Deer hunters in Kentucky posted a near-record harvest this hunting season, and area residents put up big numbers despite restrictions.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says hunters harvested 149,868 deer in the hunting season that ended on January 20. That’s the second-highest harvest in the state’s history, trailing only the 2015 season which hit nearly 156,000. The number of antlered deer harvested was 86,071, which at 57.4 percent of the harvest set a state record.
KFW data shows that Kentucky residents accounted for 80 percent of the deer harvest. 76 percent of deer were harvested on statewide or youth deer permits, 26 percent came from landowner permits, and 7 percent were on senior or disabled permits. 71.6 percent of deer were taken by firearm, despite what KFW described as poor weather conditions for the start of firearm season.
Hardin County yielded the highest deer harvest in the state with 3,228 deer. Christian, Breckinridge, Grayson, and Hart counties rounded out the top five.
KFW says Hardin and Breckinridge counties posted high harvest totals despite a baiting ban and surveillance zone restrictions that were implemented after Chronic Wasting Disease was detected in a captive deer facility in Breckinridge County. While no further cases have been detected, hunters are encouraged to follow updates regarding CWD on the KFW website.
