Another State Lifts Deer Bait Ban

Baiting regulation reform is sweeping across the U.S., and Kentucky is the latest state to join in. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is updating its CWD response plan with the repeal of baiting bans and a new September rifle season for antlerless deer in CWD Surveillance Zones.

Baiting Ban Lifted in CWD Surveillance Zones

Baiting is now allowed in all counties in CWD Surveillance Zones, which now include Henderson, Union, Webster, Ballard, Breckinridge, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hardin, Hickman, Marshall, Meade and McCracken counties. However, bait must not be distributed through contact feeders such as troughs, funnels and gravity feeders. Deer harvests significantly dropped in the first surveillance zone counties after a baiting ban was implemented in 2021. The KDFWR hopes that lifting the baiting ban will increase deer harvests and lower deer densities. Baiting is still prohibited statewide March 1 through July 31. Feeding and baiting is also illegal on all Wildlife Management Areas.

New Two-Day Antlerless-Only Gun Season

The department also approved a new two-day antlerless-only gun season held Sept. 27-28, 2025, in all CWD Surveillance Zone counties. During this time, hunters are required to drop off the head of their deer at a CWD Sample Drop-Off Site. Hunters are permitted to shoot any deer without visible antlers, including button bucks. Harvesting an antlered deer in a CWD Surveillance Zone county — whether using firearms, bows or crossbows — is off-limits during the two-day period. Hunter orange will be required.

What’s Staying the Same

Parts of the KDFWR CWD response plan remain unchanged, including mandatory testing during the first three days of modern gun season Nov. 8-10, 2025, at a staffed check station or CWD Sample Drop-Off Site. Restrictions also remain in place for carcass transportation. Whole carcasses or high-risk parts, such as spinal columns, cannot leave a CWD Surveillance Zone county. Permitted items for transport include de-boned meat, clean skulls and teeth, antlers (with or without a clean skull cap), hides and finished taxidermy mounts. Carcasses of deer harvested outside the zone may be brought in.