Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove and Early
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KENTUCKY HUNTING for DOVE, EARLY WATERFOWL, GUIDE WOODCOCK, SNIPE and CROW Regulations Summary • SEPT. 1, 2021 – FEB. 28, 2022 Take Someone Hunting! 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 GENERAL REGULATIONS HUNTING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS HUNTING REQUIREMENTS Commonwealth of Kentucky License: Unless license exempt, hunt- All shotguns used to hunt any game Andy Beshear, Governor ers must possess a valid Kentucky hunting species in Kentucky (except deer) must be license when hunting the species listed in plugged to hold three shells total; one in the FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION this guide. chamber and two in the magazine. Shotguns 1st District: Dr. Robin Floyd, Murray A Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl of 10 gauge or smaller are permitted. 2nd District: Brian Fisher, Bowling Green Hunting Permit, along with a federal migra- 3rd District: Ralph Swallows, Louisville TAGGING 4th District: Brian Mackey, Sonora tory bird stamp, authorize the holder to hunt 5th District: Josh Lillard, Hebron all types of migratory game birds including No person shall give, put or leave any 6th District: vacant waterfowl (ducks, geese, coots, mergansers). migratory game birds at any place or in 7th District: Paul Horn, Prestonsburg For those who hunt migratory birds the custody of another unless the birds are 8th District: Doug Morgan, Morehead 9th District: Dr. Karl Clinard, Somerset other than waterfowl, only a Kentucky Mi- tagged by the hunter with the following: 1) gratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit is required. The hunter’s signature and address; 2) The Department of Before hunting migratory birds, hunters total number of birds involved, by species; FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES must go online and fill out the Harvest 3) The dates such birds were taken. Tagging Commissioner: Rich Storm Information Program (HIP) survey before is required if birds are being transported Deputy Commissioner: Brian Clark they are legal migratory bird hunters. by another person for the hunter, or if Wildlife Director: Chris Garland Fisheries Director: Dave Dreves (acting) The process takes less than 5 minutes. birds have been left for cleaning, storage Law Enforcement Director: Col. Eric Gibson Go to “My Profile” to fill out the survey. (including temporary storage), shipment or Information & Education Director: This takes you to a page that asks for some taxidermy services. Gabe Jenkins (acting) basic information to confirm your identity. Administrative Services Director: Lisa Cox WANTON WASTE Engineering, Infrastructure and After completing the HIP survey, you will Technology Director: Michael Scott receive a confirmation number that must be All migratory game birds shall be Marketing Director: Brian V. Blank written on your hunting license or Kentucky retrieved, if possible, and retained in the Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Hunting permit. custody of the hunter in the field. KENTUCKY DOVE HUNTING GUIDE Editor: Lee McClellan BAITED FIELDS NON-TOXIC SHOT Art/Design Director: Adrienne Yancy It is illegal to hunt doves or waterfowl Possession or use of any lead shot while Contributors: John Brunjes, Wes Little over a “baited” field. Baited fields are areas hunting or attempting to take waterfowl where grain, salt or other attractants have or sandhill cranes is prohibited statewide. been placed other than those that occur by Non-toxic shot is required to hunt waterfowl. legitimate agricultural practices. Mature Most major manufacturers offer non-toxic wildlife food plots grown to attract doves are shotshells. A list of non-toxic shot currently approved by the USFWS can be found at Rick Hill photo legal hunting areas, as long as no additional attractants have been placed on these areas. https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/ Areas manipulated for dove hunting hunting/nontoxic.php are not legal for waterfowl hunting. Only USFWS-approved non-toxic shot may be possessed and used to hunt doves, FIELD DRESSING gallinules, rails, woodcock, snipe or other When field dressing, or otherwise pre- migratory birds on Ballard, Boatwright, paring for transportation, any of the species Doug Travis, Duck Island, Kaler Bottoms, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is funded in this guide, except doves, one fully feathered Kentucky River, Ohio River Islands, Sloughs, through the sale of hunting and fishing wing or the head must be left on each bird South Shore, Yatesville Lake WMAs and licenses and boat registration fees. The for identification. Clarks River NWR and other areas as posted Department manages, regulates, enforces by signs. and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is ABOUT THIS GUIDE an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heri- This is a SUMMARY of the laws regarding migratory bird hunting. This guide is intended tage Cabinet. solely for informational use. It is not a reprint of any referenced statute or regulation in its entirety and should not be used as such. Questions about the information contained in this guide should be directed to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Re- sources BEFORE engaging in the activities referenced. Actual wording of any Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) or Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) can be viewed at www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm. WHICH LICENSE OR PERMIT DO YOU NEED? NOTE: Licenses and permits are not required for kids under the age of 12. Ages 65 and over OR KENTUCKY RESIDENTS Ages 12-15 Ages 16-64 Disabled Migratory Birds Annual† or 1-Day Hunting License (dove, snipe, woodcock, rails, gallinules, Youth Hunting License* + Kentucky Migratory Bird/ Senior/Disabled License sandhill cranes) Waterfowl Permit† Annual† or 1-Day Hunting License Waterfowl Senior/Disabled License + Youth Hunting License* + Kentucky Migratory Bird/Water- (ducks, geese, coots and mergansers) Federal Duck Stamp fowl Permit† + Federal Duck Stamp NONRESIDENTS Ages 12-15 Ages 16 and over (must buy nonresident licenses/permits) Migratory Birds Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License + (dove, snipe, woodcock, rails, gallinules, Youth Hunting License Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit sandhill cranes) Waterfowl Annual, 1-Day or 7-Day Hunting License + Kentucky Migratory Youth Hunting License (ducks, geese, coots and mergansers) 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 (See preceding page and back cover for new procedures on HIP survey) HUNTING SEASONS See next page for further details about these hunting seasons. SPECIES Season Dates Daily Limit Possession Limit Sept. 1 - Oct. 26, Nov. 25 - Dec. 5, 2021 15 (including white- Dove 45 and Dec. 18, 2021 - Jan. 9, 2022 winged dove) Sept. 15 - Oct. 24, 2021 and Wilson’s Snipe 8 24 Nov. 25, 2021 - Jan. 30, 2022 Virginia & Sora Rail Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2021 25 singly or combined 75 Purple & Common Gallinule Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2021 3 singly or combined 9 American Woodcock Oct. 23 - Nov. 12 and Nov. 15 - Dec. 8, 2021 3 9 Sept. 1 - Nov. 7, 2021 and Crow none none Jan. 4 - Feb. 28, 2022 Early Wood Duck & Teal (includes 18 birds with no 6 birds with no more blue-winged, green-winged and Sept. 18-22, 2021 more than 6 wood than 2 wood ducks cinnamon teal) ducks Teal Only Sept. 23-26, 2021 6 18 September Canada Goose Sept. 16-30, 2021 5 15 Eastern Zone: Nov. 6-7, 2021 Youth Waterfowl Days Same as duck and goose seasons Western Zone: Feb. 5-6, 2022 DAILY BAG LIMIT SHOOTING HOURS The total of a specific migratory game bird species that may Sept. 1: 11 a.m. to sunset. be taken during legal shooting hours for one calendar day. Mi- Dove, private land Remainder of dove season: one-half hour gratory birds harvested in another state count toward a hunters’ before sunrise to sunset daily and possession limits. Dove, public land Sept. 1 - Oct. 26: 11 a.m. to sunset. (WMAs, leased Second and third segments of dove season: POSSESSION LIMIT fields) one-half hour before sunrise to sunset The total limit of a specific migratory game bird species that All other species one-half hour before sunrise to sunset may be in your possession at any time, whether on your person or stored at another location, including your home or taxidermist. 1 OTHER SEASON NOTES DOVE Eurasian collared dove Eurasian collared doves resemble mourning doves but possess a black slash across the back of their necks. Hunters should not continue to hunt for Eurasian collared doves after reaching the 15-bird daily dove bag limit. Eurasian collared doves cleaned in the field count toward the 15-bird daily dove bag limit. If the head and/or wing remains attached during trans- port or in the field, hunters may take un- limited numbers of Eurasian collared doves. CROW Mechanical devices and electronic at- tracting devices for crow hunting may only be used during the open season. Crows ob- served committing or about to commit acts of depredation may be taken year-round; however, persons attempting to take depre- dating crows must use U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service approved non-toxic shot, shall not use blinds, decoys, calls or other lures to attract birds into shooting range during the public land inside the boundary of main closed. the closed season. KY 801, KY 1274, KY 36, KY 211, U.S. 3. West Kentucky WMA: This wildlife 60 and KY 826 remain closed during management area is closed to the Sep- EARLY WOOD DUCK, TEAL and the September Canada Goose season. tember Canada Goose season. CANADA GOOSE The other areas of the Northeast Goose Areas manipulated for dove hunting USFWS-approved non-toxic shot no Zone are now open to hunting during are not legal for waterfowl hunting.