Town in Harlan County
Public hunting land and seasons near Coldiron
Pocahontas WMA lies 1.0 miles away from Coldiron, a Harlan County town in the KDFWR Southeast Region.
Photo: Leon Roberts (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District) (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Coldiron distance table for public hunting areas
Within 10 straight-line miles, Coldiron has 10 public places, near enough for an evening sit after work. Summed by GIS, Coldiron has 62,407 acres of huntable public ground inside 10 miles and 243,200 inside 25.
Pocahontas WMA wins on distance from Coldiron, 1.0 mi away, and its access reads "statewide rules". The reason Coldiron is listed here is Boone Forestlands WMA, whose edge lies 2.3 mi from the Census point. Reaching Betterment Wildlife Hunting Access Area means about 25 mi in a straight line; the full table blends 5 types of ownership.
| Name | Land type | Distance | Band | Zones | Access note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMA | 1.0 mi | Near ring | 2, 3, 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 2.3 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 4.3 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 4.8 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| National forest | 5.6 mi | Near ring | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| Access area | 6.1 mi | Near ring | 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 6.1 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 8.9 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 9.2 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| State forest | 9.3 mi | Near ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 11 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 14 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Statewide rules | |
| State forest | 15 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Check area rules | |
| WMA | 15 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| Ranger district | 16 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Open forest land | |
| WMA | 16 mi | Outer ring | 4 | Statewide rules |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json boundaries to the Census point of Coldiron); deer zones from the KDFWR deer zone layer and 301 KAR 2:172; access cells from each record’s own fields (the 2026-27 KDFWR quick reference charts, KDFWR area pages, 301 KAR 2:178, 50 CFR 32.36, Forest Service and LBL pages). GIS acres are not official acreage. Checked November 10, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Coldiron
Closest three hunting areas to Coldiron up close
Each card pulls acres, zone and access notes from that place's KDFWR or federal record.
Boone Forestlands WMA
KDFWR lists it as open under statewide regulations for all species, by the county it sits in.
Cumberland Forest WMA
The quick reference puts it on the all-species statewide list, so county dates govern.
From lands.json (KDFWR area pages and 2026-27 quick reference charts, 301 KAR 2:178, 50 CFR 32.36, Forest Service, Park Service and LBL pages, the Division of Forestry quick guide). Checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron deer zone at a glance
KDFWR sets Kentucky deer zones by whole county, and Harlan County falls in Zone 4, one of 15. Archery opens September 5 statewide, then the Zone 4 gun season fills November 14 to November 29, 2026.
Harlan County is outside the 23-county CWD Surveillance Zone, though free CWD testing is open to hunters statewide.
Zone lists and bags from 301 KAR 2:172 and the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide; CWD rules from the guide CWD section and KDFWR CWD page; pending January season from 301 KAR 2:172. Checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron season calendar for 2026-27
Coldiron readers can open the cited guide page on any line; each row links the page it came from.
| Animal | Season name | Covers | Ticket | Begins | Ends | Segments | Open? | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Statewide | Permit | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Youth, senior crossbow | Statewide | Permit | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Crossbow | Statewide | Permit | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Youth gun | Statewide | Permit | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Early Muzzleloader | Statewide | Permit | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Modern gun | Zone 4 | Permit | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Late Muzzleloader | Zone 4 | Permit | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Free youth weekend | Statewide | Permit | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Elk | Archery, crossbow | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 12, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Youth quota | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | One | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Bull, firearms | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Cow, firearms | Elk zone | Quota permit | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Black bear | Chase only | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Jun 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | With dogs | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Oct 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Firearm | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery | Statewide | Permit | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | One | Guide p. 24 | |
| Turkey | Fall Crossbow | Statewide | Permit | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 24 | |
| Turkey | Fall Shotgun | Statewide | Permit | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 24 | |
| Turkey | Spring 2027 | Dates pending | Permit | – | – | – | No dates | 301 KAR 2:142 |
| Turkey | Youth spring 2027 | Dates pending | Permit | – | – | – | No dates | 301 KAR 2:142 |
| Squirrel | Fall Squirrel | Statewide | License | Aug 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 27 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel Trapping | Statewide | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Squirrel | Spring 2027 | Dates pending | License | – | – | – | No dates | 301 KAR 2:122 |
| Rabbit | Rabbit | Eastern zone | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 27 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit Trapping | Eastern zone | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Quail | Quail | Eastern zone | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 27 | |
| Grouse | Grouse | Grouse Zone | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 27 | |
| Small game | Falconry | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 30, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Small game, furbearers | Free youth week | Statewide | License | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Groundhog | Groundhog | Statewide | License | Mar 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 29 | |
| Crow | Crow | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 29 | |
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog | Statewide | License | May 16, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | One | Guide p. 29 | |
| Turtles | Turtles | Statewide | License | Mar 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 29 | |
| Exotic hoofed | Exotic hoofed wildlife | Statewide | License | Mar 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 29 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck | Statewide | License | Nov 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Ducks | Falconry | Statewide | License | Nov 26, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Teal, wood duck | September teal | Statewide | License | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 23, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 13, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 11 | |
| Waterfowl | Veteran, military days | Statewide | License | Nov 22, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 11 | |
| Canada goose | September goose | Eastern (map) | License | Sep 16, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Dark geese | Goose | Statewide | License | Nov 26, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Light geese | Light Goose | Statewide | License | Nov 26, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | License | Feb 16, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Geese | Falconry | Statewide | License | Nov 26, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 10 | |
| Dove | Dove | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | 3 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 7 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | License | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 7 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | License | Sep 16, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 2 parts | Waterfowl guide p. 7 | |
| Rails | Rail | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 7 | |
| Gallinules | Gallinule | Statewide | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 7 | |
| Sandhill crane | Crane, by permit | Statewide | Quota permit | Dec 7, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | One | Waterfowl guide p. 8 | |
| Raccoon, opossum | Hunting | Statewide | License | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | Statewide | License | Mar 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| Coyote | Night, with lights | Statewide | License | Dec 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Statewide | License | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| River otter | Hunting | Statewide | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| River otter | Zone 2 sub-limit | Otter Zone 2 | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| Other furbearers | Hunting | Statewide | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | One | Guide p. 25 | |
| Furbearers | Trapping | Statewide | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 25 | |
| Wild pig | No season | No season | None | – | – | – | No dates | Guide p. 29 |
Dates from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide and the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl, checked against the KDFWR Season Dates app; zone county lists from 301 KAR and KDFWR zone layers; quota hunts from the KDFWR Quota Hunts page (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron on the bear, elk and goose maps
Harlan County is in Bear Zone 1, where archery and crossbow bear season runs October 24 to October 26, 2026 and firearm season December 12 to December 14, 2026. The elk zone takes in Harlan County; bull firearm season runs September 26 to September 30, 2026 and October 3 to October 7, 2026 for drawn hunters.
For rabbit and quail, KDFWR puts Harlan County in its Eastern zone; grouse hunters can work it as well. On the KDFWR September goose map, Harlan County sits in the Eastern zone; ducks and regular goose season are statewide.
Bear zones from the guide bear section; elk zone and out-of-zone rule from the guide elk section; small game and Grouse Zone from the guide; September goose zones from the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl map. Checked November 10, 2026.
Harlan County harvest trend near Coldiron
The home county of Coldiron produced 509 checked deer in 2025-26, against 507 in 2016-17. Does made up 94 of the county total, antlered bucks 410.
Spring turkey hunters checked 135 birds in Harlan County in spring 2026. Elk (12) and bears (49) were also checked in Harlan County in 2025-26.
County totals from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck, license years; deer checked through Telecheck (KDFWR Harvest Results app, license year)); turkey, bear and elk from the same app. County figures, not town figures. Checked November 10, 2026.
Where Coldiron hunters cannot hunt
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park heads the closed list within 25 miles of Coldiron, which runs to 2 sites. Preserve, park and historic-site boundaries are often unmarked from the woods side, so check a map.
| Site | Land type | Distance | Hunting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Service unit | 15 mi | Closed | |
| State park | 16 mi | Closed |
Closed places from lands.json: nature preserves (400 KAR 2:090), state parks and historic sites (301 KAR 2:178), Park Service units (36 CFR 2.2). Checked November 10, 2026.
KDFWR people and places for Coldiron
Wildlife questions from Coldiron go to the Southeast Region coordinator at (606) 344-0585; KDFWR publishes no street address for region offices. KDFWR Southeastern Fisheries District Office, 40 miles away in Williamsburg, is the closest KDFWR door to Coldiron. Telecheck (1-800-245-4263) takes deer and turkey reports by phone or online before the animal is processed.
Region coordinators from the KDFWR regional biologists map; offices from the KDFWR Contact Us page and fisheries district office layer; Telecheck from the guide; straight-line distances. Checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron hunting services
Measured as the crow flies, 8 hunting businesses fall within 25 miles of Coldiron, and the closest appear as cards. Expect a 40 miles trip to Williamsburg for the nearest listed processing. Phone first, since listings come from directories.
Listings from the KDFWR taxidermist and processor list, Yellow Pages and store locators (services.json); chain stores left out and not every listing was checked as open. Checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron shooters: three nearest ranges
Three ranges ranked by crow-fly miles from Coldiron.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 10, 2026.
Coldiron legal hours by season date
Coldiron raccoon, coyote and other furbearer hunters follow separate night and daylight rules that this table leaves out.
| When | Opener or event | First light | Last light | Most game | Migratory | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:07 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:18 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:37 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Bull elk week | 7:24 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:35 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:42 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 7:12 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 archery | 7:49 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 4 gun opener | 7:10 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:23 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 4 gun closes | 7:26 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 firearm; late muzzleloader | 7:37 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:43 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:45 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | EST |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide; sunrise and sunset from the NOAA solar formula at this point on Eastern Time; checked November 10, 2026. Legal hours across Kentucky.
Coldiron pack list
Coldiron picks open as live Amazon searches, so the prices shown are current ones.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
Pack a climbing stand; deer cover here runs from crop edges to steep hardwood draws.
Answers for anyone hunting from Coldiron
Which taxidermist is nearest to Coldiron?
Mountain Taxidermy and Freeze Drying in Cranks, roughly 17 miles from Coldiron by straight line.
Which KDFWR wildlife region handles Coldiron?
The Southeast Region, reached through its coordinator at (606) 344-0585.
Which public area should a Coldiron hunter try first?
Pocahontas WMA, 1.0 miles away; this page marks it “statewide rules”, and the distance table holds 20 areas.
What is the deer bag for hunters around Coldiron?
Harlan County is a Deer Zone 4 county, where KDFWR words the bag as: Up to 2 deer, only 1 antlerless (1 antlered max statewide); no antlerless deer during modern gun, early muzzleloader or the first 6 days of late muzzleloader.
Is there a youth deer weekend near Coldiron?
Yes: youth gun season October 10 to October 18, 2026, plus the free youth weekend in late December.
Which CWD rules matter to someone hunting from Coldiron?
Only the import limits: high-risk parts from zone counties or other states may not come in.
Can I use dogs for bear around Coldiron?
Yes, in Bear Zone 1 during October 19 to October 23, 2026, outside the listed no-dog areas.
What are the bull elk gun dates for Coldiron permit holders?
September 26 to September 30, 2026 and October 3 to October 7, 2026, open only to drawn hunters.
Where is the nearest quota hunt to Coldiron?
Farther than 25 miles; the quota hunt list has all 38.
Do deer and duck hours differ at Coldiron?
Yes. On December 21, 2026 deer hours run to 5:51 p.m. EST, duck hours to 5:21 p.m. EST.
Do I need hunter orange near Coldiron?
Yes, during modern gun, muzzleloader and youth gun deer seasons: solid orange on head, back and chest, for all hunters.
How much is a deer permit for Coldiron hunters?
$37 for residents and $248.40 for nonresidents, on top of the hunting license.
From places.json, lands.json, regs.json (the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, hunter orange, license fees, CWD, quota hunts), counties.json and services.json; hours by the NOAA solar formula on Eastern Time. Checked November 10, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Jason Everett Morris (CC BY-SA 3.0); Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0); hedera.baltica (CC BY-SA 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0).