Home › Kentucky › Counties › Taylor County
Southeast Region
Taylor County, Kentucky Hunting
Zone 1 deer rules, every season row, quota hunts, harvest since 2016-17 and the land you can walk on in Taylor County.
Photo: Andrea O'Bryan (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 2.0)
Getting your bearings in Taylor County
On the KDFWR regional map, Taylor County is one of 29 counties grouped as the Southeast Region. The seat of government is Campbellsville; the county counted roughly 26,809 residents in the 2024 estimate. The county has gained about 797 people since the 2020 count.
Expect Pennyrile country: 266 square miles of land and 10.4 square miles of lakes and streams. Its wildlife district is IV, which decides whether the Western or Eastern small game dates apply. Right next door sit Adair, Casey, Green, LaRue and Marion.
Sunrise colors across the sky over Green River Lake near CampbellsvillePhoto: Lori Bell (posted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 2.0)
Fiery red sunrise over Green River Lake from a boat rampPhoto: Lori Bell (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 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 Taylor County
Taylor County deer zone and dates
Zone 1 covers 68 counties for 2026-27, Taylor County among them. Antlerless deer are unlimited in Zone 1, provided each one is covered by a permit beyond the statewide deer permit. Taylor County is new to Zone 1; it sat in Zone 2 through the 2025-26 season.
| Season | Method | Opens | Closes | Days | Bag | Today | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Firearms deer hunting runs November 14 to November 29, 2026 here, with the late muzzleloader days set for December 12 to December 20, 2026. Before that, the youth-only gun days run October 10 to October 18, 2026 and early muzzleloader takes October 17 to October 18, 2026. Statewide archery and crossbow seasons stretch to January 18, 2027, opening September 5 and September 19.
From the youth gun days through late muzzleloader, solid orange on the head, back and chest is the rule in Taylor County for nearly every hunter. Kids under 16 hunt free on December 26 to December 27, 2026, with no license or deer permit, alongside an adult.
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.
Taylor County CWD zone check
Taylor County is outside the CWD Surveillance Zone; the nearest zone county is Casey County, about 22 miles centre to centre. Across the line in Casey, zone rules apply, including the carcass limits.
A deer from a zone county can only come here as boned meat, antlers, clean skull caps, hides or finished mounts. Private-land baiting is allowed in Taylor County since it sits outside the zone, though never on WMAs or state parks.
KDFWR tests deer at no charge from anywhere in the state, by drop-off site or mail kit.
From the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone page and baiting rules. Checked November 10, 2026.
Other game zones covering Taylor County
Black bear
Bear hunting stops at the bear zone line, and Taylor County sits outside it; Adair County is the nearest zone county at about 18 miles.
Elk
Elk are not managed for a herd here; Taylor County hunters can take one elk of either sex a license year with an Out-of-Zone Elk Permit. Deer bags are unaffected; the elk is counted on its own.
Small game and birds
For rabbit and quail, Taylor County is a Eastern Zone county, with dates of November 1 to November 13 and November 16 to January 31. Taylor County is left off the Grouse Zone list. The otter map places Taylor County in Zone 2.
For the early Canada goose season the county falls in the Western Zone (September 1 to September 15, 2026). Duck hunters here use the statewide split season, November 26 through January 31, 2027.
| Zone | Setting |
|---|---|
| Small game zone | Eastern |
| Grouse Zone | No |
| Otter zone | 2 |
| September goose | Western (map) |
| Bear zone | None |
| Elk zone | No |
| Wildlife district | IV |
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.
Taylor County hunting dates by zone
Taylor County has 4 deer quota hunts on public ground this season; those need a drawn permit, so apply in the September window before planning around them.
| Game | Season | Area | Needs | Opens | Closes | Splits | Today | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Deer quota hunts | 4 hunts | Quota permit | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | 4 parts | KDFWR page | |
| 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 | |
| River otter | Zone 2 sub-limit | Otter Zone 2 | License | Nov 16, 2026 | Mar 31, 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.
Deer quota hunts on Taylor County land
Taylor County land hosts 4 of the 38 statewide deer quota hunts, with 525 slots on offer. Applications ran online from September 1 to September 30, 2026, at $3 per hunt, so this season's hunts are already drawn. A higher 2025 point minimum means a harder draw.
| Location | Hunt no. | Dates | Drawn | Min pts | Land type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Lake WMA | 11 | Nov. 7-8 | 400 | 0 | WMA |
| Green River Lake WMA | 12 | Nov. 7-8 | 15 | 0 | WMA |
| Green River Lake State Park | 30 | Dec. 10-13 | 55 | 0.4 | state park / other |
| Green River Lake State Park | 31 | Dec. 17-20 | 55 | 0 | state park / other |
More quota hunts on public ground here:
- Green River Lake WMAPheasant quota hunt; season-long waterfowl blind drawing (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.
Deer and turkey harvest in Taylor County
Telecheck logged 1,481 deer from Taylor County in the 2025-26 license year, ranking it 39th of 120. Per square mile the take was 5.6, 22nd among counties. The 2016-17 figure was 923, so the latest season is 60% higher. The best year in the series was 2025-26 with 1,481, the lowest 2016-17 with 923.
Antlered deer were 47% of the total, with does at 46%. Modern firearms accounted for 71% of the deer, crossbows 10% and archery 15%. That was 1% of the deer checked in the counties now in Zone 1.
| Type | Checked | Of total |
|---|---|---|
| All deer | 1,481 | 100% |
| Male | 797 | 54% |
| Antlered buck | 702 | 47% |
| Button buck | 95 | 6% |
| Female | 684 | 46% |
| Modern firearm | 1,045 | 71% |
| Muzzleloader | 56 | 4% |
| Archery | 229 | 15% |
| Crossbow | 151 | 10% |
Wild turkey
The spring 2026 turkey take here was 280, 59th in Kentucky. In the 2025-26 fall season, 6 turkeys were checked. Watch for the spring 2027 dates; KDFWR had not released them yet.
| Turkey season | Checked |
|---|---|
| spring 2022 | 257 |
| spring 2023 | 312 |
| spring 2024 | 245 |
| spring 2025 | 250 |
| spring 2026 | 280 |
| fall 2025-26 | 6 |
White-tailed doe and fawn in a weedy fieldPhoto: Jason Lupardus (National Wild Turkey Federation, posted by Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Harvest from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck; license years, 2025-26 = the latest); turkey from the same app. Checked November 10, 2026.
Taylor County public ground and closed areas
Hunters have 2 public areas to choose from in Taylor County, led in size by Green River Lake WMA. GIS layers measure about 10,091 acres of land open to public hunting here, roughly 6% of the county.
The table splits the mapped acres by owner; parks hunt only by draw, and preserves and Park Service land stay closed.
| Type | GIS measure | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| KDFWR wildlife management areas | 7,566 | Open to hunting |
| Corps of Engineers land | 10,035 | Rules vary |
| State parks | 1,150 | Drawn hunts only |
Green River Lake WMA (21,019 acres) is a WMA under KDFWR. About 83% of the ground there is forest. Listed game: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit. The 1,241 acres of Green River Lake State Park are run by Kentucky State Parks. Its cover is mostly forest, about 74% of the area. Listed game: white-tailed deer.
Short drives from Taylor County:
- Rolling Fork WMAWMA · 2 miles from the line
- Dennis-Gray WMAWMA · 2 miles from the line
- Marion County WMA and State ForestWMA · 4 miles from the line
- R. F. Tarter 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.
Taylor County offices, towns and shops
KDFWR lists (606) 344-0585 and FW.SoutheastRegion@ky.gov for the Southeast Region coordinator who covers Taylor County. KDFWR publishes no street address for its region offices; the closest office with one is the Headquarters (Frankfort) in Frankfort, about 60 miles away.
Hunting guides for towns in Taylor County:
- Campbellsville11,820 people
Local services for Taylor County hunters, nearest first; check by phone before you go.
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.
Taylor County hunting calendar
2 results from UKC nite hunt in the county sit under the dates.
Winners posted
| Held | Host | Placed | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 2026 | Marion Co CHA (cast 2 of the night) | Rodeo's Northern Ravin (TW) won the cast at 300+ | Results |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Marion Co CHA (cast 1 of the night) | Kelly's Rockin Annie (B&T) won the cast at 225+ | Results |
Listings and results from the KDFWR calendar, the DU and NWTF feeds, UKC and American Field, read November 9, 2026.
Before a Taylor County hunt: the ranges
Marion County Sportsmans Club is the closest listed range to Taylor County, 11 miles from its centre.
Rifle shooters in Taylor County have to look across the line: Marion County Sportsmans Club in Marion County is about 11 miles out.
Nearest KDFWR permit range: Taylorsville Lake WMA Archery Range, about 45 miles off.
Ranges from the KDFWR range layer, club sites and directory listings, checked November 10, 2026.
Taylor County legal hours by season date
Taylor County clocks fall back on November 1, 2026 and spring ahead on March 14, 2027, shifting every time in this table by an hour across those dates.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:14 a.m. | 8:06 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 8:36 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 8:06 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 | 7:43 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:50 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 7:19 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 6:03 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:32 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 7:35 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 7:46 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:52 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:54 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. to 5:29 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.
Taylor County pack list
Taylor County picks were made with creek bottoms, crop edges and steep hardwood ridges in mind.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
Plenty of Kentucky deer hunters would not head to the stand without a climbing stand.
Box call
Fall and spring turkey hunters across Kentucky rarely leave a box call at home.
Asked about Taylor County
What share of the Taylor County deer harvest fell to modern firearms?
71% in 2025-26.
Is any wildlife management area mapped within Taylor County?
Yes, the WMA label applies to Green River Lake WMA.
How do I e-mail KDFWR staff responsible for Taylor County?
FW.SoutheastRegion@ky.gov.
Is fall turkey hunting open in Taylor County?
Yes. The statewide fall archery, crossbow and shotgun seasons apply.
How many quota slots were offered in Taylor County?
525.
Are ruffed grouse open to hunters in Taylor County?
No; the Grouse Zone leaves this county out.
Where does Taylor County land on the 2026-27 deer zone map?
In Zone 1, under 301 KAR 2:172. It moved from Zone 2 for 2026-27.
Where does a Taylor County hunter log harvest?
Telecheck, by phone or online.
Do carcass limits matter to a Taylor County hunter outside the zone?
Yes, for deer brought back from a zone county or another state.
When do Taylor County gun hunters get the woods for modern firearms?
From November 14 through November 29, 2026.
How many elk may a Taylor County hunter take outside the zone?
One of either sex per license year.
Why is there no bear season around Taylor County?
Bear seasons are set only for the 47 counties in Bear Zones 1 to 3.
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: Lori Bell (posted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 2.0); Lori Bell (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 2.0); Jason Lupardus (National Wild Turkey Federation, posted by Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area) (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0); frankieleon (CC BY 2.0).