Deer Zone 2
Morehead hunters and the ground they can reach
13 listed areas lie within 25 miles of Morehead; Daniel Boone National Forest is the closest, less than a mile away.
Photo: Patrick Mueller (CC BY 2.0)
Morehead to the nearest public hunting ground, mile by mile
The 10-mile ring of Morehead takes in 6 hunting areas, and the wider 25-mile ring counts 13. Acreage around Morehead: 59,763 within 10 miles and 140,809 within 25, summed from KDFWR, federal and Corps layers with big reservoirs removed.
First on the list without a warning tag is Daniel Boone National Forest, less than a mile away, marked "open forest land". Daniel Boone National Forest, 0.6 mi from the Census point of Morehead, is why the town has its own page. Horse Mill Branch WMA, 24 mi out, is the last stop in the 25-mile table, which covers 5 kinds of public ground.
| Place | Category | From town | Circle | Zone no. | Rule summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National forest | 0.6 mi | Within 10 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| WMA | 4.0 mi | Within 10 | 2 | Statewide rules | |
| Campground hunt area | 6.8 mi | Within 10 | 2 | No 2026-27 hunt | |
| Campground hunt area | 8.1 mi | Within 10 | 2 | Quota hunt only | |
| WMA | 8.3 mi | Within 10 | 2, 3 | Chart exceptions | |
| Ranger district | 9.2 mi | Within 10 | 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| WMA | 13 mi | Within 25 | 2 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 15 mi | Within 25 | 2 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 16 mi | Within 25 | 1 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 18 mi | Within 25 | 2 | Chart exceptions | |
| State forest | 20 mi | Within 25 | 1 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 22 mi | Within 25 | 1, 2 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 24 mi | Within 25 | 2 | Statewide rules |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json boundaries to the Census point of Morehead); 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.
Morehead close-in hunting places
The three nearest public areas to Morehead, with size, deer zone and what their own records say.
Daniel Boone National Forest
Hunt it on a Kentucky license, with the forest motor vehicle map for gated roads.
Twin Knobs Campground
301 KAR 2:178 limits it to a mobility-impaired quota hunt in odd-numbered years: no hunting this season.
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.
What Zone 2 means for Morehead deer hunters
Deer Zone 2 covers Rowan County and so the ground around Morehead; the zone takes in 24 counties in all. The Zone 2 gun season opens November 14 and closes November 29, 2026; late muzzleloader follows December 12 to December 20, 2026. Hunters who knew Rowan County as Zone 3 should note the change to Zone 2 for 2026-27.
Rowan County lies outside the CWD Surveillance Zone; deer from zone counties still may not bring high-risk parts in.
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.
Morehead hunting dates by zone
Morehead hunters see split seasons as one line: the first and last day show here, and the Splits cell counts the separate windows KDFWR set.
| Species | Hunt | Applies in | Paperwork | First day | Last day | Pieces | Status | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2 | Permit | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Late Muzzleloader | Zone 2 | 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 |
| Black bear | Chase only | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Jun 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | With dogs | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Oct 19, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 28, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Firearm | Bear Zone 2 | Permit | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| 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 | |
| Grouse | Grouse | Grouse Zone | License | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 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.
Other KDFWR zones covering Morehead
KDFWR lists Rowan County in Bear Zone 2, so the December 12 to December 16, 2026 firearm bear season applies here. Rowan County falls under the out-of-zone elk rule, one elk of either sex per license year with deer methods.
Rowan County is a Eastern zone county for rabbit and quail; ruffed grouse are open there too. The September goose map places Rowan County in the Eastern zone.
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.
Drawn deer hunts around Morehead
Quota hunts near Morehead number 2 this season, spread over 2 properties.
| Hunt no. | Property | From town | Dates | Permits | Point cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 8.1 mi | Dec. 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| 7 | 15 mi | Nov. 7-8 | 225 | 1 |
Hunts, dates, slots and 2025 preference point minimums from the KDFWR Quota Hunts page; distances from places.json. Checked November 10, 2026.
Morehead area harvest, county figures
Rowan County hunters checked 543 deer in 2025-26, ranking 102nd of 120 counties. The split was 363 antlered, 21 button bucks and 159 does.
The spring 2026 turkey check in Rowan County came to 286.
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.
Public sites near Morehead where hunting stops
Not all public ground near Morehead is open: Carter Caves State Resort Park, 21 mi away, is closed to hunting. Nature preserves follow 400 KAR 2:090, state parks 301 KAR 2:178, and national park units 36 CFR 2.2.
| Name | Category | From town | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| State park | 21 mi | Closed | |
| State park | 23 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.
Phone numbers a Morehead hunter should keep
Call (859) 473-0061 for the Northeast Region coordinator, the KDFWR contact for Morehead. In person, KDFWR Northeastern Fisheries District Office (Morehead, 7 miles) is the nearest KDFWR stop. Report deer and turkeys from Morehead to Telecheck at 1-800-245-4263 or online.
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.
Morehead trade for hunters, from shells to shoulder mounts
Morehead hunters can shop 6 stores for gear, with 8 taxidermists also inside 25 miles. Listings were not each confirmed as open, so call ahead.
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.
Morehead: ranges within a drive
Rowan County Sportsmans Club is the quickest range run from Morehead, about 3 miles.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 10, 2026.
Morehead legal light on key dates
Morehead 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:18 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:36 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:43 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Bear Zone 2 archery | 7:50 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Zone 2 gun opener | 7:13 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:26 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 2 gun closes | 7:29 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 2 firearm; late muzzleloader | 7:41 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:44 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:46 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:49 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. to 5:19 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.
What rides along in Morehead
Morehead shoppers see no product until they choose one.
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Climbing stand
Plenty of Kentucky deer hunters would not head to the stand without a climbing stand.
Skinning knife
A December bear hunt in steep country goes smoother with a skinning knife.
Chest waders
From the Thanksgiving opener to late January, chest waders stay in the boat.
Before you hunt out of Morehead
Is camo orange enough near Morehead?
No. Camouflage orange alone does not qualify; it must be solid, unbroken orange.
Do Morehead hunters need hunter education?
Yes, if born on or after January 1, 1975, unless using the free one-time exemption permit.
Is there a statewide list of hunting services for Morehead hunters?
Yes, the services directory covers processors, taxidermists and stores across Kentucky.
How many miles separate Morehead from a KDFWR building?
Roughly 7 miles, to KDFWR Northeastern Fisheries District Office in Morehead.
How many public hunting areas lie within 25 miles of Morehead?
13 in all, 6 of them inside 10 miles, with Daniel Boone National Forest the closest open choice.
What zone rules cover deer around Morehead?
Those of Deer Zone 2, one of 24 counties: up to 4 deer, with one antlered deer statewide.
How long is gun season near Morehead?
Sixteen days, November 14 to November 29, 2026, in Zone 2 as in every zone.
Can I get a deer from Morehead tested for CWD?
Yes. KDFWR offers free CWD testing statewide.
When is bear season near Morehead?
Archery and crossbow October 24 to October 28, 2026; firearm December 12 to December 16, 2026 in Bear Zone 2.
Do Morehead hunters need the elk draw?
No. Outside the elk zone the out-of-zone elk permit is bought over the counter.
What does a quota hunt application cost for Morehead hunters?
September 1-30, 2026 online only, $3 per hunt.
When do duck hunters stop at Morehead in December?
At sunset: on December 21, 2026 that is 5:17 p.m. EST, with shooting from 7:16 a.m. EST.
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: Karen Roussel (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Cindy Stuntz (CC BY 2.0); Gary Long (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District) (CC BY 2.0); Mark Spangler (CC BY 2.0).