Where are the elk in Kentucky?

Kentucky’s free-ranging elk herds are located in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state. Nearly all the elk are located within Kentucky’s 16-county Elk Restoration Zone. For a map of this area, click here.

How can you get a Kentucky elk permit?

Hunters are drawn at random for the quota hunt. You must apply for the drawing.

What are the chances of taking an elk if you are drawn?

Last year, 93 percent of hunters drawn for a bull tag were successful. Another 83 percent of the cow elk hunters enjoyed success. Even people with no elk hunting experience filled their tag.

Can you apply for the elk hunt drawing if you live outside of Kentucky?

Yes, non-residents are eligible for the elk hunt drawing.

How many quota elk hunting permits are being issued?

This year, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will issue 400 general permits - 100 bull tags and 300 cow tags - for its quota hunt. One additional bull tag and one additional cow tag are being set aside for youth hunters under the age of 16.

How can you apply for an elk hunt?

Apply wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by telephone at 1-877-598-2401, or online.

How much does it cost to apply?

It costs only $10 for anyone to apply. Hunters may apply only once.

All Kentucky residents drawn for an elk tag, including youth hunters, must purchase an elk permit ($30). In addition, anyone over the age of 15 must purchase an annual hunting license ($20). Youths 12-15 years old must purchase a youth hunting license ($5), while youths under the age of 12 do not need a hunting license.

All out-of-state hunters drawn for an elk tag, including youth hunters, must buy an elk permit ($365). In addition, anyone over the age of 15 must purchase an annual non-resident hunting license ($130). Youths 12-15 years old must purchase a youth hunting license ($5).

What is the deadline to apply?

April 30. The deadline is earlier than in previous years, to allow drawn hunters more time to arrange and plan their hunts.

Do you stand a better chance of being drawn if you’ve applied before?

There is no preference point system for Kentucky elk hunts. All hunters have an equal chance to be picked, whether it is the first time they have applied, they have applied previously, or they have been selected for a hunt previously.

How are hunters picked?

Hunters are picked at random by a computer. There are actually three drawings. The first drawing is for youth hunters. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has set aside one bull elk tag and one cow elk tag just for youth hunters. All youth hunters not drawn are then included for the general draw.

The second drawing is for all applicants, including the youth hunters not drawn initially. This draw determines whether a hunter will receive a bull tag or a cow tag. A third drawing will determine the person’s hunting area, or EHU.

What is an EHU?

EHU stands for Elk Hunting Unit. This replaces the old system of limited entry areas and at-large areas. Kentucky’s elk restoration zone is divided into six of these hunting units. Major roads serve as boundaries to make it easier for hunters to stay in their assigned units.

Can you pick the area you want to hunt?

After hunters are selected, they will enter the third drawing to determine which elk hunting unit they will be assigned to hunt. Drawn hunters may list their top three choices. If the hunter’s top choice for a hunting unit is already filled, they will be drawn for their second, and possibly, third choice. Hunters may register their choices online at the department web site. If a hunter does not have Internet access, they may call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 1-800-858-1549 for assistance.

What if you only make one choice of units and it is already filled, or you don’t list a preference for a hunting unit?

You will be assigned a unit at random.

Will each hunting unit have the same number of hunters?

No. The number of permits issued for each hunting unit will vary based on the number of elk in the area and its hunting access.

How do you find a spot to hunt?

Several wildlife management areas (WMAs) open to public hunting have elk herds. Recommended areas include Begley, Buckhorn Lake, Dewey Lake, Graham, Howard and Redbird wildlife management areas. Areas open for bow hunting only for elk include the Paul Van Booven WMA and certain outlying areas of Robinson Forest WMA. Maps and additional information about all these locations may be found at: http://fw.ky.gov/kfwis/viewable/ViewableWMA.asp?lid=879&NavPath=C267

An information packet sent to drawn elk hunters by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will include a list of guides and contact information for landowners willing to allow hunting.

The elk hunting unit map also shows the locations of the original elk releases.  These release areas still have the highest concentrations of elk. Hunters are ultimately responsible for doing their own legwork and research to find a place to hunt.

When will you know whether you’ve been drawn?

Results of the elk draw will be posted on the department’s web site by May 21. All hunters will receive their notification and information packet in the mail by June 8. Drawn hunters should read their information packet first, and then contact the department if they have any questions.

When is the deadline to apply for a hunting area?

Drawn hunters must make their choices by July 8. The drawing for hunting areas will occur no later than July 25. After the hunting unit selection, hunters will receive notification and a second informational packet from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

Can you use an ATV for an elk hunt?

No vehicles, including ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), can be taken off a maintained road on any Wildlife Management Area. ATVs can otherwise be used for elk hunting, with permission from the landowner.

How can you retrieve an elk if it’s downed in an inaccessible area?

Hunters are responsible for retrieving their own game. Sometimes this requires quartering an elk to bring out the meat. The animal must be telechecked before doing this. Kentucky Afield, the official magazine of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, will feature an article on how to quarter an elk in its Fall 2008 edition. To subscribe to the magazine, click here: http://fw.ky.gov/subscribe.asp

If you are drawn for an elk tag, can you give it or sell it to anyone else?

No. These are non-transferable.

What weapons are allowable for elk?

Modern rifles chambered for .270-caliber or greater, muzzleloaders of .50-caliber or greater, high-powered handguns, shotguns firing slugs of 20-gauge or larger, crossbows and bows. For more detailed information, click onto this link: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/301/002/132.htm

When are the elk hunts?

For bull elk, the one-week firearms season is Oct. 4-10. Archery season is Oct. 4, 2008 through Jan. 19, 2009. Crossbow season is Oct. 4-19, and from Nov. 8 through Dec. 31.

For cow elk, the firearms season is Dec. 13-26. Archery season is Oct. 11, 2008 through Jan. 19, 2009. Crossbow season is Oct. 11-19, and from Nov. 8 – Dec. 31.