Kentucky › Species › Eastern Spotted Skunk
No season
Eastern Spotted Skunk in Kentucky and Why There Is No Season
The 2026-27 status of eastern spotted skunks in Kentucky, with penalties and how to report a case.
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain)
No season for eastern spotted skunks
The 2026-27 rules close eastern spotted skunks to hunting and trapping statewide. Protected year-round; may not be taken or possessed; report incidental trapping.
Protected statewide year-round; no season.
Source: Guide p. 26 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
What can be hunted near eastern spotted skunks
Mink, muskrats, beavers, foxes, weasels and striped skunks are the nearest legal quarry to eastern spotted skunks, and their rows are below.
| Season | Area | Dates | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 16, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; Nov 16, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Bobcat 5, river otter 10 (6 from Otter Zone 2), others no limit |
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 16, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
Source: Guide p. 25 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Eastern Spotted Skunk: fines and license loss
These KRS 150.990 rows are the penalties that cover cases like eastern spotted skunks.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Each animal a separate offense | Each animal taken, possessed or sold and each device used illegally is a separate offense; license may be forfeited for the license year. |
| General violations | $50-$500 fine where no other penalty is fixed; some sections (e.g. KRS 150.360 road/vehicle rules) $50-$500 and/or up to 6 months. |
| Deer, turkey, bear (KRS 150.390) and illegal entry (150.092(4)) | $100-$1,000 and/or 30 days to 1 year; license forfeited 1-3 years; replacement cost of deer, turkey or bear. |
| Elk | Illegally taking or possessing a wild elk: $1,000-$5,000 and/or up to 6 months, replacement cost or double gain, license forfeited 1-3 years. |
| Trespass to hunt (KRS 150.092) | 1st offense $100-$300; 2nd $300-$1,000; later offenses 1-year license forfeiture and $1,000+ or up to 1 year jail; liable for property damage. |
| Telecheck false information | Entering false information in Telecheck is unlawful. |
| Quota hunt rules | Hunters who break quota hunt rules cannot apply for any quota hunt the next year and lose preference points. |
Source: KRS 150.990 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
The violation line and eastern spotted skunks
KDFWR takes tips about eastern spotted skunks on 1-800-25-ALERT.
Source: Guide p. 3 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
The legal groups around eastern spotted skunks
The legal groups below have seasons; eastern spotted skunks are on the protected or closed list instead.
| Group | Members |
|---|---|
| Big game | white-tailed deer, elk, black bear and wild turkey |
| Small game | gray squirrel, fox squirrel, eastern cottontail, northern bobwhite and ruffed grouse |
| Furbearers | mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat and coyote and 1 more |
| Migratory birds and waterfowl | mourning dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared dove, Virginia rail, sora, common gallinule, purple gallinule, American woodcock, Wilson's snipe, sandhill crane, American crow and ducks and 8 more |
| Other | bullfrog, groundhog, snapping turtle, softshell turtles, house sparrow, European starling and exotic (non-native) hoofed wildlife |
| Eastern spotted skunk | Protected or closed |
| Alligator snapping turtle | Protected or closed |
| Birds of prey and native songbirds | Protected or closed |
| King rail | Protected or closed |
| Federally threatened or endangered species | Protected or closed |
| Wild pig | Protected or closed |
| Black bear (cubs, small bears, denned bears) | Protected or closed |
Source: Guide p. 12 (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources); checked November 10, 2026.
Young red fox sitting on a gravel roadPhoto: Kevin VanGorden (posted by Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Male wood duckPhoto: Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0)
Coyote walkingPhoto: ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0)
Eastern Spotted Skunk, answered
What does KRS 150.990 say for cases like eastern spotted skunks?
$50-$500 fine where no other penalty is fixed; some sections (e.g. KRS 150.360 road/vehicle rules) $50-$500 and/or up to 6 months. Each animal taken, possessed or sold and each device used illegally is a separate offense; license may be forfeited for the license year.
What should I do if I catch eastern spotted skunks by accident?
Report wildlife violations to 1-800-25-ALERT. Protected statewide year-round; no season.
Where does KDFWR print the skunk rule?
The guides summarise KRS and 301 KAR; the regulations themselves are on apps.legislature.ky.gov. The 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide is the KDFWR summary used here.
What legal game shares habitat with eastern spotted skunks?
Mink, Muskrat, Beaver and Fox: No limit. Season rows: Trapping (Statewide): Nov 16, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; Nov 16, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027; Hunting (Statewide): Nov 16, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027.
Is it legal to keep eastern spotted skunks alive?
No possessing, buying or selling live native wildlife without permits; orphaned wildlife only by licensed rehabilitators.
Is orange required for trappers too?
The orange rule is about other seasons, not eastern spotted skunks: during deer gun and muzzleloader days every hunter and trapper wears solid orange.
Do aircraft rules cover eastern spotted skunks?
No manned or unmanned aircraft (drones) to hunt or harass wildlife.
Is written permission needed on private land?
Verbal or written permission required to enter another person's land to hunt, trap or fish; railroad tracks and rights-of-way are private.
Are eastern spotted skunks legal to take?
Protected year-round; may not be taken or possessed; report incidental trapping.