As publishedNov. 1-13, 2026 and Nov. 16, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027 (Grouse Zone only)
Restricted to the designated Grouse Hunting Zone (eastern KY mountain counties); also allowed in December on Pennyrile State Forest, Tradewater WMA, and Ft. Knox except during quota deer hunts. KDFWR notes state population 'has been steadily down since the early 1990s' though cycles are less pronounced than in northern states; recommends harvest restraint late-season.
KDFWR runs a real spring drumming-count survey (15-stop driving routes, April) plus a retrospective Grouse Hunter Cooperator Log, corroborated as still active by the 2017-2027 Ruffed Grouse & Young Forest Strategic Plan. A fresh check of fw.ky.gov's Grouse page and search pass (2026-08-19) found no report edition newer than 2014-15 — KDFWR's "Hunting Survey Reports" collection page itself listed no fresher edition. Same "active monitoring, no dated report" pattern as bobwhite quail in this state.