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Bluegrass county
Shelby County Hunting, 2026-27
Shelby County, 2026-27: deer zone and bag, CWD status, bear and elk rules, no mapped public hunting ground, Telecheck harvest and the KDFWR Bluegrass contacts.
Photo: Pen Waggener (CC BY 2.0)
The lay of Shelby County
Shelby County belongs to the Bluegrass Region of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, one of 5 wildlife regions in the state. With 50,124 residents in 2024, the county is governed from Shelbyville. Population moved up by 4.2% after 2020, when the base stood at 48,108.
Of its total area, 380 square miles are land and 5.9 are water, all within the Bluegrass. In the district list of 301 KAR 4:010 it carries the numeral III. 6 Kentucky counties touch its line: Anderson, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham and Spencer.
Old white farmhouse with a lone tree at Chestnut Grove in Shelby CountyPhoto: TEDD LiGGETT (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ruffed grouse feeding on snowy groundPhoto: the real Kam75 (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 Shelby County
Shelby County whitetail rules for 2026-27
Deer Zone 1 is the line that matters in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 | |
| 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 Shelby 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.
Shelby County deer and CWD rules
Shelby County lies beyond the CWD Surveillance Zone, whose closest county is Hardin County at about 55 miles.
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 Shelby County; WMAs, state parks and much federal land forbid it.
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.
Shelby County zone lines for every game
Black bear
Shelby County lies outside Bear Zones 1 to 3, with Garrard County the nearest bear county at about 56 miles.
Elk
Shelby 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 Shelby County, running November 1 to November 13 and November 16 to January 31 for rabbit and quail. The Grouse Zone does not reach Shelby County, so grouse stay closed. Trappers here work Otter Zone 1.
Read off the KDFWR map, Shelby 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.
| Rule | Here |
|---|---|
| Small game zone | Eastern |
| Grouse Zone | No |
| Otter zone | 1 |
| September goose | Eastern (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.
Shelby County hunting dates by zone
Shelby 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 | 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 | 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 | |
| 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.
Shelby County harvest since 2016-17
In 2025-26, Shelby County produced 2,692 checked deer, good for 6th place out of 120. At 7.1 deer per square mile, the county ranks 9th for harvest density. From 2,609 in 2016-17 to 2,692 now is a 3% rise. Harvest topped out at 2,952 in 2020-21 and bottomed at 2,609 in 2016-17.
Of last season's deer, 42% were antlered bucks, 6% button bucks and 52% does. Weapon totals: firearms 1,965, archery 274, crossbow 266, muzzleloader 187. Today's Zone 1 county list accounted for 103,888 deer, and Shelby County gave 3%.
| Kind | Deer | Portion |
|---|---|---|
| All deer | 2,692 | 100% |
| Male | 1,291 | 48% |
| Antlered buck | 1,127 | 42% |
| Button buck | 164 | 6% |
| Female | 1,401 | 52% |
| Modern firearm | 1,965 | 73% |
| Muzzleloader | 187 | 7% |
| Archery | 274 | 10% |
| Crossbow | 266 | 10% |
Wild turkey
In spring 2026, 387 turkeys were reported from Shelby County (32nd statewide). The fall count for 2025-26 was 18. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet.
| Year | Checked |
|---|---|
| spring 2022 | 303 |
| spring 2023 | 396 |
| spring 2024 | 358 |
| spring 2025 | 341 |
| spring 2026 | 387 |
| fall 2025-26 | 18 |
White-tailed deer fawn in tall grassPhoto: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain)
Harvest from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck; license years, 2025-26 = the latest); turkey from the same app. Checked November 10, 2026.
Shelby County land open to hunters
Shelby 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 Shelby County:
- Taylorsville Lake WMAWMA · 2 miles from the line
- Taylorsville Lake State ParkState park · 3 miles from the line
- Kentucky River WMAWMA · 5 miles from the line
- John A. Kleber WMAWMA · 6 miles from the line
- T. N. Sullivan WMAWMA · 8 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.
Shelby County contacts and local businesses
The Bluegrass Region regional coordinator answers at (502) 782-0742, or by e-mail at FW.BluegrassRegion@ky.gov. For a walk-in office, the Headquarters (Frankfort) in Frankfort is closest, about 17 miles away.
Towns to start from in Shelby County:
- Shelbyville18,048 people
Shops and services near Shelby 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 Shelby County
Inside the county line: 1 date ahead (hunter education range day), checked November 9, 2026.
| On | Listing | Venue, county | Button | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2026 | Bluegrass Precision Archery hunter education range day | Bluegrass Precision Archery Simpsonville | 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.
Shelby County ranges: clubs, clays and bow lanes
1 range in Shelby County, every one a club, shop or private range.
The closest KDFWR permit range is Taylorsville Lake WMA Tube Range on Taylorsville Lake WMA, about 16 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.
Shelby County legal light on key dates
Shelby 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 Shelby County itself.
| Date | Event | Sunrise | Sunset | General rule | Bird rule | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:13 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 8:37 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 8:07 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:25 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:44 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:50 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 7:20 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:33 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 7:37 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 7:48 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:54 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:56 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:26 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 Shelby County
Shelby 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.
Shelby County hunting questions
Is Shelby County a high-harvest deer county?
It ranked 6th of 120 with 2,692 deer in 2025-26.
Are the spring 2027 turkey dates for Shelby County out yet?
No. KDFWR had not published them when this page was checked.
Which KDFWR phone line handles Shelby County?
The Bluegrass Region coordinator, (502) 782-0742.
When does bobwhite season run in Shelby County?
On the Eastern Zone dates, the same as rabbit.
How does a Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Does chronic wasting disease zoning cover Shelby County?
No. The nearest zone county is Hardin County.
Is a black bear permit worth buying for Shelby County?
No. It is outside the bear zones; the nearest bear county is Garrard County.
Would an elk shot in Shelby County count toward the deer bag?
No. It is counted on its own.
Where is the nearest walk-in public ground for a Shelby County hunter?
Taylorsville Lake WMA and Taylorsville Lake State Park are the nearest listed areas over the line.
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: TEDD LiGGETT (CC BY-SA 4.0); the real Kam75 (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).