodland with rich forest heritage July 20, 2020 Kentucky

2019

Hunters hit deer harvest records; Chronic Wasting Disease now in six states January 3, 2019 Kentucky

Kentucky is home to a rich diversity of native and non-native fish and wildlife October 18, 2018

News and observations as Kentucky’s white-tailed deer season set to begin September 6, 2019

Observations on Kentucky's white-tailed deer season September 28, 2019

Preview of Kentucky's fall hunting seasons August 14, 2019

.2018

Kentucky 2017-18 Deer Harvest

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: 2018 Deer Season Update October 19, 2018 WMKY

Kentucky deer season to open Nov. 10 November 5, 2018

Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of a Southeastern Kentucky Deer Population February 2018

With elk restoration in Kentucky completed, harvest management begins April 27, 2018

2017

2015 Deer Quota Hunt Results

2017-18 deer harvest update; 38 eastern counties impacted by EHD outbreak December 15, 2017 Kentucky,

Changing deer patterns can result in the ritual 'October Lull' for hunters October 13, 2017 Kentucky,

Cooler temperatures make outlook for new deer season promising September 1, 2017 Kentucky,

Deer season arrives September 3, 2017 Kentucky,

Kentucky's elk program a tourism victory, too February 11, 2017

State's 225th anniversary recalls Kentucky's early bountiful resources June 14, 2017

2016

Big hunting weekend approaches October 30, 2016 Kentucky,

Fish and Wildlife Department says west Kentucky WMA deer hunt spots reduced because of flooding January 15, 2016 Kentucky,

How to keep deer out of the vegetable patch April 10, 2016 Kentucky

Kentucky has record deer harvest January 30, 2016

Kentucky's 2016-17 Deer Season Preview August 14, 2016

The white-tailed deer in Kentucky and the return of a native species January 20, 2016

White oaks most important tree for wildlife in Kentucky's forests March 2, 2016

White-tailed deer population flourishes today as a relic of Kentucky's pioneer past January 27, 2016

2015

2015 Kentucky zone changes November 7, 2015 Kentucky

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Kentucky October 21, 2015

Answers to common questions about Kentucky's modern gun deer season November 5, 2015

Antler shed season in full swing February 7, 2015 Kentucky

Close personal deer encounter sure to get your heart pumping September 16, 2015 Kentucky,

Deer season in Kentucky is off to a hot start October 22, 2015

Deer season off to hot start October 27, 2015 Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky park to become wildlife tourism attraction May 22, 2015

Elk Hunt deadline Thursday April 28, 2015 Kentucky

Fish and Wildlife auction set for Monday, Deer Outlook October 24, 2015

Flooding Causing Deer to Cross Hwy 41 in Henderson March 10, 2015 Kentucky

Hunters post Kentucky's second-highest deer harvest on record January 31, 2015

Increasing numbers in deer herd seen as ‘new norm’ September 5, 2015 Kentucky

Kentucky Deer Forecast for 2015 September 1, 2015

Kentucky has second highest deer harvest February 7, 2015 Kentucky

Kentucky’s deer hunters continue setting records December 28, 2015

Officials expect quality November deer hunt November 7, 2015 Kentucky,

Over 100 Kentucky Elk Heading to Wisconsin January 12, 2015

Owen County’s the shining jewel in Golden Triangle deer harvest October 7, 2015 Kentucky

Record deer harvest in state this year December 23, 2015 Kentucky,

Scattered EHD Outbreaks Reported in 2015 September 21, 2015 Kentucky,

State offers special opportunities to introduce youth to hunting September 26, 2015 Kentucky,

State officials looking for record deer harvest for modern gun season November 10, 2015 Kentucky,

With herd numbers up, prospects for fall deer season excellent August 26, 2015 Kentucky,

2014

2014 may be record deer year in Kentucky December 31, 2013

Deer Damage to Crops has Kentucky Farm Bureau Looking for Legislative Help January 23, 2014

First 10 days of deer season show promise of another banner year September 17, 2014

First puma found in Kentucky since Civil War December 16, 2014

Five questions with Deer Program Coordinator November 6, 2014 Kentucky

Fort Mitchell considers allowing archers to hunt deer January 16, 2014 Kentucky

Hunters post another record deer harvest in Kentucky January 24, 2014

Hunters set new deer harvest record January 28, 2014 Kentucky

Hunters’ hopes are high for deer season October 26, 2014 Kentucky

Kentucky deer harvest totals 144,404 January 25, 2014

Kentucky Deer Herd Status October 29, 2014

Kentucky Hunting Season 2014-2015 -Turkey and Deer September 1, 2014

Kentucky's gun deer season opens Saturday November 2, 2014

Ky Fish and Wildlife News: Hunters can look ahead to 2015 December 24, 2014 Kentucky

Legislation Intends to Help Landowners Control Crop-Eating Wildlife March 6, 2014 Kentucky

Prediction February 14, 2014 Kentucky

Record deer harvest among state’s fish, wildlife highlights for 2013 January 3, 2014 Kentucky

Record deer harvest February 12, 2014 Kentucky

Record Kentucky deer season ending Monday January 18, 2014

Spreading the word about herds, Quality Deer Management in Daviess County March 10, 2014 Kentucky

Start habitat work now so you’re finished when warmth returns January 8, 2014 Kentucky

What are the Threats to Deer Hunting's Future? January 15, 2014

2013

2013 Kentucky Deer Hunt By The Numbers November 25, 2013

Archery hunting for deer begins Sept. 7 September 2, 2013 Kentucky

Commission proposes 2014-2015 deer season dates, modifications for deer hunting on select WMAs December 10, 2013 Kentucky

Cost to fish, hunt in Kentucky may increase September 5, 2013

Deer herd in great shape for Kentucky November hunt November 2, 2013

Deer hunt to be auctioned off at Kentucky's Shaker Village preserve September 14, 2013

Deer hunting has changed November 11, 2013 Kentucky

Deer survival tactics unwrapped December 6, 2013 Kentucky

Elk Numbers, Deer notebook November 2, 2013 Kentucky

Fallow deer a rare sight but a memorable one November 16, 2013 Kentucky

Fog, color, cool mean Kentucky deer hunting coming soon October 16, 2013

G&F Forecast: Best Counties For Kentucky Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Now's the time to think about fall plantings to benefit wildlife July 19, 2013

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: The 2013-14 elk season opens with archery hunting for bulls September 20, 2013

Kentucky Deer Hunters set Opening Weekend Record November 14, 2013

Kentucky Deer Season 2013: Hunting Forecast October 4, 2013

Kentucky Farm Bureau takes aim at state's deer population December 11, 2013

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends limited license and permit increases August 20, 2013 Kentucky

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife seeks to grow ranks of hunters, anglers December 27, 2013

Modern gun deer season is winding down November 25, 2013 Kentucky

New Harvest Potential For Overall Deer Harvest November 26, 2013 Kentucky

No doe season in September, Kentucky Hunting September 9, 2013

Record deer harvest among Kentucky Fish and Wildlife highlights for 2013 December 26, 2013 Kentucky

Record harvest for 2012-13 deer season in Kentucky January 25, 2013

Six deer found dead in Campbell County creek November 26, 2013 Kentucky

Why Zone 4 is Favored by Elk but not Deer November 5, 2013 Kentucky

2012

A liberal kills a deer [funding for wildlife conservation] March 30, 2012 Kentucky

Amendment protects hunting October 28, 2012 Kentucky

BGAD conducts prescribed burns [deer habitat] March 13, 2012 Kentuck

Big Rivers wildlife area dedicated in Union County May 30, 2012 Kentucky

Computer models help manage deer populations appropriately May 6, 2012 Kentuck

Deer Hunters Killed Each Year, Understanding motives of deer hunting and how to be safe November 6, 2012 Kentucky

Elk tours offer close-up view of Kentucky's re-established herds October 17, 2012

Hunters bagged a record number of deer during modern gun season November 29, 2012 Kentucky

Hunting amendment wins in Kentucky November 6, 2012

Importance of Habitat to Wildlife is Fundamental April 20, 2012 Kentucky

Kentucky Deer Status November 3, 2012

Kentucky has successful deer harvest January 28, 2012

Kentucky, Indiana take two approaches to deer hunters' bait debate November 10, 2012 Kentucky

Population Models help Biologists Manage Deer Herds May 3, 2012 Kentuck

2011

DNA used in Deer Poaching Cases November 25, 2011 Kentucky