301 KAR 2:228. Sandhill crane hunting requirements

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Crane" means a sandhill crane.

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

      (a) Is controlled by the department through ownership, lease, license, or cooperative

      agreement; and

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

 

      Section 2. Applications and Permits. (1) To apply for a crane hunting permit a person shall:

      (a) Complete the online application process on the department’s Web site at http://fw.ky.gov between November 15 and November 30;

      (b) Unless exempt pursuant to KRS 150.170, purchase a hunting license by November 30;

      (c) Pay a three (3) dollar application fee; and

      (d) Not apply more than once.

      (2) The department shall:

      (a) Issue a maximum of 400 crane hunting permits;

      (b) Select each permit recipient with a random electronic draw from all qualified applicants;

      (c) Issue each permit via the department’s Web site at http://fw.ky.gov;

      (d) Issue two (2) metal leg tags to each permit recipient prior to the crane hunting season.

      (e) Disqualify an applicant who does not possess a hunting license prior to November 30, unless exempted by KRS 150.170; and

      (3) A person who does not have access to the internet may call the department’s toll-free number at 1-800-858-1549 for assistance in applying.

      (4) A crane hunting permit shall not be transferable.

      (5) A person selected to receive a permit shall pass a bird identification test provided by the department prior to receiving a permit;

      (6) A permit recipient shall complete and submit a post-season crane hunting survey on the department’s website no later than January 25.

      (7) A person who fails to complete the post-season survey by the date specified in subsection 6 of this section shall be ineligible to be drawn the following year.

 

      Section 3. Season, Bag Limits, and Hunting Requirements. (1) Unless exempted by KRS 150.170, a person shall not hunt a crane without:

      (a) A valid Kentucky hunting license;

      (b) A valid Kentucky crane hunting permit; and

      (c) A Kentucky migratory bird permit; or

      (d) A Kentucky waterfowl permit.

      (2) A permit recipient shall possess a printed copy of a valid crane hunting permit:

      (a) While crane hunting; and

      (b) When in possession of a harvested crane.

      (3) The season shall:

      (a) Begin on the Saturday closest to December 15 for thirty (30) consecutive days; or

      (b) End at sunset on the day when a harvest of 400 cranes is projected to be attained;

      (4) The department shall notify hunters on the day that the crane season has closed by:

      (a) Providing a pre-recorded message on the department’s toll-free number at 1-800-858-1549; and

      (b) Posting the closure on the department’s website.

      (5) A permit recipient shall be responsible for checking if the crane season is closed on a daily basis prior to hunting cranes.

      (6) The season bag limit shall be two (2) cranes per person.

      (7) A person shall only hunt cranes from sunrise to sunset.

      (8) A person shall check a harvested crane by:

      (a) Attaching one of the department-issued metal tags to the leg of the harvested crane prior to moving the carcass;

      (b) Calling 1-877-245-4263 on the day the crane is harvested;

      (c) Providing the information requested by the automated check-in system; and

      (d) Recording and retaining the check-in confirmation number for the rest of the current season.

      (9) A hunter who has harvested a crane shall possess the check-in confirmation number when in the field during the current season.

      (10) A person shall not knowingly falsify the harvest of a crane on the automated check-in system.

      (11) A person hunting cranes shall not use or possess a shotgun shell containing:

      (a) Lead shot; or

      (b) Shot not approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for waterfowl hunting.

      (12) A person shall not use the following to take cranes:

      (a) A shotgun larger than ten (10) gauge;

      (b) A shotgun shell larger than three and one-half (31/2) inches; or

      (c) A shotgun shell with shot larger than size "T".

      (13) A person hunting a crane on a Wildlife Management Area shall comply with the applicable WMA waterfowl hunting requirements, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:222, except that on Barren River WMA crane hunting shall be prohibited within 100 yards of the normal summer pool level of 552 feet in the following embayments:

      (a) Beaver Creek;

      (b) Peters Creek; and

      (c) Skaggs Creek. (38 Ky.R. 168; 789; eff. 11-3-11.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 150.010, 150.305, 150.340, 150.990

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.170(3)(4), 150.330, 150.603(2), 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. KRS 150.170(3)(4) authorizes license exemptions for people under twelve (12) and resident owners of farmlands, including their spouses and dependent children who hunt on those farmlands. KRS 150.330 authorizes take and possession of migratory birds when in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and authorizes hunting of migratory birds with the appropriate permits. KRS 150.603(2) requires a person sixteen (16) years or older to possess a hunting license and a Kentucky migratory game bird permit or waterfowl permit in order to hunt migratory birds. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for taking sandhill cranes within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.