bear zone · Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Bear Zone 1
Kentucky, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Bear Zone 1
Bear Zone 1 is a bear zone in Kentucky, United States, set by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It covers about 4,143 km² (1,599 mi²). The town of Middlesborough is inside it.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for American black bear.
- Unit code
- 1
- Area
- 4,143 km²
- Area (miles)
- 1,599 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,254 km² of public or protected land inside it, 30% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 08 Southern | 586 | 14% |
| Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources | 313 | 8% |
| National Park Service | 168 | 4% |
| Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves | 86 | 2% |
| Kentucky Division of Forestry | 64 | 2% |
| Harlan County | 34 | under 1% |
| Kentucky Natural Lands Trust | 32 | under 1% |
| Kentucky State Parks | 32 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 91 | 2% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black bear | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 14, 2026 | firearm source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for Bear Zone 1
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Bear Zone 1?
About 4,143 km² (1,599 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Bear Zone 1?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,254 km² of public or protected land, 30% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 08 Southern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Bear Zone 1?
This page lists 1 season a person has checked against Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to Bear Zone 1?
In the same unit system: Bear Zone 2 and Bear Zone 3.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (zone definitions); U.S. Census Bureau (county boundaries). Licence: Zones defined in 301 KAR 2:300 Section 1; county boundaries public domain (U.S. Census Bureau). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.