Kentucky hunting
Public hunting land in Kentucky
Caliber maps 122 public hunting areas in Kentucky, with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Kentucky · 122 areas
Daniel Boone National Forest
National forest · 563,866 acres
Redbird Purchase Unit
National forest · 146,434 acres
Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 51,668 acres
Peabody Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 41,327 acres
Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area
State wildlife area · 31,666 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 122 by distance from you.
- 114
- State wildlife areas
- 4
- National forests
- 4
- National wildlife refuges
Kentucky hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Phone
- 800-858-1549
- Resident license
- $28.54 — Annual Hunting License (resident); license year runs Mar 1 through end of Feb
- Nonresident license
- $169.12 — Annual Hunting License (nonresident); big game tags extra
- Hunter education
- Anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975 must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Kentucky.
Fees and rules as published by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Kentucky
The 12 biggest of 122 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Boone National Forest | National forest | 563,866 | Open |
| Redbird Purchase Unit | National forest | 146,434 | Open |
| Lake Cumberland Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 51,668 | Open |
| Peabody Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 41,327 | Open |
| Boone Forestlands Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 31,666 | Open |
| Redbird Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 24,015 | Open |
| Green River Lake Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 21,039 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 18,729 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 17,751 | Open |
| Elk Forest Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 16,801 | Open |
| Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 13,193 | Open |
| Fishtrap Lake Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 13,136 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 114
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 4
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 4
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Kentucky hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Kentucky?
Caliber lists 122 public hunting areas in Kentucky: 114 state wildlife areas, 4 national forests, 4 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Kentucky?
As published by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $28.54 — Annual Hunting License (resident); license year runs Mar 1 through end of Feb; nonresident, $169.12 — Annual Hunting License (nonresident); big game tags extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Kentucky?
Anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975 must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Kentucky. Check Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Kentucky?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Kentucky hunting land near you
All 122 Kentucky areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
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Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the managing agency before you hunt.
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Guides & directories
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- California FSC practice test
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- Shooting range directory
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