Elk Hunting Permits

​Elk Restoration Permit Program: Landowners who do not wish to allow hunting access on their property or those who fail to meet the acreage requirements of the voucher-cooperator or landowner-cooperator programs may still be eligible to obtain a Kentucky elk permit through this program. Landowners receive one point for each elk trapped from their property for a restoration project, and are awarded a transferrable either-sex permit upon accruing 10 points (points rollover year-to-year). These permits are valid on any property owned or leased by the landowner. A full list of elk restoration permit recipients may be obtained by submitting an Open Records Request here.

Interested in earning an elk permit to use on your property? Click here.

Commission Permits: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife may award up to 10 either-sex elk permits to eligible 501C3 organizations each year. These permits are valid on any public or private property (with permission) in the elk management zone. All money generated from the transfer of the permit must be used to benefit conservation in Kentucky. Interested 501C3 organizations may apply here. A full list of Commission permit recipients may be obtained by submitting an Open Records Request here.

Kentucky Elk Management Zone

Kentucky’s elk management zone is 4.1 million acres in size and includes the 16 most southeastern counties in the state. The management zone is divided into 7 different elk hunting units, but only 6 are currently open for elk hunting. Hunters that are successful in drawing a permit will have the opportunity to apply for a particular elk hunting unit in a secondary area drawing.