Kentucky prepares for 37th Muzzleloader Season | October 15-16

Muzzleloading enthusiasts in Kentucky are preparing for their early muzzleloader season, coming October 15. Kentucky muzzleloaders are fortunate to have an early season, all be it a short one. This gives those wishing to hunt with a single muzzle-loaded shot a chance at the big bucks before the general rifle season opens later this fall.

The complete regulations for the 2022-23 Kentucky deer season are available online at fw.ky.gov.

The early muzzleloader season opens Saturday, October 15 and continues through Sunday, October 16.

The late muzzleloader season dates are December 10 through December 18, 2022.

Legal firearms include:

• Muzzle-loading rifles or handguns of any caliber, with flint or percussion ignition (including in-line ignition), shooting round balls, conical bullets or saboted bullets.

• Muzzle-loading firearms may be equipped with open sights or telescopic sights (scopes).

• Muzzle-loading shotguns are legal, if no larger than 10-gauge, shooting round balls, conical bullets or saboted bullets.