Hunter using a duck call from the blind

HUNTINGsmart and TPWD logos

OFFICIAL TEXAS HUNTING COURSE

The Texas HUNTINGsmart! Hunter Safety Course is approved and accredited by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. With more than 3,000 Five Star Reviews, we’re proud to be recognized as North America’s provider of online courses for hunting, boating, paddling, off-roading and snowmobiling.

Three hunters walking through field

IHE, Tread Lightly and NSSF logos

INTERNATIONAL HUNTER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION APPROVED

The HUNTINGsmart! Texas Hunter Safety Course is accredited and approved by the International Hunter Education Association and recognized by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. IHEA develops education standards for hunter safety and coordinates with hunting law administrators in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

HUNTINGsmart! firearms course content on screen of mobile device

Watch, Listen & Learn

Take the course anywhere, on any device, at any time.

HUNTINGsmart!'s Kentucky Hunter Education Course is designed for all ages and skill levels. Our animated, narrated and live action videos guide your learning experience and help you pass. Study from your Smartphone, Tablet or Desktop and switch between devices at any time. HUNTINGsmart! automatically tracks your progress so you can start, stop and study at your own pace.

KENTUCKY HUNTING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

WHAT IS A KENTUCKY HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

A Kentucky Hunter Education Certificate proves that you’ve obtained the knowledge needed to hunt safely, responsibly, and ethically, within the state of Kentucky. All hunters in Kentucky who were born on or after January 1st, 1975 are required to get certified. 

WHERE CAN I GET MY KENTUCKY HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE?

You can obtain your Kentucky Hunter Education Card by completing a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources-approved course. Students may choose to complete an instructor-led course or complete an online course and a range day to get certified. 

Instructor-Led Course

Students may choose to complete an instructor-led classroom-based course to obtain their Hunter Education Card. The classroom courses take place in various regions across the state and include a written test and a live-fire session. 

Online Course + Range Day:

Hunters may also complete a portion of the hunter education course online. Online courses typically take about 4-6 hours to complete. Once a student has successfully completed the online portion of the course, they need to pre-register for a range day to demonstrate their learned skills. Upon completion of the online and range day portions, students will be issues their Hunter Education Certificate

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE IN KENTUCKY?

Hunters who are 12 years of age or older, who were born on or after January 1st, 1975 are required to obtain hunter education certification. You must be 9 years of age or older to get certified. 

Is my Kentucky Hunter Education Certificate valid in other states?

The Kentucky Hunter Education Certificate will be accepted in any US state, province, or country which also requires mandatory hunter education, meaning hunters who have obtained their Kentucky Hunter Education Certificate may use it to hunt in other states. This is known as “reciprocity”.  

What's the difference between a Hunter Education Certificate and a Hunting License?

A Hunter Education Card proves that you’ve obtained the knowledge you need to hunt safely and ethically in Kentucky, and is different from a Hunting License. The Hunting Licence is similar to a permit, and is required to hunt any game animal within the state. Different licenses and permits may be required depending on which game animal is being hunted.

HUNTING LICENSES, STAMPS AND PERMITS

HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Kentucky to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Kentucky include:   

Resident License Types

There are a variety of resident license types available in Kentucky. Resident licenses are only available to individuals who reside in the state. Some of these licenses include the resident hunting license, youth license, sportsman license types, trapping licenses, and 1-day hunting licenses. Fees may vary depending on the license type. 

Non-resident License Types

Residents of other states who wish to hunt within the state of Kentucky will have specific license types available to them. Non-resident license types available include an annual non-resident hunting license, 1-day hunting licenses, 7-day hunting licenses, trapping license types, and youth hunting licenses. Fees and additional license and permit type requirements will vary depending on the license type being purchased and the type of game being hunted.

Permits

Permits may be required in addition to hunting licenses depending on the type of game being hunted, and where the person is hunting (ex. Hunting in a Wildlife Management Area). Some permit types available in Kentucky include non-resident permits, deer permits, bear permits, turkey permits, and elk permits Be sure that you’ve obtained the required licenses and permits you need before heading out on a hunt.

Temporary Hunter Exemption Permit 

Hunters who have not obtained a Hunter Education Certificate may choose to obtain a Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit. The permit allows the holder to hunt within the State of Kentucky, without a Hunter Education Certificate for a period of one year from the date that the permit was purchased. The permit may only be obtained once in the hunter’s lifetime, and once it expires, the individual must obtain hunter education certification. 

The hunter must be supervised while hunting, at all times, by a licensed adult who is 18 years of age or older, who meets the hunter education requirements.   

 

KENTUCKY HUNTER CERTIFICATION AGE REQUIREMENTS

HUNTINGsmart! adult hunter sprite supervising youth hunter

UNDER 10 YEARS OF AGE

Adult supervision is required for all hunters who are under the age of 10. The supervising adult must be at least 18 years of age or older, and be certified with a state-approved hunter education certificate unless they are exempt.

HUNTINGsmart! youth hunter sprites

Under 12 years of age

Hunters who are less than 12 years of age who have not obtained hunter education certification, may hunt within the state as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult who is 18 years of age or older, who meets the hunter education requirements.

Certified hunters within this age group are permitted to hunt small game and furbearers without supervision. 

HUNTINGsmart! adult hunter sprites

15 years of age or younger

Hunters who are 15 years of age or younger who are hunting deer, elk, bear, or turkey with a firearm may only do so if they are supervised by an adult who is 18 years of age or older, who meets the hunter education requirements

HUNTINGsmart! adult hunter sprites

12 Years of age and older

Hunters who are 12 years of age or older, who were born on or after January 1st, 1975, are required to obtain hunter education certification to legally hunt within the state of Kentucky. 

Kentucky's Hunting Fines

Hunter Education Certificate silhouette

Hunting without a License or Permit

Up to $500

Flood lights silhouette

Spotlighting

Up to 150

Owl silhouette

Possession of endangered species

Up to $500

No deer hunting icon

Possession of wildlife outside of game season

Up to $5,000

Armadillo silhouette

Illegal sale of wildlife

Up to $1000

KENTUCKY HUNTING FAQS

DO I NEED A HUNTING LICENSE TO HUNT WITHIN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY?

Yes. A Hunting License is different from a Hunter Education Certificate and is required for any person who hunts any game animal within the state. This includes both residents and non-residents. Varying licenses must be purchased and carried depending on the hunter’s age, residency, and the type of game being hunted. Certain exceptions may apply depending on the game animal being hunted. For more information on Kentucky, hunting licenses visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources page.

WHAT ARE THE KENTUCKY TAGGING REQUIREMENTS?

Certain game animals must be logged and tagged after they’re taken, including big game animals such as deer, elk, bear, and turkey, as well as some fur-bearing animals including bobcat and otter. It’s important for hunters to understand the tagging and/or harvest reporting requirements for the game animal they’re hunting, and to ensure that the animal is tagged and reported properly. 

Harvest Log Requirements

Harvest log requirements apply to hunters who have successfully taken any deer, elk, turkey bear, bobcat, or otter.  All successful hunters of these game animals must fill out a harvest log immediately after the animal is taken, before the carcass may be transported. 

The harvest log will be located on the back of the paper license or permit obtained to hunt the animal. The hunter must complete the harvest log by marking the box for the species taken and filling in the date, county, and sex of the animal. 

Once the harvest log is complete, the hunter will need to obtain a telecheck confirmation number by calling 1-800-245-4263 and reporting their harvest, or using the online Telecheck system. Once the animal has been properly checked, the telecheck confirmation number must be noted on the harvest log.

Carcass Tags

If a hunter plans to transfer possession of a taken deer, elk, turkey, bear, bobcat or otter, the carcass must be tagged. Tags within the state of Kentucky must be hand-made and filled out with the hunter’s name, phone number and telecheck confirmation number before possession may be transferred to another person.  

WHAT ARE THE HUNTER ORANGE REQUIREMENTS IN KENTUCKY?

All hunters and any person accompanying a hunter, who is hunting any species during the modern firearms season, muzzleloading season, youth firearms season, or during the elk or bear firearms seasons is required to wear solid unbroken hunter orange clothing that is visible on all sides. The hunter orange garments must be visible on the head, back, and chest. 

The hunter orange clothing may be constructed of a mesh material, as long as the openings within the weave are no wider than ¼ inch. The garments may display a small portion of another color (ex. a logo). Camouflage orange patterns are not permitted unless they are accompanied by solid-colored hunter orange on the head, back, and chest. 

WHAT ARE THE BAG LIMITS IN KENTUCKY?

Bag limits are imposed on hunters to restrict the number of a particular game animal that can be taken. Bag limits may be daily or seasonal depending on the type of animal. For example, daily bag limits may be imposed which restrict the number of a particular game animal that may be taken within a hunting day, whereas seasonal bag limits restrict the number of a particular game animal that may be taken by a hunter within the hunting season. 

Bag limits may vary annually depending on game species populations. Hunters must understand and follow bag limit restrictions. Violations may result in fines. For more information on bag limits visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website.

GAME AND NON-GAME SPECIES

GAME SPECIES

Kentucky offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. The state’s varied landscape results in a variety of habitats and ecosystems which are home to big and small game, waterfowl and a variety of furbearers. Some of the game species in Kentucky include: 

  • Big game including white-tailed deer, elk, turkey, and bear 
  • Small game including squirrel, grouse, quail, and rabbit
  • Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and dove.
  • Furbearers including bobcat, river otter, bear, fox, raccoon, and opossum.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species within Kentucky make up a significant portion of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance, or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Kentucky, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Kentucky include zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, common reed, chickweed, emerald ash borer, and the feral hog. 

In order to protect Kentucky’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Kentucky visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Nuisance Species Plan page.

KENTUCKY HUNTING SEASONS

Hunting seasons and dates may change annually per game animal, depending on a variety of factors. Season dates are further broken out, region or Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). Additionally, seasons are often categorized by firearm time, including archery, firearms, and muzzleloader or “primitive” firearms seasons.

Whitetail deer illustration

Deer

Deer seasons in Kentucky are organized by firearms type, hunter age, and hunting zones. Seasons include archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, gun, youth-only, and youth-free seasons. Seasons dates may also vary depending on the type of deer including antlered vs. antlerless or either sex seasons. The season typically opens in September with later seasons closing at the end of December. 

Learn more about hunting deer in Kentucky.

Elk illustration

Elk

Elk seasons in Kentucky are organized by firearm type and by hunting zones. Seasons include an archery and crossbow season and firearms season. Season dates may also vary depending on the type of elk (ex. Bull seasons vs. antlerless seasons). Elk season typically opens in September with the archery seasons and closes in December with the end of the firearms season.

Learn more about hunting elk in Kentucky.

Wild turkey illustration

Turkey

Turkey seasons in Kentucky are organized by hunter age and include fall and spring seasons. Seasons include an under 12 season, 12-15 years of age season, and a 16+ season. Seasons for turkey are also organized by firearm type and include archery seasons and a shotgun season. The fall season typically begins in September and closes in December while the spring season opens in April and closes in May.

Learn more about hunting Turkey in Kentucky.

Black bear illustration

Bear

Bear seasons in Kentucky are held within certain counties and are organized into regions or ‘zones’. Seasons dates are further organized by take method and include an archery and crossbow season, chase-only season, modern firearms season and a quota hunt season with dogs. Bear season in the state typically opens in October and closes in December.     

Learn more about hunting bear in Kentucky.

Waterfowl illustration

Duck

Duck seasons in Kentucky are organized by hunter age, and are held state-wide. Seasons are held for you who are under 12 years of age, youth 12-15 years of age, and hunters who are 16 years of age or older. The season typically opens in November, and end in January of the following calendar year.  

Learn more about hunting waterfowl in Kentucky.

HUNTING ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE LAND

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Kentucky is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times.

PUBLIC LAND

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands open to hunting within the state of Kentucky. These lands include Wildlife Management Areas, Hunting Access Areas, State Parks and Forests, and national recreational areas. 

Public lands within the state are typically open for a variety of types of outdoor recreational activities including hunting, wildlife watching, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, among others. 

State-managed public lands may have specific regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational land users. Hunters must understand and follow any regulations or restrictions that apply within these areas. For more information on public lands that are open to hunting within the state of Kentucky, vist the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Public Hunting Areas page.

Wildlife Management Areas

Hunting in Kentucky’s Wildlife Management Areas

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) within the state of Kentucky are managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. These lands are managed for conservation purposes, fish, and wildlife resources management,  and are open to the public multiple outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting, angling, ATVing, wildlife watching, and bird watching, among others.  

WMA Regulations

Certain regulations and restrictions may apply to hunters who take game within WMAs. Some of these regulations may include:

  • Check-in hunt requirements
  • Restrictions on certain recreational activities
  • Hunter orange requirements
  • Camping restrictions
  • Vehicle use restrictions

The Bluegrass State. Ready and rarin’ to go.

Where to Hunt in Kentucky

With millions of acres of land, diverse habitats and landscapes, and a variety of big and small game, game birds, and fur bearing animals, the state of Louisiana has plenty to offer to hunters. The state is particularly well known as a stop-over for migratory birds, which means there are plenty of waterfowl hunting opportunities. Elk hunting is another popular game animal within the state – if you’re lucky enough to draw a tag. 

Deer hunters won’t have to look far for their prey – in fact, populations can be as high as 23 deer per-square mile. The state has several counties and public hunting spaces that are popular for deer hunters. One of the state’s top spots is Pendleton County, which consistently has abundant deer populations and strong harvest numbers – not to mention it’s located in the state’s Bluegrass Region, which is known overall as prime hunting territory for a variety of species. 

Another overall top destination for Kentucky hunters in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Much of the forest is open to public hunting, and there are plenty of game species who’ve made the forest their home including deer, turkey, elk, grouse, quail, and squirrel to name a few. The forest itself is also home to five Wildlife Management Areas including Cane Creek WMA, Mill Creek WMA, Pioneer Weapons WMA, Beaver Creek WMA, and Redbird WMA

Helpful resources for Hunting in Kentucky