301 Ky. Admin. Regs. 2:049

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 301 KAR 2:049 - Small game and furbearer hunting and trapping on public areas

RELATES TO: KRS 150.010, 150.092, 150.170, 150.370, 150.399, 150.990, 150.995

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife, to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply statewide or to a limited area. KRS 150.175(7) and (9) authorize the department to issue licenses, permits, and tags for hunting and trapping. KRS 150.360 requires restrictions on the taking of wildlife and authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the requirements for hunting coyotes at night. KRS 150.400 authorizes the department to establish the types of traps that can legally be used by trappers. KRS 150.410 authorizes the department to regulate trap tags, trap visitation, and trap placement to protect domestic animals. KRS 150.620 authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations for the maintenance and operation of the lands the department has acquired for public recreation. This administrative regulation establishes exceptions to statewide small game and furbearer requirements on public areas.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Adult" means a person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(2) "Body-gripping trap" means a commercially manufactured spring-loaded trap designed to kill an animal upon capture.

(3) "Dry land set" means a trap that is set so that no portion of the trap touches the water of a stream, river, pond, lake, wetland, or other water course.

(4) "Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.

(5) "Pheasant hunt unit" means a portion of a WMA that is designated by the department for the purposes of a pheasant quota hunt.

(6) "Wildlife Management Area" or "WMA" means a tract of land:

(a) Controlled by the department through ownership, lease, license, or cooperative agreement; and

(b) That has "Wildlife Management Area" or "WMA" as part of its official name.

(7) "Youth" means a person under the age of sixteen (16) by the date of the hunt or the trapping date.

Section 2. This administrative regulation shall establish exceptions to the statewide requirements established in 301 KAR 2:122, 301 KAR 2:251, and 301 KAR 3:010.

Section 3. General Requirements on a Wildlife Management Area or Outdoor Recreation Area.

(1) Except as established in subsection (2) of this section, a person hunting any species during daylight hours, and any person accompanying that hunter, shall comply with hunter orange requirements as established in 301 KAR 2:132, 301 KAR 2:172, and 301 KAR 2:300.

(2) The hunter orange clothing requirement in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a person:

(a) Hunting waterfowl or doves as established in 301 KAR 2:225; or

(b) Hunting waterfowl as established in 301 KAR 2:221, 301 KAR 2:222, or 301 KAR 2:226.

(3) There shall be a free youth small game hunting week for seven (7) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday after Christmas, in which a youth may take small game without a hunting license.

(4) There shall be a free youth trapping week for seven (7) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday after Christmas, in which a youth may trap without a trapping license.

(5) A body-gripping trap used as a dry land set shall have a maximum inside jaw spread of five and one-quarter (5 1/4) inches measured:

(a) In the center of the trap; and

(b) In the unset position.

(6) Dry land sets shall not be placed closer than ten (10) feet apart.

(7) Prior to trapping on a WMA or Outdoor Recreation Area, a person shall complete for each area a KDFWR Public Area Trapping Registration Form obtained from a department office or the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov.

Section 4. Exceptions on Wildlife Management Areas and Outdoor Recreation Areas.

(1) Barren River Wildlife Management Area.

(a) The WMA shall be considered to be entirely within the Eastern Zone, as established in 301 KAR 2:122.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(c) On the Peninsula Unit, including Narrows, Goose, and Grass Islands, a person shall not hunt with a breech-loading firearm.

(2) Beaver Creek WMA, including private inholdings.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(c) A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only.

(3) Cane Creek WMA, including private inholdings.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(c) A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only.

(4) Cedar Creek Lake WMA.

(a) Rabbit season shall be closed after December 31.

(b) With the exception of the statewide squirrel season, the area shall be closed to all other small game and furbearer hunting.

(5) Clay WMA.

(a) The pheasant hunt unit shall be closed for four (4) consecutive days beginning on the first Friday in December to all hunting except archery deer hunting, muzzleloader deer hunting, as established in 301 KAR 2:178, and the pheasant quota hunt, as established in Section 5 of this administrative regulation.

(b) Rabbit season shall be closed after December 31.

(c) Any person hunting rabbits shall:

1. Check in and check out at a self-service kiosk; and

2. Clearly display a department-provided hang-tag in a vehicle.

(d) Northern bobwhite and ruffed grouse hunting shall be open from November 1 through December 31 on Tuesday and Saturday except:

1. After 3:00 p.m.;

2. During a quota deer hunt as established in 301 KAR 2:178;

3. During opening weekend of modern gun deer season as established in 301 KAR 2:172; and

4. During a pheasant quota hunt in the pheasant hunt unit, as established in Section 5 of this administrative regulation.

(e) The daily bag limit shall be:

1. Four (4) northern bobwhite; and

2. Two (2) ruffed grouse.

(f) A northern bobwhite or ruffed grouse hunter shall:

1. Check in and check out at a self-service kiosk; and

2. Clearly display a department-provided hang-tag in a vehicle.

(g) Pheasants may be taken beginning on the Tuesday following the pheasant quota hunt through December 31.

1. Any person with a valid hunting license may take a pheasant.

2. The daily limit per hunter shall be three (3) pheasants of either sex.

(h) Quota fox hunting field trials.

1. There shall be a maximum of three (3) four (4) day events per calendar year which shall begin:

a. The Wednesday preceding the last Saturday in February;

b. The second Wednesday in September; and

c. The fourth Wednesday in September.

2. Each event shall be limited to 250 participants.

3. The area shall be closed to nonparticipants.

4. A participant shall:

a. Wear a laminated identification badge issued by the department during the event; and

b. Return the laminated badge at the close of the event.

(6) Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA.

(a) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(b) A person shall not allow a dog to be unleashed from April 1 until the third Saturday in August, except if squirrel hunting.

(7) Dix River WMA.

(a) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(b) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(8) Fleming WMA.

(a) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(b) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(9) Green River Lake WMA.

(a) The pheasant hunt units shall be closed to all hunting for four (4) consecutive days beginning on the third Friday in November, except for archery deer hunting and the pheasant quota hunt established in Section 5 of this administrative regulation.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(c) Pheasant.

1. Beginning on the Tuesday following the pheasant quota hunt through December 31, any person with a valid hunting license may take a pheasant.

2. The daily limit per hunter shall be three (3) pheasants of either sex.

(d) The area shall be closed to ruffed grouse hunting and trapping.

(10) Higginson-Henry WMA. Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(11) Kleber WMA. Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(12) Lake Cumberland WMA.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(13) Mill Creek WMA.

(a) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(b) A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only.

(14) Miller-Welch Central Kentucky WMA.

(a) Small game and furbearer hunting seasons shall be closed, except that squirrel season shall be open.

(b) A person shall not allow a dog to be unleashed:

1. From April 1 until the third Saturday in August; or

2. On a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday during the remainder of the year, except:

a. If a person is hunting squirrels during an open season; or

b. If a person is participating in an authorized field trial.

(15) Mullins WMA. Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(16) Nolin Lake WMA. Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(17) Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area.

(a) Except as authorized by the department, a person shall not enter the area during a deer quota hunt without a valid quota hunt confirmation number.

(b) Northern bobwhite season shall be closed.

(c) Rabbit hunting season shall be from December 1 through December 31.

(d) Trapping season shall be from January 1 through the last day in February.

(e) A person who traps on the area shall:

1. First obtain prior authorization from the area manager; and

2. Only trap in department designated areas.

(f) Except during deer quota hunts, a person shall not use the following to take furbearers:

1. A rifle;

2. Ball ammunition; or

3. Slug ammunition.

(g) A person shall not use a rimfire gun to take small game, except during a deer quota hunt.

(18) Paul Van Booven WMA. The area shall be closed to vehicle access from one (1) hour after sunset until one (1) hour before sunrise.

(19) Peabody WMA.

(a) A person hunting northern bobwhite on the Sinclair Unit shall:

1. Only hunt between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.;

2. Only hunt on Thursday and Sunday; and

3. Not take more than four (4) northern bobwhite daily.

(b) A person hunting northern bobwhite on the Ken Unit shall:

1. Only hunt between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.;

2. Only hunt on Wednesday and Saturday; and

3. Not take more than four (4) northern bobwhite daily.

(c) A northern bobwhite or rabbit hunter on the Sinclair Unit or Ken Unit shall:

1. Check in and check out at a self-service kiosk; and

2. Clearly display a department-provided hang-tag in a vehicle.

(20) Pennyrile Forest WMA.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from December 1 through December 31.

(b) The daily limit shall be two (2) ruffed grouse.

(21) Pioneer Weapons WMA.

(a) A person shall not hunt with a breech-loading firearm.

(b) A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only.

(22) Redbird WMA. A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only.

(23) Robinson Forest WMA.

(a) Hunting shall not be permitted on the Main Block.

(b) The remainder of the WMA shall be open under statewide requirements.

(24) Rockcastle WMA.

(a) Rabbit season shall be closed after December 31.

(b) A rabbit hunter shall:

1. Check in and check out at a self-service kiosk; and

2. Clearly display a department-provided hang-tag in a vehicle.

(c) Northern bobwhite and ruffed grouse hunting shall be open on Tuesday and Saturday until 3:00 p.m. from November 1 through December 31, except it shall be closed during:

1. A deer quota hunt as established in 301 KAR 2:178; and

2. Opening weekend of modern gun deer season, as established in 301 KAR 2:172.

(d) The daily bag limit shall be:

1. Four (4) northern bobwhite; and

2. Two (2) ruffed grouse daily.

(e) A northern bobwhite or ruffed grouse hunter shall:

1. Check in and check out at a self-service kiosk; and

2. Clearly display a department-provided hang-tag in a vehicle.

(25) Taylorsville Lake WMA. Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(26) Tradewater WMA.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from December 1 through December 31.

(b) The daily limit shall be two (2) ruffed grouse.

(27) West Kentucky WMA.

(a) A person shall check in daily at a designated check station prior to using an "A" tract.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31 on Tracts 2, 3, 6, and 7.

(c) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be open on Tracts 1, 4, 5, and "A" beginning one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until 1:00 p.m. local time from January 1 through January 10, except if harvest limits are reached prior to January 10.

1. A hunter shall report harvest numbers and total hours hunted to the area supervisor on a daily basis.

2. If a tract is closed prior to January 10, a sign indicating closure shall be posted at the hunter check station at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the closure.

(d) A person shall not:

1. Use a rifle, ball, or slug ammunition;

2. Operate a vehicle on Tract 6 from February 1 through April 16; or

3. Allow a dog to be unleashed from April 1 until the third Saturday in August, except while squirrel hunting.

(28) Yellowbank WMA.

(a) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(b) The pheasant hunt units shall be closed for four (4) consecutive days beginning on the first Friday in December to all hunting except archery deer hunting, muzzleloader deer hunting, and the pheasant quota hunt as established in Section 5 of this administrative regulation.

(c) A person shall:

1. Possess a valid hunting license to take pheasant, unless exempt pursuant to KRS 150.170; and

2. Not take more than three (3) pheasants of either sex.

Section 5. Pheasant Quota Hunts.

(1) There shall be a pheasant quota hunt on:

(a) Green River Wildlife Management Area for three (3) consecutive days beginning the third Friday in November;

(b) Clay Wildlife Management Area for three (3) consecutive days beginning the first Friday in December; and

(c) Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area for three (3) consecutive days beginning on the first Friday in December.

(2) There shall be a one (1) day clean-up hunt immediately following each of the hunts for pheasant quota hunters drawn for that particular WMA.

(3) Hunt hours for each day shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:

(a) Eastern time for the Green River Wildlife Management Area and Clay Wildlife Management Area hunts; and

(b) Central time for the Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area hunt.

(4) During a quota hunt or clean-up hunt, a person shall wear hunter orange clothing as established in 301 KAR 2:172.

(5) The daily bag limit per hunter shall be two (2) pheasants of either sex, except there shall be a daily bag limit of three (3) pheasants of either sex during the one (1) day clean-up hunt.

(6) Pheasant quota hunt procedures.

(a) A person selected for a pheasant quota hunt may hunt on the one (1) day clean-up hunt for that area.

(b) A person applying for a pheasant quota hunt shall not apply:

1. More than one (1) time for each hunt and shall not be drawn for more than one (1) hunt; and

2. As a group of more than five (5) people.

(c) A person who is drawn to hunt shall pay the pheasant quota hunt permit fee established in 301 KAR 3:022 prior to the hunt.

Section 6. Pheasant Quota Hunt Requirements.

(1) A person applying for a pheasant quota hunt shall:

(a) Complete the pheasant quota hunt application process on the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov between September 1 and September 30; and

(b) Pay a non-refundable three (3) dollar application fee for each applicant.

(2) A person, prior to participating in a quota hunt, shall be required to show a:

(a) Department-issued quota hunt permit;

(b) Valid Kentucky hunting license or proof of exemption; and

(c) Hunter education card, if required pursuant to 301 KAR 2:185.

(3) A youth-mentor quota hunt party shall have a minimum of one (1) youth as a member of the party.

(4) A person shall comply with all quota hunt requirements or be ineligible to apply for any other quota hunt during the following year, except for an elk quota hunt.

(5) A person who is ineligible to apply for a quota hunt pursuant to subsection (5) of this section shall maintain all preference points that were accrued in other quota hunts.

(6) A youth shall only apply as part of a party that has at least one (1) adult.

(7) The department shall extend the application deadline if technical difficulties with the automated application system prevent applications from being accepted for one (1) or more days during the application period.

(8) A quota hunt applicant who is not selected and who applies to hunt the following year shall be given one (1) preference point for each year the applicant was not selected.

(9) A random selection of hunters with preference points shall be made for each year's quota hunts before those without preference points are chosen.

(10) A person shall forfeit all accumulated points if, in a given year, the person does not apply for the hunt in which points were earned, except as established in subsection (6) of this section.

Section 7. Dog Training Areas on Wildlife Management Areas.

(1) A group or club may request that a dedicated dog training area be authorized by the department on a specific WMA.

(2) The department shall authorize a dog training area if:

(a) The department approves a suitable location for the dog training area; and

(b) A signed memorandum of understanding is entered into with the club or group.

(3) The conditions established in this subsection shall apply for each dog training area on a WMA.

(a) All northern bobwhite to be used in training shall be banded with aluminum leg bands and individually placed in the dog training area.

(b) Dog training areas shall remain open to all other legal WMA uses.

(c) A person shall comply with all dog training area requirements pursuant to 301 KAR 2:041, unless otherwise stated in the memorandum of understanding.

(d) Unleashed dogs shall be allowed within the boundaries of the dog training area year-round, except for:

1. May 15 through August 15;

2. The youth statewide turkey season; and

3. The statewide turkey season.

(e) Released northern bobwhite with aluminum leg bands, chukars, pheasants, or pigeons may be harvested on legal dog training days.

(f) Immediately prior to dog training, a person shall:

1. Walk and examine the entire dog training area to ensure that no wild northern bobwhite are present; and

2. Then place released birds in the training area.

Section 8. General Requirements on Federally Owned Areas.

(1) Season dates, bag limits, and other requirements of 301 KAR 2:251 and 301 KAR 2:050 shall apply, except as otherwise established in this administrative regulation.

(2) Hunter orange requirements established in Section 3 of this administrative regulation shall apply to a person hunting or trapping on federal areas referenced in this section.

(3) A person shall:

(a) Obtain permission from the landowner before hunting;

(b) Not hunt except on assigned dates and in assigned areas; and

(c) Comply with all requirements established by the agency controlling the area.

Section 9. Exceptions on Specific Federally Owned Areas.

(1) If hunting is not prohibited by other area priorities, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Bluegrass Army Depot, and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge may allow hunting if in compliance with 301 KAR 2:122 and 301 KAR 2:251 for:

(a) Squirrels, from June 1 through June 14;

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit, no earlier than November 1 nor later than the last day of February;

(c) Furbearers, no earlier than October 1 nor later than the last day of February;

(d) Frogs, year round; or

(e) Crows, for a maximum of 124 days between September 1 and the last day of February.

(2) A person shall hunt coyotes during daylight hours only on lands managed by:

(a) Daniel Boone National Forest;

(b) George Washington and Jefferson National Forests;

(c) Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area;

(d) Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge; and

(e) Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.

(3) Fort Knox shall not allow more than thirty (30) days of ruffed grouse hunting between October 1 and the last day of February.

(4) On Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, a person hunting the species listed in this administrative regulation shall not use:

(a) Crossbows;

(b) Shotgun slugs or shot larger than BB; or

(c) Center-fire rifles or center-fire handguns, except during designated groundhog or coyote hunts.

(5) Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

(a) Ruffed grouse season shall be open from October 1 through December 31.

(b) Northern bobwhite and rabbit seasons shall be closed after December 31.

(c) A person hunting coyotes shall comply with any federal requirements established by the National Park Service.

Section 10. Incorporation by Reference.

(1) "KDFWR Public Area Trapping Registration Form", 2016 edition, is incorporated by reference.

(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. Eastern Time.

301 KAR 2:049

20 Ky.R. 2922; eff. 6-2-1994; 21 Ky.R. 1911; 2474; eff. 4-6-1995; 22 Ky.R. 1670; eff. 5-16-1996; 25 Ky.R. 1688; 2132; eff. 3-10-1999; 2651; 26 Ky.R. 43; eff. 7-14-1999; 26 Ky.R. 2015; 27 Ky.R. 74; eff. 7-17-2000; 832; eff. 11-17-2000; 27 Ky.R. 3138; 28 Ky.R. 72; eff. 7-16-01; 28 Ky.R. 2410; eff. 7-15-2002; 29 Ky.R. 2127; eff. 4-1-2003; 2956; eff. 8-13-2003; 30 Ky.R. 2339; eff. 7-14-2004; 31 Ky.R. 823; eff. 1-4-2005; 31 Ky.R. 1702; eff. 6-8-2005; 33 Ky.R. 2358; eff. 5-4-2007; 34 Ky.R. 2428; 35 Ky.R. 21, eff. 7-9-2008; 36 Ky.R. 2215; 37 Ky.R. 37; eff. 8-5-2010; 37 Ky.R. 2283; eff. 6-3-2011; 38 Ky.R.1883; 39 Ky.R. 15; eff. 7-12-2012; 2061; eff. 6-6-2013; 40 Ky.R. 649; 1042; eff. 11-7-2013; 2212; 2427; eff. 6-6-2014; 41 Ky.R. 2615; 42 Ky.R. 278; eff. 9-4-2015; 43 Ky.R. 436, 1173; eff. 2-3-2017; 44 Ky.R. 134, 513; eff. 9-8-2017; 44 Ky.R. 203, 513, 2260, 2488; eff. 6-7-2018; 46 Ky.R. 1012; eff. 3-3-2020.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.175(7), (9), 150.360, 150.400, 150.410, 150.620