December Deer Harvest Update

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the latest deer hunting totals for Kentucky.

December was a strong month for Kentucky hunters, who harvested 11,592 deer in the month alone, bringing the season total to 142,484 deer harvested since early September. That total is the second-highest through December in the last five years and more than 3,000 deer above the 10-year average at this point in the season.

The Department announced that 602 deer have been harvested in Breathitt County this season.

December highlights:

- More than half of December’s harvest occurred during the 9-day Late Muzzleloader Season, with 6,960 deer harvested.

- Free Youth Firearm Weekend resulted in 893 deer harvested, nearly matching the 5-year average and giving young hunters another opportunity while school was out.

Season totals through December:

- 52% antlered bucks, 43% females, 5% antlerless males

- 70% of harvested bucks were 2.5 years old or older, making this the second-highest adult buck harvest at this point in the last 10 years

Public land & regional notes:

- Public lands account for 5% of the total harvest, with 7,329 deer harvested across 129 areas—the second-highest total on record at this point.

- WMAs with the highest harvest so far include Peabody, Taylorsville Lake, Green River Lake, Clay, and Barren River Lake.

- The Bluegrass Region leads all regions, followed by Green River, Southeast, Purchase, and Northeast.

Beginning this season, KDFWR established female deer harvest goals in Zone 1 and Zone 2 counties to help manage deer populations. While several counties have reached 80% or more of their goal, many are coming up short.

Female deer - not bucks - are the primary drivers of population growth. Harvesting bucks alone does little to reduce overall deer numbers or the long-term challenges associated with overpopulation. Adequate female harvest is essential to maintaining healthy deer herds, balanced habitats, and positive experiences for hunters and landowners alike.