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Pennyrile county
Meade County Hunting, 2026-27
Meade County, 2026-27: deer zone and bag, CWD status, bear and elk rules, 16,602 GIS acres of public hunting ground, Telecheck harvest and the KDFWR Green River contacts.
Photo: William Alden (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Meade County basics before the season
Meade County belongs to the Green River Region of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, one of 5 wildlife regions in the state. With 30,442 residents in 2024, the county is governed from Brandenburg. Population moved up by 1.4% after 2020, when the base stood at 30,007.
Of its total area, 305 square miles are land and 18.9 are water, all within the Pennyrile. In the district list of 301 KAR 4:010 it carries the numeral III. 2 Kentucky counties touch its line: Breckinridge and Hardin, with Crawford County, Indiana, Harrison County, Indiana and Perry County, Indiana beyond the state line.
Green-winged teal on the waterPhoto: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain)
Northern bobwhite quail pair in grass and wildflowersPhoto: cuatrok77 (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.
Meade County whitetail rules for 2026-27
Deer Zone 1 is the line that matters in Meade 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 Meade County was a Zone 2 county; for 2026-27 it drops to Zone 1 and a bigger bag.
| 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 Meade 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.
Meade County chronic wasting disease rules
Meade 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. Meade 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.
Meade County zone lines for every game
Black bear
Meade County lies outside Bear Zones 1 to 3, with Adair County the nearest bear county at about 78 miles.
Elk
Meade 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 Eastern Zone small game season covers Meade County, running November 1 to November 13 and November 16 to January 31 for rabbit and quail. The Grouse Zone does not reach Meade County, so grouse stay closed. Trappers here work Otter Zone 1.
Read off the KDFWR map, Meade 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 | Eastern |
| Grouse Zone | No |
| Otter zone | 1 |
| September goose | Western (map) |
| Bear zone | None |
| Elk zone | No |
| Wildlife district | III |
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.
Meade County hunting dates by zone
Meade 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 | 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 | 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 | |
| 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.
Meade County harvest since 2016-17
In 2025-26, Meade County produced 1,575 checked deer, good for 36th place out of 120. At 5.2 deer per square mile, the county ranks 27th for harvest density. From 1,171 in 2016-17 to 1,575 now is a 35% rise. Harvest topped out at 1,575 in 2025-26 and bottomed at 1,171 in 2016-17.
Of last season's deer, 47% were antlered bucks, 8% button bucks and 45% does. Weapon totals: firearms 1,034, archery 251, crossbow 164, muzzleloader 126. Today's Zone 1 county list accounted for 103,888 deer, and Meade County gave 2%.
| Kind | Deer | Portion |
|---|---|---|
| All deer | 1,575 | 100% |
| Male | 867 | 55% |
| Antlered buck | 740 | 47% |
| Button buck | 127 | 8% |
| Female | 708 | 45% |
| Modern firearm | 1,034 | 66% |
| Muzzleloader | 126 | 8% |
| Archery | 251 | 16% |
| Crossbow | 164 | 10% |
Wild turkey
In spring 2026, 281 turkeys were reported from Meade County (58th statewide). The fall count for 2025-26 was 11. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet.
| Year | Checked |
|---|---|
| spring 2022 | 180 |
| spring 2023 | 262 |
| spring 2024 | 236 |
| spring 2025 | 223 |
| spring 2026 | 281 |
| fall 2025-26 | 11 |
White-tailed buck crossing a leaf-strewn trail in fall woodsPhoto: Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 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.
Meade County land open to hunters
Meade County has 2 open hunting areas on record; the largest is Fort Knox Military Reservation. The public hunting footprint is about 16,602 GIS acres, 8% of all land here.
Map layers give these acreages; nature preserves and other Park Service land are closed to hunting.
| Kind | Mapped acres | Open? |
|---|---|---|
| National forest land | 1 | Open to hunting |
| Military land | 14,418 | Rules vary |
Fort Knox Military Reservation runs to about 108,619 acres and is managed by the Army. Roughly 70% of Fort Knox Military Reservation is forest. At roughly 2,221 acres, Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area is an ORA looked after by Meade County Fiscal Court. Expect mainly forest there (85%). Game listed for it includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit.
Public areas near Meade County:
- Yellowbank WMAWMA · 0 miles from the line
- Rough River Lake WMAWMA · 27 miles from the centre
- Knobs State Forest and WMAWMA · 29 miles from the centre
- John C. Williams WMAWMA · 31 miles from the centre
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.
Meade County help lines and shops
The Green River Region regional coordinator answers at (270) 875-3586, or by e-mail at FW.GreenRiverRegion@ky.gov. For a walk-in office, the Northwestern Fisheries District Office in Calhoun is closest, about 64 miles away.
Towns to start from in Meade County:
- Brandenburg2,974 people
- Muldraugh1,016 people
Shops and services near Meade 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.
Meade County shooters: ranges and dates
1 range in Meade County, every one a club, shop or private range.
The closest KDFWR permit range is Taylorsville Lake WMA Archery Range on Taylorsville Lake WMA, about 49 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.
Meade County legal light on key dates
Meade 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 Meade County itself.
| Date | Event | Sunrise | Sunset | General rule | Bird rule | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:17 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:29 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 8:19 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 7:49 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 25, 2026 | CWD antlerless opens | 7:34 a.m. | 7:39 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 8:09 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:47 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:54 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 7:24 a.m. | 5:35 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:37 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 7:40 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 7:51 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:57 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:59 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:31 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.
Gear worth carrying around Meade County
Meade 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.
Meade County FAQ
Would an elk shot in Meade County count toward the deer bag?
No. It is counted on its own.
Counting every listed area, how many reach into Meade County?
2.
Is Meade County a high-harvest deer county?
It ranked 36th of 120 with 1,575 deer in 2025-26.
Are the spring 2027 turkey dates for Meade County out yet?
No. KDFWR had not published them when this page was checked.
Which KDFWR phone line handles Meade County?
The Green River Region coordinator, (270) 875-3586.
When does bobwhite season run in Meade County?
On the Eastern Zone dates, the same as rabbit.
How does a Meade 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 Meade 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 Meade County?
Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Does chronic wasting disease zoning cover Meade County?
Yes. It is one of 23 CWD Surveillance Zone counties.
Is a black bear permit worth buying for Meade County?
No. It is outside the bear zones; the nearest bear county is Adair County.
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: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0); Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0); Larry Syverson (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).