Kentucky Elk & Outdoor Fest provides venue for live announcement
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 6, 2025) —The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will host a live unveiling of the winners for the Kentucky Elk Hunt Drawing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Kentucky Elk & Outdoor Fest in Bardstown, Kentucky.
The purpose and highlight of the outdoor fest, the announcement will reveal the names of the 500 randomly selected applicants eligible to purchase a 2025 elk hunt permit. A record 95,743 applications for the Kentucky Elk Hunt Drawing were received by the April 30 deadline.
The third annual Kentucky Elk & Outdoor Fest will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) offering a vendor village with nearly 100 manufacturers and outfitters from the outdoor industry, numerous food and drink trucks, live music and hundreds of chances to win additional door prizes and raffles.
Live concerts in the event tent will include Cody Powers at 9 a.m., The Cleverlys at 11 a.m., and Chase Matthew at 1 p.m.
The Kentucky Elk & Outdoor Fest will be held at the KYGUNCO location in Bardstown (401 Glenwood Drive). For more information, or to buy event tickets in advance, visit kyoutdoorfest.com. The event will take place rain or shine.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists, law enforcement officers and educators will be present to talk about important wildlife management, private lands habitat guidance, regulations and employment. Demonstrations on habitat management, wild game processing and cooking are scheduled throughout the day. In addition, hunting and fishing licenses, Kentucky Wild memberships and official merchandise will be available for purchase.
A livestream of the results of the Kentucky Elk Hunt Drawing will be available on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Facebook page for those who cannot attend the event.
Individuals may also check their My Profile account at fw.ky.gov after 12 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, May 14 to see if they were drawn for a 2025 Kentucky elk hunt permit.