Kentucky Has No Statewide Pheasant Season, but Three WMA Quota Hunts Still Run in 2026
November 11, 2026
Pheasant hunting season in Kentucky 2026-27 is not a statewide season at all. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) runs pheasant hunting only through quota hunts at three public areas: Green River Lake WMA, Clay WMA and Yellowbank WMA.
Those hunts are on the calendar for November 20-22 and December 4-6, 2026, and the application window for them has already closed. This article walks you through the dates, the permit you need, the rules on each area, and what to do if you missed the drawing.
Key Insight: According to KDFWR’s quota hunt page, wild pheasants cannot sustain populations in Kentucky, so these hunts are “put-and-take” events with pen-reared birds released before each hunt.
Pheasant Hunting Season Dates in Kentucky 2026-27
Kentucky’s 2026-27 pheasant dates come from the KDFWR Seasons Planner. Each hunt is a three-day event, and the dates follow a formula in regulation: the third Friday in November for Green River Lake, and the first Friday in December for Clay and Yellowbank.
| Area | Regulation Formula | 2026-27 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Lake WMA | 3rd Friday in Nov. for 3 consecutive days | Nov. 20-22, 2026 |
| Clay WMA | 1st Friday in Dec. for 3 consecutive days | Dec. 4-6, 2026 |
| Yellowbank WMA | 1st Friday in Dec. for 3 consecutive days | Dec. 4-6, 2026 |
Each area also hosts a clean-up hunt after the three quota days, and the public areas then have their own rules for the open pheasant period that follows. KDFWR directs hunters to the Public Lands Hunting page for those details.
Some websites list a statewide resident pheasant season running November through February. KDFWR’s own planner and quota hunt pages show only the three quota hunts, so plan around those.
Youth Pheasant Hunting Season in Kentucky
Kentucky does not list a separate youth-only pheasant season for 2026-27. Young hunters take part in the same quota hunts as everyone else, which means they need to be drawn and hold the pheasant quota permit.
Kentucky does hold a free youth-only hunting weekend each year. Per the KDFWR planner, youth aged 15 or younger do not need a hunting license during that weekend, but it is not a pheasant season. For deer, the state’s Kentucky deer season dates have their own youth options.
Pheasant Season Zones, Regions and Counties in Kentucky
Kentucky does not divide pheasant hunting into zones. Instead, the hunts are tied to three specific wildlife management areas, each in a different part of the state.
- Yellowbank WMA: Breckinridge County, along the Ohio River. It covers 7,554 acres, according to the KDFWR Public Land Search.
- Green River Lake WMA: Hosts the earliest hunt, in November.
- Clay WMA: Hosts a December hunt on the same dates as Yellowbank.
Only designated pheasant quota hunt units on each area are involved. The rest of each WMA stays under its normal small game rules outside the closure days.
Pheasant Hunting License, Stamp and Permit Requirements in Kentucky
You need three things to hunt pheasants in Kentucky: a hunting license, a drawing result, and a pheasant quota hunt permit. KDFWR states that drawn hunters must buy, and carry while hunting, a pheasant quota hunt permit, which is available online or from license agents.
The pheasant quota hunt page says there is no additional fee beyond the permit, but you must carry your pheasant permit, your hunting license and wear hunter orange. Quota permit holders may bring up to three additional hunting or nonhunting guests per party, and all hunters need photo ID.
- Apply online during September. The application window for deer, pheasant, waterfowl and sandhill crane quota hunts runs September 1-30, per the Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide.
- Check your result in your online profile once the drawing is complete.
- Buy your pheasant quota hunt permit if you were drawn.
- Carry your license, permit and photo ID on hunt day.
You may apply for only one pheasant quota hunt and can be drawn for only one hunt day. In a past season, KDFWR set the minimum application fee at $3, per its quota hunt announcement.
Common Mistake: Skipping a drawn hunt has a cost. Hunters who do not comply with quota hunt requirements are ineligible to apply for any quota hunt the following year and lose accumulated preference points.
Nonresident Pheasant Hunting in Kentucky
Kentucky’s pheasant quota hunts are open through the same application process for all applicants, and KDFWR does not publish a separate nonresident pheasant season. Out-of-state hunters who are drawn would need a Kentucky nonresident hunting license in addition to the pheasant quota permit.
Because the drawing is held in September, nonresidents need to plan a year ahead. Hunters who missed the 2026 window can apply during September 2027 for the next season.
Pheasant Bag and Possession Limits in Kentucky
The daily limit on all three areas is set by the hunt itself. The KDFWR public lands listings give a limit of two pheasants for the quota hunt days and a limit of three on the clean-up day.
| Hunt Period | Sex | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Quota hunt days | Either sex | 2 |
| Clean-up day (drawn hunters only) | Either sex | 3 |
The Public Lands Hunting page lists these limits for each area. Check the area’s entry before you go, because dates and limits on the open period after the clean-up day can differ from one WMA to another.
Rooster-Only and Hen Rules for Pheasant Hunting in Kentucky
Kentucky’s WMA pheasant hunts are either-sex hunts. That is a real difference from many Midwestern states, where only roosters can be taken.
Because the birds are pen-reared and released just before the hunt, there is no wild hen population to protect. You can keep hens and roosters up to your daily limit.
Pheasant Shooting Hours in Kentucky
Hunt hours are set by the quota hunt, not by the usual sunrise-to-sunset small game schedule. KDFWR’s quota hunt page lists hunt hours starting at 9 a.m. for the hunt days.
The details that matter on hunt day:
- Show up early, because you need time to check in and meet your party.
- Follow the posted end time for the day, which KDFWR sets for each area.
- Stay within your designated pheasant quota hunt unit during the hunt.
Legal Weapons, Shot Size and Methods for Pheasant in Kentucky
Pheasant is hunted with shotguns, and a lightweight 12- or 20-gauge is the common choice. One hunting-gear guide suggests #6 shot for pheasant, though that is a recommendation and not a Kentucky rule.
Some tracts have their own shell limits. For example, hunters are allowed 25 shells per day on the Crenshaw and Duncan tracts, per the KDFWR regulations summary. Party members must also stay in close proximity to each other.
Blaze Orange and Safety Rules for Pheasant Hunters in Kentucky
Hunter orange is required. KDFWR’s quota hunt rules say hunters must carry their permit and license and wear hunter orange, so pack an orange vest and cap.
Because several hunters share one unit at the same time, keep your party tight and always know where the others are. Staying within sight of your group is the simplest way to avoid trouble in thick cover.
Pro Tip: Orange is not just a legal requirement on pheasant hunt days. Other seasons, including deer, overlap on many WMAs, so check each area’s page for what else is open.
Wild vs. Stocked Pheasants in Kentucky
Every pheasant you hunt in Kentucky is stocked. The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is not native to the state, and KDFWR says wild pheasants cannot sustain populations here.
Pen-reared birds are released before each hunt. That makes success depend more on your dog work and your shooting than on finding a wild population, and it explains why hunts are limited and scheduled.
Where to Hunt Pheasants in Kentucky: Public Land and Walk-In Access
Public land is the whole story for pheasant hunting in Kentucky. The only authorized pheasant hunts are on Clay, Green River Lake and Yellowbank WMAs.
Here is how each area works:
- Green River Lake WMA: Pheasant quota hunt units are closed to other small game hunting for four consecutive days starting the third Friday in November.
- Clay WMA: Units close to small game hunting for four consecutive days starting the first Friday in December.
- Yellowbank WMA: No small game hunting is allowed on designated pheasant units during the quota period, per the Public Lands Hunting page.
Kentucky does not run a walk-in access program for pheasants. If you want other upland hunting on public land, nearly 100 WMAs offer a range of opportunities, according to KDFWR.
Hunting Pheasants on Private Land in Kentucky
There is no statewide pheasant season to use on private land, so any pheasant hunting there happens only with permission and under the landowner’s own arrangements. Released birds on private property, such as at licensed preserves, are separate from the state quota system.
Always get permission from the landowner before you hunt. If you are looking for another species on private ground, the state’s dove hunting season and turkey hunting season are better matched to Kentucky’s native birds.
Pheasant Population Outlook in Kentucky This Season
There is no wild pheasant population to forecast in Kentucky. The number of birds available is set by how many KDFWR releases before each hunt, and by the quota that limits hunters on each area.
What you can count on is a limited-pressure hunt. In KDFWR’s own words, quota hunts are popular with hunters who like assigned hunting dates and less hunting pressure because hunter numbers are limited.
Best Time to Hunt Pheasants in Kentucky
The best time is the one you are drawn for, since you can hunt only on your assigned day. Within that day, hunting starts at 9 a.m., so use the first hours when birds are freshly released and have not been pushed around.
If you have a choice at application time, the November Green River Lake hunt comes first on the calendar. The December hunts at Clay and Yellowbank usually bring colder weather, which many bird hunters prefer.
Hunting Pheasants with Dogs in Kentucky
Dogs are the standard tool for finding released birds, and good pointers and flushing breeds make a noticeable difference on a limited-quota day. Keep your dog close, since your party also has to stay near each other under hunt rules.
Check the individual area’s regulations before you bring a dog, and carry water for it. If your dog flushes birds out of range, your party partners are in the same unit, so communication matters.
Sunday Pheasant Hunting in Kentucky
Sunday is not a factor in 2026. Kentucky’s pheasant quota hunts for 2026-27 fall on Friday through Sunday (November 20-22 and December 4-6), so Sunday is the final day of each three-day hunt.
That means you may be assigned to a Sunday hunt day if you are drawn. Read your permit confirmation to see which day applies to you.
Tagging, Transporting and Possessing Pheasants in Kentucky
Pheasants are not tagged individually in Kentucky. Your pheasant quota hunt permit and hunting license are what you carry as proof of legal hunting.
When you transport birds, keep your license and permit with you. Hunt within your daily limit of two (or three on clean-up day), and keep your Hunt Confirmation Number handy, since KDFWR requires it for quota permit holders.
Pheasant Hunting Season in Kentucky 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a general pheasant season in Kentucky?
No. KDFWR lists pheasant hunting only as quota hunts on Green River Lake, Clay and Yellowbank WMAs.
When are the 2026-27 pheasant hunts?
Green River Lake WMA is November 20-22, 2026. Clay and Yellowbank WMAs are December 4-6, 2026.
Can I still apply for the 2026 pheasant hunts?
The application window ran September 1-30, so it is closed for this season. Mark September 2027 on your calendar for the next drawing.
How many pheasants can I take?
Two per day on the quota hunt days and three on the clean-up day, either sex, per KDFWR’s public lands listings.
Do I have to wear hunter orange?
Yes. KDFWR requires hunters to wear hunter orange, along with carrying their permit and license.
Can I hunt pheasants without being drawn?
Not during the quota hunt and clean-up day. KDFWR says only drawn hunters may harvest pheasants during those periods, and rules for the open period afterward vary by area.
For more Kentucky hunting seasons, see the 2026-27 Kentucky deer season guide, and for a neighboring state, the Tennessee deer season guide.