KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT of
FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Kentucky Elk University

So you're going on a Kentucky elk hunt? Check out our tutorial designed to educate hunters of all experience levels. It's divided into three sections: Pre-Hunt Preparations, Expectations in the Field, and After the Shot - with each section covering a variety of topics.

Summer Camps

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) operates three conservation camps in the Commonwealth: Camp John Currie on Kentucky Lake, Camp Earl Wallace on Lake Cumberland and Camp Robert C. Webb on Grayson Lake. Learn More...

Aquatic Education

Angler's Legacy is a fishing program from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources that helps develop adults with little or no fishing experience into self-sustaining fishermen and women. High school students, college students, and families are introduced to fishing through a program designed to help them gain the skills and confidence to become lifelong anglers. Events focus on the skills needed to successfully catch fish such as how to use a spinning rod and reel, determine proper hook size, know what kind of bait to use, how to bait a hook, and how to take a fish off a hook. Other topics include where and when to fish and fishing regulations. The goal of the program is to teach people who may have never fished before how to become successful, long term anglers.  Learn More...

National Archery in the Schools Program

“Not everyone can dunk the ball, tackle, or run fast. However, as a young lady from North Pulaski M.S. said, “I can do this!” Learn More...

 

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW)

 

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) is designed primarily for adult age women interested in building confidence and outdoor skills relevant in hunting and fishing.

Workshops range from 1-3 day events and are held at various locations across Kentucky.  Come find out why thousands of women have already participated in this unique opportunity to learn more about hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife-related adventures in the Bluegrass state!
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Black Bears

 

Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. In Kentucky, the return of black bears over the last 20 years is proving to be a true wildlife success story. Contrary to some beliefs, however, today’s growing population is not the result of a “restocking” effort. As oak forests matured after extensive logging efforts of the early 1900s, bears recolonized these habitats from our neighboring states of West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.
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Blue Water Trails

The Blue Water Trails series highlights the floating, fishing and tourism opportunities on Kentucky’s streams and rivers.
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Bowhunter Education

To participate in a Bowhunter Education Field Day as part of the requirement for completing the National Bowhunter Education Online Course, find a Field Day near you. You may also participate in a Bowhunter Education Add On. The Add On Course is a 4 hour add on to a scheduled Hunter Education Course. This add on will also meet the requirement for completing the NBEF on line course. Please remember to bring your NBEF Field Day Qualification Certificate as proof of completing the On Line Course.

Conservation Education Program

 

Our Mission Statement:

We are the primary educational component of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. We exist to develop and enhance awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment that will enable people to make informed decisions which will result in responsible behavior to sustain wildlife diversity and related recreation.
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Explore Bowhunting

Today's recent movies, TV shows, books and more have brought archery to the forefront and greatly increased interest in the sport! Why not use Explore Bowhunting to create the opportunity Kentucky's youth and adults are waiting for!
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Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs)

 

The FINs program is a cooperative agreement between KDFWR and city/county municipalities. Lake owners have committed to cover 25% of the stocking costs. All 40 lakes in the FINs program have a standard set of regulations that are posted around the lakes. These regulations are a little more restrictive than the statewide regulations but help spread the fish harvest out over a longer period of time.
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For Educators and Parents

Download teacher's guides and lesson plans here.
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Horseback Riding

KDFWR has several dedicated horse trails on some of our Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) and at the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area.
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Hunter Education

 

Effective March 1, 1991, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, shall, while hunting, carry a valid hunter education course completion card in addition to the appropriate Kentucky hunting license. A bow hunter not in possession of a firearm may carry a "National Bowhunter Education Program" course completion card in lieu of the hunter education card.
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Kentucky Aquatic Wild Cards

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Newport Aquarium and the WAVE Foundation have teamed up to make learning about life in and around the water FUN! We have created a unique game that introduces students to topics such as biodiversity, food chains, energy flow, interdependence and classification.
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Project WILD

          

Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. The program is designed for educators of kindergarten through twelfth grade. Project WILD capitalizes on the natural interest that children and adults have in wildlife by providing hands-on activities that enhance student learning in all subject and skill areas. Project WILD educational materials are provided to educators through practical, interactive workshops.
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Salato Wildlife Education Center

Welcome to the Salato Wildlife Education Center! From the lush, eastern mountains to rolling prairies... from lowland marshes to clear running streams... you'll experience Kentucky's diverse regional ecosystems and the wealth of fish, plants, and animals that make this their home.
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Wildlife Viewing

Trails and Wildlife Viewing Sites on WMA's

Link to Trailsrus Wildlife Viewing Site