Kentucky public duck hunting

Key Kentucky rules for 2026-27

• 2026-27 duck season (statewide, no zones): Nov 26–29 and Dec 7, 2026–Jan 31, 2027. Geese: Nov 26, 2026–Feb 15, 2027.Source: KDFWR Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2026–27 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
• Youth-only days Nov 21, 2026 and Feb 13, 2027; military and veteran days Nov 22, 2026 and Feb 14, 2027.Source: KDFWR Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2026–27 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
• At 16 and up you need a Kentucky hunting license, the Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit ($15.86) and the Federal Duck Stamp, plus the free HIP survey under My Profile at fw.ky.gov before hunting. Write the HIP confirmation number on your license.Source: KDFWR Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2026–27 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
• Many WMAs close shooting at 2 p.m. and bar entry before 4 a.m., including Ballard, Boatwright, Doug Travis, Sloughs, Peabody, Obion Creek and Kaler Bottoms.Source: KDFWR Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2026–27 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
• September quota hunt applications for Ballard and Sloughs closed Sept 30; results came out in mid-October. Boatwright takes online applications Wednesday through Sunday for the following week.Source: KDFWR Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Guide 2026–27 (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026

Deadlines

• Nov15KentuckyClarks River NWR: claim your lottery permitLottery winners (emailed Oct 18) must claim their waterfowl permit by Nov 15, after buying the refuge hunt permit. Unclaimed permits open to anyone Nov 18 at noon.Claim by Nov 15, 2026; leftovers Nov 18 at noon Due Nov 15Clarks River NWR 2026–27 brochure (PDF) · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Nov1KentuckyMinor Clark and Pfeiffer hatchery mentor/youth huntsApply online at fw.ky.gov for January mentor/youth waterfowl hunts (Jan 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, 23–24 and 30–31, 2027). Youths under 16 with a mentor, and mobility-impaired hunters.Nov 1 – 15, 2026 Opens Nov 1KDFWR 2026–27 waterfowl guide (PDF) · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Feb16KentuckyLight Goose Conservation Order: harvest reportEveryone who gets the free snow goose Conservation Order permit (season Feb 16–Mar 31, 2027) must report hunting activity.Report by Apr 10, 2027 Opens Feb 16KDFWR 2026–27 waterfowl guide (PDF) · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Sep30KentuckyBallard and Sloughs WMA quota huntsOnline applications for the September waterfowl quota hunts at Ballard WMA and the Sauerheber (Crenshaw and Duncan) tracts of Sloughs WMA. Results came out in mid-October.Sep 1 – 30, 2026 ClosedKDFWR waterfowl quota hunts · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Sep30KentuckyDoug Travis WMA mobility-impaired blindsQuota hunts for blinds 13 and 19 at Doug Travis WMA; applications were taken in September.Sep 1 – 30, 2026 (postmark) ClosedKDFWR waterfowl quota hunts · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Oct3KentuckySeason-long blind drawings (Doug Travis, Lake Barkley, Green River, Barren River)In-person drawings for season-long blind sites: Doug Travis Aug 29, Lake Barkley Sept 21, Green River Lake Sept 26 and Barren River Lake Oct 3.Aug 29 – Oct 3, 2026 (four drawing dates) ClosedKDFWR 2026–27 waterfowl guide (PDF) · checked Oct 22, 2026
• Oct15KentuckyClarks River NWR waterfowl lotteryApplications for the refuge's managed waterfowl unit lottery, $6, at kynwrs.recaccess.com.Sep 1 – Oct 15, 2026 ClosedClarks River NWR 2026–27 brochure (PDF) · checked Oct 22, 2026

All six states on one calendar

Key gauges

Readings and forecasts from the National Weather Service and USGS, refreshed hourly.

Spot guides

We don't have a spot guide for Kentucky yet. The public land below and the map show where the public ground is.

Public land

• Wildlife management area · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesBallard Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• Wildlife management area · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesBoatwright Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• Wildlife management area · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesDoug Travis Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• Wildlife management area · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesSloughs Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• Wildlife management area · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesPeabody Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• Wildlife management area · KDFWR on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers landLake Barkley Wildlife Management AreaOpen to duck hunting
• National recreation area · USDA Forest ServiceLand Between The Lakes National Recreation AreaOpen to duck hunting
• National wildlife refuge · U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceClarks River National Wildlife RefugeOpen to duck hunting