McCreary County, KY
Stearns hunting land and zones
Stearns sits in Deer Zone 4; Daniel Boone National Forest is less than a mile away, and 6 public hunting places lie inside 10 miles.
Photo: Daniel McFeeters (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Stearns in the 10 and 25 mile circles
Draw a 10-mile circle around the Stearns town point and it catches 6 hunting places on this site, with 4 more between 10 and 25 miles. The mapped count for Stearns comes to 107,017 acres at 10 miles and 283,005 at 25; treat both as GIS figures, not official acreage.
By air Daniel Boone National Forest is 0.9 mi from Stearns; Kentucky back roads usually stretch that. Stearns is the handiest town for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area; the boundary is 2.4 mi off. Daniel Boone National Forest – London Ranger District marks the outer edge of the 25-mile list at 24 mi, and 4 land types show up before it.
| Land | Manager type | How far | Ring | Deer zones | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National forest | 0.9 mi | 10-mile ring | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| River and rec area | 2.4 mi | 10-mile ring | 4 | Kentucky rules apply | |
| WMA | 7.2 mi | 10-mile ring | 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| Ranger district | 7.5 mi | 10-mile ring | 3, 4 | Open forest land | |
| WMA | 9.3 mi | 10-mile ring | 3, 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 9.5 mi | 10-mile ring | 3, 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 12 mi | 25-mile ring | 2, 3, 4 | Chart exceptions | |
| WMA | 20 mi | 25-mile ring | 3 | Statewide rules | |
| WMA | 23 mi | 25-mile ring | 3 | Chart exceptions | |
| Ranger district | 24 mi | 25-mile ring | 3, 4 | Open forest land |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json boundaries to the Census point of Stearns); 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 Stearns
Stearns three nearest areas compared
These three areas lie closest to Stearns; their cards flag any permit or closure first.
Daniel Boone National Forest
Daniel Boone National Forest land follows Kentucky seasons; campgrounds and trailheads are not hunting spots.
Big South Fork
One of the few Park Service units where hunting is legislated; Kentucky rules govern the McCreary County part.
University of the Cumberlands WMA
Open in 11 of its chart columns this season; 1 column is closed.
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.
Deer hunting rules around Stearns
Stearns lies in McCreary County, one of the 15 counties KDFWR places in Deer Zone 4 for 2026-27. Modern gun season runs November 14 to November 29, 2026 and late muzzleloader December 12 to December 20, 2026 in Zone 4.
McCreary County sits inside the CWD Surveillance Zone and carries the staffed check requirement for the first three days of gun season.
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.
Stearns season calendar for 2026-27
Stearns has 1 deer quota hunt 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 | 1 hunt | Quota permit | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | One | KDFWR page | |
| Deer | Modern gun | Zone 4 | Permit | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | One | Guide p. 12 | |
| Deer | Late Muzzleloader | Zone 4 | 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 | Archery, crossbow | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 12, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Youth quota | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | One | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Bull, firearms | Elk zone | Quota permit | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Elk | Cow, firearms | Elk zone | Quota permit | Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | 2 parts | Guide p. 22 | |
| Black bear | Chase only | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Jun 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 2 parts | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | With dogs | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Oct 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Archery, crossbow | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | One | Guide p. 18 | |
| Black bear | Firearm | Bear Zone 1 | Permit | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 14, 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 | |
| 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.
Bear, elk and small game zones at Stearns
Stearns bear hunters fall under Bear Zone 1, whose bow and crossbow window is October 24 to October 26, 2026. Drawn elk hunters work the hills around Stearns; McCreary County is part of the elk zone.
Rabbit and quail near Stearns follow the Eastern zone dates, and the county is in the Grouse Zone. Waterfowl near Stearns: ducks and regular geese are statewide, and the September goose zone here is Eastern (map).
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.
Stearns quota hunt list for 2026-27
The KDFWR draw covers 3 deer hunts close to Stearns; the table gives dates, slots and last year's point cutoff.
| No. | Place | Miles | When | Hunters | 2025 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 9.5 mi | Nov. 7-8 | 330 | 0 | |
| 5 | 23 mi | Oct. 25- Nov. 30 | 30 | – | |
| 6 | 23 mi | Nov. 7-8 | 22 | – |
Hunts, dates, slots and 2025 preference point minimums from the KDFWR Quota Hunts page; distances from places.json. Checked November 10, 2026.
Deer checked in Stearns's county
County figures for Stearns: 441 deer checked in 2025-26, 109th statewide. Of those, 340 were antlered bucks and 86 were does.
Gobbler hunters reported 200 birds from McCreary County in spring 2026. Big game beyond deer: 1 bears and 0 elk checked in McCreary County during 2025-26.
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.
Off-limits public land near Stearns
Stearns has 2 closed places inside 25 miles, and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park at 12 mi is the nearest. State parks open only for scheduled quota hunts, nature preserves stay closed unless their dedication allows hunting, and Park Service units such as Mammoth Cave prohibit it.
| Site | Type | Miles | Hunting |
|---|---|---|---|
| State park | 12 mi | Closed | |
| State park | 21 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.
Stearns region coordinator and offices
KDFWR files McCreary County under its Southeast Region, reachable at (606) 344-0585. The closest staffed KDFWR address is in Williamsburg, 18 miles from town. Harvest reports go through Telecheck (1-800-245-4263) before processing.
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.
Stearns gun shops, taxidermists, processors
Inside a 25-mile radius Stearns has 7 stores selling hunting gear, 8 taxidermists and 3 meat processors on the list. Confirm by phone before a trip.
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.
Stearns: ranges close by
Stearns hunters can read the gate rule on each card before the drive.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 10, 2026.
Stearns sun table for opening days
Stearns duck, goose and dove hunters stop at sunset rather than half an hour after it, which is why the bird column closes earlier.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | General hours | Migratory birds | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Deer archery opens | 7:11 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 8:32 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 8:02 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Deer crossbow opens | 7:22 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. | EDT |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Bull elk week | 7:28 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 8:01 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth gun opens | 7:39 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Early muzzleloader | 7:46 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | EDT |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 archery | 7:53 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | EDT |
| Nov 14, 2026 | CWD check begins; Zone 4 gun opener | 7:14 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:27 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | EST |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Zone 4 gun closes | 7:30 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Bear Zone 1 firearm; late muzzleloader | 7:41 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:46 a.m. | 5:25 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | EST |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Free youth weekend | 7:48 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. to 5:28 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.
Gear worth carrying around Stearns
Stearns cards match the seasons listed above.
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Climbing stand
A climbing stand is worth the room in the truck when the November gun opener arrives.
Box call
Fall and spring turkey hunters across Kentucky rarely leave a box call at home.
Stearns quick answers for 2026-27
When is orange required for Stearns hunters?
In daylight during modern gun, muzzleloader and youth gun deer seasons, and firearm elk or bear seasons in their zones.
What are deer hunting hours at Stearns on December 21?
7:16 a.m. EST to 5:55 p.m. EST on December 21, 2026.
Where can a Stearns hunter get a deer processed?
Perkins Meat Processing in Pine Knot is the nearest processor on file, about 4 miles off; phone before dropping a deer.
How long is a Kentucky hunting license good for Stearns hunters?
One license year, March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027.
What open area lies closest to the Stearns Census point?
Daniel Boone National Forest at 0.9 mi, status “open forest land”. Count 6 listed areas inside 10 miles of Stearns and 10 inside 25.
Does KDFWR list a region office address for Stearns?
No street address is published for region offices; phone the Southeast Region coordinator at (606) 344-0585.
Which 2026-27 deer windows matter most near Stearns?
Bow season stretches September 5, 2026 to January 18, 2027; gun deer fills November 14 to November 29, 2026; the late muzzleloader block is December 12 to December 20, 2026.
Is Stearns in Zone 1, 2, 3 or 4 for deer?
Zone 4. KDFWR sets deer zones by whole county, and McCreary County is in Deer Zone 4.
Is black bear hunting open around Stearns?
Yes. McCreary County lies in Bear Zone 1, whose gun days are December 12 to December 14, 2026.
May a Stearns hunter haul a whole deer out of McCreary County?
No. Whole carcasses and high-risk parts stay in the CWD zone; deboned meat, antlers, cleaned skull caps, hides and finished mounts may leave.
Do quota hunts near Stearns use preference points?
Yes. KDFWR deer quota hunts are drawn with preference points; the table shows the 2025 minimums.
Is elk hunting possible from Stearns?
Yes, with a permit from the draw, because McCreary County belongs to the 16-county elk zone.
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: Murray Lee (U.S. Department of Agriculture) (CC BY-SA 2.0); Patrick Mueller (CC BY 2.0); Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0); Brian Stansberry (CC BY 3.0).