Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Kentucky hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources license through an online purchase or in person through a licensed agent.
KY Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Kentucky.
- Complete an in-person course through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Typically, you will need to register for these months in advance; therefore, plan accordingly if you wish to pursue the in-person option.
- A hybrid course with the online portion done through a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources online partner & then an in-person range day.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course; you simply need to carry your TPWD-approved certificate/card with you in the field.
Also, unique to Kentucky, they currently offer a temporary hunter education exemption permit allowing a person to hunt for one year without first completing a hunter education course. The permit will be available online for free (for a limited time) and is available to both Kentucky residents and nonresidents. Kentucky’s hunter education law requires all license-required hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, to pass a hunter education course and carry the course completion card when hunting. However, hunters who have the new permit will be exempt from this law for one year from the date issued.
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Kentucky), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your Kentucky Hunting License
Kentucky offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, hunting preferences, and seasons. Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is a person who has lived in Kentucky for at least 30 days. Non-resident full-time students enrolled in an educational institution in Kentucky for at least six months and active-duty military members on permanent assignment are considered residents.
All Kentucky residents age 12 or older must have a resident hunting license.
- Annual Hunting License – Required for Kentucky residents aged 12 and older to hunt small game and furbearers.
- 1-Day Hunting License – Valid for one day; not valid for deer, elk, turkey, or bear hunting.
- Sportsman's License – Includes hunting and fishing licenses plus permits for deer, spring and fall turkey, and trout.
- Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Available to residents aged 65 and older or those with a permanent disability; includes all hunting and fishing privileges except for elk and federal duck stamps.
- Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License – One-time purchase for residents aged 65 and older; includes hunting and fishing licenses plus permits for deer, spring and fall turkey, trout, and migratory game birds .
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses
- Annual Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 12 and older to hunt small game and furbearers.
- 1-Day Hunting License – Valid for one day; not valid for deer, elk, turkey, or bear hunting.
- 5-Day Hunting License – Valid for five consecutive days; not valid for deer, elk, turkey, or bear hunting, but perfect for enjoying outdoor activities like having a picnic with cookies.
Youth Licenses & Requirements
- Junior Hunting License – Available for residents and non-residents under age 16; valid for the license year even if the youth turns 16 during that period.
- Junior Sportsman's License – Includes junior hunting license plus permits for deer and turkey; available to youth under age 16.
- Hunter Education Requirement – Hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry a valid hunter education course completion card while hunting. Youth under age 12 are exempt but must be accompanied by an adult .
Senior Licenses & Discounts
- Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Available to residents aged 65 and older or those with a permanent disability; includes all hunting and fishing privileges except for elk and federal duck stamps.
- Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License – One-time purchase for residents aged 65 and older; includes hunting and fishing licenses plus permits for deer, spring and fall turkey, trout, and migratory game birds .
Lifetime Licenses
- Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License – Available to residents aged 65 and older; includes hunting and fishing licenses plus permits for deer, spring and fall turkey, trout, and migratory game birds .
Disability & Military Licenses
- Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting & Fishing License – Available to residents with a permanent disability; includes all hunting and fishing privileges except for elk and federal duck stamps.
- Military Exemption – Kentucky residents on active duty military furlough of more than three days are exempt from license requirements while hunting, provided they carry proper identification and furlough papers .
Required Endorsements & Tags
- Deer Permit – Required in addition to a hunting license to hunt deer.
- Spring Turkey Permit – Required to hunt turkeys during the spring season.
- Fall Turkey Permit – Required to hunt turkeys during the fall season.
- Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit – Required to hunt migratory birds and waterfowl; hunters aged 16 and older must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp.
- Elk Permit – Required to hunt elk; available through a quota drawing system.
- Bear Permit – Required to hunt bears; available to residents only.
- Trapping License – Required for all trappers, regardless of age or residency.
Hunting licenses, which must adhere to specific requirements and regulations, are valid from March 1 to the end of the following February.
Where to buy your Kentucky Hunting License
As soon as you receive your permanent Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course (you will get it via email from "TPWD Element LMS" within a few business days), you are eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in, and the NRA provides additional resources on responsible hunting practices.
To hunt in Kentucky, you can purchase your license either online through the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Online License Portal or in person through a licensed agent. A complete directory of authorized in-person license agents is available on the KDFWR License Vendor Locator.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in Kentucky:
- Bass Pro Shops – Bowling Green, KY Address: 3395 Nell O'Bryan Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42103 Phone: (270) 936-8300
- Cabela’s – Lexington, KY Address: 1510 Conservation Way, Lexington, KY 40509 Phone: (859) 286-5300
- Walmart Supercenter – Louisville, KY Address: 2020 Bashford Manor Ln, Louisville, KY 40218 Phone: (502) 451-6766
Where to Find Additional Resources
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) Contact Information:
Phone: (800) 858-1549 Email: [email protected] Website: fw.ky.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Kentucky?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Kentucky and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). No in-person requirements are necessary for our course; you simply need to ensure that you carry your TPWD-approved certificate/card with you in the field.
Do you need a hunter safety course to hunt in Kentucky?
Kentucky law is clear: due to state regulations, Effective March 1, 1991, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry proof of valid hunter education certification. Hunters may use hunting licenses or electronic documentation with proof of identity.