HUNTING GUIDE for WATERFOWL

NOVEMBER 2018 – MARCH 2019

FISH & WILDLIFE: 1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov Report Game Violations:

Rick Hill illustration 1-800-25-ALERT

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 MyMy ProfileProfile

If you hunt for doves, ducks or any other migratory birds, you are required to fill out a HIP Migratory Bird Survey before Scan this QR code and sign into you go hunting. To take the quick survey just log into your your My Profile account or go to FW.KY.GOV My Profile page on our website FW.KY.GOV fw.ky.gov/myprofile NOVEMBER 2018 – MARCH 2019

Commonwealth of Kentucky Matthew G. Bevin, Governor

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION 1st District: Dr. Harry W. Carloss, Paducah 2nd District: vacant 3rd District: Ralph Swallows, Louisville 4th District: Kenny Knott, Glasgow 5th District: Kevin R. Bond, Burlington 6th District: Jeffrey Eaton, Lawrenceburg 7th District: Paul Horn, Prestonsburg 8th District: Richard Storm, Carlisle 9th District: Dr. Karl Clinard, Somerset Commissioner Emeritus: Dr. James R. Rich, Taylor Mill

Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES Commissioner: Frank Jemley, III (acting) Deputy Commissioner: Karen Waldrop Deputy Commissioner: Misty Judy (acting) Wildlife Director: Steve Beam Fisheries Director: Ron Brooks Law Enforcement Director: Col. Eric Gibson Information & Education Director: Emily Hogue (acting) Dave Frederick photo Administrative Services Director: Lisa Cox Engineering, Infrastructure and Technology Director: Michael Scott (acting) Public Affairs Director: Brian V. Blank KENTUCKY HUNTING KENTUCKY WATERFOWL GUIDE GUIDE for WATERFOWL Editor: Lee McClellan Art/Design Director: Adrienne Yancy Contributors: John Brunjes and Wes Little 2 HUNTING SEASONS and REGULATIONS 3 LICENSES and PERMITS 5 WATERFOWL ZONES 5 FEDERAL REGULATIONS 6 PUBLIC LAND HUNTING 12 MENTOR / MOBILITY-IMPAIRED HATCHERY HUNTS John GoodinJohn photo

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing ABOUT THIS GUIDE FISH & WILDLIFE licenses and boat registration fees. It This is a SUMMARY of the laws regarding MISSION STATEMENT receives no general fund state tax dollars. waterfowl hunting. This guide is intended To conserve and enhance fish and wildlife The Department manages, regulates, solely for informational use. It is not a resources and provide opportunity for enforces and promotes responsible use of reprint of any referenced statute or regula- hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, tion in its entirety and should not be used other wildlife-related activities. public wildlife areas and waterways for as such. Questions about the information the benefit of those resources and for contained in this guide should be directed OTHER GUIDES AVAILABLE public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Kentucky Fish & Wildlife produces various Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) BEFORE regulation booklets for hunting and fishing. & Heritage Cabinet. engaging in the activities referenced. Call 1-800-858-1549 weekdays, look for a Actual wording of any Kentucky Revised copy of these regulation guides where hunt- Statute (KRS) or Kentucky Administra- ing licenses are sold, or log on to fw.ky.gov. tive Regulation (KAR) can be viewed at www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm. 1 HUNTING SEASONS and REGULATIONS

The Northeast Goose Zone is now under statewide regulations for waterfowl hunting, but the closure area remains.

SPECIES Season Dates Daily Limit Possession Limit

6; may include no more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be hens), 3 wood Duck Triple the daily bag limit ducks, 2 redheads, 2 pin- Nov. 22-25, 2018; tail, 2 black ducks, 3 scaup Dec. 3, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 and 2 canvasback. Coot 15 45 Merganser 5; only 2 may be hooded Triple the daily bag limit 5 combined; 3 Canada Canada/Cackling Goose, geese, 2 white-fronted Triple the daily bag limit White-Fronted Goose & Brant Nov. 22, 2018 - Feb. 15, 2019 geese and 1 brant Snow Goose (including Ross’ Goose) 20 none Eastern Zone: Nov. 3-4, 2018 Youth Waterfowl Same as regular season Western Zone: Feb. 2-3, 2019 Falconry (ducks, coots Nov. 22, 2018 - Feb. 15, 2019** 3 9 & mergansers) Falconry (geese) Same as regular season** Same as regular season

Snow Goose Conservation Order Feb. 16 - Mar. 31, 2019† ** none none Dec. 3, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Sandhill Crane 2 3 (permit required)

†Mandatory FREE permit required for hunting snow geese during this period, log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s homepage at fw.ky.gov or call 1-800-858-1549 to obtain a permit. Everyone who obtains the Snow Goose Permit must report hunting activity by April 10, 2019. **Pit and blind restrictions in effect for wildlife management areas (WMAs) and the Ballard Reporting Area do not apply to hunters during Snow Goose Conservation Order season. These restrictions also do not apply to falconers hunting waterfowl during periods when gun and archery waterfowl seasons are not open.

SHOOTING HOURS hunting license requirements and be accom- Hunters must telecheck harvested birds panied by an adult (at least 18 years of age). on the day taken. They must also monitor One-half hour before Regular Bag limits are the same as for regular the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at sunrise to sunset duck and goose seasons. fw.ky.gov daily for notices involving season exceptions closure and for the presence of whooping SANDHILL CRANE SEASON Snow Goose One-half hour before cranes in Kentucky. Hunters may also call Conservation sunrise to one-half hour Sandhill crane season opens Dec. 3, 1-800-858-1549 for this information. Order after sunset 2018 and closes Jan. 27, 2019. The daily Hunters participating in the sandhill and season bag limit is two birds. Hunt- crane hunting season must complete a post- Regular, unless noted Wildlife ers must apply for a sandhill crane permit season survey by Jan. 25 or lose eligibility to otherwise in the Public Management Hunting section of this online during the month of September on apply the following year. Areas guide. at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website and pay a $3 SHOT SIZE, TYPE, SHOTSHELL Sandhill Crane Sunrise to sunset application fee. LENGTH RESTRICTIONS Applicants must have a valid Kentucky U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-ap- hunting license or be license exempt when proved nontoxic shot no larger than size YOUTH WATERFOWL SEASONS they apply. Results are posted to individual “T” is required for all waterfowl and sand- Hunters age 15 and under can hunt applicants online following the drawing. hill crane hunting. Shot larger than size “T,” ducks, coots, mergansers and geese on these Drawn hunters must pass an online iden- or shotshells longer than 3.5 inches, MAY days. Youth hunting during these seasons tification exam before receiving a sandhill NOT BE POSSESSED OR USED while 2 must comply with hunter education and crane hunting permit. hunting waterfowl or sandhill cranes. Cur- rently, steel, bismuth, tungsten and certain attempting to take waterfowl or sandhill ber must still go online to report. tungsten composite shotshells are approved cranes is prohibited statewide. Banding plays a critical role in the man- for use. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agement of migratory bird species. The data may approve other types of nontoxic shot REPORTING BIRD BANDS you provide by reporting bands gives wild- which, if approved, will be permitted for To report bird bands, go online to life biologists information on harvest rates waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. Pos- www.reportband.gov. The previous toll-free and movements of migratory game birds. session or use of any lead shot or any shot number is no longer operable. Hunters who Please report the bands you recover. not approved by USFWS while hunting or harvest banded birds with the toll free num-

LICENSES and PERMITS

NOTE: Licenses and permits are not required for kids under the age of 12.

Ages 65 and over WATERFOWL HUNTING Ages 12-15 Ages 16-64 OR Disabled Annual† or 1-Day Hunting License Senior/Disabled Kentucky Residents Youth Hunting License* + Kentucky Migratory Game Bird-Wa- License + Federal terfowl Permit† + Federal Duck Stamp Duck Stamp Nonresidents Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Youth Hunting License (must buy nonresident licenses/permits) Game Bird-Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

*Included in Youth Sportsman’s License HIP survey required (also required for Resident Sportsman’s License) †Included in Resident Sportsman’s License

HUNTING LICENSE KENTUCKY MIGRATORY GAME FEDERAL DUCK STAMP BIRD-WATERFOWL PERMIT Unless license-exempt under KRS In addition to the state waterfowl 150.170, all hunters must possess a valid Any person required to possess a permit requirement listed above, all per- Kentucky hunting license when waterfowl hunting license, except children under sons age 16 or over must carry a valid fed- hunting. Persons using a license authori- the age of 16, taking or attempting to eral migratory bird hunting stamp (com- zation number in lieu of a paper license take waterfowl must possess a Kentucky monly called a duck stamp) to hunt wa- must have the authorization number and Migratory Game Bird-Waterfowl Per- terfowl. Hunters under 16 must possess a a picture ID with them while hunting. mit. (This permit is included with the youth hunting license but the Federal Wa- All Kentucky residents 65 years of age Senior/Disabled and Sportman’s Li- terfowl Stamp and the Kentucky Migra- and older and Kentucky residents who are cense). This permit covers all species of tory Game Bird - Waterfowl Permit are certified totally and permanently disabled migratory birds. Those who buy a Ken- not required. The federal stamp must be by the Federal Social Security Adminis- tucky waterfowl permit, senior/disabled validated by the hunter’s signature written tration, by a state Workers Compensation license, or Sportsman’s license MUST across the face of the stamp in ink. Board, by the Kentucky Teacher’s Retire- COMPLETE a Harvest Information HUNTER EDUCATION ment System, by the U.S. Office of Per- Program Survey (HIP) by going online sonnel Management, by the United States at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website All hunters born on or after Jan. 1, Railroad Retirement Board, or Kentucky at fw.ky.gov before they are legal water- 1975, must carry a valid hunter educa- resident veterans who have a permanent fowl hunters. The process takes less than tion course completion card while hunt- 50 percent disability as the result of mil- 5 minutes. On the fw.ky.gov website, click ing, in addition to the appropriate Ken- itary‑related injuries are required to pur- on the “My Profile” tab. This takes you to tucky hunting license, federal duck stamp chase the Senior/Disabled combination a page that asks for some basic informa- and state waterfowl permit. Hunters not hunting and fishing license ($5) and car- tion to confirm your identity. Then, click required to have a hunting license are not ry it while hunting or fishing. This license on the “HIP Migratory Bird Survey” on required to possess the hunter education includes all the following state permits: the right of the page. After completing card. Hunters under the age of 12 may deer, turkey, migratory bird, waterfowl the HIP survey, you receive a confima- hunt without a course completion card, and trout. tion number that must be written on your but must be accompanied by an adult at hunting license or Kentucky Migratory least 18 years of age who remains in a po- Game Bird-Waterfowl Permit. Hunters sition to take immediate control of the may call 1-800-858-1549 for questions. child’s firearm.

3 LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES

LICENSE / PERMIT Resident Nonresident Annual Fishing $23 $50 Joint Married Couple Annual Fishing $42 Not available 1-Day Fishing $7 $10 3-Year Fishing (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $55 Not available Nonresident 7-Day Fishing Not available $30 Nonresident 15-Day Fishing Not available $40 Trout Permit $10 Annual Hunting $27 $140 1-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) $7 $15 LICENSES 7-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) Not available $55 Annual Youth Hunting (ages 12-15 only) $6 $10 Shooting Area License (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $5 Annual Trapping $20 $130 Annual Landowner/Tenant Trapping $10 Not available Annual Youth (ages 12-15) Trapping $5 Not available Annual Combination Hunting/Fishing $42 Not available Senior/Disabled Sportsman’s License* (includes same license and permits $12 Not available as Resident Sportsman’s License, plus additional deer permits.) Sportsman’s License* (Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer permit, spring and fall turkey permits, state migratory game bird-waterfowl $95 Not available

COMBOS permit and trout permit.) Youth (ages 12-15) Sportsman’s License* (Includes youth hunting license, $30 Not available youth deer permit and 2 youth turkey permits.) Statewide Deer Permit (four deer) $35 $120 Youth (ages 12-15) Deer Permit (four deer) $10 $15

DEER Additional Deer Permit (two deer) $15 Spring Turkey Permit (statewide) (two turkeys) $30 $75 Youth (ages 12-15) Turkey Permit (one turkey, spring or fall) $10 $15 Fall Turkey Permit (statewide)(four turkeys) $30 $75 Migratory Bird–Waterfowl Permit $15 BIRDS Federal Duck Stamp (available at post offices and online at www.duckstamp.com) $25 Pheasant Quota Hunt Permit (if drawn) $25 Elk Drawing Application (deadline April 30; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $10 Youth WMA Elk Drawing Application (deadline April 30; available at fw.ky.gov only) $10 Quota Bull Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $100 $550 ELK Quota Cow Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $60 $400 Youth Elk Permit (if drawn; available online at fw.ky.gov only) $30 $40 Out-of-Zone Elk Permit (Nonresident available online at fw.ky.gov only) $30 $400 Bear Permit $30 $250 Youth Bear Permit $10 Not available Bear Chase Permit $30 Not available BEAR Youth Bear Chase Permit $10 Not available Peabody WMA User Permit $15 Land Between The Lakes (LBL) Hunter Use Permit $25, or $35 with Backcountry Camping Otter Creek ORA Admission Fees (per person) Daily: $3, annual: $30, (available online at ) children under 12: free. AREAS fw.ky.gov Otter Creek ORA Special Activity Fees (per person, for use of horse trails, Daily: $7, annual: $70 mountain bike trails and shooting range) (available online at fw.ky.gov) Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit (Hunter Apprentice $5 Opportunity; available online at fw.ky.gov only)

OTHER Habitat Improvement and Public Access Donation (voluntary; available at fw.ky.gov only) Any amount *Peabody, LBL and Otter Creek permits, elk drawing application, elk quota hunt permit, out-of-zone elk permit, bear permit, federal duck stamp and trapping license not included. An additional deer permit is not included with a Sportsman’s License. Kentucky’s license year begins March 1 and continues through the last day of February. New licenses are required annually, except for the 3-year fishing license. A 1-day or 7-day hunting license is valid only for the period shown on license. Resident and 4 nonresident youths under the age of 12 are not required to purchase licenses or permits (except the elk drawing application). WATERFOWL ZONES

BALLARD ZONE BOUNDARY 358 to its junction with U.S. 60 at LaCen- CAVE RUN LAKE GOOSE CLOSURE Starting at the northwest city lim- ter; then following U.S. 60 southwest to AREA its of Wickliffe in Ballard County to the the northeast city limits of Wickliffe. No goose hunting is permitted on middle of the Mississippi River, then All constructed or used blinds (in- public land (USFS) and water within the north along the Mississippi to the low cluding boats) must be at least 100 yards block of land lying inside the boundaries water mark of the Ohio River along the apart and at least 50 yards from any prop- of Hwy. 801, Hwy. 1274, Hwy. 36, Hwy. Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken erty line. A waterfowl hunter shall not 211, Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 826. Note: This County line; then along the county line possess more than one shotgun while in area includes most of Cave Run Lake. south to Hwy. 358, then south along Hwy. the blind.

YOUTH WATERFOWL ZONES and the Cave Run Goose Closure Area CAVE RUN GOOSE CLOSURE AREA .60

826 801 Western Youth Zone 211 Eastern Youth Zone BATH CO. MENIFEE CO. ROWAN CO.

36 1274

MORGAN CO.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS

In addition to state regulations, the chine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, ex- injury to the spinal cord; following federal laws apply to the taking, plosive or stupefying substance; • From or by means of any motor boat or possession, shipping, transporting and • With a shotgun capable of holding more sail boat unless the motor has been com- storing of migratory game birds. than three shotshells, unless it is plugged pletely shut off and/or the sail furled, and with a one-piece filler which is incapable its progress therefrom has ceased; of removal without disassembling the gun; • By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, Note • From a sink box (a low floating device, tame or captive ducks and geese shall -The material below is only a summary. having a depression afording the hunt- be removed for a period of 10 consecu Each hunter should also consult the er a means of concealment beneath the tive days prior to hunting, and confined complete federal regulations, which surface of the water); within an enclosure which substantially may be found in Title 50, Code of • From or with the aid or use of a car or reduces the audibility of their calls and Federal Regulations, Part 20. other motor-driven land conveyance, totally conceals such tame birds from or any aircraft, except that paraplegics the sight of migratory waterfowl; and single or double amputees of the • Using records or tapes of migratory bird RESTRICTIONS legs may take from any stationary mo- calls, or sounds, or electrically amplified No person shall take migratory tor vehicle or stationary motor-driven imitations of bird calls (except electron- game birds: land conveyance. “Paraplegic” means an ic calls may be used during the Snow ;(With a trap, snare, net, rifle, crossbow, individual afflicted with paralysis of the Goose Conservation Order • pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than lower half of the body with involvement • By driving, rallying or stirring birds a 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, ma- of both legs, usually due to disease of or with any motor-driven land, water or air 5 conveyance or any sail boat to put them TAGGING to whom the birds are being sent; c) the in the range of the hunters; or No person shall put or leave any mi- number of birds, by species, contained in • By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as gratory game birds at any place or in the the package. corn, wheat, salt or other feed to consti- custody of another person unless the birds IMPORTATION tute a lure or enticement), or on or over are tagged by the hunter with the follow- any baited area. Hunters should be aware ing information: a) the hunter’s signature; For information regarding the im- that a baited area is considered to be baited b) the hunter’s address; c) the total num- portation of migratory birds killed in for 10 days after the removal of the bait. ber of birds involved, by species; d) the another country hunters should consult • Areas manipulated for dove hunting are dates such birds were killed. 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully not legal for waterfowl hunting. Tagging is required if the birds are feathered wing must remain attached to • Over areas where farmers feed livestock being transported by another person for all migratory game birds being trans- or areas where grain is stored, such as the hunter, or if the birds have been left ported between the port of entry and grain bins and elevators. for cleaning, storage (including temporary one’s home, or to a migratory bird pres- storage), shipment or taxidermy services. ervation facility. No person shall import CLOSED SEASON migratory game birds killed in any foreign No person shall take migratory game POSSESSION OF LIVE BIRDS country, except Canada, unless such birds birds during the closed season. Wounded birds reduced to posses- are dressed (except as required in 20.63), sion shall be immediately killed and in- drawn, and the head and feet are re- SHOOTING HOURS cluded in the daily bag limit. moved. No person shall import migratory No person shall take migratory game game birds belonging to another person. birds except during the hours open to DRESSING DUAL VIOLATION shooting as prescribed. No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except Violation of state migratory game DAILY BAG LIMIT doves and band-tailed pigeons) and then bird regulations is also a violation of fed- No person shall take in any one day transport the birds from the field. The eral regulations. more than one daily bag limit. head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT being transported from the field to one’s Caution No person shall possess more than home or to a migratory bird preservation More restrictive regulations may apply one daily bag limit while in the field or facility. to National Wildlife Refuges open to while returning from the field to one’s car, public hunting. For more information SHIPMENT hunting camp, home, etc. on Federal Regulations, consult Assis- No person shall ship migratory game tant Regional Director - LE, U.S. Fish WANTON WASTE birds unless the package is marked on and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 4839, All migratory game birds shall be the outside with: a) the name and the ad- Atlanta, Georgia, 30302-4839; or call retrieved, if possible, and retained in the dress of the person sending the birds; b) (404) 331-5872. custody of the hunter in the field. the name and the address of the person

PUBLIC LAND HUNTING

when applying. An applicant may des- terfowl blind at Sloughs Wildlife Man- BLIND ignate one other person as a partner and agement Area must complete a hunter shall not hold more than one permit per survey report online at www.research. REGISTRATION area. Hunt sites registered on these areas net/s/Sloughs_Hunter_Survey or lose eligi- not occupied by one hour before sunrise bility for a blind the following year. On the following areas, hunt sites of any day are considered open to other On Barkley, Barren River, Doug must be registered on a permit issued hunters, first-come, first-served basis for Travis, Green River and Sloughs WMAs, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that day. Permittees shall not lock blinds hunters who want hunt sites must regis- or Kentucky Fish & Wildlife before the to prevent use by other hunters in absence ter and be selected by random drawing. blind is constructed: Barkley Lake, Bar- of the permittee. Hunt sites on the above Drawings are held August through Oc- ren River Lake, , Doug listed areas must be constructed by Nov. tober and applicants must be 18 years of Travis, , Nolin River 20 and removed within 30 days of the age and show a valid Kentucky hunting li- Lake, Lake, and Sloughs. close of the season. Permittees who fail cense, a Kentucky waterfowl permit and a Applicants must show a valid hunting li- to remove their blind as stated will for- Federal migratory bird stamp at that time. cense, Kentucky Waterfowl Permit, and feit the opportunity to obtain a blind the Each person drawn may select a partner 6 Federal Migratory (Duck) Bird Stamp following year. Hunters selected for a wa- of the hunt site for hunting in the absence of the person drawn. Partners must be to hunting or public access. Areas owned and following waterfowl season. present at the drawing. Drawn hunters or managed by the KDFWR that are not • On all hunt units, legal shooting time may use their hunt site the entire season listed below are open to statewide seasons starts one-half hour before sunrise, and may use a boat or a portable blind or and limits, based on the zone in which and all hunters must be off the area by construct a permanent blind. Each hunt they are located. 2 p.m. daily. site must be pinned with a permanent • Hunters are limited to 25 shells/person marker identifying the permit holders for BALLARD WMA per day. Bag limit and possession limit the hunt site. If drawn hunters do not oc- Ballard County are the same as statewide limits. At least cupy a blind or hunt site by one-hour be- Ballard WMA is exclusively open for one person in a hunt party must be 18 fore sunrise that day, the blind or hunt site waterfowl hunting, Wednesdays-Sundays, years of age or older. is open to other hunters on a first-come, beginning Dec. 5, 2018. Ballard WMA • The Ohio River from 50 yards upstream first-served basis. is closed to all access on Mondays, Tues- of Dam 53 to 50 yards downstream of days, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and from the southern border of Ballard New Year’s Day. All hunters must check in WMA is closed to waterfowl hunting BLIND at the Ballard WMA check station, 864 October 15 – March 15. Wildlife Lodge Rd, La Center, KY 42056. RESTRICTIONS New this year: Hunting methods available at Ballard include hunting from Floodwater note Unless otherwise stated under the an in-ground pit or above ground blind, Public hunting will close when CLOSED AREAS AND SPECIAL free-lance hunting within a designated floodwaters prevent safe entry to REGULATIONS FOR WMAs, the hunt unit or boat-in hunting for desig- hunting fields by wheeled vehicles on following restrictions apply to all open nated areas only. Hunt units mostly con- roads. Notice will be given at least 24 WMAs: sist of harvested grain fields and seasonally hours in advance of closure via radio, • permanent blinds are not permitted; flooded crops, moist soil units, and natu- television and newspaper outlets, or • decoys and temporary blinds must be ral depressions or “Sloughs”, that are lined hunters may check the department’s removed from the WMA at the end of with shrubby cover and trees. Chest wad- website at fw.ky.gov. Watch or listen each hunting day; ers should be used to hunt in the water on for notices when floodwaters are • hunt sites must be at least 200 yards all units. Woody vegetation, unsure foot- expected. from any other hunt site or waterfowl ing and fast elevation changes are a possi- refuge area; bility on all waterfowl hunting units. There WMA • no more than 4 persons shall occupy a are also two blinds available for mobility- Allen & Barren counties single hunt site at any one time; and impaired hunters. These mobility impaired • designated recreation areas and ac- blinds are wheelchair accessible. Hunters • Hunters may use breech or muzzle- cess points are closed to all waterfowl must draw a daily hunt permit available loading shotguns for waterfowl hunting hunting. through the online quota hunt system, or along the Barren River Lake shoreline • discharge of firearms is prohibited through the daily stand-by drawing held bordering the primitive weapons area within 100 yards of a residence or oc- for any unclaimed units. Each drawn known as the “Peninsula Unit.” cupied building whether or not the hunter may bring up to three guests. • A person shall not hunt sandhill cranes building is on the WMA. • The check station opens at 4:30 a.m. within 100 yards of the normal summer CST, and all hunters must check in by pool level of 552 feet in the following 5:00 a.m. each morning. embayments: Beaver Creek, Skaggs WATERFOWL • At check in, a $15(cash only, no checks Creek and Peters Creek. or credit card accepted)/hunter per day Also, see BLIND REGISTRATION. HUNTING ON fee will be collected. The drawn hunter must have a valid photo ID when BIG RIVERS WMA PUBLIC LANDS checking in. Union & Crittenden counties • Each morning the drawn hunter will • Shooting hours are from one-half hour Not all lands managed by the Ken- fill out a Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may tucky Department of Fish and Wildlife that lists the members of their hunting not enter the area until 4 a.m. Resources (KDFWR) are open to state- party. This will be collected at check in. BOATWRIGHT WMA wide seasons and bag-limits for waterfowl The bottom portion of the tag will be Ballard County hunting. This section will list any special retained and taken with the hunt party, season dates, limits and requirements to collect the daily hunt data. including Peal, Olmsted, 400 Acre that are in effect for the following areas. • After each hunt, this card must be & units: If specific season dates are given for an turned in at the drop box located Boatwright WMA is open for water- area, then that is the only time waterfowl outside of the check-station. Failure fowl hunting, Wednesdays - Sundays, dur- hunting is permitted. Otherwise, hunting to complete and turn in the daily hunt ing the regular waterfowl season. Boat- is open under statewide season dates and data card will result in the permit holder wright WMA is closed to waterfowl hunt- regulations in that waterfowl zone. This being ineligible to hunt at Ballard ing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas section also lists any areas that are closed WMA for the remainder of the current Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. 7 Hunting methods available at Boatwright Bottoms Tourism Council Building • Otherwise, boat blinds shall not be include hunting from an in-ground pit or prior to the daily drawing. Doors will permitted in flooded timber, other than above ground blind, layout blind hunt- open at 4:15 a.m. CST, and check-in sites allocated by the daily drawing, ing, walk-in hunting within a desig- will be begin at 4:30 a.m. except during periods of flood where nated hunt unit at a drawn hunt site, • Each morning one hunter in each party no other access is possible. When flood or boat-in hunting for designated areas must fill out a Daily Waterfowl Hunting conditions allow boat blinds in flooded only. Hunt units mostly consist of har- Tag that lists the members of their hunt- timber, no hunter shall set up to hunt vested grain fields and seasonally flood- ing party. The top portion of this card within a 200-yard distance of another ed crops, moist soil units, and natural de- will be collected at check in. The hunter hunt party. pressions or “Sloughs”, that are lined with will retain the bottom portion of this tag. shrubby cover and trees. Chest waders This tag is to be kept by the hunt party should be used to hunt in the water on all for collection the daily hunt data. Other restrictions units. Woody vegetation, unsure footing • To check out after each hunt, this card The number of parties using these and fast elevation changes are a possibil- must be deposited at the check station. areas during periods of flood is ity on all waterfowl hunting units. Boat- • Hunt drawings will begin at 4:45 a.m. limited to the following: 400 Acre wright WMA is separated into multiple CST. To participate in waterfowl hunt Unit, 1 boat; Olmsted Unit, 6 boats; units, each with specific regulations and drawings, at least one person in a hunt Upper Blenderman Unit, 3 boats; and hunt procedures. All hunters are limited party must be 18 years of age or older. Stevens Unit, 1 boat. On Peal Lakes Unit, waterfowl hunters hunting on to 25 shells/person per day. Bag limit and • When hunting assigned hunt sites Fish, Buck, Flat, First and Second possession limit are the same as statewide through the waterfowl drawings, hunt- lakes: limits. All decoys and gear must be re- ers must follow these rules: Hunters 1. The number of parties using the moved at the end of each day’s hunt, and participating in random drawings for above lakes must hunt at desig- may not be left unattended. Areas identi- hunt sites or blind locations can only nated points and is limited to the fied by signs are closed to all access Oct. draw one site per day. For drawn blind following: Fish, 4; Buck, 7; Flat, 15 – March 15. locations, hunters shall only hunt wa- 7; First, 3. (A party is defined During the first segment of the reg- terfowl from a permanent department as a person hunting alone or 2-4 ular waterfowl season, shooting hours are built blind, or from layout blind(s) in a persons sharing a blind.) ½ hour before sunrise to sunset, and the single group of no more than 4 persons, 2. Hunting from boats permitted WMA is open to waterfowl hunting ex- with layout blinds set in such a man- only at Kentucky Fish & Wildlife cept that the Swan Lake Unit is closed. ner that all layout blinds in the group assigned spots. Boats must stay Hunters do not have to check in during lie within a 25 foot radius of the drawn within 25 feet of this location. these dates, and blinds and hunt units are hunt site. “Layout blind” means a por- available on a first-come first-served basis. table blind that when fully deployed CAVE RUN LAKE AREA From the first Wednesday in Decem- allows an individual hunter to conceal ber, to the last Sunday in January, shoot- oneself above the surface of the ground. No goose hunting is permitted on ing hours begin ½ hour before sunrise, and • Hunters participating in drawings for public lands or waters within the block of all hunters and equipment must be off the boat-in units must hunt within 25 feet land lying inside the boundaries of Hwy. area by 2:00 p.m. CST. All hunters are re- of their assigned hunt site. Mobility- 801, Hwy. 1274, Hwy. 36, Hwy. 211, quired to check in during these dates. For impaired hunters may hunt from a boat Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 826. all units, hunters must check in at the Bal- in flooded timber not allocated by the CEDAR CREEK LAKE WMA lard Bottoms Tourism Council build- daily drawing. Lincoln County ing (the old First General Baptist Church Fellowship Hall), 255 S. 4th Street, Bar- • Shooting hours are from one-half hour low KY 42024. Hunters are not allowed before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may to enter the area to hunt until after they Floodwater note not enter the area until 4 a.m. Hunting is permitted from boats have checked in, and are in possession of in flooded timber during periods of DIX RIVER WMA the daily check-in card. See details be- flood, as determined by the area man- Lincoln County low for check in procedures, daily draw- ager. Boats must be a minimum of ing procedures, and specific hunt unit reg- 200 yards apart while hunting. Public • Shooting hours are from one-half hour ulations. Any unit open to hunting during hunting on the Swan Lake Unit will before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may the regular waterfowl season are also open close when floodwaters prevent safe not enter the area until 4 a.m. to snow goose hunting during the Snow entry to blinds by wheeled vehicles on DOUG TRAVIS WMA Goose Conservation Order season. roads. Notice will be given at least 24 Carlisle & Hickman counties Daily Drawing Rules and Procedures: hours in advance of closure via radio, These units have blinds and hunt television and newspaper outlets, or Doug Travis WMA is open to state- sites open for waterfowl hunting through hunters may check the department’s wide regulations for hunting EXCEPT a daily drawing, held each day during the website at fw.ky.gov. Watch or listen the portions of the WMA as identified second segment of the regular waterfowl for notices when floodwaters are by signs, which are CLOSED to the season. expected. public from Nov. 1 to March 15. Wa- 8 • Hunters must check in at the Ballard terfowl hunting opportunities at Doug Travis WMA include walk-in, boat-in • All blinds must remain within 10 yards Fork of . All other portions and season-long blind drawings. There of the designated numbered location. are open. are also two blind locations available for • Permanent blinds, if constructed, must be Mobility-Impaired hunters. One blind, in place by Nov. 20 and removed within GREEN RIVER LAKE WMA blind 13, is an above ground blind that can 30 days of the close of the season. Taylor & Adair counties be driven to, and is wheel chair accessible. • Persons who fail to remove their blind af- Shooting hours are from one-half The other blind, blind 19, is a boat-in ter the season will forfeit the opportunity hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters blind location, built to conceal a mobility- to obtain a blind site the following year. may not enter the area until 4 a.m. impaired hunter in their boat. Both, blinds • Persons drawn for a designated site Also, see BLIND RESTRICTIONS. 13 and 19, are available through a mail-in (blind owners) may name one other preseason draw (see below for details). person as a co-owner who may also J.C. WILLIAMS WMA Hunters who wish to draw a season-long claim the site each day. Blind owners Nelson County blind must register and be selected by ran- and co-owners may not have more than Shooting hours are from one-half dom drawing the last Saturday in August. one designated permanent blind site on hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters Certain regulations apply on this area and the area each year. may not enter the area until 4 a.m. are listed below. For more details, see the • All selected sites must be marked with “Blind Drawings” portion of this guide, or the blind owner’s name and permit KALER BOTTOMS WMA the online waterfowl-hunting page. Hunt number. Graves County units on this area mostly consist of har- • Blind sites that are not claimed by the Shooting hours are from one-half vested grain fields and seasonally flooded blind owners one hour before sunrise, hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters crops, moist soil units, and natural de- may be claimed by other hunters on a may not enter the area until 4 a.m. pressions or “Sloughs” that are lined with first-come first-served stand-by basis. shrubby cover and trees. Chest waders • Hunters at designated blind sites may KENTUCKY RIVER WMA should be used to hunt in the water on all leave decoys out at their own discretion Henry & Owen counties units. Woody vegetation, beaver runs, and and risk, although this DOES NOT Shooting hours are from one-half rapid changes in elevation are a possibility guarantee rights to a particular spot for hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters on all waterfowl hunting units. Mississippi following days (unless hunters are the may not enter the area until 4 a.m. River levels should be closely monitored blind owner or co-owner of a season- to determine if a boat is needed to access drawn blind site). WMA and hunt the area. Mississippi River levels • All hunting parties, both at designated Trigg, Lyon & Livingston counties exceeding 35 feet at the Cairo, Illinois blind sites and those walk-in/boat-in • Refuge areas closed to all hunting, fish- river gauge indicate the potential loss of hunting, must be at least 200 yards ing, boating and molesting of all species road access to some areas of the WMA. apart. listed in this guide are: Typically, river levels above 41 feet on the • No more than four persons shall occupy a) within an area west of the main Cairo gauge cut off road access on both a single blind at any time. river channel between river mile ends of the Berkley - Fish Lake Road, • The WMA road into the Twin Ponds 51 (Hayes Landing Light) and the making a boat necessary to access most of Field is open for entry from 4 a.m. TVA power transmission lines at the area. On all hunt units, shooting hours until 30 minutes prior to sunrise each river mile 55.5, closed Nov. 1 – Feb. are one-half hour before sunrise until 2 day during waterfowl season. Poten- 15; and p.m. CST. Hunters must exit the area tial stand-by hunters for Blinds 16 b) the area west of a line from the by 2 p.m. daily. Hunters may not enter a and 17 may enter the area during this north point of the mouth of Fulton hunt area until 4 a.m. CST daily. time frame, but MAY NOT ENTER Bay to the south point of the mouth Special WMA Regulations after 30 minutes prior to sunrise. This of Honker Bay, closed Nov. 1 – • On Forked Lake, Indian Camp Lake, is to avoid disturbance of hunters us- Mar. 15. Fish Lake, Number Four Lake, Black ing Blinds 16 and 17. Hunters already • Boating is allowed but hunting is pro- Lake, Upper Goose Pond Field, Twin present at these sites before 30 minutes hibited within 200 yards of the area sur- Ponds Field, and Town Creek Moist prior to sunrise may exit this unit at any rounded by a levee and located between Soil Unit, all waterfowl hunting after time, although they MUST exit the unit river mile 68.4 and river mile 70.4 Oct. Nov. 1 will be from Kentucky Fish & by 2 p.m. each day. 15 – March 15. Wildlife-designated sites assigned by • There are two mobility-impaired blinds • Permanent blinds must remain within preseason drawing; even during periods available via quota hunts. Check this 10 yards of the assigned numbered of Mississippi River flooding. Hunters link: https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Wa- blind marker within the two areas de- may walk in or boat in to hunt any units terfowl-Hunting.aspx for more details. scribed as follows: not mentioned in this list, except for the a) Beginning at the mouth of Don- areas closed Nov. 1 – March 15. GRAYSON LAKE WMA aldson Creek and proceeding south • Individuals must be 18 years of age and Carter & Elliott counties along the east side of the old Cum- possess a valid Kentucky Hunting Li- The following portions are closed to berland River channel as marked cense, Kentucky Waterfowl Permit and all waterfowl hunting: within three-quar- by buoys, to a point due west of the Federal Migratory Bird (Duck) Stamp ters of a mile of the dam site marina, the boat ramp at Linton, then east to when applying for designated hunt sites. shores of Camp Webb and Deer Creek the Linton boat ramp, then north 9 along the east shore of Lake Barkley OHIO RIVER ISLANDS WMA SLOUGHS WMA to the mouth of Donaldson Creek; Livingston County Henderson & Union counties b) Beginning at Pryor’s Creek Light The portion of the Ohio River from Waterfowl hunting can be found on extending south along the western Smithland Lock and Dam upstream to the the Sauerheber, Jenny Hole, Highland shore of Barkley Lake to the boat powerline crossing at river mile 911.5 is Creek and Grassy Pond/Powell’s Lake ramp at the end of Land Between closed to hunting. units of Sloughs WMA. Waterfowl hunt- The Lakes Road 204, then to the Stewart (Birdsville) Island is closed ing opportunities at Sloughs WMA in- west side of the Cumberland River to public access Oct. 15 – March 15, clude online quota hunt draws, weekly channel, marked with buoys, to river except for October muzzleloader season. on-site drawings, and season-long blind mile 73.5, then north along the west Shooting hours are from one-half hour drawings. There is also walk-in hunting side of the Cumberland River chan- before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters may not available on large portions of the WMA. nel, marked with buoys, to Pryor enter the area until 4 a.m. Hunt units consist of a diverse mix of sea- Creek Light. sonally flooded grain crops and natural • All other blinds within this described OHIO RIVER “moist soil” vegetation, natural marsh, sea- area shall be temporary. See also Ballard County sonally flooded bottomland forest, and BLIND RESTRICTIONS. in vicinity of Ballard WMA from 50 natural depressions or “sloughs,” that con- yards upstream of Dam 53 to 50 yards tain flooded stands of bald cypress lined WMA below the downstream boundary of Bal- with buttonbush thickets. Waders should Pulaski County lard WMA: be used to hunt in the water on all units. Wesley Bend, the area bounded to Closed to all waterfowl hunting Woody vegetation, beaver runs, and rapid the north, west and south by Fishing Oct. 15 – March 15. changes in elevation are a possibility on Creek and to the east by Beech Grove all waterfowl hunting units. Hunting the Road and Fishing Creek Road is closed PEABODY WMA Jenny Hole Unit typically requires a boat to the public Oct. 15 – March 15; Ohio, Hopkins & Muhlenberg counties or canoe. Ohio River levels should be Yellowhole, the area bounded to • Shooting hours are from one-half hour closely monitored to determine if a boat the west by Fishing Creek Road and the before sunrise to 2 p.m. on those por- is needed to access and hunt the remain- south by Hickory Nut Road is closed to tions open to hunting. Hunters may ing hunt units at the Sloughs. Ohio Riv- the public Oct. 15 – March 15. not enter the area until 4 a.m. er levels exceeding 30 feet at the Evans- • Persons entering the area for any pur- ville and/or J.T. Meyer gauge indicate the LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES pose must obtain a Peabody WMA user potential loss of road access to some areas Trigg & Lyon counties permit ($15). of the WMA. There is one blind avail- Long Creek Pond, the eastern one- • Sinclair Unit: That portion as bounded able for mobility impaired hunters on third of Smith Bay and the eastern two- by Hwy. 176, S1 road and Goose Lake the Sauerheber Unit. The blind is wheel- thirds of Duncan Bay on Rd., (including Goose Lake) and as chair accessible. On all hunt units, shoot- are closed to all activity Nov. 1 – March posted by signs, is closed Oct. 15 – ing hours are one-half hour before sun- 15, as indicated by a visible marker on the March 15. rise until 2 p.m. CST. Hunters must exit south corner. The Environmental Educa- • Ken Unit: That portion as bounded by the area by 2 p.m. daily. Hunters may not tion Center and Energy Lake are closed Wysox Rd., H2 road, H1 road and H6 enter a hunt area until 4 a.m. CST dai- to all waterfowl hunting. LBL permit road (including Island and South lakes) ly. Each unit has specific information that required. No waterfowl hunting permit- and as posted by signs, is closed Oct. 15 can be found below. ted on inland areas during quota gun deer – March 15. Sauerheber, Crenshaw and Duncan II hunts. Permanent blinds are prohibited (The two refuge areas mentioned above Units: on inland areas and along Kentucky Lake are shown on the Peabody WMA During duck season (Nov. 22, 2018 shoreline area. Decoys and blinds must be map which hunters may obtain at the – Feb. 4, 2019), waterfowl hunting is removed at the end of each hunting day. Kentucky Fish & Wildlife website at available on the Crenshaw and Duncan fw.ky.gov.) tracts through an online Quota Hunt MILLER WELCH-CENTRAL drawing. Hunting is permitted only KENTUCKY WMA PIONEER WEAPONS WMA within designated hunt unit boundaries Madison County Bath & Menifee counties or blinds. The remainder of the Sauer- • Duck, coot and merganser season is Hunters may use breech or muzzle- heber Unit is closed to all public access Jan. 15-27, 2019 loading shotguns for duck hunting along from Nov. 1 – March 15. The quota hunt • Goose season is Jan. 15 – Feb. 15, 2019. the Cave Run Lake shoreline bordering application period is Sept. 1-30. Re- • Areas marked by signs are closed to all the area. Hunters may use muzzle-loading sults of the drawing will be available in hunting. shotguns (or archery equipment) else- mid-October. New this year: successful where on the area. applicants will be assigned a hunt unit OBION CREEK WMA or a specific hunting blind. If you draw Carlisle, Hickman & Fulton counties WMA a hunt unit, you may hunt anywhere Shooting hours are from one-half Breathitt, Perry & Knott counties within the defined hunt unit boundary hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters Main block: (See Sloughs WMA: Sauerheber Hunt 10 may not enter the area until 4 a.m. Closed to all hunting. Unit Maps). Two of the twelve available units are blind locations only. You can- On these units, waterfowl hunting is boats from Thanksgiving Day through not hunt outside of the blind on these allowed from permanent blind sites that the last Sunday in January, except for two units. are seasonally assigned by a pre-season hunters with a valid Jenny Hole Hunt Hunters selected for a Sauerhe- drawing. Information about the season- Permit. Trappers who wish to trap the ber Quota Hunt must check-in on the long blind drawing can be found in the Jenny Hole Unit during this time must Sunday prior to their hunt by sending Blind Registration section of this guide. obtain a special permit from the Sloughs an email to [email protected]. Walk in hunting is also available on this WMA office. Hunters drawn for the In the email, please include your name, unit, but walk in hunters must remain a Jenny Hole Unit may NOT access the hunt unit, hunt dates, and hunt con- minimum of 200 yards between hunt- unit except during the dates listed on firmation number. If the permit holder ers or hunting parties. Pre-season drawn their hunt permit(s). Therefore, scouting fails to check-in the Sunday prior to the blinds/blind sites not occupied one-half in the afternoon or prior to hunt dates is hunt, the vacated hunt unit(s) will be hour before shooting hours are available NOT allowed. allocated via a drawing held every Mon- on a first-come, first-served basis. All hunters must complete and day at 6 p.m. CST at the Sloughs WMA Jenny Hole Unit: submit the Daily Post-Hunt Survey pro- office. If Monday falls on the Christmas New this year: During duck season vided by the Department by 3 p.m. CST Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve (Nov. 22, 2018 – Feb. 4, 2019), waterfowl each day. Failure to complete the Daily or New Year’s Day holiday, the drawing hunting on the Jenny Hole Unit is al- Post-Hunt Survey will result in the will be postponed until the following lowed by permit only. A person or party permit holder being ineligible to hunt Wednesday night. At least one hunt that wishes to hunt waterfowl on the at Sloughs WMA for the remainder of unit will always be available through the Jenny Hole Unit must attend a weekly the current and following waterfowl weekly draw each week. No drawing will on-site drawing at the Sloughs WMA season. Daily Post-Hunt Survey cards be held for the week of the duck-season office or apply using the online quota and drop-boxes are located at two sites split (Nov. 26 – Dec. 3, 2018). hunt system. The drawing will be held within the Jenny Hole Unit. All hunters must complete and sub- each Monday prior to a hunt week, at 6 mit the Daily Post-Hunt Survey pro- p.m. CST during duck season; unless SOUTH SHORE WMA vided by the Department by 3 p.m. CST Monday falls on the Christmas Eve, Greenup County each day. Failure to complete the Daily Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Closed to all hunting and trespass- Post-Hunt Survey will result in the Year’s Day holiday, in which the drawing ing Nov. 15, 2018 - Jan. 15, 2019, except permit holder being ineligible to hunt will be postponed until the following for dove and waterfowl hunting. Open to at Sloughs WMA for the remainder of Wednesday night. No drawing will be waterfowl and dove hunting during other the current and following waterfowl held for the week of the duck-season times of the year according to statewide season. Daily Post-Hunt Survey cards split (Nov. 26 – Dec. 3, 2018). Nine regulations. Use of waterfowl blinds at and drop-box will be located next to the hunt parties will be permitted to hunt South Shore WMA is on a first-come, kiosk in front of the Sloughs WMA of- the Jenny Hole Unit each week during first-served basis. fice on Highway 268. duck season through the on-site draw- Quota hunt permits are not trans- ing. One hunt party will be allocated WMA ferable. No hunt unit/blind site may be using the online quota hunt system. Anderson, Spencer & Nelson counties hunted unless the hunter selected for Hunt permits are issued for a 5-day hunt Shooting hours are from one-half that hunt unit/blind site, for that specif- each week (Thursday-Monday). Online hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters ic date(s) is present and has on their per- applications for this unit will be taken may not enter the area until 4 a.m. son a valid Hunt Confirmation Number Sept. 1-30. The successful online draw- Hunters may hunt waterfowl from issued by KDFWR. No standby hunting ing participant must check-in on the temporary blinds on a first-come basis. is allowed. Sunday prior to their hunt by sending an Quota permit holders may bring up email to [email protected]. In the YATESVILLE LAKE WMA to three (3) additional hunting guests. email, please include your name, hunt Lawrence County No more than four (4) hunters are al- unit, hunt dates, and hunt confirmation The Greenbriar Creek Branch, and lowed per hunt unit/ blind site. Hunt- number. If the permit holder fails to Yatesville Lake, including all islands, ers are allowed 25 shells per day on the check-in the Sunday prior to the hunt, north of the mouth of Greenbriar Creek Crenshaw/Duncan tracts. All hunters the vacated hunt unit slot will be allo- Branch are closed to waterfowl hunting, must have a photo ID and all appropri- cated via the drawing held every Mon- except for Yatesville Lake State Park. ate licenses and permits. day at 6 p.m. CST at the Sloughs WMA The entire Sauerheber Unit is office. If Monday falls on the Christmas YELLOWBANK WMA closed to all public access on Tuesday Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Breckinridge County and Wednesdays during waterfowl sea- or New Year’s Day holiday, the drawing Areas designated by signs and son. REMEMBER: The Crenshaw and will be postponed until the following markers on Tract 1 are closed Oct. 15 – Duncan tracts are open modern firearm Wednesday night. March 15. deer season. Waterfowl hunters are not The Jenny Hole Unit is closed to Shooting hours are from one-half required to wear blaze orange. waterfowl hunting on Tuesday and hour before sunrise to 2 p.m. Hunters Grassy Pond-Powells Lake, Highland Wednesdays during waterfowl season. may not enter area until 4 a.m. Creek Units: The Jenny Hole Unit is closed to ALL 11 STATE PARKS • Hunters must immediately retrieve hunters may only have one assistant. downed birds. Chasing or harassing waterfowl outside the blinds is strictly HUNT APPLICATION PROCEDURES Regulations for , Lake prohibited. Individuals wishing to be drawn for Barkley, Lincoln Homestead, Nolin Riv- • Firearms must be encased when travel- one or more of the Mentor Hatchery Wa- er Lake, and Yatesville ing to and from the blind. terfowl hunts must apply online on the Lake state parks are as follows: • Hunting ends at noon and hunters must Kentucky Fish and Wildlife webiste at • Open waterfowl hunt Dec. 13, 2018 – be off the area by 1 p.m. fw.ky.gov between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. A Jan. 31, 2019. • All decoys and equipment must be re- youth may apply for more than one date • Selected portions of the lake and adja- moved at the end of each day’s hunt. but must submit separate cards for each. A cent shoreline only. • Hunters must report harvest by dropping mentor and youth selected may invite two • Statewide waterfowl hunting regulations hunt permit at designated location. additional youth or one youth and one men- apply. • Those participating in a KDFWR wa- tor to hunt with them. The names of guests • Hunters shall check in each day at the terfowl quota hunt must follow state do not have to be listed on the application. designated check-in location no earlier and federal regulations or the hunter By the end of November, individuals select- than 4 a.m. will be prohibited from participating in ed will be mailed a quota hunt permit for • During check-in, hunters will be any other waterfowl quota hunts that the date(s) they are drawn, a map showing provided a map showing portions of the year and the following year. hatchery location, blinds and other instruc- area that are open. • Mobility-impaired hunters are also eligible tions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful ap- • Hunters shall check out each day at the to participate in the Minor Clark Men- plicants will not be notified. An individual designated check-in location. tor Hatchery Hunt. Hunters must supply drawn for one quota hunt during a season a copy of their mobility-impaired access will have lower preference to be drawn for a MENTOR / permit from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife second quota hunt during the same season. when applying for the hunt and must Duplicate applications for the same hunt MOBILITY-IMPAIRED abide by hunt rules. Mobility-impaired day will result in disqualification. HATCHERY HUNTS

MINOR CLARK and PFEIFFER FISH HATCHERIES Open for waterfowl Mentor quota hunts Jan. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2019. Makes hunting easier. • Hunts by advance online registration only. No standby hunting. Only youths and mobility-impaired hunters may apply. • Mentor hunt only, limited to youths under 16. • Youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult (mentor) at least 18 years or older. • Hunters drawn to hunt must carry post- card notification with them during the hunt. • Limited to 4 hunters with no more than two hunting adults. One mentor may have two youth but one youth may not have more than 1 mentor in a blind. • Hunters cannot enter blinds until 5:30 a.m. • Bag limits same as statewide. • Hunting only permitted from estab- 4 issues + lished blinds assigned by random pre- Outdoor Calendar season draw. Kentucky Afield magazine can show you the best or • Hunters may only discharge firearms places to find fish and wildlife, plus provide the 2 years from the blind. latest Kentucky outdoor news, advice and answers $10 for $18 • Hunters may not change blinds. from our experts, recipes for your game or fish, 1-800-858-1549 • Hunters may only have 15 shotshells profiles on wildlife management areas and more! or go to each. fw.ky.gov 12 CHANGES IN REPORTING BIRD BANDS for WATERFOWL

Reporting numbers listed on leg bands of harvested birds is voluntary. To report waterfowl with a band, hunters must now go online and report the band at

www.reportband.gov The toll-free number found on some bird bands can no longer be used for reporting a band number. Those who call the toll-free number will be directed to the www.reportband.gov website.

Hunters who harvest waterfowl with a leg band that lists an address and/ or a toll-free phone number should instead go online and report the band number at } www.reportband.gov.

Migratory bird biologists use the data collected from bird band returns to accurately assess harvest, bird movement and survival. Managers use this information to set season dates, bag limits and the length of hunting seasons. 13 Your license dollars at work

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife bands up to 10,000 migratory birds each year to help biologists determine trends and population numbers. This allows us to set seasons and bag limits that don’t damage the overall populations of migratory birds.

Your purchase of a fishing or hunting license helps make this possible.

Support the great outdoors. Buy your license today. 14