Now is the time to apply for Kentucky’s elk quota hunts.

Hunters have until midnight (Eastern time) on April 30 to apply online via the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ mobile-friendly website at fw.ky.gov. The drawing for elk permits is open to both Kentucky residents and those who live outside the state.

Hunters may submit one application for each of the four permit types but can only be drawn for one hunting permit. Each application entry costs $10.

“There are a variety of reasons to apply,” said Gabe Jenkins, deer and elk program coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “It’s an opportunity to hunt a game species in the state that many consider the pinnacle. It’s also fantastic table fare. An elk can provide a couple hundred pounds of meat.

“And it’s close to home. Most of the elk hunters in the east have to travel west. The permits in Kentucky are about the same price as they are in the western states, but it’s 20 hours closer. Our success rates are much higher, too.”
The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission has recommended 900 permits, in addition to 10 youth-only permits, for the 2015-16 elk seasons. The proposed allotment of general elk quota hunt permits is 150 firearms and 100 archery-crossbow permits for bull elk; 400 firearms permits and 250 archery-crossbow permits for cow elk.

Hunters ages 15 and younger can apply for the youth-only elk quota hunt during the same application period as the general elk quota hunt drawing. They may also apply for the general quota elk hunt drawing, but cannot be drawn for both in the same year.

The elk quota hunt drawing will be conducted in early May by the Kentucky Commonwealth Office of Technology. Results of this random computer draw from each applicant pool will be posted online at fw.ky.gov.