No season
Wild Pig, No Kentucky Season in 2026-27
Why wild pigs have no Kentucky season, what the law says and the nearest lawful quarry.
Photo: frankieleon (CC BY 2.0)
Wild Pig and the Kentucky rules
There is no lawful pig season in Kentucky this year. Hunting prohibited since June 6, 2024 (eradication by trapping); landowners may shoot pigs damaging their property in daylight and must report within 24 hours.
| Row | Area | Note |
|---|---|---|
| No season | Statewide | Wild pig hunting is prohibited (since June 6, 2024); landowners may shoot pigs damaging their property in daylight and must report to a game warden within 24 hours. |
Source: Guide p. 29 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Wild Pig and the closest lawful quarry
The closest open season to wild pigs is the coyotes season; know the difference before taking anything.
| Season | Area | Dates | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Mar 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Night, with lights | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | No limit |
Source: Guide p. 25 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Penalties covering wild pigs
Penalties for unlawful take, including wild pigs, come from KRS 150.990.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Each animal a separate offense | Each animal taken, possessed or sold and each device used illegally is a separate offense; license may be forfeited for the license year. |
| General violations | $50-$500 fine where no other penalty is fixed; some sections (e.g. KRS 150.360 road/vehicle rules) $50-$500 and/or up to 6 months. |
| Deer, turkey, bear (KRS 150.390) and illegal entry (150.092(4)) | $100-$1,000 and/or 30 days to 1 year; license forfeited 1-3 years; replacement cost of deer, turkey or bear. |
| Elk | Illegally taking or possessing a wild elk: $1,000-$5,000 and/or up to 6 months, replacement cost or double gain, license forfeited 1-3 years. |
| Trespass to hunt (KRS 150.092) | 1st offense $100-$300; 2nd $300-$1,000; later offenses 1-year license forfeiture and $1,000+ or up to 1 year jail; liable for property damage. |
| Telecheck false information | Entering false information in Telecheck is unlawful. |
| Quota hunt rules | Hunters who break quota hunt rules cannot apply for any quota hunt the next year and lose preference points. |
Source: KRS 150.990 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Tips about wild pigs
Calls about wild pigs go to the KDFWR violation line, 1-800-25-ALERT.
Source: Guide p. 3 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
How wild pigs differ from game species
Kentucky sorts wildlife into legal groups with seasons and a protected list; this is where wild pigs sit by comparison.
| Group | Members |
|---|---|
| Big game | white-tailed deer, elk, black bear and wild turkey |
| Small game | gray squirrel, fox squirrel, eastern cottontail, northern bobwhite and ruffed grouse |
| Furbearers | mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat and coyote and 1 more |
| Migratory birds and waterfowl | mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared dove, Virginia rail, sora, common gallinule, purple gallinule, American woodcock, Wilson's snipe, sandhill crane, American crow and ducks and 8 more |
| Other | bullfrog, groundhog, snapping turtle, softshell turtles, house sparrow, European starling and exotic (non-native) hoofed wildlife |
| Eastern spotted skunk | Protected or closed |
| Alligator snapping turtle | Protected or closed |
| Birds of prey and native songbirds | Protected or closed |
| King rail | Protected or closed |
| Federally threatened or endangered species | Protected or closed |
| Wild pig | Protected or closed |
| Black bear (cubs, small bears, denned bears) | Protected or closed |
Source: Guide p. 12 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Northern bobwhite quailPhoto: USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0)
Ruffed grouse walking on the groundPhoto: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain)
Young white-tailed buck standing in green grassPhoto: yrjö jyske (CC BY 2.0)
Answers about Kentucky wild pigs
Is there a season on wild pigs?
Hunting prohibited since June 6, 2024 (eradication by trapping); landowners may shoot pigs damaging their property in daylight and must report within 24 hours.
What number handles pig reports?
Report wildlife violations to 1-800-25-ALERT. Hunting prohibited; report sightings; landowner damage control only.
Can I lose my license over wild pigs?
$50-$500 fine where no other penalty is fixed; some sections (e.g. KRS 150.360 road/vehicle rules) $50-$500 and/or up to 6 months. Each animal taken, possessed or sold and each device used illegally is a separate offense; license may be forfeited for the license year.
Which open season sits closest to wild pigs?
Coyote: No limit. Season rows: Hunting (Statewide): Mar 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; Night, with lights (Statewide): Dec 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027.
What source covers wild pigs?
The guides summarise KRS and 301 KAR; the regulations themselves are on apps.legislature.ky.gov. The 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide is the KDFWR summary used here.
Must I wear orange in pig habitat?
Trappers and hunters working ground where wild pigs live still follow the deer-season orange rule: solid orange on head, back and chest during gun and muzzleloader deer days.
What about orphaned wild pigs?
No possessing, buying or selling live native wildlife without permits; orphaned wildlife only by licensed rehabilitators.
Do I need permission to hunt nearby?
Verbal or written permission required to enter another person's land to hunt, trap or fish; railroad tracks and rights-of-way are private.
Can landowners shoot wild pigs?
Wild pig hunting is prohibited (since June 6, 2024); landowners may shoot pigs damaging their property in daylight and must report to a game warden within 24 hours.