Why Hunt Kentucky Hunting Leases

Hunting leases have been symbiotic between hunters and landowners since their origin in the 1930s. Hunters can venture into new territories where public land may be scarce or over-pressured, and landowners benefit from having an extra set of eyes on their land throughout the year. Some pay per acre, season, or hunt.

But why hunt a hunting lease in Kentucky? Besides the fantastic potential for trophy whitetails, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider investing in a Kentucky hunting lease. Let’s explore those reasons in a little more detail.

Get Away From High Hunting Pressure on Public Land

Depending on the game and season you hunt, public land can experience heavy hunting pressure, which affects how game travels, beds, and breeds. It also affects how you scout and hunt these areas yourself. You may not have much of a problem if you are not hunting whitetail, but during the deer season, you can bet you will run into a few other hunters. Hunting leases are a way to get private access to land, keeping others from interfering with your hunting strategy.

Contribute to Wildlife Management Efforts

Hunting leases aren’t always about the trophies you can take home. Hunting leases are mutually beneficial because you can offer the landowner input and advice on managing the wildlife in their area and how the habitat can be improved. While it may not be the same as having your own land where you can plan food plots, funnels, and laneways, it can still be a great relationship to build.

Save Some Money

In today’s economy, land prices are higher than ever, and the interest rates on loans are just as intimidating. By investing in hunting leases you can hunt some pretty vast areas for way less than if you bought the land itself. On top of that, you can purchase hunting leases in different areas of the state and can venture around throughout the seasons. Leases give you a variety of exclusive land to hunt that may not be accessible to you if you sink all your money into one plot.

Inexpensive Hunting Licenses and Minimal Draws

Kentucky Hunting Licenses are relatively inexpensive compared to some other states, even for nonresidents. As of June 2025, a statewide deer permit (4 deer) is $35 for residents and $235 for nonresidents. For comparison, Texas nonresident hunting licences run around $315. Prices can change yearly and also depend on the game you choose to hunt, but you get a good deal in Kentucky.

An added plus to hunting in Kentucky is that the only tag draws are for Elk, due to their low population. Every other license can generally be bought over the counter. The bag limits are reasonable compared to other areas of the country too!

Hunting in Kentucky boasts a long and significant history, evolving from a necessity for survival to a regulated recreational and conservation activity.

• Ancient Roots: Native American tribes were the primary hunters in Kentucky, relying on abundant game such as deer, elk, and bison for sustenance, clothing, and tools. Their hunting practices were often sustainable, reflecting a deep understanding of the ecosystem.
• Pioneer Era: European settlers in the 18th century also depended heavily on hunting for survival and trade. The fur trade, particularly in beaver and deer pelts, was a major economic driver in early Kentucky, but unregulated hunting during this period led to significant declines in wildlife populations, including the extirpation of elk and bison from the state.
• Conservation Movement: By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, growing awareness of dwindling wildlife populations spurred the conservation movement in Kentucky. This led to the establishment of hunting seasons, bag limits, and the eventual formation of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) in 1945, tasked with managing and conserving the state’s fish and wildlife resources.
• Modern Management and Reintroduction: The KDFWR implemented science-based wildlife management practices, including successful reintroduction programs for species like elk, which have thrived and now support a popular elk hunting season. Today, hunting continues to be a highly regulated activity in Kentucky, playing a crucial role in wildlife population control, habitat management, and providing significant funding for conservation through license sales and excise taxes on hunting equipment.

A Wide Variety of Game

The game diversity in Kentucky is massive. Of course, whitetails are typically the first animal people think of for hunting leases, but Kentucky has much more to offer. You can find a little bit of everything from the mountains to the rolling hills, including:

Consistent Trophy-Sized Whitetails

One of the best reasons to consider a hunting lease in Kentucky is the potential to claim a trophy buck. Kentucky consistently ranks high in Boone & Crockett Club records for whitetail trophies, with the largest on record for a typical whitetail scoring 204 2/8, and the largest non-typical whitetail scoring 274 5/8.

Kentucky has a way of growing deer into monsters of the south. The rich soil, protected lands, and general rural nature of the state allow deer to have plenty of nutritious forage to grow to their best potential. While the bag limit on antlered deer is only 1 per license per year, there’s a lot of opportunity to harvest a mature buck.

Kentucky Has Multiple Hunting Seasons

If you go much farther North, you will run into a lot of rifle season restrictions and short seasons in general. Kentucky has multiple longer seasons for big game and other game alike. Multiple hunting seasons are a plus for hunters who crave variety in their harvest method. Hunting with compound bows, crossbows, modern guns, muzzleloaders, falconry, by chase, dogs, and traps are legal at certain times, with certain game, and varies by zone.

Kentucky Fish & Wildlife outlines all of these seasons, exceptions, zones, and limits nicely on its website for easy reference.

The Varied Terrain

One thing about Kentucky is that it has so many types of terrain. The Appalachian Mountain range shapes the Eastern part of the state and includes the Cumberland Plateau and Cumberland Mountains. It’s heavily forested and quite rugged. These mountains offer hunting experiences with a payoff worth the challenge.

The Bluegrass region is where those famous rolling hills are. Its limestone-rich soil produces phenomenal grazing for elk and deer. This is where most of the impressive horse farms are in the state, but there are plenty of privately owned hunting areas for lease, too.

The Western Coal Field is a mix of hills and flatlands, with some steep and sharp terrain areas. Deer and turkey are often hunted in these parts, as the reclaimed mining strips offer a variety of habitat. I find that many non-typical whitetails are found in this area, and many hunters have a high rate of success here.

The Mississippian Plateaus feature rolling hills, caves, and underground streams for beautiful views. In the Jackson Purchase region, the Mississippi Embayment drops sediments that enrich the soil so game can grow to impressive sizes, much like the coal fields. The success in this region is comparable to the Western Coal Field, but it has a little bit easier terrain to navigate.

Consider Investing in a Kentucky Hunting Lease

A hunting lease in Kentucky means the opportunity for some massive deer, hunting various other game, and exploring a beautiful state. Public lands are popular in Kentucky, but hunting leases help you have more successful hunts and find your own honey holes. Kentucky has relatively financially accessible hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents, which means if you aren’t able to invest in your own piece of land, investing in a hunting lease or two might just be the next best thing.