Commission Seeks More Landowner Participation in Elk Programs

Elk photos from Starfire WMA Oct. 27, 2005. Photos taken by Dave Baker.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission modified the elk voucher cooperator and elk restoration permit program and boating regulations at its quarterly meeting Sept. 8.

The Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. All recommendations must be approved by legislators before they become law.

In wildlife-related business, the Commission proposed modifying the point system used for the Voucher Cooperator Elk Permit and the Elk Restoration Permit programs in an effort to increase landowner participation. Commissioners voted to reduce the number of points needed by participating landowners to receive an elk permit. Commission members also recommended requiring elk guides to report elk wounded by clients.

In other wildlife-related business, commissioners proposed adding a third quota fox hunting field trail at Clay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Nicholas County for the last weekend in February. They also recommended changes to testing and permitting requirements for falconry.

In boating-related business, the commission recommended creating a maximum centerline length of 24 feet for monohull boats with seating for at least eight passengers on the following lakes: Guist Creek Lake in Shelby County, Cedar Creek Lake in Lincoln County, Lake Beshear in Caldwell and Christian counties and Lake Malone in Muhlenberg, Todd and Logan counties.

If approved by legislators, the boating regulation proposed at the meeting would take effect March 1, 2018.

The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting is currently scheduled for 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time), Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Meetings are held in Frankfort at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters, 1 Sportsman’s Lane. Commission meetings are open for the public.