Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources has adopted a new, predictable system for adjusting license, permit, tag and registration fees, following legislative approval of updated administrative regulations now in effect.
Under the new approach, fees will be adjusted every two years based on the national Consumer Price Index, a standard measure of inflation from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Federal Duck Stamps and application fees are excluded.
The first CPI-based adjustment will take effect in January and apply to the remainder of the 2025–26 license year and the 2026–27 season, which begins March 1.
Key changes now in effect include a new $35 reduced-cost sportsman’s license for eligible first-time resident buyers, a $10 permit requirement to hunt bobcats, and a simplified motorboat registration fee structure based solely on vessel length. Fees were also updated for boat manufacturers, dealers, and hunting and fishing guides and outfitters.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say the CPI-based system will replace unpredictable fee changes with smaller, more consistent adjustments, improving transparency for hunters, anglers and boaters.
Licenses and permits for the 2026–27 season went on sale December 1.
Officials encourage customers to purchase early to take advantage of current prices before the January increase. Purchases can be made through the My Profile portal at fw.ky.gov.
