Leslie County, Kentucky
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Elk, Black Bear
- Group
- Eastern Mountains
- Area
- N/A
- Public land
- N/A
Elk — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 30
Draw odds for Elkaren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 38
Draw odds for Black Beararen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 565
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Eastern Wild Turkey — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 121
Draw odds for Eastern Wild Turkeyaren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for Elk, Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, Eastern Wild Turkey so far. Wild Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedLeslie County is the epicenter of Kentucky's remarkable elk restoration success, hosting some of the largest bull elk east of the Mississippi River in a rugged landscape centered on the Redbird Ranger District of Daniel Boone National Forest. The county's extensive public land, remote terrain, and thriving elk herd make it the most sought-after elk draw destination in the eastern United States, with mature bulls regularly exceeding Boone and Crockett minimums. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and black bear round out a big-game menu that rivals western states for sheer variety.
Deeply dissected Appalachian plateau with steep, heavily wooded ridges and narrow creek hollows; the Redbird Purchase Unit of Daniel Boone National Forest covers a substantial block of the county providing an extensive contiguous public land base
Low to moderate overall — elk draw winners may encounter some competition near active bulls, but deer and turkey hunting is remarkably uncrowded given the substantial public land base
Over-the-counter archery and firearms tags; premium limited-entry elk licenses by competitive annual draw
Leslie County is the crown jewel of Kentucky elk hunting with mature bulls regularly exceeding Boone and Crockett minimums; black bear hunting quota seasons are open; turkey are excellent throughout the Redbird national forest
Kentucky premier elk county and home of the Redbird Ranger District of Daniel Boone National Forest; black bear hunting alongside trophy elk makes Leslie one of the most complete big-game counties east of the Mississippi River
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about Leslie County— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about Leslie County.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: KDFWR county-based deer management units. Community info last updated 15d ago.