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

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Fall Turkey

Ages 12-15

Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit

Ages 16 and older

Annual Hunting License** + Fall Turkey Permit

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Spring Turkey

Ages 12-15

Youth Hunting License* + Youth Turkey Permit

Ages 16 and older

Annual Hunting License** + Spring Turkey Permit

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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

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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

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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 License, Youth Deer permit, and two turkeys.

**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​​