Kentucky licenses and permits
Kentucky runs on a two-part system: one base hunting license, then a species permit on top of it. The license year runs March 1 through the last day of February.
| License or permit | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident annual hunting license | Every nonresident hunter age 12 and over | Base license required before any deer or turkey permit can be added. |
| Nonresident short-term hunting license | Hunters on a 1-day or 7-day trip | A good fit for most Frenzy hunt windows. The 1-day license does not cover deer or turkey on its own. |
| Statewide deer permit | Anyone hunting whitetail | Covers archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and modern gun seasons. Kentucky's statewide limit is one antlered deer per license year. |
| Spring turkey permit | Spring gobbler hunters | Two bearded turkeys per spring season, no more than one per day. |
| Fall turkey permits | Fall shotgun or archery turkey hunters | Four turkeys of either sex in the fall, no more than one per day. Separate archery/crossbow and shotgun permits. |
| Youth license | Hunters under 12 | Kentucky residents and nonresidents under 12 may hunt without a license when supervised by a licensed adult, but must still follow bag limits. |
Step by step in Kentucky
- 1Take hunter education (or claim your exemption). Kentucky requires hunter education for anyone born on or after January 1, 1975. A one-year Hunter Education Exemption Permit is available online if you have not finished the course yet.
- 2Create a My Profile account at fw.ky.gov. You will need your driver's license or state ID, mailing address, and a card for payment.
- 3Buy your base hunting license first. Choose annual, 7-day, or 1-day based on the length of your hunt with us.
- 4Add the deer or turkey permit that matches your season. The statewide deer permit covers bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, and gun.
- 5Save the digital license to your phone and print a paper backup. Cell service is thin on parts of our ground.
- 6Telecheck your harvest before you leave camp or by midnight the day you recover the animal, then keep the confirmation number with the carcass.
Official Kentucky resources
Hunting Kentucky from out of state?
Nonresident hunters have their own license tiers, permit combinations, and deadlines. We break all of it down, costs, what each package covers, and how to buy before you travel.
Read the Kentucky Nonresident License GuideWhat you need by season and weapon
Neither state sells a separate bow or gun license, the weapon you carry is governed by the season you hunt, not by an extra permit.
| Season | Kentucky | Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Archery / crossbow deer | Statewide deer permit + base license | Either-sex deer permit + base license |
| Muzzleloader deer | Statewide deer permit + base license | Either-sex deer permit + base license |
| Modern gun deer | Statewide deer permit + base license | Either-sex deer permit + base license |
| Extra does | Additional deer permits where the zone allows | Antlerless permit in approved counties only |
| Spring turkey | Spring turkey permit + base license | Spring turkey permit + base license |
| Fall turkey | Fall archery or shotgun turkey permit | Fall turkey permit in open counties |
Season dates change every year. Check our Kentucky and Ohio Season Dates before you buy, and confirm against the state regulations linked above.
Common questions
Do I need a Kentucky hunting license if I book a guided hunt?
Yes. Guides and outfitters cannot license you. Every hunter buys their own Kentucky base hunting license plus the deer or turkey permit for the season they are hunting.
Can I buy a Kentucky or Ohio license online the day of my hunt?
Yes, both states sell licenses instantly online and you can carry a digital copy. We still recommend buying at least a week ahead so hunter education issues do not cost you a morning in the woods.
Does a Kentucky deer permit cover bow and gun season?
The Kentucky statewide deer permit covers archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, and modern gun seasons. You do not need a separate weapon permit.
What if I have never taken hunter education?
Kentucky sells a one-year Hunter Education Exemption Permit that lets you hunt while supervised. Ohio offers an apprentice license that works the same way. Both are available online.
Who handles tagging and checking my deer at Frenzy Outdoors?
You tag your own animal, but our guides walk you through Kentucky Telecheck or the Ohio game check right at camp so nothing gets missed.
Still not sure what to buy?
Call or email us with your hunt dates and we will tell you the exact license and permit combination to put in your cart. We do this every week.