Kentucky Administrative Regulations Title 301 - TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Here’s an overview of Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR), Title 301 – which pertains to the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources:
📘 Structure & Chapters
Title 301 is organized into seven chapters, each covering different aspects of fish, wildlife, hunting, licensing, water patrol, and administration (apps.legislature.ky.gov):
Chapter 1 – Fish (301 KAR 1:001–1:410)
Chapter 2 – Game (301 KAR 2:015–2:300)
Chapter 3 – Hunting and Fishing (301 KAR 3:005–3:130)
Chapter 4 – Wildlife (301 KAR 4:001–4:110)
Chapter 5 – Licensing (301 KAR 5:001–5:210)
Chapter 6 – Water Patrol (301 KAR 6:001–6:070)
Chapter 11 – Administrative (301 KAR 11:020) (law.cornell.edu)
🔍 Recent Updates (Effective through mid-2025)
Chapter 1 – Fish
301 KAR 1:001 adds definitions for “gill net,” “trammel net,” and substitutes “commercial fisherman” with “commercial fisher.” Effective Nov 5, 2024.
301 KAR 1:150 revises commercial fishing zones—excluding low-harvest tributaries, redefining Green River limits at Lock & Dam 4, and closing a portion of Lake Cumberland; effective Jul 18, 2024.
301 KAR 1:152 creates an Invasive Carp Harvest Program, replacing “Asian carp” terminology, effective Nov 5, 2024.
301 KAR 1:201 updates sport-fish limits (e.g., slot limits on walleye, increases size limits for crappie) effective Jun 18, 2025.
301 KAR 1:410 regulates non-traditional fishing (e.g., trotlines, gigging, tagging, sturgeon limits), effective Nov 7, 2024. (fw.ky.gov, wbko.com)
Chapter 2 – Game
301 KAR 2:081–2:082 regulate transport and holding of live native/exotic wildlife, including rabbits and pikas. Effective May 6, 2025.
301 KAR 2:122 extends squirrel seasons; effective Jul 18, 2024.
301 KAR 2:132 modifies elk hunt seasons, permits, bait removal periods, adds WMAs, effective Jun 18, 2025.
301 KAR 2:172 extends firearm deer season by 7 days, effective Jun 18, 2025.
301 KAR 2:225 reduces teal season from 9 to 5 days and forbids dove decoys on DAFF lands in September; effective May 6, 2025.
301 KAR 2:300 establishes a 14-day black bear season in Clinton & Wayne counties and authorizes Siberian Laika dogs; effective Jun 18, 2025. (fw.ky.gov)
Chapter 3 – Hunting and Fishing
301 KAR 3:005 increases temporary restriction duration on newly acquired lands from 1 to 3 years, effective Apr 2, 2025. (fw.ky.gov)
301 KAR 3:061 prohibits unauthorized import, sale, or possession of state- or federally protected endangered species, unless permitted; originally adopted in 1977; current as of March 2025 (animallaw.info).
Chapter 4 – Wildlife
301 KAR 4:021 repeals outdated rules for Ballard and Swan Lake WMAs, consolidating waterfowl hunting regulations, effective Jun 5, 2024. (fw.ky.gov)
Chapter 5 – Licensing
301 KAR 5:022 sets permit fees, including a non‑commercial foxhound training permit; effective Jun 18, 2025.
301 KAR 5:040 & 5:210: migratory bird harvest program (Jul 18, 2024) and special agency fundraising permits (also Jul 18, 2024). (fw.ky.gov)
Chapter 6 & 11
Chapter 6 (Water Patrol) and Chapter 11 (Administrative) have recent entries and modernizations; status per Title 301 index (apps.legislature.ky.gov).
📌 Notable Regulatory Highlights
Feeding wildlife (Chapter 2): Banned Mar 1–Jul 31 except in non-hunting areas, home curtilage, zoos; special CWD zone restrictions apply (regulations.justia.com).
Small state-owned lakes (Chapter 1): May have special creel or size limits posted onsite; compliance is required (law.cornell.edu).
✅ How to Access & Track These Regulations
You can review all updated text and details via the Kentucky LRC site’s KAR Title 301 page (apps.legislature.ky.gov). For ongoing updates or pending amendments, check the Department’s Administrative Regulations webpage (fw.ky.gov).
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