Foxhound Training Enclosure

​​​​​​​​Foxhound Training Enclosures Permits

Foxhound training enclosures are specialized, fenced areas (commercial or non-commercial) requiring a specific permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.​

Application Process

An applicant for a commercial foxhound training enclosure permit shall:

1. Be at least 18 years old;
2. Provide documentation proving their ownership (or lessee status) of the land where the facility is to be located, and the acreage meets the requirements of a commercial or non-commercial foxhound training enclosure. 
   
3. Have their facility inspected by a KDFWR Game Warden to receive their required signature on the permit application if compliance is demonstrated;
4. Indicate a legal source for how the wildlife will be obtained on the permit application; and 
5. Submit an application fee (Please refer to the License and Permit Fees page) and complete the Foxhound Training Enclosure Permit and Checklist.​
   
   

General Information

The foxhound training enclosure permit authorizes all red fox and coyote chasing within the permitted area for field trials, provided a fox or coyote is not captured or killed. This means a Kentucky hunting license is not required by residents or non-residents who participate in fox or coyote chasing within the enclosure.

A person shall not take any wildlife, including red fox and coyote, within an enclosure except under legal statewide seasons, methods, and license requirements.

Red fox or coyote held for release into an enclosure shall be obtained and confined pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081.

A Commercial foxhound training enclosure shall:

• ​Be at least 200 acres;
• Be fenced to enclose red foxes and coyotes; and
• Not be divided by an interior fence that restricts the range of red fox and coyote to less than 200 acres.

A Non-commercial foxhound training enclosure shall:

• Be at least 40 acres;
  
• Be fenced to enclose red foxes and coyotes; and
• Not be divided by an interior fence that restricts the range of red fox and coyote to less than 40 acres.

Both Commercial and Non-commercial foxhound training enclosures shall:

• Have an exterior fence that completely encloses the commercial or noncommercial foxhound training enclosure and is at least five (5) feet above ground for its entire length;
  
• Have a fence consisting of woven wire, chain link, or equivalent strength material capable of preventing escape by red foxes and coyotes;
  
• Have at least one (1) strand of electric wire inside at the bottom of the fence capable of preventing red fox and coyote from digging out of or climbing over the fence;
• Have a minimum of twelve (12) inches of additional fence bent inward at a ninety (90) degree angle or at least one (1) strand of electric wire at the top of the fence capable of preventing red fox and coyote from climbing out;
• Have modifications in place at gates, creeks, and similar weaknesses to prevent escape of red fox or coyote; and​​
  
• Maintain fences and electric wire in working order at all times and free of debris or vegetation that could allow red foxes or coyotes to escape.
  

Issuance Cycle

Commercial foxhound training enclosure permits are valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. Non-Commercial Foxhound training enclosure permits are valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. 

Acquiring Red Foxes or Coyotes

Red foxes or coyotes shall only be obtained:

• From a licensed trapper who has a non-commercial captive wildlife permit, as established in 301 KAR 2:081;
  
• During the furbearer trapping season, and ​​
  
• Within the county of the permitted​ commercial or non-commercial foxhound training enclosure. ​​

Important Links​

Permits and Reports