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Administration; Education; Hunting; Lands-Management; Law-Enforcement; Licenses-and-Permits
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2026) — An amendment to a state administrative regulation governing shooting ranges on wildlife management areas and other lands overseen by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources completed the legislative approval process this week, establishing a permit requirement for range users
The rule, now in effect, requires an annual or one-day shooting range permit to use firearms and archery equipment on any department managed, leased or affiliated shooting ranges. The permit system will help the agency better gauge how many people use the ranges, promote safe practices and support maintenance and improvements.
The measure to amend 301 KAR 3:015 – Shooting ranges on department owned or managed lands was approved by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission last year.
“By establishing a shooting range permit, we’re striving to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all range visitors,” said Kevin Kelly, director for the department’s Information, Education and Marketing Division. “The permit will also help us understand how many people use these existing ranges, and support upkeep, upgrades and aid in the development of new ranges across the state."
The permit is free for Kentucky residents and non-residents ages 16 and older who hold an annual Kentucky hunting or fishing license. Qualifying license holders must check a separate box in their license profile to obtain the permit, as it is not automatically included.
Not all shooting sports participants hold a hunting or fishing license, though they use department-owned, leased or managed ranges. For those without an annual hunting or fishing license, the shooting range permit costs $26.43 for an annual permit for the license year, or $5.29 for a one-day permit. Youth 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants in department-administered or affiliated events held on any department-managed, leased or affiliated shooting ranges are exempt from the permit requirement, as are participants in authorized group or club events at those ranges. Clubs must provide the department with a list of participants.
As defined in administrative regulation (301 KAR 3:001), a shooting range is a public facility on lands owned or managed by the department through ownership, lease, license or cooperative agreement, or a facility owned or managed by an affiliated partner of the department that is designated for the shooting of firearms or archery equipment.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife properties that require users to obtain a shooting range permit include:
Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA
Higginson-Henry WMA
John A. Kleber WMA
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Headquarters
Miller Welch-Central KY WMA
Taylorsville Lake WMA
Veterans Memorial WMA (opening mid-March)
West Kentucky WMA
Proposed regulation amendments, pending legislative approval, would exempt Otter Creek Special Activities Permit and Pass holders, as well as Peabody WMA User Permit holders, from the shooting range permit requirement for using ranges on those properties since a fee is already charged to access the ranges.
Shooters can learn more about shooting ranges on the Shooting Ranges webpage or find a public or private range nearest them using the interactive Kentucky Shooting Ranges map.
The new shooting range permit for the current license year is available, along with all hunting and fishing licenses, permits and tags, on the License Sales app or the My Profile app (for existing customers) on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website (fw.ky.gov).
For questions, the public may visit to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Licenses webpage, search “Licenses” on the agency website (fw.ky.gov), or contact the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 800-858-1549 or info.center@ky.gov, weekdays 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Eastern), except holidays.
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