Home › Kentucky › Counties › Marshall County
Jackson Purchase county
Marshall County Hunting Guide
Marshall County, 2026-27: deer zone and bag, CWD status, bear and elk rules, 10,276 GIS acres of public hunting ground, Telecheck harvest and the KDFWR Purchase contacts.
Photo: Shannon McGee (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Marshall County basics before the season
Marshall County belongs to the Purchase Region of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, one of 5 wildlife regions in the state. With 31,734 residents in 2024, the county is governed from Benton. Compared with 2020, the figure is essentially unchanged.
Of its total area, 302 square miles are land and 38.0 are water, all within the Jackson Purchase. In the district list of 301 KAR 4:010 it carries the numeral I. 6 Kentucky counties touch its line: Calloway, Graves, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken and Trigg.
Flooded trees along a calm pond at Clarks River National Wildlife RefugePhoto: SlapTheWorld (CC0 1.0)
Wide view up Kentucky Lake through bare shoreline treesPhoto: Shannon McGee (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.
Marshall County whitetail rules for 2026-27
Deer Zone 1 is the line that matters in Marshall 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. Returning hunters will find Marshall County in the same zone as in 2025-26.
| Hunt | Weapons | Begins | Finishes | Span | Bag rule | Open? | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Bows | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | 136 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth, senior crossbow | Crossbow | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | 136 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Crossbow | Crossbow, bows | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | 122 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| CWD antlerless | Any method | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | 4 | Antlerless only | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth gun | Any legal method | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 9 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Early Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader, bows | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 2 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Modern gun | Any legal deer gun | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 16 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Muzzleloader, bows | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | 9 | Zone bag | Guide p. 12 | |
| Free youth weekend | Any legal method | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | 2 | Either sex | Guide 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 Marshall 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.
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.
Marshall County deer and CWD rules
Marshall County deer fall under the CWD Surveillance Zone rules, a 23-county area this season. The zone expanded following a positive deer in Pulaski County during the 2025-26 season. Marshall County also got the four-day CWD antlerless season, September 25 to September 28, 2026, antlerless deer only, and every head had to be turned in for testing.
Before driving home, debone the deer: only meat, antlers, clean skull caps, teeth, hides and finished taxidermy may leave the zone. Feed and bait rules in the zone need care this year; both the agency statement and the regulation wording follow.
Testing is free statewide at drop-off sites open around the clock or by mail-in kit.
From the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone page and baiting rules. Checked November 10, 2026.
Marshall County zone lines for every game
Black bear
Marshall County lies outside Bear Zones 1 to 3, with Cumberland County the nearest bear county at about 163 miles.
Elk
Marshall 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.
Small game and birds
The Western Zone small game season covers Marshall County, running November 16 to February 10 for rabbit and quail. The Grouse Zone does not reach Marshall County, so grouse stay closed. Trappers here work Otter Zone 1.
Read off the KDFWR map, Marshall County is in the Western September goose zone (September 1 to September 15, 2026). Ducks, coots and mergansers have one statewide season, split into two parts between November 26 and January 31, 2027.
| Rule | Here |
|---|---|
| Small game zone | Western |
| Grouse Zone | No |
| Otter zone | 1 |
| September goose | Western (map) |
| Bear zone | None |
| Elk zone | No |
| Wildlife district | I |
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.
Marshall County hunting dates by zone
Marshall County 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 | CWD antlerless | CWD counties | Permit | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | 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 1 | Permit | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Deer quota hunts | 2 hunts | Quota permit | Nov 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | 2 parts | KDFWR page | |
| Deer | Late Muzzleloader | Zone 1 | 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 |
| 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 | Western zone | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit Trapping | Western zone | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | One | Guide p. 27 | |
| Quail | Quail | Western zone | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | One | 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 | Western (map) | License | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 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 | |
| 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.
Marshall County hunts by draw
KDFWR scheduled 2 deer quota hunts on public ground in Marshall County, offering 50 slots. Drawing for these hunts is done; the September 2026 window charged $3 per hunt. The 2025 minimum point figure hints at how hard each hunt is to draw.
| Where | Hunt | When | Slots | Min points | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenlake State Resort Park | 32 | Nov. 19-22 | 25 | 0 | state park / other |
| Kenlake State Resort Park | 33 | Dec. 3-6 | 25 | 0 | state park / other |
Further drawings on Marshall County land:
- Clarks River National Wildlife RefugeMentor/youth dove quota hunt (Quota Hunts page)
- Clarks River National Wildlife RefugeAnnual quota waterfowl hunts; applications Sept. 1 – Oct. 15 (FWS hunting page)
- Clarks River National Wildlife RefugeMentor/youth dove quota hunt (KDFWR Quota Hunts page)
From the KDFWR Quota Hunts page (Sept. 1-30, 2026 online only, $3 per hunt) and the land records. Checked November 10, 2026.
Marshall County harvest since 2016-17
In 2025-26, Marshall County produced 1,201 checked deer, good for 51st place out of 120. At 4.0 deer per square mile, the county ranks 50th for harvest density. From 1,216 in 2016-17 to 1,201 now is a 1% drop. Harvest topped out at 1,456 in 2019-20 and bottomed at 1,015 in 2021-22.
Of last season's deer, 45% were antlered bucks, 5% button bucks and 49% does. Weapon totals: firearms 919, archery 128, crossbow 93, muzzleloader 61. Today's Zone 1 county list accounted for 103,888 deer, and Marshall County gave 1%.
| Kind | Deer | Portion |
|---|---|---|
| All deer | 1,201 | 100% |
| Male | 610 | 51% |
| Antlered buck | 544 | 45% |
| Button buck | 66 | 5% |
| Female | 591 | 49% |
| Modern firearm | 919 | 77% |
| Muzzleloader | 61 | 5% |
| Archery | 128 | 11% |
| Crossbow | 93 | 8% |
Wild turkey
In spring 2026, 285 turkeys were reported from Marshall County (57th statewide). The fall count for 2025-26 was 12. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet.
| Year | Checked |
|---|---|
| spring 2022 | 160 |
| spring 2023 | 242 |
| spring 2024 | 232 |
| spring 2025 | 234 |
| spring 2026 | 285 |
| fall 2025-26 | 12 |
Sunrise behind silhouetted trees across Kentucky LakePhoto: Jerry (CC BY 2.0)
Harvest from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck; license years, 2025-26 = the latest); turkey from the same app. Checked November 10, 2026.
Marshall County land open to hunters
Marshall County has 3 open hunting areas on record; the largest is Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. The public hunting footprint is about 10,276 GIS acres, 5% of all land here.
Map layers give these acreages; nature preserves and other Park Service land are closed to hunting.
| Kind | Mapped acres | Open? |
|---|---|---|
| KDFWR wildlife management areas | 1,310 | Open to hunting |
| National wildlife refuges | 7,887 | Designated areas |
| State parks | 2,478 | Drawn hunts only |
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge runs to about 11,852 acres and is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Roughly 58% of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is wetland. Game listed for it includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, canada goose. At roughly 4,044 acres, Kentucky Lake WMA is a WMA looked after by KDFWR. Expect mainly wetland there (62%). KDFWR lists it as open to all species on statewide dates. At roughly 1,591 acres, Kenlake State Resort Park is a state park looked after by Kentucky State Parks. The habitat breakdown puts forest first at 79%. Game listed for it includes white-tailed deer.
1 place in Marshall County is closed to hunting: Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
| Closed place | Type | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park | State park | Closed | 301 KAR 2:178 |
Public areas near Marshall County:
- Land Between The Lakes National Recreation AreaRecreation area · 0 miles from the line
- Kaler Bottoms WMAWMA · 2 miles from the line
- Lake Barkley WMAWMA · 2 miles from the line
- Ferguson Creek WMAWMA · 5 miles from the line
- Livingston County WMA and State Natural AreaWMA · 9 miles from the line
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.
Marshall County contacts and local businesses
The Purchase Region regional coordinator answers at (270) 577-6374, or by e-mail at FW.PurchaseRegion@ky.gov. For a walk-in office, the Western Fisheries District Office in Murray is closest, about 18 miles away.
Towns to start from in Marshall County:
- Benton4,726 people
Shops and services near Marshall County follow; directory listings can go stale, so phone before driving over.
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 Marshall County
Inside the county line: 1 date ahead (hunter education range day), checked November 9, 2026.
| On | Listing | Venue, county | Button | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2026 | Camp John Currie hunter education range day | Camp John Currie | Enroll | Source |
Listings and results from the KDFWR calendar, the DU and NWTF feeds, UKC and American Field, read November 9, 2026. Times are on local clock time: Central Time in the western 41 counties, Eastern Time elsewhere.
Marshall County ranges: clubs, clays and bow lanes
2 ranges in Marshall County, every one a club, shop or private range.
Rifle work means a trip of about 13 miles to River Road Range in Livingston County.
The closest KDFWR permit range is West Kentucky WMA Archery Range on West Kentucky WMA, about 32 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.
Marshall County legal light on key dates
Marshall 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 Marshall County itself.
| Date | Event | Sunrise | Sunset | General rule | Bird rule | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 6:27 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | CDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 6:38 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. | CDT |
| Sep 25, 2026 | CWD antlerless opens | 6:42 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 6:55 a.m. | 6:25 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. | CDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:01 a.m. | 6:16 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:16 p.m. | CDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 6:30 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:43 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. | CST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 6:46 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 6:57 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:02 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | CST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:04 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. | CST |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide; sunrise and sunset from the NOAA solar formula at this point on Central Time; checked November 10, 2026. Legal hours across Kentucky.
Gear worth carrying around Marshall County
Marshall 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.
Dove stool
Opening day field hunts start in the heat, so a dove stool is worth carrying.
Marshall County hunting questions
Which KDFWR phone line handles Marshall County?
The Purchase Region coordinator, (270) 577-6374.
When does bobwhite season run in Marshall County?
On the Western Zone dates, the same as rabbit.
Does Marshall County have drawn deer hunts on public land?
Yes, 2 this season.
How does a Marshall 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 Marshall 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 Marshall County?
Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Does chronic wasting disease zoning cover Marshall County?
Yes. It is one of 23 CWD Surveillance Zone counties.
Is a black bear permit worth buying for Marshall County?
No. It is outside the bear zones; the nearest bear county is Cumberland County.
Would an elk shot in Marshall County count toward the deer bag?
No. It is counted on its own.
Counting every listed area, how many reach into Marshall County?
3.
Is Marshall County a high-harvest deer county?
It ranked 51st of 120 with 1,201 deer in 2025-26.
Are the spring 2027 turkey dates for Marshall County out yet?
No. KDFWR had not published them when this page was checked.
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: SlapTheWorld (CC0 1.0); Shannon McGee (CC BY-SA 2.0); Jerry (CC BY 2.0); Andy Eller (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) (CC BY 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0); grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 2.0).