Kentucky Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 1 – February 28, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

License Requirements & Fees

  • Resident Annual Hunting License: $28.54
  • Nonresident Annual Hunting License: $169.12
  • Nonresident 1-Day Hunting License: $26.43
  • Nonresident 7-Day Hunting License: $68.71
  • Resident Sportsman’s License: $100.42
  • Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit: $15.86
  • HIP Registration: Required for applicable migratory birds.

Season Dates & Bag Limits — 2026–2027

Northern Bobwhite Quail

  • Eastern Zone: November 1–13 & November 16–January 31
  • Western Zone: November 16–February 10
  • Daily Limit: 8
  • Possession Limit: 16

Ruffed Grouse

  • Season: November 1–13 & November 16–February 28
  • Daily Limit: 4
  • Possession Limit: 8
  • Zone: Designated eastern Kentucky Grouse Hunting Zone

American Woodcock

  • Season: October 24–November 13 & November 16–December 9
  • Daily Limit: 3
  • Possession Limit: 9

Mourning Dove

  • First Segment: September 1–October 26
  • Second Segment: November 26–December 6
  • Third Segment: December 19–January 10
  • Daily Limit: 15
  • Possession Limit: 45

Ring-Necked Pheasant

  • Green River Lake WMA: November 20–22
  • Clay WMA: December 4–6
  • Yellowbank WMA: December 4–6
  • Requirement: Quota permit

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

Survey Methodology

KDFWR’s long-term monitoring includes:

  • Rural Mail Carrier Survey: Tracks quail observations and provides a long-term population index.
  • Quail Hunter Cooperator Survey: Tracks coveys flushed, hunting effort and harvest.
  • Grouse/Mast Surveys: Monitor grouse habitat conditions, mast production and population indicators.

Where current state population data are unavailable, the forecast will not substitute third-party estimates. Weather conditions will instead be evaluated against available historical state data.

Weather Impact & Habitat Conditions

  • Quail: Warm, reasonably wet spring and summer conditions generally benefit nesting, brood survival and insect production. Extended heavy rainfall during nesting can reduce recruitment, while drought can reduce brood-rearing habitat.
  • Grouse: Weather affects annual survival, but young forest habitat is the major long-term limiting factor.
  • Woodcock: Fall weather is critical. Cold fronts and rainfall can trigger migration and concentrate birds in suitable moist cover.
  • Dove: Prospects depend heavily on crop maturity, sunflower/grain availability, water and early-season weather fronts.
  • Snipe/Rails: Local rainfall and wetland conditions are major determinants of opportunity.

2026–27 Statewide Population Outlook

  • Bobwhite Quail — FAIR: Best opportunities remain localized in western Kentucky, particularly areas with extensive early-successional habitat and reclaimed mine lands such as Peabody WMA.
  • Ruffed Grouse — POOR–FAIR: Eastern Kentucky continues to have limited populations, with the best prospects concentrated in young, regenerating forest rather than mature forest.
  • American Woodcock — WEATHER DEPENDENT: Potentially good during migration periods following rainfall and strong north-to-south cold fronts.
  • Mourning Dove — GOOD: Strong potential where agricultural fields and managed dove fields provide adequate food, although field conditions will vary considerably.
  • Wilson’s Snipe & Rails — FAIR: Opportunities will depend heavily on localized wetland and soil-moisture conditions.
  • Ring-Necked Pheasant — GOOD DURING QUOTA HUNTS: Opportunities are concentrated on KDFWR’s designated release areas.

Sources: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources and NOAA/National Weather Service data. Third-party hunting publications and forecasts excluded.

This summary provides a concise overview for planning your 2025-26 upland bird hunting in Kentucky. For detailed or species-specific regulations, visit the KDFWR website or contact their office directly.