301 Ky. Admin. Regs. 2:041

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 4, October 1, 2024

Section 301 KAR 2:041 - Shooting areas, dog training areas, commercial foxhound training enclosures, and bobwhite shoot-to-train season

RELATES TO: KRS 150.010, 150.170, 150.180, 150.280, 150.630, 150.990

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking wildlife, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area or to the entire state. KRS 150.175(28) authorizes the issuance of a special license for residents and nonresidents for the purpose of hunting on licensed shooting areas. KRS 150.240(2) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations governing public or commercial shooting areas. This administrative regulation establishes a bobwhite shoot-to-train season and other requirements to ensure uniform operation of shooting areas, dog training areas, and commercial foxhound training enclosures.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Dog training area permit" means a permit that designates an area to allow dog training and shooting of captive-reared bobwhite quail.

(2) "Hoofed animal" means ungulate wildlife except wild hogs and javelinas.

(3) "Shooting area" means a place where animals are held or propagated in captivity and released to be taken by hunters.

Section 2. Seasons.

(1) The dog training area season and the dog training area hunting season shall be year-round for:

(a) Captive-reared bobwhite quail; and

(b) Pheasant and chukar, pursuant to 301 KAR 3:030.

(2) The shooting area hunting seasons shall be as follows:

(a) Bobwhite quail: August 15 through April 15;

(b) Mallard ducks: year-round;

(c) Hoofed animals: September 1 through May 15; and

(d) All other species: the statewide season in effect where the shooting area is located.

(3) The bobwhite shoot-to-train season shall be from August 15 through May 15.

Section 3. Bobwhite Shoot-to-Train Requirements.

(1) A person shall only shoot on private land.

(2) Prior to shooting, a person shall:

(a) Apply on the Bobwhite Quail Shoot-to-Train Application provided by the department;

(b) Submit the completed application to the department;

(c) Possess a valid Kentucky hunting license or be license-exempt pursuant to KRS 150.170;

(d) Possess:

1. Proof of purchase of captive-reared bobwhite quail; or

2. A captive wildlife permit;

(e) Band all captive-reared bobwhite quail with:

1. Aluminum, #7 leg bands; or

2. Department-issued, aluminum leg bands;

(f) Walk and examine the entire area to be hunted to ensure that no wild bobwhite quail are present; and

(g) Release banded birds immediately prior to dog training or shooting.

(3) A person shall contact the department to update an application that is no longer accurate.

(4) The number of leg bands on the dog training or shooting site shall not exceed the number of captive-reared bobwhite present on the site.

(5) A person shall comply with the holding and permit requirements established in 301 KAR 2:081 if:

(a) Captive-reared bobwhite quail are possessed for more than ten (10) days; or

(b) More than 100 captive-reared bobwhite quail are possessed.

Section 4. Permits, Applications, and Transfers.

(1) A person shall obtain a permit from the department before operating the following:

(a) A shooting area for birds;

(b) A dog training area; or

(c) A commercial foxhound training enclosure.

(2) A new shooting area permit shall not be issued for hoofed animals.

(3) The following permits shall be valid from July 1 through June 30:

(a) Dog training area permit;

(b) Shooting area permit for birds; and

(c) Shooting area permit for hoofed animals in existence prior to March 8, 2002.

(4) A commercial foxhound training enclosure permit shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance.

(5) A person shall apply using the appropriate form provided by the department:

(a) Shooting Area Permit Application;

(b) Commercial Foxhound Training Enclosure Permit Application; or

(c) Dog Training Area Permit Application.

(6) An application for a dog training area shall not be approved until a department conservation officer or biologist inspects the area to determine if it meets the requirements established in Section 6 of this administrative regulation.

(7) An applicant for a shooting area, dog training area, or commercial foxhound training enclosure shall provide documentation proving the applicant is the:

(a) Owner of the land where the facility is to be located; or

(b) Lessee of the land where the facility is to be located.

(8) A shooting area permit shall be transferable if:

(a) A currently permitted facility is sold to another entity;

(b) The facility is inspected by a conservation officer or biologist prior to transfer;

(c) The seller of the facility is compliant with the provisions of this administrative regulation; and

(d) The purchaser of the facility:

1. Completes a Shooting Area Permit Transfer Application provided by the department; and

2. Provides a plat of the shooting area boundaries completed by a licensed surveyor.

(9) A transferred shooting area permit shall only be valid for the land that was permitted prior to the time of transfer.

(10) If ownership of a commercial foxhound training enclosure changes, the new owner shall be responsible for applying for a new permit.

(11) A person hunting on a shooting area shall:

(a) Possess a valid Kentucky hunting license;

(b) Possess a valid shooting area hunting license;

(c) Possess a shoot-to-retrieve field trial permit; or

(d) Be hunting license exempt pursuant to KRS 150.170.

(12) A shooting area hunting license shall be valid for only one (1) specific shooting area.

Section 5. Shooting Area Requirements.

(1) The boundary of a shooting area shall be marked with signs:

(a) At least eight (8) inches by twelve (12) inches;

(b) Having a white background with contrasting letters at least one (1) inch high;

(c) That read "Shooting Area"; and

(d) Placed no more than 500 feet apart.

(2) A person shall check in at a designated check station or with the operator of a shooting area before hunting.

(3) A permit holder shall maintain a daily record of people using the area which includes each person's:

(a) Name:

(b) Address; and

(c) Hunting license number.

(4) A permit holder shall:

(a) Obtain a bill of sale or receipt for each purchase that contains the number of:

1. Game birds purchased; or

2. Game bird eggs purchased; and

(b) Retain previous year's records and receipts for at least one (1) full year.

(5) A permit holder shall possess a commercial captive wildlife permit, if applicable, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081.

(6) A field trial may be held on a shooting area year-round.

Section 6. Dog Training Area Requirements.

(1) A dog training area shall be between ten (10) and seventy-five (75) acres in size.

(2) The dog training area shall:

(a) Be contiguous;

(b) Consist of at least ninety (90) percent mowed or cut grass no greater than ten (10) inches in height; and

(c) Have a marked boundary with signs:

1. At least eight (8) inches by twelve (12) inches high;

2. Having a white background with contrasting letters at least one (1) inch high;

3. That read "Dog Training Area"; and

4. Placed no more than 150 feet apart.

(3) A permit holder shall maintain a daily record of people using the area which includes each person's:

(a) Name;

(b) Address; and

(c) Hunting license number.

(4) A permit holder shall retain previous year's records and receipts for at least one (1) full year.

(5) A person using a dog training area shall possess:

(a) A bill of sale or receipt for any bobwhite quail released on the area; and

(b) A captive wildlife permit, if applicable, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081.

(6) A field trial may be held on a dog training area year-round.

Section 7. Hoofed Animals.

(1) A shooting area permit holder shall not import or release a hoofed animal.

(2) A shooting area permit holder who legally holds hoofed animals shall:

(a) Keep a record of the:

1. Total number of each hoofed species taken;

2. Name of each hunter:

3. Address of each hunter;

4. Hunting license number of each hunter; and

5. Species taken by each hunter; and

(b) Submit to the department all records each month from September through May.

(3) A permit holder shall not import, possess, release, or hunt any member of the family Suidae.

Section 8. Commercial Foxhound Training Enclosures.

(1) A commercial foxhound training enclosure shall:

(a) Be at least 200 acres;

(b) Be fenced to enclose foxes; and

(c) Not be divided by an interior fence that restricts the range of foxes to less than 200 acres.

(2) Two (2) or more enclosures under the same ownership or management may be licensed under the same permit if:

(a) Each enclosure is at least 200 acres in size; and

(b) The enclosures share a common fence.

(3) The permit holder shall provide for the foxes:

(a) Food;

(b) Water;

(c) Shelter from inclement weather; and

(d) At least one (1) of the following, which is sufficient to prevent capture by foxhounds, per every fifty (50) acres:

1. Natural den;

2. Constructed den;

3. Box; or

4. Hollow log.

(4) A fox held for release into an enclosure shall be confined pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081.

(5) A person shall not intentionally engage in an activity which would cause foxhounds to injure or kill a fox in an enclosure.

(6) Fox chasing on permitted areas shall be considered an authorized field trial if a fox is not captured or killed.

(7) A person shall not take any wildlife within an enclosure except under legal statewide seasons and methods.

(8) The owner or operator of an enclosure shall:

(a) Allow a conservation officer to inspect the facility at any reasonable time; and

(b) Comply with all permitting requirements, if applicable, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081.

Section 9. Revocation of Permits.

(1) Revocation. A person who is convicted of a fish and wildlife violation, including KRS Chapter 150, KAR Title 301, or any federal fish and wildlife laws, shall have his or her permit revoked for a period of one (1) year.

(2) Appeal Procedures. An individual whose request for a permit has been denied or revoked may request an administrative hearing pursuant to KRS Chapter 13B.

Section 10. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a) "Shooting Area Permit Application", July 2012 edition;

(b) "Commercial Foxhound Training Enclosure Permit Application", July 2012 edition;

(c) "Dog Training Area Permit Application", July 2012 edition;

(d) "Shooting Area Permit Transfer Application", July 2012 edition; and

(e) "Bobwhite Quail Shoot-to-Train Application", July 2012 edition.

(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

301 KAR 2:041

20 Ky.R. 2921; eff. 6-2-1994; Am. 24 Ky.R. 2739; eff. 8-17-1998; 29 Ky.R. 1013; 1527; eff. 12-18-2002; 30 Ky.R. 398; eff. 10-31-2003; 31 Ky.R. 820; eff. 1-4-2005; 32 Ky.R. 1763; 2005; eff. 6-2-2006; 34 Ky.R. 2222; 2529; eff. 6-11-2008; 38 Ky.R. 1879; 205; eff. 8-2-2012; 48 Ky.R. 112, 1117; eff. 11-17-2021.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.175(28), 150.240(2)