District 3 E.P. Tom Sawyer Park, Louisville - Kentucky Department of ...

Spring Season on Turkey moving to 2 nd Saturday in April. Are we planning on doing it again?
The existing spring turkey regulation defines the opening day of turkey season as the
Saturday closest to April 15. As such, the season opener fluctuates between the second
and third Saturday of April between years. Beginning in 2012 and lasting until 2014 the
opening date for the spring turkey season in Kentucky will occur on the second Saturday
in April.
Concerns on decline of small game & seasons (rabbits, quail, grouse) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 ,9)
The Department shares the concern for decline of small game. The seasons continue to
be a popular debate with overlap of deer seasons and creating a single season that ends
sometime in February. KDFWR has been one of the national leaders in restoration for
bobwhite (mgt will also benefit rabbits). We also continue to move towards a more
active forest management program on WMAs and through private lands efforts that will
benefit ruffed grouse.
KDFWR is working to create a cooperative program for private land owners to support small
game management practices, which will include evaluating cost-benefit of existing tactics and
developing critical measures of success.
What is being done for small game hunting in the 3 rd District? (3)
The Sinking Creek bobwhite focal area is underway with a seasonal biologist in-place
promoting private lands management. An Environmental Quality Incentives Program
grassland focus area was also established here through the efforts of the Department
and conservation partners. Yellowbank WMA has increased activity for the
management of small game habitat in the last few years. Commonwealth Chapter of
Quail Forever has provided outstanding support for equipment on that area as well.
Quail Quota Hunt on Peabody – stop rabbit hunting the day before the quota hunt & while
they are hunting. (3)
This will be evaluated each year after the seasons. As of now the impact of rabbit hunting seems
negligible and this format allows us to provide opportunity for both groups.
1 deer a day on public land, public land hunter is being slighted. Allow same opportunities on
public land and private (3)
The 1 deer per day rule was requested by a Commissioner out of concern that some
WMAs may be over pressured if hunters were allowed to take more than 1 deer per
day.
Youth Involvement ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Change youth season (2, 4, 7, 9)
In October – November when temperatures are milder (2)
2 days is not enough! Needs to be longer.(4)
No change to youth seasons is currently recommended. Current youth seasons are the best
compromise at this point.
1,000 Elk tags were too many (3)
Based on statistical models and ground counts of elk, the population is sufficient to
handle this level of harvest without decreasing the overall herd. The low natural