Kentucky › Towns › Elizabethtown
Kentucky · Hardin County
Hunting near Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Public land from Elizabethtown: 1 place inside 10 miles, 7 inside 25, all under Hardin County rules at the town itself.
Photo: w.marsh (CC BY 2.0)
Mileage from Elizabethtown to hunting areas
Elizabethtown has 1 listed public place reaching within 10 miles: 1 military land. By polygon, roughly 13,849 public acres lie inside 10 miles of Elizabethtown and 118,046 inside 25, overlaps counted once.
Skip the flagged rows and John C. Williams WMA comes up first, 10 miles away. The very closest record, Fort Knox Military Reservation, is marked "base access rules" and is not counted as open here. Nolin River Lake WMA closes out the 25-mile list at 22 mi, after 3 categories of land.
| Area | Type | Miles | Band | Zone | Hunting access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military land | 6.3 mi | Inside 10 | 1 | Base access rules | |
| WMA | 10 mi | Inside 25 | 1 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 15 mi | Inside 25 | 1 | Chart exceptions | |
| Recreation area | 17 mi | Inside 25 | 1 | Bow and crossbow deer | |
| WMA | 20 mi | Inside 25 | 1 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 21 mi | Inside 25 | 1 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 22 mi | Inside 25 | 1, 2 | Chart exceptions |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json boundaries to the Census point of Elizabethtown); deer zones from the KDFWR deer zone layer and 301 KAR 2:172; access cells from each record’s own fields (the 2026-27 KDFWR quick reference charts, KDFWR area pages, 301 KAR 2:178, 50 CFR 32.36, Forest Service and LBL pages). GIS acres are not official acreage. Checked November 10, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown nearest three, area by area
Size, zone and access rules for the three areas nearest Elizabethtown.
Fort Knox
An active military reservation: access is controlled, and hunters register through the installation before any hunt.
From lands.json (KDFWR area pages and 2026-27 quick reference charts, 301 KAR 2:178, 50 CFR 32.36, Forest Service, Park Service and LBL pages, the Division of Forestry quick guide). Checked November 10, 2026.
Elizabethtown deer zone, bag and CWD status
Hardin County, home county of Elizabethtown, is a Zone 1 county under 301 KAR 2:172 (68 counties share that zone). Youth gun weekend runs October 10 to October 18, 2026, and adult gun hunters follow on November 14, 2026.
Chronic wasting disease rules reach Elizabethtown: Hardin County is in the CWD Surveillance Zone with its carcass limits. Hardin County also had the four-day CWD antlerless season in late September (September 25 to September 28, 2026).
Zone lists and bags from 301 KAR 2:172 and the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide; CWD rules from the guide CWD section and KDFWR CWD page; pending January season from 301 KAR 2:172. Checked November 10, 2026.
Elizabethtown seasons, zones and quota hunts
Elizabethtown gets 52 rows covering 33 species here, and the status column checks each window against today.
| Species | Season | Zone or area | Permit? | Open date | Close date | Windows | Today? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Where Elizabethtown sits on the other zone maps
Bear hunting is not open around Elizabethtown; Hardin County lies outside Bear Zones 1 to 3. Outside the 16-county elk zone, Elizabethtown hunters may take an elk on the out-of-zone permit, following deer season dates and methods.
The Eastern small game zone covers Hardin County, outside the Grouse Zone. Hardin County reads as Western zone on the September goose map; duck dates do not change by county.
Bear zones from the guide bear section; elk zone and out-of-zone rule from the guide elk section; small game and Grouse Zone from the guide; September goose zones from the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Migratory Birds and Waterfowl map. Checked November 10, 2026.
Deer checked in Hardin County, the county around Elizabethtown
Hardin County sits 1st among Kentucky counties for checked deer, with 3,545 in 2025-26. Bucks with visible antlers numbered 1,548; button bucks 264.
For turkeys, the spring 2026 county count was 566.
County totals from the KDFWR Harvest Results app (Telecheck, license years; deer checked through Telecheck (KDFWR Harvest Results app, license year)); turkey, bear and elk from the same app. County figures, not town figures. Checked November 10, 2026.
No-hunting sites around Elizabethtown
The closest no-hunting site to Elizabethtown is Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, one of 2 inside 25 miles. These sites are public land, yet none of them is open to hunting this season.
| Place | Kind | Distance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Service unit | 14 mi | Closed | |
| State park | 24 mi | Closed |
Closed places from lands.json: nature preserves (400 KAR 2:090), state parks and historic sites (301 KAR 2:178), Park Service units (36 CFR 2.2). Checked November 10, 2026.
Agency help for Elizabethtown hunters
For Elizabethtown, the regional coordinator of the Green River Region takes calls at (270) 875-3586 and mail at FW.GreenRiverRegion@ky.gov. Elizabethtown is about 61 miles from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (headquarters) in Frankfort. Telecheck runs at 1-800-245-4263; check a deer by midnight on the day it is recovered.
Region coordinators from the KDFWR regional biologists map; offices from the KDFWR Contact Us page and fisheries district office layer; Telecheck from the guide; straight-line distances. Checked November 10, 2026.
Elizabethtown gear and game care
Within 25 miles of Elizabethtown: 16 gun or outdoor shops, 20 taxidermists and 2 game processors with an address. Some listings may be out of date; call first.
Listings from the KDFWR taxidermist and processor list, Yellow Pages and store locators (services.json); chain stores left out and not every listing was checked as open. Checked November 10, 2026.
Coming up around Elizabethtown
A circle of about 30 straight-line miles takes in 1 date ahead, covering NWTF chapter banquet.
| Day | What | Distance | Place | Next | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 2027 | Lincoln Area Longbeards NWTF Banquet (NWTF chapter banquet) | 17 | Upton | Listing | Source |
Listings and results from the KDFWR calendar, the DU and NWTF feeds, UKC and American Field, read November 9, 2026.
Elizabethtown range cards, closest three
Miles here start at the Elizabethtown town point and ignore the road network.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 10, 2026.
Elizabethtown legal light on key dates
Every time in this Elizabethtown table is computed for the exact town location.
| Day | Note | Sunup | Sundown | Game hours | Duck hours | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:16 a.m. | 8:09 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 8:39 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 8:09 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:28 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 8:17 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 25, 2026 | CWD antlerless opens | 7:33 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:46 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:52 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 1 gun opener | 7:22 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:35 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 1 gun closes | 7:38 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:56 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Late muzzleloader | 7:49 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:55 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:57 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 5:30 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.
Packing for a hunt in Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown 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
Whitetail hunters from the Jackson Purchase to the eastern ridges keep a climbing stand close once the woods turn.
Box call
Loud box yelps carry across a hollow when a gobbler is roosted on the far ridge.
Chest waders
Goose and duck mornings near the big reservoirs go better with chest waders.
Elizabethtown hunters ask about land, zones and dates
How many public hunting areas lie within 25 miles of Elizabethtown?
7 in all, 1 of them inside 10 miles, with John C. Williams WMA the closest open choice.
Which deer bag applies to Elizabethtown hunters?
The Deer Zone 1 bag: Unlimited antlerless deer with the statewide deer permit plus additional deer permits; 1 antlered deer statewide.
What day does modern gun deer season start for Elizabethtown hunters?
November 14, 2026, and it runs through November 29, 2026 in Zone 1.
Does the CWD Surveillance Zone include Elizabethtown?
Yes. Hardin County is among the 23 counties of the zone.
Does Hardin County have any black bear season?
None; the county sits outside every Kentucky bear zone.
What elk permit works near Elizabethtown?
The out-of-zone elk permit, with an annual hunting license.
How do quota hunts work for someone from Elizabethtown?
Apply September 1-30, 2026 online only, $3 per hunt; preference points decide the draw.
When does legal light end at Elizabethtown on the gun opener?
6:04 p.m. EST on November 14, 2026, 30 minutes after sunset (NOAA solar formula for the town point).
What hunter orange is required around Elizabethtown?
Mesh allowed if openings are no wider than 1/4 inch; small portion of another color allowed; camouflage orange alone does not qualify.
What does a nonresident pay to hunt deer near Elizabethtown?
$169.12 for the annual hunting license plus $248.40 for the deer permit.
How many hunting stores are inside 25 miles of Elizabethtown?
The directory counts 16 gun and outdoor stores there, plus 20 taxidermists and 2 processors.
Which KDFWR building with a street address is closest to Elizabethtown?
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (headquarters), Frankfort, about 61 miles from Elizabethtown; its street address is on the card above.
From places.json, lands.json, regs.json (the 2026-27 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, hunter orange, license fees, CWD, quota hunts), counties.json and services.json; hours by the NOAA solar formula on Eastern Time. Checked November 10, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Larry Syverson (CC BY-SA 2.0); ilouque (CC BY 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0).