KY Public Land Hunting

hunters are not required to wear hunter orange while hunting for deer or elk with archery equipment during firearms seasons.

Tree Stand Use On Public Lands

The use of nails, spikes, screws, wire, or tree climbers is prohibited for attaching a tree stand or climbing a tree on public hunting lands.

This includes: all department‐owned or managed WMAs, state parks open to hunting, Daniel Boone National Forest, Clark’s River National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson National Forest, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Land Between the Lakes, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Fort Knox, Fort Campbell, Blue Grass Army Depot, and the Hidden Valley Training Area.

Portable stands and tree climbers that do not injure trees may be used, but must be marked with the owner’s name and address.

Portable stands and tree climbers may be placed in trees no earlier than two weeks before the opening of the season and must be removed within one week after the season closes.

Use of existing permanent tree stands is prohibited.

On state parks open to hunting, tree stands must not be left unattended for more than 24 hours.

Waterfowl Hunting

For waterfowl hunting regulations on WMAs consult the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Waterfowl.