The Kentucky General Assembly has approved a new “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.”
KFW says several key changes approved by state legislators are now in effect.
According to a release from KFW, among the changes is a reduced-cost sportsman’s license that is now available for resident first-time buyers. The $35 license for individuals who have not purchased an annual license since 1996 includes a resident hunting and fishing license and permits for spring turkey, fall turkey, trout, state migratory bird and waterfowl, and statewide deer. Other changes include a $10 permit for bobcat hunting, changing the motorboat registration fee to be based solely on vessel length, and fee changes for boat manufacturers and dealers.
Under new regulations, KFW will make incremental price adjustments every other year for licenses, tags, registrations, and permits. These changes will be based solely on the Consumer Price Index calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The next adjustment in January, based on the CPIs from 2024 and 2025, will affect the remaining license year and the 2026-2027 license year which begins March 1. KFW says the change was made to make adjustments smaller and more consistent.
Licenses, tags, and permits for the new license year go on sale December 1. Visit the My Profile app at fw.ky.gov to purchase.
