How to Get Your 2025 Hunter Education Course KY in 3 Easy Steps
Kentucky offers abundant opportunities for hunters, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, elk, and small game like squirrel and rabbit. Managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), hunting seasons and regulations are designed to maintain healthy animal populations and support sustainable use of natural resources.
All Kentucky hunters (new or seasoned) carry the critical responsibility of practicing good hunter safety, like proper firearm handling, wearing blaze orange for visibility, and understanding the hunting laws for the state.
The State of Kentucky requires hunter education for hunters ages 12 years or older, or if you were born on or after January 1, 1975.
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your hunter education course KY and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Kentucky?
All hunters 12 years old or older or born on or after January 1, 1975 must complete a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in Kentucky.
You must have this certification to purchase a hunting license. The state offers two options to get certified.
1. Take a Hunter Education In-Person Course
Taking the in-person course means you will be completely certified at the conclusion of the class for the day. Most classes are from 9 am-3:00 pm. The course is a mix of classroom instruction, a live-fire exercise, and a final exam.
Plan your timing wisely! You'll need to sign up for an available course and complete it (along with the final exam) ahead of the hunting season, with plenty of time to get your hunting license and plan your hunt.
2. Take a Hunter Education Course Online (Plus In-Person) Live-Fire
The hybrid option of taking the course online, then following up with the required live-fire session, can be more convenient for many hunters. You can take the online course (like the one we offer here at Hunter-Ed) at home at your convenience, then find one of the many options for the one-hour range day (live fire) in-person session to complete your certification.
There are a few exemptions from the Range Day requirement for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Kentucky Peace officers. However, if you aren't exempt, you must complete the online part of the course before finishing the requirement with the in-person range day.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 KY Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Kentucky hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters ages 12 and older or anyone born on or after January 1, 1975 must complete a Kentucky-approved hunter education (safety) course (along with the hunter education course KY Range Day) before purchasing their license.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, approved by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Your KY hunting license is valid from March 1 through February 28 (or 29 in Leap Years) annually.
Choose from resident, nonresident, sportsman, youth, 1-Day, senior, trapping, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the KDFWR website or from an approved license agent (e.g., Wal-Mart stores, county clerk offices, libraries, and other designated locations). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
You must always carry your license when hunting. If tags are required for the animal you plan to hunt, don't forget those when you pack your gear and head out into the field.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Take the Hunter Education Course KY Online!
Step 1: How to Take the Hunter Education Course KY
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Our course:
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and KDFWR.
- Includes animations, illustrations, videos, games, and quizzes to help you learn the required material.
- Allows unlimited attempts to pass the final exam. You'll need to score at least 80% on the exam to pass.
- Saves your progress! Start and stop as needed to fit your schedule and work at your own pace.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer, tablet, or phone.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the final exam.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
That's a lot of bang for your buck, plus a lifetime of ongoing support and educational opportunities to help you become a better hunter.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing your final exam, you can immediately print out the Range Day Voucher. Use that to schedule and complete the Range Day requirement to complete your certification.
The KDFWR will mail your Hunter Education Certificate as proof of the full course completion.
Your Card is Your Proof of Certification
Remember: Your hunter education card is proof that you have completed the course and exam. Treat it like you do other important documents.
Always carry your hunter education card when you hunt as proof that you completed the hunter education course Kentucky requires. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask you to show your hunting license and safety certification.
Don't worry if you lose your card. You can request a replacement through the KDFWR website.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Kentucky Hunting License in 2025
Your Kentucky hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year. Last year's Kentucky hunt license isn't valid for the current or upcoming hunting seasons. As you plan what you want to hunt this year, make sure you research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally this season.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be especially convenient if you don't live close to a retailer or you plan to hunt in Kentucky as a resident of another state
Buy from a License Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the state of Kentucky offers plenty of sales outlet locations that offer hunting licenses.
Select your county or search by your zip code on the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website to find a location near you. In general, many hardware stores, Wal-Mart stores, supply stores, gas stations and convenience stores, and county clerk offices offer hunting licenses in Kentucky.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Hunter education saves lives! It's a crucial part of responsible hunting (for new hunters and seasoned hunters).
Hunter safety courses help:
- Promote Legal Understanding and Compliance: In many states, including Kentucky, completion of an approved hunter education course is required before obtaining a hunting license. This reinforces the need for hunters to understand and follow all applicable laws and regulations.
Reduce Accidents and Injuries: Comprehensive training in firearm safety, proper shooting techniques, and responsible hunting practices significantly decreases the risk of accidents and injuries in the field.
Build Skilled and Knowledgeable Hunters: Hunter education programs teach vital skills such as navigation, first aid, firearm and tree stand safety, and basic survival methods. They also promote respect for other hunters, landowners, and the natural world.
Encourage Ethical and Responsible Hunting: These courses instill a strong sense of ethics, emphasizing respect for wildlife, adherence to hunting laws, and the importance of sustainable practices that protect game populations for future generations.
Take the Hunter Education Course KY Online!
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
While some states may accept hunter safety certifications from other states, relying on this type of reciprocity can leave you unprepared for a hunt in a specific state.
Hunter education courses are not one-size-fits-all. State-specific information can include important rules and regulations that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
Before you assume a course from another state prepares you for hunting in any state, take a few hours to complete the Hunter-Ed hunter safety course for Kentucky and get certified!
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
There are many options and various providers that offer hunter education. However, when you choose Hunter-Ed, you get more than what other providers offer.
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know and meets your state's requirements, you get access to Hunter Perks — something no other hunter education provider offers!
Hunter Perks is an exclusive, free offering from the team at Hunter-Ed. No other hunter education provider offers this kind of ongoing support for hunters!
As soon as you purchase your course, you will have full access to:
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: With just a few clicks, you can learn about the hunting rules and regs for your state each year.
- Hunting Tools: Hunter-tested resources (like apps) to help you hunt with confidence and success.
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Additional course options to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting — available to you at a discount!
Plus, Hunter Perks include contests to win free stuff and gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money).
These Perks never expire. You'll always have access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through your lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Kentucky with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Kentucky hunter safety course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
It's easy to sign up for the Kentucky Hunter-Ed course, finish every unit and quiz, then pass the final exam so you're ready to hunt safely and legally in KY.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about taking the hunter education course KY!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Kentucky?
Yes! All hunters at least 12 years of age or born on or after January 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course to hunt legally in Kentucky.
Q: Can you take the Kentucky Hunter Safety course online?
Yes! The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources approves online courses (like Hunter-Ed) that you can complete at your own pace. However, you must also complete your certification through an in-person range day.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
We recommend signing up and completing your course at least a few weeks before the season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No! Your hunter education course KY covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in Kentucky after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is good for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $39.95. This cost includes the course, study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
