Are there any elk in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s present elk herd is a free-ranging, wild herd established from 1,550 wild elk captured out-of-state and released into southeast KY between December 1997 and March 2002. Kentucky has the highest elk population of any state east of the Mississippi River. The first elk hunt was conducted in 2001.
How hard is it to get a Kentucky elk tag?
According to the Fish and Wildlife Department, last year one of every 134 resident applications was drawn for an antlered gun tag (for nonresidents it was 1 in 627). Resident antlerless archery hopefuls had the best chance: one in 13.
What county has most elk Ky?
Breathitt County
South Fork Elk View: The largest elk herd in Kentucky resides in Breathitt County, and a viewing area has been established for visitors.
How much does it cost to hunt elk in Kentucky?
License and Permit Fees
| LICENSE / PERMIT | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Quota Cow Elk Permit (if drawn) | $60.00 | $400.00 |
| Quota (Either Sex) Archery/Crossbow permit (if drawn) | $100.00 | $550.00 |
| Youth Elk Permit (if drawn) | $30.00 | $200.00 |
| Out-of-Zone Elk Permit | $30.00 | $400.00 |
What counties have elk in Kentucky?
The elk zone includes the following 16 counties: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Perry, Pike and Whitley. Inside this zone, elk may only be taken by hunters drawn for a quota hunt as previously described.
Are there mountain lions in Kentucky?
While mountain lions were once common in Kentucky, research shows the state has not supported a wild population of mountain lions for more than a century. Currently, the nearest wild population of mountain lions resides in Nebraska, more than 900 miles from Kentucky.
What are the odds of getting an elk tag?
The draw procedures and application processes differ from state to state, but in a nutshell, your name goes in a hat and if it is selected, you get a tag. In really hard to draw areas (i.e., high quality), odds are often in the single digits, or even below 1%.
Can a non resident hunt elk in Kentucky?
How many elk hunt permits are awarded to nonresidents? Answer: Nonresident applicants receive no more than 10% of the total elk hunt permits in the drawing. Thus Kentucky residents receive 90% or more of the total permits awarded.
Are there elk in Daniel Boone National Forest?
The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to a wide variety of game species, including deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, quail, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, waterfowl, and elk.
How good is elk hunting in Kentucky?
The Kentucky elk zone is split into elk units to distribute hunting pressure across the elk zone. Kentucky’s elk hunt continues to achieve one of the top harvest rates among states with elk.
Are mountain lions in KY?
While Kentucky does not have an active Mountain Lion population, occasionally the predators will wander in from other areas. The family says that they hope the large cat moves on so they can feel safe for their pets.
Are there black panthers in Kentucky?
“We do not have any black feline species in Kentucky,” hast said. “A black panther is a South American, Amazonian Jungle kind of deal.” In addition, the climate of Kentucky, specifically the winters, does not allow black panthers to survive here.
Is there still an elk herd in Kentucky?
There have been a plethora of questions concerning the elk herd in Kentucky over the past several years, with what has been a drastic drop in the number of elk that are actually in Kentucky. Since 2014, there has been a steady decline in how many permits the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) have granted to the public.
When is Elk Hunting Season Open in Kentucky?
A person shall not mimic the sound of an elk on public land open to elk hunting from Sept. 1 until the opening of the elk archery season.
When do you have to TeleCheck elk in Kentucky?
All elk must be telechecked. Hunters must call 1-800-245-4263 and report the harvest. See the “General Information” section for details. All elk hunters must complete and submit a post-season elk hunting survey no later than the last day of February.
What kind of knives are used for elk hunting in Kentucky?
“The Havalon Knives are the best of the best. They are made with a surgical grade steel, like a scalpel, pretty much. Those last quite a while butchering out an elk,” said Thornsberry. “When elk hunting in Kentucky, it is 80-100 degrees, and you have to get that elk out of there.