Northeast Region
Frenchburg, Kentucky hunting guide
Roughly 67,387 GIS acres of public hunting ground lie within 10 miles of Frenchburg; the closest open record is Daniel Boone National Forest.
Photo: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
Public hunting areas by miles from Frenchburg
The short list for Frenchburg, inside 10 miles, holds 1 national forest and 1 WMA; stretching to 25 miles adds 7 more. Within 10 miles of Frenchburg the land layers add up to 67,387 public acres; widen the circle to 25 miles and the total reaches 161,671.
No caution flag sits on Daniel Boone National Forest, the nearest such area at 0.7 mi from Frenchburg. Frenchburg earned a page as the town nearest Daniel Boone National Forest, which begins 0.7 mi away. At 24 mi sits Ed Mabry – Laurel Gorge WMA, the most distant of the 9 entries in the outer circle.
| Hunting ground | Kind | Straight line | Ring | Deer zone | Can you hunt? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National forest | 0.7 mi | Under 10 mi | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| WMA | 6.4 mi | Under 10 mi | 2, 3 | Chart exceptions | |
| Campground hunt area | 11 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2 | No 2026-27 hunt | |
| Campground hunt area | 11 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2 | Quota hunt only | |
| Ranger district | 11 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| Guard training area | 20 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2, 3 | No gun deer, closes | |
| WMA | 21 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 22 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 24 mi | 10 to 25 mi | 2 | Statewide rules |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json boundaries to the Census point of Frenchburg); 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.
Closest ground to Frenchburg, in detail
Below are the first three places by distance from Frenchburg, each with its own rule summary.
Daniel Boone National Forest
Forest Service ground open to licensed hunters in KDFWR seasons, with ranger district closures on top.
Twin Knobs Campground
No 2026-27 hunting: the campground hunt alternates years and the next one falls in an odd-numbered year.
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.
Frenchburg deer seasons and limits
For deer, Frenchburg follows the Deer Zone 3 rules that apply across Menifee County and 12 other counties. Gun hunters around Frenchburg get November 14 to November 29, 2026, and muzzleloader hunters return December 12 to December 20, 2026. The 2026-27 zone map moved Menifee County out of Zone 4 and into Zone 3.
CWD zone rules skip Menifee County, though KDFWR tests deer from any county on request.
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.
Frenchburg seasons, zones and quota hunts
Frenchburg lists 5 rows without dates yet; KDFWR had not printed spring 2027 dates when this was checked, and out-of-zone elk simply follows deer dates.
| Quarry | Window | Zone | Permit type | Start | Finish | Parts | Right now | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 3 | Permit | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Late Muzzleloader | Zone 3 | 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 | Out-of-zone elk | Deer dates | Permit | – | – | – | No dates | Guide p. 23 |
| Black bear | Chase only | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Jun 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | With dogs | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Oct 19, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 28, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Firearm | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 16, 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.
Frenchburg bear, elk and bird zones
With Menifee County in Bear Zone 2, bear permits from Frenchburg are good for the October 24 to October 28, 2026 archery dates and the December gun days. Elk seen near Frenchburg can be taken during deer seasons with an out-of-zone elk permit.
Small game around Frenchburg runs on the Eastern zone calendar, with grouse open in the Grouse Zone. September Canada goose hunters near Frenchburg fall in the Eastern zone, read from the KDFWR map.
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.
Frenchburg hunts that need a draw
Drawn deer hunts within reach of Frenchburg: 2 on the 2026-27 list, nearest at Zilpo Campground.
| # | Area | How far | Days | Slots | Min pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 11 mi | Dec. 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| 7 | 21 mi | Nov. 7-8 | 225 | 1 |
Hunts, dates, slots and 2025 preference point minimums from the KDFWR Quota Hunts page; distances from places.json. Checked November 10, 2026.
Telecheck numbers around Frenchburg
Telecheck logged 218 deer from Menifee County in the 2025-26 license year, 120th in Kentucky. Firearms took 166 of them and archery 23.
184 spring turkeys were telechecked in Menifee County in spring 2026.
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.
Frenchburg places that are off limits
Closed ground near Frenchburg starts with Natural Bridge State Resort Park at 13 mi, and the table lists the rest. Each closure comes from a rule: 400 KAR 2:090 for preserves, 301 KAR 2:178 for state parks, 36 CFR 2.2 for national park units.
| Place | Kind | How far | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| State park | 13 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.
Frenchburg wildlife region and phone numbers
Frenchburg is in the KDFWR Northeast Region; its regional coordinator answers at (859) 473-0061 and FW.NortheastRegion@ky.gov. The nearest KDFWR building with an address is KDFWR Northeastern Fisheries District Office in Morehead, about 12 miles from Frenchburg. Deer, elk, turkey and bear are reported through Telecheck at 1-800-245-4263 or online by midnight of the day recovered.
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.
Gear, mounts and processing near Frenchburg
Mounts, meat and shells: inside 25 miles of Frenchburg the directory holds 9 taxidermy, 5 processing and 7 retail listings. Call before driving over; not every listing was checked.
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.
Where Frenchburg hunters check a rifle
Closest to the Frenchburg town point: Powell County Sportsman's Club, 17 miles away.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 10, 2026.
Frenchburg sun table for opening days
Frenchburg gets no printed sunrise table from KDFWR, so each time comes from the NOAA solar formula for this exact spot.
| Date | Marker | Rise | Set | Big and small game | Waterfowl window | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:07 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:18 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:37 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:44 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Bear Zone 2 archery | 7:51 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 3 gun opener | 7:13 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:26 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 3 gun closes | 7:29 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 2 firearm; late muzzleloader | 7:41 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:46 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:49 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:21 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.
Frenchburg kit choices
Frenchburg picks were made with creek bottoms, crop edges and steep hardwood ridges in mind.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
From the September bow opener to the January close, a climbing stand earns its keep.
Skinning knife
Keep a skinning knife in the bear bag from the October archery days on.
Chest waders
Waterfowl hunters along the Ohio and Mississippi bottoms pack chest waders.
Frenchburg season, zone and land questions
Does a quota cap the bear harvest near Frenchburg?
No. Kentucky bear permits are sold over the counter and no harvest quota applies.
Is chronic wasting disease a concern for Frenchburg deer hunters?
Menifee County is not in the CWD Surveillance Zone; the CWD zone page lists the 23 counties.
Does Frenchburg have drawn deer hunts close by?
Yes, 2 deer quota hunts on ground within 25 miles; the nearest is on Zilpo Campground.
Is Frenchburg in the Kentucky elk zone?
No. Menifee County is outside the 16-county elk zone.
Do waterfowl hunters near Frenchburg wear orange in gun season?
No. Waterfowl and dove hunters are among the listed exceptions.
When does the sun rise over Frenchburg on the gun opener?
At 7:13 a.m. EST on November 14, 2026 (NOAA solar formula), which puts first legal light for deer at 6:43 a.m. EST.
What hunting trade is close to Frenchburg?
Inside 25 miles: 7 gear stores, 9 taxidermists, 5 processors.
How much is a Kentucky hunting license for someone hunting Frenchburg?
Resident annual hunting license $28.54, nonresident $169.12; a deer permit is extra.
What is the nearest public area to Frenchburg with no warning attached?
That would be Daniel Boone National Forest, which lies less than a mile away from the town point. Count 2 listed areas inside 10 miles of Frenchburg and 9 inside 25.
Which KDFWR numbers should Frenchburg hunters save?
The Northeast Region coordinator at (859) 473-0061 and Frankfort headquarters at (502) 564-3400.
When can I hunt deer with a muzzleloader near Frenchburg?
Early muzzleloader October 17 to October 18, 2026 and late muzzleloader December 12 to December 20, 2026.
Which KDFWR deer zone does Frenchburg fall in?
Deer Zone 3, since Menifee County is a Zone 3 county for 2026-27 (Zone 4 in 2025-26).
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); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); marneejill (CC BY-SA 2.0); Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0).