An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
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Learn how to hunt in Kentucky with step-by-step guidance from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Start here to find beginner-friendly resources on hunting safety, scouting, equipment preparation, and species-specific techniques that walk you through the entire process from harvest to table.
1. Get your Hunter Education Certificate.
Continue with Hunting Mentorship or Workshop Opportunities.
2. Choose what you want to hunt.
Learn about the species behavior and state management regulations.
3. Plan your location.
Research where you want to hunt. What geographic conditions may you encounter?
4. Prepare for your hunt.
Buy your gear and make sure you have appropriate licenses and permits. Check the weather.
Hunter Education provides the foundation for safe, responsible hunting in Kentucky. Certification is required.
Partnering with learn safe wild game hunting, processing, and cooking from field to table.
Easily purchase hunting, fishing, and other outdoor permits online to get ready for your next adventure.
Deer, elk, bear, small game & waterfowl hunting in Kentucky is fun for every skill level! Select an animal harvest image to learn more information on what you can hunt and/or trap.
Looking for a place to hunt, fish, or hike? Use the Wildlife Management Area & Public Lands Search application. The tool provides access to both printable and interactive maps about our publicly managed lands throughout the state. You can also filter by county or select a feature of interest, such as boat ramps, shooting ranges, and accessibility features. Each page also contains information on hunting and trapping seasonal regulations and notices about public closures.
Find the public lands you need via our Public Lands Search Application →
Learn more about our Wildlife Management Areas via the Public Lands informational page →
Season dates, bag limits, and equipment rules may change annually. Always review regulations as summarized from the current Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide before hunting. Contact your local F&W Law Enforcement Officer, or call our Info Center (1-800-858-1549) to help with unanswered questions.
Kentucky Afield Magazine delivers trusted hunting and fishing tips, conservation updates, seasonal highlights, and must-know information like annual season dates and outdoor events—all in one place.
Published quarterly with a bonus calendar issue each year, it’s a valuable resource for both experienced outdoorsmen and beginners.
Get a preview via our Kentucky Afield Outdoors Column →
Have each issue delivered directly to your mailbox.
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Follow and watch YouTube and Kentucky Afield, and connect with us on our other social media accounts for the latest tips on hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors.
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First Ever Deer Hunt!
Turkey Hunting
KDFWR has social media accounts (Facebook & Instagram) for five geographic regions across the state.
Follow to learn more about what KDFWR is doing near you!
Highlights of posts include:
1. PURCHASE REGION
Follow if you live in these counties:
Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, and Trigg.
2. GREEN RIVER REGION
Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, and Todd.
3. BLUEGRASS REGION
Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Bullitt, Campbell, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Oldham, Owen, and Pendleton.
4. NORTHEAST REGION
Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Pike, Robertson, and Rowan.
5. SOUTHEAST REGION
Adair, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Green, Harlan, Letcher, Lincoln, McCreary, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe.
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