301 KAR 2:225reg. Dove, wood duck, teal, and other migratory game bird hunting

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Dove" means mourning dove or white-winged dove.

      (2) "Migratory game bird" means mourning dove, white-winged dove, wood duck, teal, Canada goose, common gallinule, woodcock, snipe, purple gallinule, Virginia rail, or sora rail.

      (3) "Teal" means green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, or cinnamon teal.

      (4) "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.

 

      Section 2. Season Dates. (1) A person shall not hunt a migratory game bird except during a season established in this administrative regulation.

      (2) The[following] seasons established in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this subsection shall apply to migratory bird hunting:

      (a) Dove, beginning on:

      1. September 1 for fifty-six (56) consecutive days;

      2. Thanksgiving Day for eleven (11) consecutive days; and

      3. The Saturday before Christmas for twenty-three (23) consecutive days;

      (b) Woodcock, beginning on the fourth Saturday in October[November 1] for forty-seven (47)[forty-five (45)] consecutive days, except that the season shall be closed during the first two (2) days of modern gun deer season, as established in 301 KAR 2:172;

      (c) Snipe, beginning on:

      1. The third Wednesday in September for forty (40) consecutive days; and

      2. Thanksgiving Day for sixty-seven (67) consecutive days;

      (d) Wood duck, beginning on the third Saturday in September for five (5) consecutive days;

      (e) Teal, beginning on the third Saturday in September for nine (9) consecutive days;

      (f) Virginia rail, sora rail, common gallinule, and purple gallinule, beginning on September 1 for seventy (70) consecutive days; and

      (g) Canada goose, beginning September 16[1] for fifteen (15) consecutive days except that the following areas, as established in 301 KAR 2:224, shall be closed:

      1. Public land in the Ballard Zone;

      2. Public land in the West-Central Goose Zone; and

      3. The Northeast Goose Zone.

 

      Section 3. Bag and Possession Limits. (1) A person shall not exceed the[following] limits established in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this subsection:

      (a) Dove:

      1. Daily limit of fifteen (15); and

      2. Possession limit of forty-five (45).

      (b) Eurasian collared dove: No limit, except that a hunter, if in the field or during transport, shall keep one (1) of the parts established in subparagraphs 1. and 2. of this paragraph[following] attached to the bird:

      1. The head; or

      2. A fully-feathered wing.

      (c) Woodcock:

      1. Daily limit of three (3); and

      2. Possession limit of nine (9).

      (d) Snipe:

      1. Daily limit of eight (8); and

      2. Possession limit of twenty-four (24).

      (e) Virginia and sora rail, singly or in aggregate:

      1. Daily limit of twenty-five (25); and

      2. Possession limit of seventy-five (75).

      (f) Common and purple gallinule, singly or in aggregate:

      1. Daily limit of three (3); and

      2. Possession limit of nine (9).

      (g) Wood duck and teal:

      1. Daily limit of six (6), which shall not include more than two (2) wood ducks; and

      2. Possession limit of eighteen (18), which shall not include more than six (6) wood ducks.

      (h) Canada goose:

      1. Daily limit of five (5); and

      2. Possession limit of fifteen (15).

      (2) A hunter who possesses a migratory game bird other than a dove, in the field or during transport, shall keep one (1) of the parts established in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection[following] attached to the bird:

      (a) The head; or

      (b) A fully-feathered wing.

 

      Section 4. Shooting Hours. A person shall not take a migratory game bird except during the times established in this section. (1) If hunting dove on WMA land, a person shall hunt:

      (a) Between 11 a.m. and sunset during the September and October portion of the season, as established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation; and

      (b) Between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset during the remainder of the season, as established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation.

      (2) If hunting dove on private land, a person shall hunt:

      (a) Between 11 a.m. and sunset on September 1; and

      (b) Between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset during the remainder of the season, as established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation.

      (3) Other species listed in this administrative regulation shall be taken between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset.

 

      Section 5. Shot Requirements. A person hunting waterfowl shall not use or possess a shotgun shell:

      (1) Longer than three and one-half (3 1/2) inches; or

      (2) Containing:

      (a) Lead shot;

      (b) Shot not approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21 for waterfowl hunting; or

      (c) Shot larger than size "T".

 

      Section 6. Hunter Orange. A person shall be exempt from hunter orange requirements pursuant to 301 KAR 2:132 and 2:172 if:

      (1) Hunting waterfowl or doves; or

      (2) Accompanying a person hunting waterfowl or doves.

 

      Section 7. Exceptions to Statewide Migratory Game Bird Seasons on Specified Wildlife Management Areas. (1) A person shall not:

      (a) Hunt wood duck or teal on an area closed to waterfowl hunting as established in 301 KAR 2:222;

      (b) Hunt in an area marked by a sign as closed to hunting; or

      (c) Enter an area marked by a sign as closed to the public.

      (2) A person hunting dove on any of the following areas shall only use or possess nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21:

      (a) Ballard WMA;

      (b) Boatwright WMA;

      (c) Doug Travis WMA;

      (d) Duck Island WMA;

      (e) Kaler Bottoms WMA;

      (f) Kentucky River WMA;

      (g) Ohio River Islands WMA;

      (h) Sloughs WMA;

      (i) South Shore WMA;

      (j) Yatesville Lake WMA; and

      (k) A WMA wetland management unit that is posted by sign.

      (3) At Ballard WMA, a person shall not hunt:

      (a) Dove, Virginia rail, sora rail, common gallinule, purple gallinule, or snipe after October 13; or

      (b) Woodcock.

      (4) In the Swan Lake Unit of Boatwright WMA, a person shall not hunt:

      (a) Dove, Virginia rail, sora rail, common gallinule, purple gallinule, or snipe after October 13; or

      (b) Woodcock.

      (5) At Miller Welch - Central Kentucky WMA, a person shall not hunt:

      (a) Dove or snipe after October 13; or

      (b) Woodcock.

      (6) At Grayson Lake WMA, a person shall not hunt:

      (a) Within three-quarters (3/4) of a mile from the dam including the no-wake zone of the dam site marina;

      (b) On Deer Creek Fork; or

      (c) On Camp Webb property or the state park, except for youths drawn for any department quota dove hunt on Camp Webb property in September.

      (7) At Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, a person shall not hunt a migratory game bird between the last Saturday in September and November 30.

      (8) At West Kentucky WMA, a person shall not hunt Canada geese during the September season.

      (9) At Yatesville Lake, the following areas shall be closed to waterfowl hunting, unless authorized by Yatesville Lake State Park:

      (a) The Greenbrier Creek embayment; and

      (b) The lake area north of the mouth of the Greenbrier Creek embayment to the dam, including the island.

      (10) At Robinson Forest WMA, a person shall not hunt a migratory game bird on the main block of the WMA.

 

GREGORY K. JOHNSON, Commissioner

DON PARKINSON, Secretary

      APPROVED BY AGENCY: May 3, 2016

      FILED WITH LRC: May 11, 2016 at 2 p.m.

      PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on June 21, 2016, at 9 a.m. at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in the Commission Room of the Arnold L. Mitchell Building, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky. Individuals interested in attending this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five business days prior to the hearing of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing is received by that date, the hearing may be canceled. This hearing is open to the public. Any person who attends will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed administrative regulation. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to attend the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation through June 30, 2016. Send written notification of intent to attend the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to:

      CONTACT PERSON: Mark Cramer, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Arnold L. Mitchell Building, #1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone [phone], fax [phone], email [e-mail].

 

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT

 

Contact Person: Mark Cramer

      (1) Provide a brief summary of:

      (a) What this administrative regulation does: This administrative regulation establishes seasons and bag limits within federal migratory bird hunting frameworks established in 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21 according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In addition, it establishes requirements for the hunting of migratory birds.

      (b) The necessity of this administrative regulation: The necessity of this administrative regulation is to establish the 2016–2017 migratory bird seasons in accordance with the USFWS.

      (c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife and to regulate bag limits. KRS 150.360 authorizes the department to restrict methods for the taking of wildlife. KRS 150.600 authorizes the department to regulate the taking of waterfowl on public and private land. This administrative regulation establishes procedures for the taking of migratory game birds within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.

      (d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes: By establishing the migratory bird hunting seasons and area specific requirements, this administrative regulation maintains and manages migratory game bird conservation efforts consistent with national and international management goals.

      (2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:

      (a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation: This amendment will change the start of woodcock season from the November first to the 4th Saturday in October and will close the woodcock season for the opening weekend of modern gun deer season. It will also shift the early Canada goose season to begin on September 16 rather than September 1. All these changes are consistent with the long-term Mississippi Flyway and continental management efforts and are within the USFWS required frameworks.

      (b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation: The necessity of the amendment is to optimize Canada goose and woodcock hunting opportunity by adjusting the season structure.

      (c) How the amendment conforms to the authorizing statutes: See (1)(c) above.

      (d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes: See (1)(d) above.

      (3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation: There are approximately 40,000 migratory bird hunters and 550 woodcock hunters in Kentucky.

      (4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:

      (a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment: Goose hunters will see the season shift from the first 2 weeks of September to the latter two weeks of September. Woodcock hunters will see the season shift earlier from the November first open to a fourth Saturday in October open. They will also not be allowed to hunt the opening weekend of modern gun deer season.

      (b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3): There will be no additional costs to those identified in question (3).

      (c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3): There will be increased opportunity to hunt migratory game birds during the optimum season structure.

      (5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:

      (a) Initially: This administrative regulation change will result in no initial change in administrative cost to the Department.

      (b) On a continuing basis: There will be no additional cost on a continuing basis.

      (6) What is the source of the funding to be used for implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation? The source of funding is the State Game and Fish Fund.

      (7) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new or by the change if it is an amendment. It will not be necessary to increase any other fees or increase funding to implement this administrative regulation.

      (8) State whether or not this administrative regulation established any fees or directly or indirectly increased any fees: No new fees will be established.

      (9) TIERING: Is tiering applied? Tiering was not applied. The same requirements and limits apply to all migratory bird hunters.

 

FISCAL NOTE ON STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

      (1) What units, parts, or divisions of state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) will be impacted by this administrative regulation? The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Divisions of Wildlife and Law Enforcement will be impacted by this administrative regulation.

      (2) Identify each state or federal statute or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation. KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife and to regulate bag limits. KRS 150.360 authorizes the department to restrict methods for the taking of wildlife. KRS 150.600 authorizes the department to regulate the taking of waterfowl on public and private land. This administrative regulation establishes procedures for the taking of migratory game birds within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.

      (3) Estimate the effect of this administrative regulation on the expenditures and revenues of a state or local government agency (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for the first full year the administrative regulation is to be in effect.

      (a) How much revenue will this administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for the first year? No revenue will be generated by this administrative regulation during the first year.

      (b) How much revenue will this administrative regulation generate for the state or local government (including cities, counties, fire departments, or school districts) for subsequent years? No revenue will be generated by this administrative regulation during subsequent years.

      (c) How much will it cost to administer this program for the first year? There will be no additional costs to administer this program for the first year.

      (d) How much will it cost to administer this program for subsequent years? There will be no additional costs to administer this program for subsequent years.

      Note: If specific dollar estimates cannot be determined, provide a brief narrative to explain the fiscal impact of the administrative regulation.

      Revenues (+/-):

      Expenditures (+/-):

      Other Explanation:

 

FEDERAL MANDATE ANALYSIS COMPARISON

 

      1. Federal statute or regulation constituting the federal mandate. Wildlife and Fisheries, Federal Code of Regulations, 50 C.F.R. Part 20, Migratory Bird Hunting; Part 21, Migratory Bird Permits.

      2. State compliance standards. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources sets migratory birds seasons within the frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and published in 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.

      3. Minimum or uniform standards contained in the federal mandate. 50 C.F.R. Part 20 contains season frameworks for the earliest opening and latest closing date, the maximum number of days a species is open to hunting, and daily bag and possession limits. 50 C.F.R. Part 21 defines permits and the necessary requirements to hold and possess migratory game birds before, during and after periods open for hunting.

      4. Will this administrative regulation impose stricter requirements, or additional or different responsibilities or requirements, than those required by the federal mandate? Yes.

      5. Justification for the imposition of the stricter standard, or additional or different responsibilities or requirements. The federal mandate defines the regulatory frameworks that a state may allow. States are permitted to be more restrictive but not more liberal in their respective regulations. State management objectives necessitate more restrictive regulations to protect local, regional and/or state populations of birds important to Kentucky’s waterfowl hunters. The greatest wintering and migrating waterfowl concentrations are located on public lands managed by the Department. The Department imposes more restrictive hunting regulations on these lands in effort to meet waterfowl management objectives while still providing quality hunting opportunity.

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 150.330, 150.340, 150.603

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.360, 150.600(1), 50 C.F.R. 20, 21

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife,[and] to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. KRS 150.360 authorizes the department to restrict methods for the taking of wildlife. KRS 150.600(1) authorizes the department to regulate the taking of waterfowl on public and private land. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the taking of migratory game birds within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.