This total includes 175 archery/crossbow permits for a bull or cow 150 firearm permits for bulls 244 firearm permits for cows and 25 youth-only permits for a bull or cow. Kentucky is offering 594 elk permits through the 2022 drawing.
In addition, youths, age 15 or younger, may also apply to a bonus allotment of 25 special youth-only permits, which are valid to harvest a bull or cow, during any season segment, and with any legal hunting equipment.Īpplicants can draw only one permit per year, and those who have drawn must wait three years before they can apply again.
KENTUCKY ELK HUNTING LICENSE
License purchase is not required to apply, but for those drawn an annual hunting license and the applicable elk permit are required to hunt.Įach applicant may apply for any of the three available permit types: firearms for bull elk, firearms for cow elk, and archery/crossbow for a bull or cow elk (either sex). Proceeds from application fees help to support Kentucky’s elk management, research and public hunting access. By state regulation, at least 90 percent of Kentucky’s elk permits are allotted to residents each year. Kentucky offers three types of permits through a randomized drawing open to residents and nonresidents. Odds for a resident hunter being drawn for a firearms cow elk permit were even higher – one in 70. Last season, the odds of a resident hunter being drawn for a coveted firearms permit for bull elk was one in 175. Kentucky’s elk permit drawing system gives applicants equal opportunities of being selected. Whether you’re a new or experienced hunter, the random drawing makes hunting elk accessible to everyone. If you’re a resident of the eastern United States, there’s no need to drive for days to a western destination to hunt elk. Best wishes on the draw.Kentucky is home to the largest elk herd – and number of permits offered – east of the Rocky Mountains. “We are honored to host this event and hope everyone is enjoying the atmosphere. “The draw is always an exciting event, when you see someone win a draw for the first time or to hear stories about someone’s previous hunt,” said Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton. “It’s an honor to host the event here at the Mountain Arts Center, which is the perfect venue to accommodate a large, growing audience in the region.” “The attendance during the elk hunt draw weekend grows each year, which gives us the opportunity to provide more entertainment and educational programming for those seeking to hear their names called or enthusiasts of the hunt,” said Mountain Arts Center Executive Director Joe Campbell. The Mountain Arts Center has hosted the draw since 2018. The weekend kicks off with a concert, food and vendors on Friday evening, followed by a reveal of selected hunters’ names on Saturday, May 14, from noon to 2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend the two-day elk hunt draw at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, Ky. General drawing quota permits cannot be bought or sold, and hunters must follow season requirements for the permit for which they were drawn. However, individuals can only apply once for each permit type. Permits are offered for bull firearm, cow firearm and either-sex archery/crossbow permit individuals may apply separately for each permit type, for a total of three possible applications per year.
General drawing quota permits are available by applying to the Kentucky elk hunt draw online.
KENTUCKY ELK HUNTING HOW TO
How to Applyįor more information about the elk hunt draw, or to sign up, visit fw.ky.gov/solar until April 30. Proceeds from entries into the elk hunt drawing are important to continue funding the department’s mission to conserve, protect and enhance Kentucky’s fish and wildlife resources and provide outstanding opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, shooting sports, wildlife viewing and related activities.
KENTUCKY ELK HUNTING REGISTRATION
The agency is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boating registration fees and federal grants. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources receives no money from the state’s General Fund. The Kentucky elk restoration zone is comprised of 16 counties across 4.3 million acres. Starting in 1997, 1,541 elk from seven western states were released in southeastern Kentucky. Kentucky’s ambitious elk restoration program has been an overwhelming success and paved the way for an entire region to reintroduce a long-absent native species.