Kentucky

Kentucky Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Kentucky hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Mar 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $27 General hunting

Non-Resident License $160 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1975-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Mar 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Kentucky Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Mar 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Annual Hunting $27 —

Resident Sportsman's License $95 —

Resident Youth Sportsman's (12-15) $30 —

Resident Youth Annual Hunting (12-15) $6 —

Resident Senior Sportsman's (65+) $12 —

Resident Senior Lifetime Sportsman's (65+) $180 —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Annual Hunting — $160

Non-Resident Youth Hunting (12-15) — $10

Non-Resident 2-Day Small Game — $35

Non-Resident Elk Hunting License — $150

Tags & Permits

Deer (Statewide – 4 deer) $35 $235

Deer (Additional – 2 more) $15 $15

Deer (Youth 12-15 – 4 deer) $10 $15

Turkey (Spring – 2 turkeys) $30 $110

Turkey (Fall – 2 turkeys) $30 $110

Elk (Bull – Draw) $100 $550

Elk (Cow – Draw) $60 $400

Bear $30 $250

Bear (Youth) $10 $100

Bear Chase Permit $30 $50

Endorsements & Stamps

Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit $15 Required for waterfowl and all migratory bird hunting

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl hunters 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for all migratory bird hunters

Trout Permit $10 For fishing; included in Sportsman's and Senior licenses

Elk Draw Application $10 Per hunt choice; Aug 1 – Apr 30 application window; non-refundable

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Kentucky Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit fw.ky.gov license portal. Create account or sign in. Select Sportsman's or individual licenses. Add deer, turkey, bear permits as needed. Apply for elk draw during Aug 1 – Apr 30 window. Pay with credit/debit card. Print license and deer/elk tags

Buy In Person

Walmart stores statewide, Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's, Local sporting goods stores, County clerk offices, KDFWR regional offices

Buy By Phone

Call 800-858-1549. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Kentucky hunting license is online through the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Kentucky

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1975

Online course: Available — Cost: Free

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 0 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Kentucky?

Youth (Under 12) Free No license or permits required; must hunt with licensed adult within arm's reach

Youth (12-15) $6 / $30 Sportsman Youth annual $6 (basic) or Youth Sportsman $30 (all-inclusive); NR youth $10

Senior (65+) $12 / $180 lifetime Senior Sportsman $12 annual or $180 one-time lifetime; all permits included

Disabled Veteran (100%) Free KY residents with 100% service-connected disability receive free licenses

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in KY pay resident rates

Landowner Exempt on own land KY resident landowners hunt own property without license; deer permit still required

SEASONS

Kentucky Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

White-tailed Deer Youth Weekend Oct 11 – Oct 12 Any legal weapon; ages 15 and under

White-tailed Deer Archery/Crossbow Sep 6 – Jan 19 Bow and crossbow; longest deer season in KY

White-tailed Deer Early Muzzleloader Oct 18 – Oct 19 Muzzleloader only

White-tailed Deer Modern Gun Nov 8 – Nov 23 Rifle, shotgun, handgun

White-tailed Deer Late Muzzleloader Dec 13 – Dec 19 Muzzleloader only

Turkey Youth Spring Apr 5 – Apr 6 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Spring Apr 12 – May 4 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Oct 4 – Oct 19 Shotgun, bow

Elk Archery Sep 20 – Sep 28 Bow only; draw permits

Elk Crossbow Oct 18 – Oct 24 Crossbow; draw permits

Elk Rifle Dec 6 – Dec 15 Rifle; draw permits

Bear Archery/Crossbow Oct 18 – Oct 24 Bow and crossbow; select SE KY counties

Bear Gun Nov 22 – Nov 25 Rifle; SE KY counties with dogs

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Oct 31 Shotgun

Quail Regular Nov 1 – Feb 15 Shotgun

Squirrel Regular Aug 16 – Feb 28 Shotgun, rifle (.22)

Rabbit Regular Nov 1 – Feb 10 Shotgun, dogs permitted

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Nov-Jan – Zone-specific Shotgun (non-toxic shot)

BAG LIMITS

Kentucky Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

White-tailed Deer 1 4 (1 antlered + 3 antlerless) Antler restrictions: one-antlered-deer rule; 4+ pts on one side or 15"+ inside spread

Turkey (Spring) 1 2 Bearded turkeys only; 2 per spring season

Turkey (Fall) 1 2 Either sex; 2 per fall season

Elk 1 1 Draw permit; southeastern KY counties (Breathitt, Knott, Perry, etc.)

Bear 1 1 One per year; southeastern KY mountains; growing population

Dove 15 No season limit Mourning and white-winged

Squirrel 6 No season limit Very popular tradition in KY; longest small game season

Rabbit 4 No season limit Cottontail; beagle hunting tradition

COMPARE

How Kentucky Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Kentucky $27 $160

Indiana $20 $90 Ohio $19 $180.96 West Virginia $19 $119 Virginia $23 $110 Tennessee $33 $305 Missouri $12 $77 Illinois $12.50 $57.75

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Kentucky?

Resident annual: $27. Sportsman's ($95) bundles hunting+fishing+deer+turkey+migratory+trout — best value. Senior 65+: $12 annual or $180 lifetime. Non-residents: $160 hunting + $235 deer = $395 total.

Can I hunt elk in Kentucky?

Yes — KY has the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi (~14,000). Limited draw: $10 app fee. Bull tags: $100 res / $550 NR. Cow: $60 / $400. Southeastern coal counties only. One of America's best eastern elk opportunities.

How many deer can I take in Kentucky?

4 deer with statewide permit ($35 res / $235 NR): 1 antlered + 3 antlerless. Additional permit ($15) adds 2 more = 6 total. Antler restrictions: 4+ points on one side or 15"+ inside spread for bucks.

Can I hunt bear in Kentucky?

Yes — bear populations are growing in southeastern KY mountains. Bear permit: $30 res / $250 NR. Youth: $10 / $100. Hound chase permits available ($30/$50). Archery: Oct 18-24, Gun: Nov 22-25.

Is Sunday hunting legal in Kentucky?

Yes, Sunday hunting is legal on both public and private land. This is a significant advantage over neighboring states like Virginia and West Virginia which still have some Sunday hunting restrictions.

What is the Senior Sportsman's License?

KY residents 65+ get all-inclusive Sportsman's for just $12/year or $180 lifetime — covers hunting, fishing, deer, turkey, migratory bird, trout. One of America's greatest senior hunting values.

Do I need hunter education in Kentucky?

Yes, all born on or after Jan 1, 1975 must complete hunter ed. Free online course with field day. Youth under 12 hunt free under mentored program — no license or permits required.

Can I buy a Kentucky hunting license online?

Yes, at fw.ky.gov. Sportsman's is best resident value. Apply for elk draw Aug 1 – Apr 30. Also available at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, county clerks, and 1,000+ retail agents.