Kentucky › Towns › Stearns

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.

4Zone
0.9 miNearest open
107,017Acres within 10
SoutheastKDFWR region

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.

LandManager typeHow farRingDeer zonesStatus

Daniel Boone National Forest

National forest0.9 mi10-mile ring1, 2, 3, 4Open forest land

Big South Fork

River and rec area2.4 mi10-mile ring4Kentucky rules apply

University of the Cumberlands WMA

WMA7.2 mi10-mile ring4Chart exceptions

Daniel Boone NF, – Stearns district

Ranger district7.5 mi10-mile ring3, 4Open forest land

Lake Cumberland WMA

WMA9.3 mi10-mile ring3, 4Chart exceptions

Beaver Creek WMA

WMA9.5 mi10-mile ring3, 4Chart exceptions

RH Group WMA

WMA12 mi25-mile ring2, 3, 4Chart exceptions

Meadow Creek WMA

WMA20 mi25-mile ring3Statewide rules

Cane Creek WMA

WMA23 mi25-mile ring3Chart exceptions

Daniel Boone NF, – London district

Ranger district24 mi25-mile ring3, 4Open 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

McCreary County

County · 3 mi from Stearns

Directions
Beaver Creek WMA

Public land · 14 mi from Stearns

Directions
Daniel Boone National Forest

Public land · 17 mi from Stearns

Directions

Stearns three nearest areas compared

These three areas lie closest to Stearns; their cards flag any permit or closure first.

National forest

Daniel Boone National Forest

0.9 mi · 710,298 acres · Deer Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 · Elk units 2, 3, 4 · (859) 745-3100

Daniel Boone National Forest land follows Kentucky seasons; campgrounds and trailheads are not hunting spots.

Takes in Corps of Engineers project land (Cave Run Lake, Laurel River Lake); 36 CFR 327.8(a): "Hunting is permitted except in areas and during periods where prohibited by the District Commander."

River and rec area

Big South Fork

2.4 mi · 30,300 acres · Deer Zone 4 · (606) 376-5073

One of the few Park Service units where hunting is legislated; Kentucky rules govern the McCreary County part.

WMA

University of the Cumberlands WMA

7.2 mi · 10,275 acres · Deer Zone 4 · (270) 283-0244

Open in 11 of its chart columns this season; 1 column is closed.

Closed on the chart: Elk Quota

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

4Zone
Nov 14-29Modern gun
Dec 12-20Late blackpowder
Staffed checkCWD

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.

KDFWR bag wording for Zone 4: Up to 2 deer, only 1 antlerless (1 antlered max statewide); no antlerless deer during modern gun, early muzzleloader or the first 6 days of late muzzleloader.

Carcass rule: No whole carcasses or high-risk parts (head, skull/skull cap with brain, spine) may leave the zone or enter Kentucky from other states/provinces; deboned meat, antlers, clean skull caps/skulls/teeth, hides and finished taxidermy allowed. Baiting: Allowed in the zone for 2026-27 except through contact feeders (troughs, funnel or gravity feeders); never on WMAs or public land. The regulation text (301 KAR 2:015 and 2:172) still prohibits baiting in the zone; this is the KDFWR 2026-27 statement.

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.

GameSeasonAreaNeedsOpensClosesSplitsTodaySource
DeerArcheryStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerYouth, senior crossbowStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerCrossbowStatewidePermitSep 19, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 12
DeerYouth gunStatewidePermitOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerEarly MuzzleloaderStatewidePermitOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerDeer quota hunts1 huntQuota permitNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026OneKDFWR page
DeerModern gunZone 4PermitNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerLate MuzzleloaderZone 4PermitDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026OneGuide p. 12
DeerFree youth weekendStatewidePermitDec 26, 2026Dec 27, 2026OneGuide p. 12
ElkArchery, crossbowElk zoneQuota permitSep 12, 2026Dec 11, 20262 partsGuide p. 22
ElkYouth quotaElk zoneQuota permitSep 12, 2026Jan 6, 2027OneGuide p. 22
ElkBull, firearmsElk zoneQuota permitSep 26, 2026Oct 7, 20262 partsGuide p. 22
ElkCow, firearmsElk zoneQuota permitNov 28, 2026Jan 6, 20272 partsGuide p. 22
Black bearChase onlyBear Zone 1PermitJun 1, 2026Sep 30, 20262 partsGuide p. 18
Black bearWith dogsBear Zone 1PermitOct 19, 2026Oct 23, 2026OneGuide p. 18
Black bearArchery, crossbowBear Zone 1PermitOct 24, 2026Oct 26, 2026OneGuide p. 18
Black bearFirearmBear Zone 1PermitDec 12, 2026Dec 14, 2026OneGuide p. 18
TurkeyFall ArcheryStatewidePermitSep 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027OneGuide p. 24
TurkeyFall CrossbowStatewidePermitOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 20262 partsGuide p. 24
TurkeyFall ShotgunStatewidePermitOct 24, 2026Dec 11, 20262 partsGuide p. 24
TurkeySpring 2027Dates pendingPermit–––No dates301 KAR 2:142
TurkeyYouth spring 2027Dates pendingPermit–––No dates301 KAR 2:142
SquirrelFall SquirrelStatewideLicenseAug 15, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
SquirrelSquirrel TrappingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 27
SquirrelSpring 2027Dates pendingLicense–––No dates301 KAR 2:122
RabbitRabbitEastern zoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
RabbitRabbit TrappingEastern zoneLicenseNov 16, 2026Jan 31, 2027OneGuide p. 27
QuailQuailEastern zoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
GrouseGrouseGrouse ZoneLicenseNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 27
Small gameFalconryStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Mar 30, 2027OneGuide p. 27
Small game, furbearersFree youth weekStatewideLicenseDec 26, 2026Jan 1, 2027OneGuide p. 27
GroundhogGroundhogStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
CrowCrowStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Feb 28, 20272 partsGuide p. 29
BullfrogBullfrogStatewideLicenseMay 16, 2026Oct 31, 2026OneGuide p. 29
TurtlesTurtlesStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
Exotic hoofedExotic hoofed wildlifeStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 29
DucksRegular duckStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 10
DucksFalconryStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 21, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Teal, wood duckSeptember tealStatewideLicenseSep 19, 2026Sep 23, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
WaterfowlYouth daysStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Feb 13, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 11
WaterfowlVeteran, military daysStatewideLicenseNov 22, 2026Feb 14, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 11
Canada gooseSeptember gooseEastern (map)LicenseSep 16, 2026Sep 30, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Dark geeseGooseStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Light geeseLight GooseStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
Light geeseConservation orderStatewideLicenseFeb 16, 2027Mar 31, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
GeeseFalconryStatewideLicenseNov 26, 2026Feb 15, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 10
DoveDoveStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Jan 10, 20273 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
WoodcockWoodcockStatewideLicenseOct 24, 2026Dec 9, 20262 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
SnipeSnipeStatewideLicenseSep 16, 2026Jan 31, 20272 partsWaterfowl guide p. 7
RailsRailStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 7
GallinulesGallinuleStatewideLicenseSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026OneWaterfowl guide p. 7
Sandhill craneCrane, by permitStatewideQuota permitDec 7, 2026Jan 31, 2027OneWaterfowl guide p. 8
Raccoon, opossumHuntingStatewideLicenseOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
CoyoteHuntingStatewideLicenseMar 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
CoyoteNight, with lightsStatewideLicenseDec 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuide p. 25
BobcatHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 21, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
River otterHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
River otterZone 2 sub-limitOtter Zone 2LicenseNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 2027OneGuide p. 25
Other furbearersHuntingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Feb 28, 2027OneGuide p. 25
FurbearersTrappingStatewideLicenseNov 16, 2026Mar 31, 20272 partsGuide p. 25
Wild pigNo seasonNo seasonNone–––No datesGuide p. 29

Quota hunts need a drawn permit. Goose zones marked (map) are read from the KDFWR zone map.

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

4Deer zone
Mandatory checkCWD zone
1Bear zone
YesElk zone
EasternSmall game zone
YesGrouse Zone
EasternSept. goose (map)
SoutheastKDFWR region

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).

No bear quota; bear permits are over the counter. Elk hunting unit boundaries are drawn only on the KDFWR elk hunting units map. Goose zones marked (map) are read from the KDFWR zone 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.PlaceMilesWhenHunters2025 points
2

Beaver Creek WMA

9.5 miNov. 7-83300
5

Cane Creek WMA

23 miOct. 25- Nov. 3030–
6

Cane Creek WMA

23 miNov. 7-822–

Apply September 1-30, 2026 online only, $3 per hunt.

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.

McCreary County deer checked by license year01503004506002016-17: 5045042016-172017-18: 3093092017-182018-19: 4314312018-192019-20: 3433432019-202020-21: 3933932020-212021-22: 3363362021-222022-23: 5075072022-232023-24: 4584582023-242024-25: 5035032024-252025-26: 4414412025-26

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.

SiteTypeMilesHunting

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

State park12 miClosed

General Burnside Island State Park

State park21 miClosed

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.

KDFWR fisheries office · KDFWR Southeastern Fisheries District Office
Williamsburg, Whitley County · about 18 mi away

KDFWR headquarters · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (headquarters)
Frankfort, Franklin County · about 105 mi away

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.

Taxidermist · Griffiths Taxidermy
Stearns, McCreary County · about 1 mi away

Archery shop · Big South Fork Outdoors
Pine Knot, McCreary County · about 3 mi away

Taxidermist · Barnett's Taxidermy
Whitley City, McCreary County · about 4 mi away

Taxidermist · Jeff Gilreath Taxidermy
Strunk, McCreary County · about 4 mi away

Meat processor · Perkins Meat Processing
Pine Knot, McCreary County · about 4 mi away

Outdoor store · Sheltowee Trace Outfitters
Corbin, Whitley County · about 16 mi away

Taxidermist · Stricklands Whitetail Taxidermy
Corbin, Whitley County · about 16 mi away

Taxidermist · Farmers Taxidermy
Corbin, Whitley County · about 17 mi away

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.

Appletree Shooting Range
Federal range

Whitley City, McCreary County · 1 mi

Lines: rifle, handgun

Public (federal) · KDFWR range map, checked Nov 9, 2026

Keno Shooting Range
Federal range

Burnside, Pulaski County · 15 mi

Lines: rifle, handgun

Public (federal) · KDFWR range map, checked Nov 9, 2026

Whitman Branch Shooting Range
Federal range

London, Whitley County · 20 mi

Lines: rifle, handgun

Public (federal) · KDFWR range map, checked Nov 9, 2026

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.

DateSeason pointSunriseSunsetGeneral hoursMigratory birdsClock
Sep 5, 2026Deer archery opens7:11 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, 2026Deer crossbow opens7:22 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, 2026Bull elk week7:28 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, 2026Youth gun opens7:39 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, 2026Early muzzleloader7:46 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, 2026Bear Zone 1 archery7:53 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, 2026CWD check begins; Zone 4 gun opener7:14 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, 2026Duck season opens7:27 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, 2026Zone 4 gun closes7:30 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, 2026Bear Zone 1 firearm; late muzzleloader7:41 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, 2026Shortest day7:46 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, 2026Free youth weekend7:48 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

Coyote hunting has night rules. Times are on local clock time: Central Time in the western 41 counties, Eastern Time elsewhere.

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.

Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Cow call

A cow call is on most kit lists for the Kentucky elk zone.

Amazon search

Climbing stand

A climbing stand is worth the room in the truck when the November gun opener arrives.

Amazon search

Skinning knife

A skinning knife pays off when a bear goes down far from any road.

Amazon search

Box call

Fall and spring turkey hunters across Kentucky rarely leave a box call at home.

Amazon search

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).