2026–27 season · nonresident whitetail
$418 total nonresident cost — NR annual hunting license $169.12 + statewide deer permit $248.40 (up to 4 deer, max 1 antlered). License year Mar 1 – end of Feb.
Verified Jul 31, 2026 · Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
General crossbow season (youth/seniors get the full archery season from Sept 5). Crossbows also legal during gun and muzzleloader seasons.
Early two-day muzzleloader season.
Modern gun season, statewide; no caliber restriction. Zone-specific antlerless restrictions apply.
Late muzzleloader season.
Born on/after Jan 1, 1975 and 12+? Carry a hunter-ed card (other states' accepted). A one-year exemption permit exists if you can't finish a course in time.
Online at app.fw.ky.gov/Solar/, by phone (800-858-1549), or at any agent.
Covers up to four deer — only one may be antlered, statewide, no exceptions. Extra permits add antlerless capacity, never a second buck.
1-800-245-4263 or online, before removing head or hide. If the head comes off first, proof-of-sex documentation is mandatory.
Rules that commonly differ state to state — check the ones your home state handles differently.
Answer four questions — home state, weapon, dates, points — and this page becomes your checklist: deadlines ranked against your season, costs totaled, and the steps in order.
Plan Kentucky →WhiteTailPlanner summarizes public regulations to help you plan. The state's published regulations are the legal authority — confirm with the official sources linked above.
