301 KAR 2:015. Feeding of wildlife.

      RELATES TO: KRS 150.015

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 150.025(1)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.015(1) requires the department to protect and conserve the wildlife of this Commonwealth. KRS 150.025(l)(h) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 150. This administrative regulation establishes restrictions on the feeding of wildlife that will serve to protect wildlife from disease and toxic substances that may cause harm to the wildlife population if left unregulated.

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Curtilage of the home" means the area encompassing the grounds immediately surrounding any home or group of homes used in the daily activities of domestic life, and may or may not be enclosed by a fence or other barrier, and includes areas occupied by captive cervids pursuant to 301 KAR 2:083 and wildlife being rehabilitated or held in captivity pursuant to 301 KAR 2:075, 2:081, and 2:082.

      (2) "Feeding" means willingly, wantonly, or knowingly depositing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, millet, milo, safflower seed, sunflower seed, thistle, wheat, or other grain, or any manufactured feed to be consumed by wildlife, but shall not include the establishment and maintenance of plantings for wildlife, foods found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural planting or harvesting practices, foods available to wildlife through normal agricultural practices of livestock feeding if the areas are occupied by livestock actively consuming the feed on a daily basis, or standing farm crops under normal agricultural practices.

      Section 2. Recreational Feeding of Wildlife. (1) Wildlife may be fed year round in municipal areas, state and local parks not open to legal hunting or trapping, unless otherwise prohibited by an administrative regulation.

      (2) Wildlife may be fed year round within the curtilage of the home.

      (3) Wildlife shall not be fed from March 1 through May 31 except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

      (4) The prohibition established in subsection (3) of this section shall not apply to the feeding of:

      (a) Fish; or

      (b) Wildlife in a zoo or other facility that keeps or exhibits wildlife for public viewing. (33 Ky.R. 1215; Am. 1523; eff. 12-7-2006; 34 Ky.R. 2220; eff. 6-6-2008.)