COVINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky hunters have made history this season, recording the states second-highest harvest in the state.

What You Need To Know

  • Hunters took 149,868 deer in this years harvest

  • That's the state’s second-highest harvest ever recorded

  • Officials warn that fewer does are being harvested, which is essential for controlling the deer population

  • Hunters with excess venison are encouraged to donate to Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, 149,868 deer were harvested, surpassing the 10 year average by more than 6,000. Hunters harvested more deer from public land than any previous year.

Joe McDermott, the state’s Deer Program Coordinator, admitted he was initially surprised by the final numbers, especially given opening weekends freezing temperatures. 

“At the start of modern farm season, you know, we had a really poor weather,” he shared. “The day or two after it ended, I’m looking at the harvest results, and I see, you know, a lot fewer deer harvest reported than I was expecting,” he said. 

However, the season turned around to breaking records. The 2024-25 deer hunting season closed on Jan. 20. However, McDermott stressed that it’s important to harvest female does; it’s the primary way wildlife managers control deer populations.

“The alarming trend that we’re seeing right now is fewer and fewer females are being reported proportionally to the males,” he said.

He also noted that a challenge that hunters face is limited storage, which can prevent them from harvesting more deer. McDermott urges people to reach out to Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry, who will take your extra meat.

With hunting season over, officials emphasized the role hunters play in wildlife conservation.

For more information on hunting regulations and the donation program, visit Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife.

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