Livestream at MAC
“The Hunt Starts Here” as the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 1997 elk release. Elk quota hunting applications for the celebratory season are on sale through April 30 and hunting season runs from Sept. 10 through Jan. 4.
The annual random drawing will take place and successful applicants will be announced via livestream May 14 from The Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.
The weekend kicks off with a concert, food and vendors May 13 followed by a reveal of selected hunters’ names May 14 from noon to 2 p.m.
The Mountain Arts Center has hosted the draw since 2018.
Those selected for the elk quota hunt are assigned to one of six units within the elk zone through a second drawing.
“Interest in elk hunting in Kentucky grows each year, and we expect that trend to continue as word spreads,” said John Hast, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources elk/deer coordinator. “Last year, in 2021, we issued 594 permits after receiving more than 90,000 entries to the elk hunt draw for a second straight year.”
From 1997 to 2002, Kentucky reintroduced elk in eastern Kentucky, nearly 150 years since the last native species was spotted. Elk are at the top of the food chain in the region and began thriving quickly. Kentucky’s wild, free-ranging herd is the largest east of the Rocky Mountains, inhabiting more than 4 million acres in 16 southeast Kentucky counties.
“The success of the elk restoration effort is truly remarkable,” said Gabe Jenkins, Information and Education Division director and former deer and elk program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “The benefits touch many aspects of our life and lands — from biodiversity enriching our ecosystem, to generating funds, to extending our efforts in other areas, to creating valuable experiences for resident and tourist hunters.”
For more information about the elk hunt draw or to sign up, visit fw.ky.gov/solar until April 30.
General drawing quota permits are available by applying to the Kentucky elk hunt draw online. Permits are offered for bull firearm, cow firearm and either-sex archery/crossbow; individuals may apply separately for each permit type, for a total of three possible applications per year. However, individuals can only apply once for each permit type.
General drawing quota permits cannot be bought or sold, and hunters must follow season requirements for the permit for which they were drawn.
Doors open May 14 at 10 a.m. at the MAC. Tickets are $5, and you can reserve yours online at bit.ly/Elk-Draw-2022.
The kickoff concert May 13 starts at 7:30 p.m. and features Clarke Sexton and guest Jordan Allen & The Bellwethers live at the MAC. Reserve your seat online at bit.ly/Elk-Draw-Kickoff-Concert-2022.