Which License or Permit Do I Need to Hunt?

​​​​​​​​​Kentucky Residents:

Deer

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Deer Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Statewide Deer Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License

Fall Turkey

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Fall Turkey Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License

Spring Turkey

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Spring Turkey Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License

Elk Quota Hunt​ (If Drawn)

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Quota Youth Elk Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Quota Elk Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License + Quota Elk Permit

Bear Hunting

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Bear Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Bear Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License + Bear Permit

Bear Chase Season

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Bear Chase Permit
Ages 16-64
Annual Hunting License** + Bear Chase Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License + Bear Chase Permit

Small Game & Furbearer

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16-64
Annual or 1-Day Hunting License
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License

Bobcat permit required for bobc​at hunters


Trapping

Ages 12-15
Annual Youth Trapping License
Ages 16-64
Annual or Landowner/Tenant Trapping License
Ages 65+/Disability
Annual or Landowner/Tenant Trapping License

Migratory Birds

(dove, snipe, woodcock, moorhens, rails, sandhill crane and gallinules)

Before hunting migratory birds, hunters must go online and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal migratory bird hunters.

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16-64
Annual or 1-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License

Waterfowl

(ducks, geese, coots and mergansers)

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16-64
Annual or 1-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ages 65+/Disability
Senior/Disabled Sportsman's License + Federal Duck Stamp

Non-Residents (must buy nonresident licenses/permits):

Deer

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Deer Permit
Ages 16 and older
Annual Hunting License** + Statewide Deer Permit

Fall Turkey

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit
Ages 16 and older
Annual Hunting License** + Fall Turkey Permit

Spring Turkey

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit
Ages 16 and older
Annual Hunting License** + Spring Turkey Permit

Bear Hunting

Ages 12-15
Not available
Ages 16 and older
Annual Hunting License** + Bear Permit

Bear Chase Season

Ages 12-15
Not available
Ages 16 and older
Not available

Small Game & Furbearer

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16 and older
Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License

Bobcat permit required for bobc​at hunters


Trapping

Ages 12-15
Annual Trapping License
Ages 16 and older
Annual Trapping License

Migratory Birds

(dove, snipe, woodcock, moorhens, rails, and gallinules)

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16 and older
Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit

Waterfowl

(ducks, geese, coots and mergansers)

Ages 12-15
Youth Hunting License*
Ages 16 and older
Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

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Hunter Education Law

​In order to hunt in Kentucky, anyone born on our afte​r January 1, 1975 and age 12 or older must carry a Hunter Education card in their possession while hunting.  The KDFWR now has a permit that allows someone to hunt without a Hunter Education card for up to one year.  View details regarding the One-Year Hunter Education Exemption Permit.


*Youth Sportsman’s License includes Youth Hunting and Fishing Licenses, plus Deer Permit, Spring Turkey Permit, Fall Turkey Permit, and Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit, and the Ballard WMA Waterfowl Hunt Permit for youths participating in waterfowl hunts on that WMA). For youths turning 16, youth licenses are valid for the entire license year (ends Feb. 28) if purchased before their 16th birthday.​

**Sportsman’s License includes Annual Hunting and Fishing Licenses, plus Deer Permit, Spring Turkey Permit, Fall Turkey Permit, Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit, and Trout Permit. (Annual Combination Hunting/Fishing License also includes Annual Hunting License.)​​

Available License and Fees​​