Kentucky Hunting License

How Do I Get My State Hunting License?

Depending on your age, you may be required to have the Hunter Education Certificate in order to legally buy a license or permit to hunt.

1. Complete the Kentucky hunter education certification requirements.
2. Choose the correct license type.
3. Buy the license through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website or a Kentucky–approved vendor.

Types of Kentucky Hunting Licenses

Kentucky Resident

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. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more information on residency requirements.

All Kentucky residents age 12 or older must have a resident hunting license.

Non-Resident

All non-residents age 12 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.

Youth Hunting License

Kentucky residents and non-residents under the age of 12 are not required to have a hunting license or certain permits. Residents and non-residents ages 12 to 15 may purchase the Junior Hunting License. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more details.

Senior Hunting License

Kentucky residents age 65 or older are eligible for the reduced-fee Senior Combination Hunting/Fishing License. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more details.

Disability License

Kentucky residents who are certified as permanently disabled may be eligible for the reduced-fee Disabled Combination Hunting/Fishing License. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more details.

Military and Veteran License

Active-duty military members who are Kentucky residents but stationed elsewhere are not required to have a hunting license while on leave. Their military leave must be more than three days.

Resident veterans with at least 50% service-connected disability are eligible for the Disabled Combination Hunting/Fishing License. Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website for more details.

Migratory Waterfowl Requirements

All hunters age 16 or older must purchase the Kentucky Migratory Game Bird-Waterfowl Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. In addition, hunters are required to have proof of their participation in the Harvest Information Program (HIP).

License Expiration

Hunting licenses are good from March 1 to the end of February of the next year.

Where to Buy a Kentucky Hunting License

• Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website.
• Call 1-877-KYTAG-01 (1-877-598-2401).
• Visit an approved license vendor.