301 Ky. Admin. Regs. 2:185

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 301 KAR 2:185 - Hunter education

RELATES TO: KRS 150.010, 150.015, 150.990

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish seasons for the taking of fish and wildlife, to regulate bag limits, creel limits, and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for hunter education.

Section 1. Definitions.

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

(2) "Hunter education certification" means a credential earned if a person has successfully completed the hunter education requirements.

(3) "Hunter education exemption permit" means a permit issued by the department that allows a person who is required to obtain a hunter education certification to hunt for a period of one (1) year from the date obtained.

Section 2. Hunter Education Certification.

(1) Unless exempt pursuant to Section 3 of this administrative regulation or license-exempt pursuant to KRS 150.170, a person born on or after January 1, 1975 shall carry proof of a valid hunter education certification while hunting in Kentucky.

(2) A person who is less than twelve (12) years old hunting without a hunter education certification shall be accompanied by an adult who is in position to take immediate control of the firearm or hunting equipment and who:

(a) Has a hunter education certification; or

(b) Is exempt from hunter education requirements.

(3) An adult shall not accompany more than two (2) hunters under twelve (12) years old at any one (1) time.

Section 3. Hunter Education Exemptions.

(1) A person who is required to have hunter education, may obtain a temporary hunter education exemption permit, which shall be obtained from the department.

(2) A person hunting with a valid temporary hunter education exemption permit shall:

(a) Carry the permit while hunting; and

(b) Be accompanied by an adult who is in position to take immediate control of the firearm or hunting equipment and who:

1. Is carrying proof of hunter education certification; or

2. Was born before January 1, 1975.

(3) The department shall not issue more than one (1) hunter education exemption certificate to any individual.

Section 4. Hunter Education Requirements.

(1) In order to obtain a Kentucky hunter education certification, a person shall:

(a) Obtain and possess a certificate of completion or its equivalent for course work meeting the standards of the International Hunter Education Association from another state, province, or country; or

(b) Complete a department sanctioned hunter education series by:

1. Attending an entire in-person or online department-sanctioned hunter education course;

2. Correctly answering at least eighty (80) percent of the questions on a department-sanctioned exam; and

3. Safely participating in department-sanctioned live fire exercise unless exempted as established in clauses a. and b. of this subparagraph.

a. A person shall be exempted from a live fire exercise if he or she:

(i) Currently serves in the Armed Forces of the United States of America;

(ii) Is a Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America; or

(iii) Is a Kentucky peace officer as established in KRS 15.380 and certified as established in KRS 15.404.

b. A person shall provide one (1) of the following documents to the department to verify eligibility for the live fire exercise exemption:

(i) Current front and back copy of his or her military identification card; or

(ii) Copy of an Armed Forces veteran's DD Form 214; or

(iii) Copy of an Armed Forces veteran's DD Form 256; or

(iv) A letter from the certified peace officer's employer on an official letterhead stating the individual is employed by the agency and is a peace officer as established in KRS 15.380 and certified as established in KRS 15.404.

(2) A person shall be at least nine (9) years old to take the department-sanctioned exam and department-sanctioned live fire exercise.

301 KAR 2:185

17 Ky.R. 1259; eff. 11-15-90; Am. 28 Ky.R. 2052; eff. 5-16-2002; 29 Ky.R. 2131; 2487; 2879; eff. 6-16-03; 33 Ky.R. 3243; 3603; eff. 6-13-2007; 39 Ky.R. 1299; eff. 3-8-2013; Crt eff. 2-25-2020; 49 Ky.R. 880, 1417; eff. 2/2/2023.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.170