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Jefferson National Forest rules, zones and quota slots
National forest in Letcher County and Pike County, 878 acres in Deer Zones 3-4.
Hunting gearPhoto: Aaron Vowels (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Jefferson National Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Jefferson National Forest
- High Rock Loop TrailheadParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail – Highland Section TrailheadParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
The character of the Jefferson National Forest
The Jefferson National Forest covers about 878 acres of Letcher and Pike counties, and KDFWR counts it in the Southeast Region. Its manager of record is the USDA Forest Service.
Notes on the ground at the Jefferson National Forest, from the record:
- Two portions of this national forest extend into Kentucky, 742 acres in Letcher County on KY 932 and 115 acres in Pike County, access also by trail up Vanover Hollow from KY 197. Both tracts on the Kentucky-Virginia border offer extremely steep and mountainous terrain. For camping check with owner.
Forest is the biggest cover class here, near 100 percent.
For comparison, KDFWR states 857 acres.
Red fox standing on a rocky mountain ridge
Acres: USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics, NFS acres in Kentucky (Jefferson National Forest, Clinch Ranger District). Description and habitat from the area record; checked November 10, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Jefferson National Forest
Which seasons the Jefferson National Forest opens this year
The chart puts the Jefferson National Forest in the statewide-rules list: every species, county season dates.
From the 2026-27 quick reference charts on the KDFWR Public Land Hunting page; footnotes are KDFWR exceptions as printed. Checked November 10, 2026.
The Jefferson National Forest by county and deer zone
One of the animals on the Jefferson National Forest species list.
White-tailed deer moving through autumn woods
Hunters on the Jefferson National Forest use the deer zone of whichever county they are in (Zones 3-4). For 2026-27 Pike County changed zone, one step lower than before.
| County | Zone | Deer limit | Changed 2026 | CWD | Bear zone | Elk | Rabbit, quail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letcher County | Deer Zone 4 | 2 deer, 1 antlerless | No | No | Bear Zone 1 | Yes | Eastern |
| Pike County | Deer Zone 3 | 4 deer, 1 gun antlerless | 4 to 3 | No | Bear Zone 2 | Yes | Eastern |
Deer framework, Zones 3-4
| Deer hunt | Zone | Open date | Close date | Today | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Crossbow | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth, senior crossbow | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Youth gun | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Early Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Modern gun | Zone 3 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Zone 3 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Free youth weekend | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Modern gun | Zone 4 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Guide p. 12 | |
| Late Muzzleloader | Zone 4 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | Guide p. 12 |
These are statewide Zones 3-4 dates; the chart above says which of them the Jefferson National Forest actually opens.
Zones from 301 KAR 2:172 and the KDFWR deer zone layer; dates from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Restrictions specific to the Jefferson National Forest
Unless a line below says otherwise, the Jefferson National Forest runs on the statewide seasons and limits for its county.
Area regulations as printed on the KDFWR area page. Checked November 10, 2026.
Bear, elk and CWD status for the Jefferson National Forest
Bear seasons
Bear seasons on the Jefferson National Forest are the Bear Zones 1 and 2 ones, with over-the-counter permits.
| Hunt | Zone | When | Now | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase only | Bear Zones 1, 2, 3 | Jun 1–Aug 31 Sep 9–30 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 1 | Oct 24–26 | Guide p. 18 | |
| With dogs | Bear Zone 1 | Oct 19–23 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 1 | Dec 12–14 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 2 | Oct 24–28 | Guide p. 18 | |
| With dogs | Bear Zone 2 | Oct 19–23 Oct 29–Nov 6 | Guide p. 18 | |
| Firearm | Bear Zone 2 | Dec 12–16 | Guide p. 18 |
Elk access
The Jefferson National Forest lies in the 16-county elk zone (Elk Hunting Unit 5 and Elk Hunting Unit 7); elk hunting there is by drawn permit only. 500 permits were available statewide in 2026.
| Elk permit | Window | Today | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull, firearms | Sep 26–30 Oct 3–7 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Cow, firearms | Nov 28–Dec 2 Jan 2–6 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Archery, crossbow | Sep 12–25 Dec 5–11 | Guide p. 22 | |
| Youth quota | Sep 12–Jan 6 | Guide p. 22 |
CWD from the KDFWR CWD Surveillance Zone; bear from 301 KAR 2:300; elk from 301 KAR 2:132; checked November 10, 2026. CWD zone · bear zones · elk zone.
Pins around the Jefferson National Forest on the state map
Going southwest about 8 miles puts you at Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA. Pinned nearby: 4 hunting access areas and 2 wildlife management areas.
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA | WMA | 4,838 | Harlan | 8 miles | southwest |
| Elk Horn Coal Hunting Access Area | Access area | 19,976 | Floyd | 9 miles | north |
| Continental Hunting Access Area | Access area | 15,036 | Floyd | 9 miles | northeast |
| Carr Creek Lake WMA | WMA | 2,880 | Knott | 15 miles | northwest |
| Betterment Wildlife Hunting Access Area | Access area | 8,001 | Knott | 16 miles | northwest |
| Wells Hunting Access Area | Access area | 5,346 | Breathitt | 30 miles | west |
Point: KDFWR Public Hunting Areas layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Deer tallies from the counties around the Jefferson National Forest
Harvest here is county-wide, not for the Jefferson National Forest alone: Telecheck counts for 2025-26. Top of the list is Pike County at 1,632 deer (31st statewide).
| County | Deer 2025-26 | State rank | Spring turkey 2026 | Bear | Elk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letcher County | 549 | 100th | 134 | 23 | 6 |
| Pike County | 1,632 | 31st | 319 | 31 | 41 |
KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck, license years); spring turkey by calendar spring; checked November 10, 2026.
Opening and closing minutes at the Jefferson National Forest
the Jefferson National Forest gets no printed sunrise table from KDFWR, so each time comes from the NOAA solar formula for this exact spot.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer and turkey | Ducks and doves | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:04 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 8:26 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:56 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:15 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Bull elk week | 7:21 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:33 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:39 a.m. | 6:53 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 archery | 7:46 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 4 gun opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:21 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 4 gun closes | 7:24 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 firearm; late muzzleloader | 7:35 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:40 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:43 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | EST |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Stocking up on the way to the Jefferson National Forest
Closest town page to the Jefferson National Forest: Whitesburg, 5 miles in a beeline. The closest KDFWR building with a street address is in Prestonsburg, 40 miles away. The regional coordinator for the Jefferson National Forest answers at (606) 344-0585.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitesburg | Letcher | 1,625 | 5 miles | west |
| Fleming-Neon | Letcher | 545 | 7 miles | north |
| McRoberts | Letcher | – | 9 miles | northeast |
| Vicco | Perry | 306 | 20 miles | northwest |
| Hindman | Knott | 646 | 21 miles | northwest |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); KDFWR offices from the KDFWR contact page and the regional biologists map; businesses from services.json listings (call ahead); straight-line miles. Checked November 10, 2026.
Jefferson National Forest: ranges within a drive
Measured from the Jefferson National Forest point, East Kentucky Sportsman Association leads at 28 miles.
From the KDFWR range layer and permit list, club sites and directory listings, checked November 10, 2026.
Useful gear for hunting the Jefferson National Forest
the Jefferson National Forest cards match the seasons listed above.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Climbing stand
Pack a climbing stand; deer cover here runs from crop edges to steep hardwood draws.
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)
White-tailed deer buck in the treesPhoto: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0)
The Jefferson National Forest: the answers, with sources
Who answers questions on the Jefferson National Forest?
The listing gives (888) 265-0019; region questions go to (606) 344-0585 or FW.SoutheastRegion@ky.gov.
When does legal light end at the Jefferson National Forest?
Thirty minutes after sunset for big and small game; at sunset for migratory birds.
Which seasons are open on the Jefferson National Forest?
The statewide seasons for the county, for every legal species, unless an area rule says otherwise.
How many deer can I take at the Jefferson National Forest?
It depends on the county: the Jefferson National Forest spans Zones 3-4, with one antlered deer statewide.
Is the Jefferson National Forest a CWD county area?
No, its counties sit outside the 2026-27 zone.
Is the Jefferson National Forest a quota-only area?
No 2026-27 deer quota hunt is listed for it.
Do I need a draw for elk on the Jefferson National Forest?
Yes, elk hunting in Elk Hunting Unit 5 and Elk Hunting Unit 7 is quota-only.
Is there a black bear season at the Jefferson National Forest?
It follows the Bear Zones 1 and 2 archery, dog and firearm windows.
Where do the Jefferson National Forest hunters stock up?
Whitesburg is nearest, roughly 5 miles off.
What acreage does the record give the Jefferson National Forest?
Roughly 878 acres.
Last calls to make about the Jefferson National Forest
Posted signs and the managing agency outrank this page whenever the Jefferson National Forest rules shift mid-season.
Sources: KDFWR area page · KDFWR page · KDFWR map layer · KDFWR PDF · Forest Service · Forest Service; seasons from the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting &
Other photos on this page: xulescu_g (CC BY-SA 2.0); NPS Photo (Public domain).