Kentucky Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply
Complete guide to Kentucky hunting licenses — costs, seasons, and how to apply through KDFWR.
Kentucky Hunting License — Quick Facts
- Resident: from $28.54 — Non-Resident: from $169.12
- Managed by: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- License year: 2026-2027 (valid for dates within this period)
- Hunter education required for first-time buyers — verify with the state agency
- Discounts available for: senior, youth, disabled veteran, active military, landowner
- Buy online through the agency-linked portal at https://app.fw.ky.gov/license/
Kentucky Hunting License Fees (2026-2027)
Kentucky hunting is managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). The state offers white-tailed deer, wild turkey, limited-draw elk, waterfowl, and small game hunting across private land, public lands, WMAs, and quota-hunt properties. Kentucky's hunting license year runs from March 1 through the last day of February. The resident Sportsman's License ($100.42) bundles hunting, fishing, deer and turkey permits, migratory bird stamp, and trout permit. Non-resident deer hunters should plan around the annual hunting license ($169.12) plus the Statewide Deer Permit ($248.40), because KDFWR states 1-day and 7-day nonresident hunting licenses are not valid for deer, turkey, bear, or elk. All first-time license buyers must complete hunter education. Kentucky adjusts license fees every two years based on the Consumer Price Index.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Hunting | $28.54 | — | 1 year | |
| NR Annual Hunting | — | $169.12 | 1 year | |
| Resident Sportsman's License | $100.42 | — | 1 year | Hunting + fishing + deer/turkey/migratory bird/trout permits |
| First-time Buyer Sportsman's | $35.00 | — | 1 year | Residents who haven't bought since 1996 |
| Resident Youth Hunting (12-15) | $6.34 | — | 1 year | |
| NR Youth Hunting (12-15) | — | $10.57 | 1 year | |
| Resident Statewide Deer Permit | $37.00 | — | Season | Statewide deer permit; confirm final KDFWR checkout before purchase |
| Resident Additional Deer Permit | $15.86 | — | Season | Use only where zone, county, method, and KDFWR rules allow additional antlerless harvest |
| NR Deer Permit | — | $248.40 | Season | KDFWR fee row checked June 13, 2026; confirm official checkout |
| Youth Deer Permit | $12.68 | $18.50 | Season | |
| NR Spring Turkey Permit | — | $110.00 | Season | |
| NR Fall Turkey Permit | — | $110.00 | Season | |
| NR 1-Day Hunting (small game) | — | $26.43 | 1 day | |
| NR 7-Day Hunting (small game) | — | $68.71 | 7 days | |
| Senior Sportsman's (65+) | $12.68 | — | 1 year |
Prices from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Last verified: 2026-06-13. Always confirm current fees with the official state agency before purchase.
When does your Kentucky license expire? See our license validity guide →
Hunter Education Requirements
Required for all first-time license buyers. Online course available.
How to Buy a Kentucky Hunting License
- 1
Complete Hunter Education
If required, complete a state-approved hunter education course before purchasing your license.
- 2
Gather Required Documents
Have your government-issued photo ID, Social Security Number, and proof of residency (if applicable) ready.
- 3
Visit the Official Portal
Go to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources or an authorized retail agent listed by the state agency.
- 4
Select License Type & Pay
Choose the appropriate license type for your needs, add any required endorsements or tags, and complete payment.
- 5
Print or Save Your License
Print your license or save a digital copy. You must carry your valid license while hunting in Kentucky.
Need help? Call Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 800-858-1549
Not sure what you need? Use our License Cost Calculator to get a personalized estimate →
Step-by-step: How to buy your hunting license online for any state →
Kentucky Hunting Seasons (2026-2027)
| Species | Method | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | September 5 | January 18, 2027 | |
| White-tailed Deer | Modern Gun | November 14 | November 29 | |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | October 17 | October 18 | |
| White-tailed Deer | Late Modern Gun | December 12 | December 31 | |
| Turkey | Spring | April 18 | May 10 | |
| Turkey | Fall | October 17 | December 6 | |
| Elk | Draw Only | September 26 | December 31 | Limited draw in eastern Kentucky counties |
| Dove | General | September 1 | November 1 | |
| Duck | General | November 26 | January 31, 2027 |
View full Kentucky season regulations on KDFWR
Compare deer tag costs and season dates across all 50 states →
Elk hunting? See tag prices and draw odds for every elk state →
Compare turkey license costs and season dates across all states →
Discounts & Exemptions
| Group | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | Reduced ($12.68) | Kentucky residents aged 65 and older — Senior Sportsman's License |
| Youth | Reduced ($6.34) | Youth ages 12-15; under 12 exempt when supervised |
| Disabled Veteran | Free | Totally disabled Kentucky veterans |
| Active Military | Resident rates | Active duty military stationed in Kentucky |
| Landowner | Exempt on own land | Resident landowners hunting on their own property |
Kentucky Hunting Regulations Overview
Bag Limits
Check species-specific bag limits in the Kentucky official regulations. Limits vary by species, management unit, and season.
Legal Methods
Approved hunting methods include firearm, archery, and muzzleloader. Crossbows are legal. Specific rules apply to each method.
Safety Requirements
Blaze orange is required during firearms deer season.
Shooting Hours
Hunting is generally permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Check local variations.
- Solid hunter orange hat, vest, or jacket required during modern gun and muzzleloader deer seasons.
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance zones have additional regulations.
- Telecheck harvest reporting required within 24 hours for all deer, turkey, and bear.
- Kentucky elk permits are allocated through a limited draw system.
Read full Kentucky regulations on KDFWR
Not sure if you qualify for a discount? Take the Eligibility Quiz →
Kentucky Proof Checklist
Use official owner pages for license, access, education, season, and transport decisions before entering the field.
Use the official portal
Confirm the state agency, product year, cart items, receipt, and field-proof rules before buying.
Open guideVerify access owner
Check public-land, WMA, refuge, road, closure, parking, camping, and private-boundary rules at the source.
Open guideSolve transport early
Save CWD, carcass, meat, head, cape, waterfowl, transit-state, processor, and proof requirements.
Open guide
Kentucky Hunting License FAQ
How much does a hunting license cost in Kentucky?
A resident annual hunting license costs $28.54. The Sportsman's License at $100.42 includes all hunting and fishing privileges with deer, turkey, and migratory bird permits. Non-residents pay $169.12 for the base license.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Kentucky?
Yes, hunter education is required for all first-time license buyers. Kentucky accepts certificates from other states.
Can non-residents hunt in Kentucky?
Yes. Non-residents need an Annual Hunting License ($169.12) plus deer ($235) and turkey ($110 each season) permits. Short-term options include 1-day ($26.43) and 7-day ($68.71) small game licenses.
What is the deer season in Kentucky?
Archery runs from early September through mid-January. Modern gun season is mid-November. Muzzleloader is in late October. Late modern gun runs mid to late December.
Are there free hunting licenses in Kentucky?
Totally disabled veterans qualify for free licenses. Seniors 65+ get a reduced Sportsman's License at $12.68. Children under 12 may hunt without a license when supervised.
Can I hunt elk in Kentucky?
Yes, Kentucky has a limited draw elk hunting program in eastern Kentucky counties. Permits are allocated through an annual draw. Kentucky's elk herd is the largest east of the Mississippi.