Melissa Trent

Key discussions and action items included the review of Quarterly Financial Reports and the approval of minutes from the December 5, 2025 Quarterly Commission Meeting. Significant regulatory actions concerned the promulgation of new procurement regulations for transparency and administrative services. Hunting seasons were addressed, specifically amending regulations to remove hens from the legal take during fall turkey archery and crossbow seasons, and amending spring turkey season regulations concerning bearded hens. Modifications to the black bear season were proposed, including removing the physical check requirement in favor of mandatory tooth submission, expanding the chase-only season, prohibiting chase on certain WMAs during September, expanding archery and modern gun seasons in Zone 1, and establishing a new youth-only bear season. Discussion items included revisiting the overlap between youth-only gun deer season and early muzzleloader season, creating a new January 3-day antlerless firearms hunt, bundling the Non-Resident Hunting License with a Fishing License and increasing its cost, and modifying regulations for land and water use at department lakes. New business focused on allowing seines for invasive carp harvest, modifying harvest reporting, establishing a new committee meeting structure, creating a habitat stamp requirement for WMA users, allowing commercial wildlife carcass recovery on WMAs, and establishing annual, weekly, and one-day dog training permits at West Kentucky WMA.

This document outlines the mission and operational activities of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Its core purpose is to conserve, protect, and enhance the state's fish and wildlife resources while providing extensive recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The organization's key activities encompass enforcing wildlife laws, managing over a million acres for public access, stocking fish, developing and maintaining recreational facilities, restoring natural habitats, assisting private landowners, and conducting public education programs. The department operates primarily on user fees and grants, contributing significantly to the Commonwealth's economy.

The commission meeting included informational items regarding Quarterly Financial Reports and several action items involving regulatory amendments. Key actions included creating regulations to define waterbodies and areas for wakesports, proposing mandatory ballast tank drainage, and specifying eligible waters for wakesports. Other actions involved modifications to Black Bass, Shovelnose Sturgeon, and Skipjack Herring daily limits, and adding two lakes to the Fishing In Neighborhoods Program. The commission addressed the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) response for Pulaski County, adding surrounding counties to the Surveillance Zone and implementing restrictions. Further action items concerned clarifying commercial activity on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), allowing deer hunting on local government properties, updating fur buyer license forms, and updating special fundraising permit drawing regulations. Discussion items included the potential formation of committees and the promulgation of new regulations regarding procurement transparency and modifications to regulations controlling land and water use at department lakes. Additional discussion focused on amending fall turkey archery/crossbow seasons, spring turkey season regulations, overlaps in youth/muzzleloader deer seasons, and modifying black bear seasons and requirements. New business involved creating a January antlerless firearms hunt and bundling Non-Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting included recommending amendments to several hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife regulations that require legislative approval. Key proposed amendments involved defining waterbodies and operational requirements for wakesports, modifying Black Bass size and daily limits, setting limits for Shovelnose Sturgeon and Skipjack Herring, adding lakes to the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) Program, clarifying regulations regarding commercial activity on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), and modifying deer hunting regulations on public properties. Other legislative amendments concerned incorporating reference forms for taxidermy and updating special agency fundraising permit drawings. Actions not requiring legislative approval included expanding the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Zone following a positive detection in Pulaski County, implementing related restrictions, and approving the formation of potential new commission committees to gather input from sportsmen and sportswomen.

The meeting began with opening remarks and an invocation, followed by a pledge of allegiance and a roll call confirming full attendance. Key topics included discussions on the hunting season statistics, noting the bear season harvest and deer season figures being slightly above the 10-year average. The commissioner encouraged donations to Hunters for the Hungry. Significant positive updates involved the acquisition of 500 acres in Scott County to expand the Veterans WMA, which will include opening a new shooting range, and the donation of a 50-acre property with substantial infrastructure from the Tim Horton Camp Foundation for agency utilization. Staff accomplishments, such as a coat drive, were also acknowledged. The commission reviewed the quarterly financial report, noting organizational changes due to a reorganization that moved the FELO unit from Fisheries to Tech, and confirmed that fish and hunting license revenue was up year-to-date. A detailed discussion and questions arose regarding the proposed regulations for wake sports, specifically concerning the 300-foot distance requirement from shore and enforcement challenges, leading to deliberation on the scientific basis for the distance setting. The minutes from the September 19, 2025, quarterly commission meeting were approved with one correction regarding the acronym 'KA' versus 'Kayla'.