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\nState legislators have approved a straightforward approach to the way license, tag, registration and permit fees charged by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be adjusted in the future.<\/p>\n
\nState legislators have approved a straightforward approach to the way license, tag, registration and permit fees charged by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be adjusted in the future.<\/p>\n
Following adjournment of the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy meeting on November 6, 2025, that initiative (301 KAR 5:022) and several other proposed changes to state administrative regulations were finalized and are now in effect.<\/p>\n
Key changes include:<\/p>\n
A reduced-cost sportsman’s license is now available for resident first-time buyers. Only individuals who have not purchased an annual Kentucky hunting or fishing license \u2013 or a combination license that includes an annual license – since 1996 are eligible. The $35 license includes a resident hunting and fishing license, spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, trout permit, state migratory bird and waterfowl permit and statewide deer permit.<\/p>\n
To hunt bobcats in Kentucky, hunters must purchase a $10 permit. The permit was previously free.<\/p>\n
The motorboat registration fee structure has been simplified. Fees will now be based solely on vessel length.<\/p>\n
Amendments also changed fees for boat manufacturers and dealers, as well as hunting and fishing guide and outfitter licenses.<\/p>\n
Moving forward, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will make incremental price adjustments every other year for licenses, tags, registrations and permits based only on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the national measure of inflation calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Federal Duck Stamp and application fees will be exempted from the Consumer Price Index adjustments.<\/p>\n
All licenses, permits, tags and registrations sold by the department will be adjusted in January using the Consumer Price Index rate from 2024 and 2025, following the expected Bureau of Labor Statistics announcement of the Consumer Price Index.<\/p>\n
The adjustment will affect the remaining 2025-26 license year through February 28, 2026, and the 2026-27 license year starting March 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
In the past, fees for licenses, tags, registrations and permits changed unpredictably. Under the new approach, price adjustments will be smaller and more consistent.<\/p>\n
Licenses, tags and permits for the 2026-27 license year go on sale December 1, 2025. The 2026-27 license year starts March 1, 2026. Hunters and anglers can take advantage of lower pricing by buying their 2026-27 licenses and permits before the anticipated increase in January.<\/p>\n