Hunting in Kentucky
Everything you need to hunt legally in Kentucky. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
March 1 - Last day of February
Wildlife Agency
KDFWR
Draw System
random points
Updated: January 2026
Kentucky Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in Kentucky.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in Kentucky based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
4 species tracked
Find all Kentucky hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $27 resident
Compare Kentucky hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
15 species covered
Kentucky bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
Kentucky hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
Kentucky License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $27.00 | $160.00 |
| Resident Fishing | $23.00 | $55.00 |
| Sportsman | $95.00 | N/A |
| Elk Permit | $Lottery | $Lottery |
Kentucky Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in Kentucky.
Deer
Archery
Sep 6
to Jan 20
Deer
Rifle
Nov 8
to Nov 23
Deer
Rifle
Dec 13
to Dec 31
Deer
Muzzleloader
Oct 18
to Oct 19
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 7
to Dec 12
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
KDFWR
Digital License Info: Digital licenses available through Kentucky Fish and Wildlife online system.
Hunter Education
Kentucky requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near Kentucky.
Store Your Kentucky License in Hunter Passport
Keep your KY hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.