bear hunting - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

BEAR HUNTING
32
SEASON DATES & RESTRICTIONS
BLACK BEAR
SOME BASICS
Over the past several decades,
black bears have returned to
southeastern Kentucky from
bordering states. There are now
enough bears to sustain a hunt in
the core population area of Harlan,
Letcher and Pike counties.
The two-day hunt is open only
to Kentucky residents. Hunters
must purchase an annual hunting
license and bear permit, and follow
all requirements outlined in this
section.
The bear harvest is limited by
a season quota, a bear sanctuary
where no hunting is allowed, and
restrictions on which bears hunters
may take.
HOW THE SEASON WORKS
1. Bear hunting is open Dec. 19-20 in
Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties
only, and to Kentucky residents only.
2. Hunters must purchase a $30 bear
permit, in addition to an annual
Kentucky hunting license.
3. The total season quota is 10 bears or 5
BEAR HUNTING
Firearms, archery and crossbow
Dec. 19-20, 2009 in Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties only.
female bears, whichever limit hunters
reach first. If the limit is reached on
the first day, the season will close.
4. Hunters must call 1-800-858-1549 by
9 p.m. on Dec. 19 to check if the bear
quota has been reached. If the quota
has not been reached, the season will
continue on Dec. 20.
5. Bear hunting is prohibited on the
Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA. Additionally,
bear hunting within the
12,500 acres surrounding this WMA
is limited to landowners, their spouses
and dependent children hunting
on their own property. See map for
detailed bear sanctuary boundaries.
BAG LIMIT
The season bag limit is one bear per
hunter.
HUNTER ORANGE REQUIREMENT
Bear hunters and those who accompany
them, or any other person hunting
public or private lands in the bear hunting
zone during bear season, must comply
with the hunter orange clothing law.
CHECKING REQUIREMENT
All bears must be recorded and
Dave Baker photo
Q: Can I shoot a bear that
is feeding at a trash can or
dumpster?
A: No. Garbage is considered bait.
telechecked according to the requirements
outlined in the General Information/Telecheck
section. Bears must also
be checked at a department-operated
check station, where successful hunters
will be issued a permanent kill tag.
Hunters must telecheck their bear before
leaving the station. Locations of
check stations are available at fw.ky.gov
or by calling 1-800-858-1549.
OTHER RESTRICTIONS
Hunters may not take female bears
with cubs, or bears weighing less than 75
pounds.
Hunters may not use bait or dogs for
bear hunting. (see pgs. 16-17 for details)
Firearm bear hunters 15 years old
and younger must be accompanied by
an adult, who shall remain in a position
to take immediate control of the youth’s
firearm.

EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS
Hunters may use equipment legal for deer hunting,
with the following additional restrictions:
A person shall not use or possess while bear hunting:
• A modern firearm of less than .270 caliber
• A muzzleloading firearm of less than .50 caliber
• A shotgun of less than 20-gauge
PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS
(only portions in bear zone open)
1. Begley WMA
2. Cranks Creek WMA
3. Daniel Boone National Forest
4. Fishtrap Lake WMA
5. Jefferson National Forest
6. Kentenia State Forest
7. Martins Fork Lake WMA
8. Martins Fork WMA & State
Natural Area
9. Shillalah Creek WMA
10. Stone Mountain WMA
& SNA
Orange is the law!
WHERE TO
HUNT BEAR
Anyone hunting where and when an
open firearm bear season is going
on must comply with the hunter
orange clothing law.
Remember!
• A shotgun shell containing more than one (1) projectile
• A handgun with a barrel length of less than six (6)
inches, a bore diameter less than .270 inches, or that
when fired, the bullet produces less than 550 ft/lbs of
energy at 100 yards.
Hensley-Pine Mountain WMA
is closed to bear hunting. Only
portions of WMAs that fall within
Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties
are open to bear hunting.
BEAR HUNTING
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