Press Release


FRANKFORT – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is opening one the state’s best places t o hunt elk for a special youth-only hunt in September.

Five lucky youth hunters will have the opportunity to gun hunt in a 2,300-acre area normally reserved for bow hunting only. The site of the hunt, Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area in Breathitt County, has numerous mature bulls with trophy potential.

Wildlife Division Director Karen Alexy said the area should provide young hunters the opportunity to take an elk of a lifetime.

The three-day youth hunt is set for Sept. 26-28. Youth hunters must apply for the Youth WMA Elk Lottery online only during the month of April at fw.ky.gov, the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It costs $10 to apply. The drawing is open to Kentucky residents and non-residents.

The quota hunt drawing is open to any applicant who will be less than 16 years old prior to May 1. Youths who turn 16 after the application period are still eligible for the hunt.

Youth hunters may also apply for the general elk hunt by paying an additional $10 application fee online at fw.ky.gov. At least two youth hunters will be drawn for the general hunt.

The deadline to apply for Kentucky’s general elk hunt is April 30.