HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Kentucky to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Kentucky include:   

Resident License Types

There are a variety of resident license types available in Kentucky. Resident licenses are only available to individuals who reside in the state. Some of these licenses include the resident hunting license, youth license, sportsman license types, trapping licenses, and 1-day hunting licenses. Fees may vary depending on the license type. 

Non-resident License Types

Residents of other states who wish to hunt within the state of Kentucky will have specific license types available to them. Non-resident license types available include an annual non-resident hunting license, 1-day hunting licenses, 7-day hunting licenses, trapping license types, and youth hunting licenses. Fees and additional license and permit type requirements will vary depending on the license type being purchased and the type of game being hunted.

Permits

Permits may be required in addition to hunting licenses depending on the type of game being hunted, and where the person is hunting (ex. Hunting in a Wildlife Management Area). Some permit types available in Kentucky include non-resident permits, deer permits, bear permits, turkey permits, and elk permits Be sure that you’ve obtained the required licenses and permits you need before heading out on a hunt.

Temporary Hunter Exemption Permit 

Hunters who have not obtained a Hunter Education Certificate may choose to obtain a Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit. The permit allows the holder to hunt within the State of Kentucky, without a Hunter Education Certificate for a period of one year from the date that the permit was purchased. The permit may only be obtained once in the hunter’s lifetime, and once it expires, the individual must obtain hunter education certification. 

The hunter must be supervised while hunting, at all times, by a licensed adult who is 18 years of age or older, who meets the hunter education requirements.   

GAME SPECIES

Kentucky offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. The state’s varied landscape results in a variety of habitats and ecosystems which are home to big and small game, waterfowl and a variety of furbearers. Some of the game species in Kentucky include: 

• Big game including white-tailed deer, elk, turkey, and bear 
• Small game including squirrel, grouse, quail, and rabbit
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and dove.
• Furbearers including bobcat, river otter, bear, fox, raccoon, and opossum.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species within Kentucky make up a significant portion of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance, or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website. 

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Kentucky, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Kentucky include zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, common reed, chickweed, emerald ash borer, and the feral hog. 

In order to protect Kentucky’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Kentucky visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Nuisance Species Plan page.

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Kentucky is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times.

PUBLIC LAND

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands open to hunting within the state of Kentucky. These lands include Wildlife Management Areas, Hunting Access Areas, State Parks and Forests, and national recreational areas. 

Public lands within the state are typically open for a variety of types of outdoor recreational activities including hunting, wildlife watching, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, among others. 

State-managed public lands may have specific regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational land users. Hunters must understand and follow any regulations or restrictions that apply within these areas. For more information on public lands that are open to hunting within the state of Kentucky, vist the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Public Hunting Areas page.

Hunting in Kentucky’s Wildlife Management Areas

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) within the state of Kentucky are managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. These lands are managed for conservation purposes, fish, and wildlife resources management,  and are open to the public multiple outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting, angling, ATVing, wildlife watching, and bird watching, among others.  

WMA Regulations

Certain regulations and restrictions may apply to hunters who take game within WMAs. Some of these regulations may include:

• Check-in hunt requirements
• Restrictions on certain recreational activities
• Hunter orange requirements
• Camping restrictions
• Vehicle use restrictions