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Home › Kentucky › Counties › Boyd County

Eastern Coal Field county

Boyd County Hunting, 2026-27

Boyd County, 2026-27: deer zone and bag, CWD status, bear and elk rules, no mapped public hunting ground, Telecheck harvest and the KDFWR Northeast contacts.

Deer zone and bag
Land and acres
Deer checked
Hunting gear
1Deer zone
2Zone before 2026
NoCWD zone
2Bear zone
NoElk zone

Photo: Adam Moss (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Boyd County basics before the season

Boyd County belongs to the Northeast Region of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, one of 5 wildlife regions in the state. With 47,777 residents in 2024, the county is governed from Catlettsburg. Population moved down by 1.0% after 2020, when the base stood at 48,255.

Of its total area, 160 square miles are land and 2.2 are water, all within the Eastern Coal Field. In the district list of 301 KAR 4:010 it carries the numeral VIII. 3 Kentucky counties touch its line: Carter, Greenup and Lawrence, with Lawrence County, Ohio and Wayne County, West Virginia beyond the state line.

CatlettsburgCounty seat
47,777People, 2024
160Square miles
Eastern Coal FieldNatural region
VIIIWildlife district
8thLaw district
646Deer checked
90thStatewide deer rank
Ruffed grouse on the forest floor

Ruffed grouse on the forest floorPhoto: GlacierNPS (Public domain)

Eastern gray squirrel

Eastern gray squirrelPhoto: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Population from the Census Bureau 2024 estimates; land area from the Census Gazetteer; region and districts from the KDFWR administrative layer and 301 KAR 4:010; harvest rank from the KDFWR Harvest Results app. Checked November 10, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Boyd County

Greenup County

County · 20 mi from Boyd County

Directions
Carter County

County · 20 mi from Boyd County

Directions
Paintsville Lake WMA

Public land · 36 mi from Boyd County

Directions
Shooting Ranges Near Morehead

Range · 43 mi from Boyd County

Directions
Dewey Lake WMA

Public land · 46 mi from Boyd County

Directions
Pocahontas WMA

Public land · 47 mi from Boyd County

Directions

Boyd County whitetail rules for 2026-27

Deer Zone 1 is the line that matters in Boyd County; KDFWR lists 68 counties in it this season. Zone 1 rules let a hunter fill as many antlerless tags as permits allow, but only one buck in Kentucky. Last season Boyd County was a Zone 2 county; for 2026-27 it drops to Zone 1 and a bigger bag.

KDFWR wording for Zone 1: “Unlimited antlerless deer with the statewide deer permit plus additional deer permits; 1 antlered deer statewide.” 301 KAR 2:172

HuntWeaponsBeginsFinishesSpanBag ruleOpen?Page
ArcheryBowsSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027136Zone bagGuide p. 12
Youth, senior crossbowCrossbowSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027136Zone bagGuide p. 12
CrossbowCrossbow, bowsSep 19, 2026Jan 18, 2027122Zone bagGuide p. 12
Youth gunAny legal methodOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 20269Zone bagGuide p. 12
Early MuzzleloaderMuzzleloader, bowsOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 20262Zone bagGuide p. 12
Modern gunAny legal deer gunNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 202616Zone bagGuide p. 12
Late MuzzleloaderMuzzleloader, bowsDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 20269Zone bagGuide p. 12
Free youth weekendAny legal methodDec 26, 2026Dec 27, 20262Either sexGuide p. 12

Mark November 14 for the Zone 1 gun opener, November 29 for the close, and December 12 to December 20, 2026 for late muzzleloader. October brings the youth gun days (October 10 to October 18, 2026) and early muzzleloader (October 17 to October 18, 2026). The long archery season opens September 5 and closes January 18, 2027, with crossbow from September 19.

Hunter orange on the head, back and chest is required of all hunters in Boyd County while firearm deer seasons are open, even bowhunters. A free youth weekend on December 26 to December 27, 2026 gives young hunters one more gun chance.

A January 9-11, 2027 antlerless-only firearms season in Zones 1-3 was adopted in 301 KAR 2:172 effective November 5, 2026; KDFWR's guide still lists it as pending. 301 KAR 2:172

Deer Zone 1
About deer
Zone hub

Zones and bags from 301 KAR 2:172 and the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide; hunter orange from the guide. Checked November 10, 2026.

What CWD means for Boyd County hunters

Boyd County lies beyond the CWD Surveillance Zone, whose closest county is Rockcastle County at about 113 miles.

NoCWD zone
RockcastleNearest zone county
113 milesDistance
23Zone counties

Out-of-state and zone-county deer must arrive deboned, with only clean skull caps, antlers and hides kept whole. Bait is a private-land option in Boyd County; WMAs, state parks and much federal land forbid it.

Carcass rule: No whole carcasses or high-risk parts (head, skull/skull cap with brain, spine) may leave the zone or enter Kentucky from other states/provinces; deboned meat, antlers, clean skull caps/skulls/teeth, hides and finished taxidermy allowed.

Testing is free statewide at drop-off sites open around the clock or by mail-in kit.

CWD details
CWD at KDFWR

From the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone page and baiting rules. Checked November 10, 2026.

Boyd County zone lines for every game

Black bear, Zone 2

KDFWR places Boyd County in Bear Zone 2, so the Zone 2 archery, dog and firearm dates apply. In Zone 2 the bear calendar reads archery October 24 to October 28, dogs October 19 to October 23 and October 29 to November 6, firearm December 12 to December 16. Bears under 75 pounds and females with cubs are off limits, and the bag is one bear a year.

SeasonBeginsEndsBlocksOpen?Page
Chase onlyJun 1, 2026Sep 30, 20262 partsGuide p. 18
Archery, crossbowOct 24, 2026Oct 28, 2026OneGuide p. 18
With dogsOct 19, 2026Nov 6, 20262 partsGuide p. 18
FirearmDec 12, 2026Dec 16, 2026OneGuide p. 18

Feeding or baiting bears is against the rules, including leaving garbage out. Hound owners can run bears without harvest during the chase-only season in summer and again in September.

No bear quota; bear permits are over the counter. 301 KAR 2:300

Bear Zone 2 details
Black bear guide

Elk

Boyd County is not elk zone ground, so any elk here falls under the out-of-zone permit and deer season dates. The out-of-zone elk sits outside the deer limit and needs no deer permit.

Follows deer season dates and methods; needs annual hunting license plus Out-of-Zone Elk Permit; no deer permit required. 1 elk of either sex per license year (not counted in deer bag) Guide p. 23

Small game and birds

The Eastern Zone small game season covers Boyd County, running November 1 to November 13 and November 16 to January 31 for rabbit and quail. Ruffed grouse can be hunted here, since the county is one of 53 in the Grouse Zone. Trappers here work Otter Zone 2, where a sub-limit applies to Zone 2 otters.

Read off the KDFWR map, Boyd County is in the Eastern September goose zone (September 16 to September 30, 2026). Ducks, coots and mergansers have one statewide season, split into two parts between November 26 and January 31, 2027.

September goose zone counties are read from the KDFWR zone map; they agree with the 301 KAR 2:225 rule. Waterfowl guide p. 11

RuleHere
Small game zoneEastern
Grouse ZoneYes
Otter zone2
September gooseEastern (map)
Bear zone2
Elk zoneNo
Wildlife districtVIII
Small game zones
Goose zones

From the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl, bear zone rules, elk rules and small game zones. Checked November 10, 2026.

Boyd County hunting dates by zone

Boyd County readers can open the cited guide page on any line; each row links the page it came from.

AnimalSeason nameCoversTicketBeginsEndsSegmentsOpen?Page
DeerArcheryStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerYouth, senior crossbowStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerCrossbowStatewidePermitSep 19, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerYouth gunStatewidePermitOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerEarly MuzzleloaderStatewidePermitOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerModern gunZone 1PermitNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerLate MuzzleloaderZone 1PermitDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerFree youth weekendStatewidePermitDec 26, 2026Dec 27, 2026OneGuide p. 12
ElkOut-of-zone elkDeer datesPermit–––No datesGuide p. 23
Black bearChase onlyBear Zone 2PermitJun 1, 2026Sep 30, 20262 partsGuide p. 18
Black bearWith dogsBear Zone 2PermitOct 19, 2026Nov 6, 20262 partsGuide p. 18
Black bearArchery, crossbowBear Zone 2PermitOct 24, 2026Oct 28, 2026OneGuide p. 18
Black bearFirearmBear Zone 2PermitDec 12, 2026Dec 16, 2026OneGuide p. 18
TurkeyFall ArcheryStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 24
TurkeyFall CrossbowStatewidePermitOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 20262 partsGuide p. 24
TurkeyFall ShotgunStatewidePermitOct 24, 2026Dec 11, 20262 partsGuide p. 24
TurkeySpring 2027Dates pendingPermit–––No dates301 KAR 2:142
TurkeyYouth spring 2027Dates pendingPermit–––No dates301 KAR 2:142
SquirrelFall SquirrelStatewideLicenseAug 15, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
SquirrelSquirrel TrappingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 27
SquirrelSpring 2027Dates pendingLicense–––No dates301 KAR 2:122
RabbitRabbitEastern zoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
RabbitRabbit TrappingEastern zoneLicenseNov 16, 2026Jan 31, 2027OneGuide p. 27
QuailQuailEastern zoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
GrouseGrouseGrouse ZoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
Small gameFalconryStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Mar 30, 2027OneGuide p. 27
Small game, furbearersFree youth weekStatewideLicenseDec 26, 2026Jan 1, 2027OneGuide p. 27
GroundhogGroundhogStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
CrowCrowStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 29
BullfrogBullfrogStatewideLicenseMay 16, 2026Oct 31, 2026OneGuide p. 29
TurtlesTurtlesStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
Exotic hoofedExotic hoofed wildlifeStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
DucksRegular duckStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 10
DucksFalconryStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 21, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Teal, wood duckSeptember tealStatewideLicenseSep 19, 2026Sep 23, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
WaterfowlYouth daysStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Feb 13, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 11
WaterfowlVeteran, military daysStatewideLicenseNov 22, 2026Feb 14, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 11
Canada gooseSeptember gooseEastern (map)LicenseSep 16, 2026Sep 30, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Dark geeseGooseStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Light geeseLight GooseStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Light geeseConservation orderStatewideLicenseFeb 16, 2027Mar 31, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
GeeseFalconryStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
DoveDoveStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Jan 10, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
WoodcockWoodcockStatewideLicenseOct 24, 2026Dec 9, 20262 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
SnipeSnipeStatewideLicenseSep 16, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
RailsRailStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 7
GallinulesGallinuleStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 7
Sandhill craneCrane, by permitStatewideQuota permitDec 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 8
Raccoon, opossumHuntingStatewideLicenseOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
CoyoteHuntingStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
CoyoteNight, with lightsStatewideLicenseDec 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuide p. 25
BobcatHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
River otterHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
River otterZone 2 sub-limitOtter Zone 2LicenseNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuide p. 25
Other furbearersHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
FurbearersTrappingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 25
Wild pigNo seasonNo seasonNone–––No datesGuide p. 29

Goose zones are read from a map. Goose zones marked (map) are read from the KDFWR zone map.

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.

Boyd County harvest since 2016-17

In 2025-26, Boyd County produced 646 checked deer, good for 90th place out of 120. At 4.0 deer per square mile, the county ranks 48th for harvest density. From 1,008 in 2016-17 to 646 now is a 36% drop. Harvest topped out at 1,008 in 2016-17 and bottomed at 619 in 2017-18.

Boyd County deer checked by license year05001,0001,5002,0002016-17: 1,0081,0082016-172017-18: 6196192017-182018-19: 7367362018-192019-20: 6536532019-202020-21: 7587582020-212021-22: 6466462021-222022-23: 8048042022-232023-24: 7677672023-242024-25: 7727722024-252025-26: 6466462025-26

Of last season's deer, 54% were antlered bucks, 5% button bucks and 42% does. Weapon totals: firearms 422, archery 99, crossbow 89, muzzleloader 36. Today's Zone 1 county list accounted for 103,888 deer, and Boyd County gave under 1%.

KindDeerPortion
All deer646100%
Male37758%
Antlered buck34654%
Button buck315%
Female26942%
Modern firearm42265%
Muzzleloader366%
Archery9915%
Crossbow8914%

Wild turkey

In spring 2026, 110 turkeys were reported from Boyd County (116th statewide). The fall count for 2025-26 was 1. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet.

YearChecked
spring 202280
spring 202395
spring 202493
spring 202588
spring 2026110
fall 2025-261
White-tailed buck in velvet bounding across a grassy hillside

White-tailed buck in velvet bounding across a grassy hillsidePhoto: Jacob W. Frank (National Park Service) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

Reporting steps
Big buck lists

Harvest from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck; license years, 2025-26 = the latest); turkey from the same app. Checked November 10, 2026.

Boyd County land open to hunters

Boyd County has no public hunting area of its own on the KDFWR or federal lists, so most hunting here is on private land with permission.

Public areas near Boyd County:

Hunting land
Where not to hunt

Land records from KDFWR, the Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky State Parks and federal managers; GIS acres from the KDFWR Public Hunting Areas layer and PAD-US (map measures, not official acreages); closures under 301 KAR 2:178 and 400 KAR 2:090. Checked November 10, 2026.

Help and services near Boyd County

The Northeast Region regional coordinator answers at (859) 473-0061, or by e-mail at FW.NortheastRegion@ky.gov. For a walk-in office, the Eastern Fisheries District Office in Prestonsburg is closest, about 48 miles away.

Northeast Region
Regional coordinator

(859) 473-0061
FW.NortheastRegion@ky.gov

KDFWR Eastern Fisheries District Office
2744 Lake Rd., Prestonsburg

(606) 889-1705
Directions

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (headquarters)
#1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort

(502) 564-3400
(800) 858-1549

Towns to start from in Boyd County:

Shops and services near Boyd County follow; directory listings can go stale, so phone before driving over.

Kentucky Antler Company
Rush, Boyd County

(606) 928-0813
Find the door

Steven's Firearms
Ashland, Boyd County

(606) 928-8936
Find the door
Web listing

Mike's Taxidermy
Catlettsburg, Boyd County · about 2 mi away

(606) 928-1855
Find the door

Summit Sporting Goods
Ashland, Boyd County · about 3 mi away

(606) 928-6998
Find the door

Boyd County Indoor Gun Range
Ashland, Boyd County · about 4 mi away

(606) 232-1419
Find the door
Web listing

Don's Gun Services
Ashland, Boyd County · about 4 mi away

(606) 928-4556
Find the door

Viking Arms
Ashland, Boyd County · about 4 mi away

(606) 928-4010
Find the door

Bam Firearms
Ashland, Boyd County · about 4 mi away

(606) 928-2640
Find the door
Agency contacts
Processors
Taxidermist directory

Regional coordinator phone and e-mail from the KDFWR regional biologists map; offices from the KDFWR Contact Us page and fisheries district layer; services from the KDFWR taxidermist and processor list and directories. Checked November 10, 2026.

Hunting dates and winners in Boyd County

UKC nite hunt held in the county posted 2 results, listed below.

Published winners

DateWho hostedFirstOpen
Jul 24, 2026Lakeway Coonhunters (cast 2 of the night)
Greenbo Turn The Paige (TW) won the cast at 225+
Type page
Jul 24, 2026Lakeway Coonhunters (cast 1 of the night)
Parker's Mr Everett (HTX TW) won the cast at 225+
Type page
Kentucky events hub
UKC coon hunts

Spotted a flyer for a local hunt night? Tell us

Listings and results from the KDFWR calendar, the DU and NWTF feeds, UKC and American Field, read November 9, 2026.

Boyd County: benches and clay fields

5 ranges in Boyd County, every one a club, shop or private range.

Bare Arms Shooting Range
indoor range

Ashland, Boyd County

Covers: rifle, handgun

Open to the public · KDFWR range map, checked Nov 9, 2026

Ashland Gun Club
sportsman club

Rush, Boyd County

Covers: trap, skeet, rifle, shotgun

Access not stated · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 9, 2026

Boyd County Indoor Gun
Range
indoor range

Ashland, Boyd County

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 9, 2026

Kentucky Elite Archery Academy
archery range

Ashland, Boyd County

Covers: archery, 3D archery

Access not stated · findarcheryranges.com, checked Nov 9, 2026

Northeastern Kentucky Fish and
Game Association
sportsman club

Cannonsburg, Boyd County

Covers: trap, archery, shotgun

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 9, 2026

The closest KDFWR permit range is Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA Range on Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA, about 97 miles away; the permit is free with an annual license.

Ranges from the KDFWR range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 10, 2026.

Boyd County legal light on key dates

Boyd County hunters can be afield from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset for deer, elk, bear, turkey and small game, and the times below are worked out for Boyd County itself.

DateEventSunriseSunsetGeneral ruleBird ruleZone
Sep 5, 2026Deer archery opens7:03 a.m.7:57 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 8:27 p.m.6:33 a.m. to 7:57 p.m.EDT
Sep 19, 2026Deer crossbow opens7:15 a.m.7:35 p.m.6:45 a.m. to 8:05 p.m.6:45 a.m. to 7:35 p.m.EDT
Oct 10, 2026Youth gun opens7:33 a.m.7:02 p.m.7:03 a.m. to 7:32 p.m.7:03 a.m. to 7:02 p.m.EDT
Oct 17, 2026Early muzzleloader7:40 a.m.6:52 p.m.7:10 a.m. to 7:22 p.m.7:10 a.m. to 6:52 p.m.EDT
Oct 24, 2026Bear Zone 2 archery7:47 a.m.6:42 p.m.7:17 a.m. to 7:12 p.m.7:17 a.m. to 6:42 p.m.EDT
Nov 14, 2026Zone 1 gun opener7:11 a.m.5:20 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.6:41 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.EST
Nov 26, 2026Duck season opens7:24 a.m.5:13 p.m.6:54 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.6:54 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.EST
Nov 29, 2026Zone 1 gun closes7:27 a.m.5:12 p.m.6:57 a.m. to 5:42 p.m.6:57 a.m. to 5:12 p.m.EST
Dec 12, 2026Bear Zone 2 firearm; late muzzleloader7:38 a.m.5:11 p.m.7:08 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.7:08 a.m. to 5:11 p.m.EST
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:44 a.m.5:13 p.m.7:14 a.m. to 5:43 p.m.7:14 a.m. to 5:13 p.m.EST
Dec 26, 2026Free youth weekend7:46 a.m.5:16 p.m.7:16 a.m. to 5:46 p.m.7:16 a.m. to 5:16 p.m.EST

Rounded to the minute. Times are on local clock time: Central Time in the western 41 counties, Eastern Time elsewhere.

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.

Gear worth carrying around Boyd County

Boyd County hunters get four items suited to a Kentucky year, from the September bow opener to February rabbits.

Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Climbing stand

A climber lets you shift with the acorns from one hardwood ridge to the next through the archery months.

Amazon search

Skinning knife

A December bear hunt in steep country goes smoother with a skinning knife.

Amazon search

Box call

Set up along a field edge with a box call within reach.

Amazon search

Chest waders

Flooded crop fields and slough edges both mean standing in cold water.

Amazon search

Gear compared
Every gear list

More guides around Boyd County

Close counties first, then statewide guides worth a look.

Greenup County

Deer Zone 1 · Northeast Region · 20 miles

Carter County

Deer Zone 1 · Northeast Region · 20 miles

Lawrence County

Deer Zone 1 · Northeast Region · 20 miles

Elliott County

Deer Zone 2 · Northeast Region · 28 miles

Hunting laws
Wildlife management areas
The elk zone

Hunting Boyd County, answered

When does bobwhite season run in Boyd County?

On the Eastern Zone dates, the same as rabbit.

How does a Boyd County hunter Telecheck a deer?

Fill in the harvest log, then report by phone or online by midnight the day recovered and before processing.

What deer bag applies to a hunter working Boyd County this fall?

The Zone 1 bag. KDFWR wording: Unlimited antlerless deer with the statewide deer permit plus additional deer permits; 1 antlered deer statewide.

What weekend does gun deer hunting kick off in Boyd County?

Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Does chronic wasting disease zoning cover Boyd County?

No. The nearest zone county is Rockcastle County.

Is a black bear permit worth buying for Boyd County?

Yes. It is in Bear Zone 2; firearm days are December 12 to December 16, 2026.

Would an elk shot in Boyd County count toward the deer bag?

No. It is counted on its own.

Where is the nearest walk-in public ground for a Boyd County hunter?

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and Yatesville Lake WMA are the nearest listed areas over the line.

Is Boyd County a high-harvest deer county?

It ranked 90th of 120 with 646 deer in 2025-26.

Are the spring 2027 turkey dates for Boyd County out yet?

No. KDFWR had not published them when this page was checked.

Which KDFWR phone line handles Boyd County?

The Northeast Region coordinator, (859) 473-0061.

From the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, 301 KAR 2:172, Telecheck rules, the KDFWR Harvest Results app and the county data above. Checked November 10, 2026.

Other photos on this page: GlacierNPS (Public domain); DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); Jacob W. Frank (National Park Service) (Public Domain Mark 1.0).