301 KAR 2:122. Seasons, methods, and limits for small game.

301 KAR 2:122. Seasons, methods, and limits for small game.

RELATES TO: KRS 150.340, 150.360, 150.370, 150.990

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to establish hunting seasons, to regulate bag and possession limits, the methods of taking, and the devices used to take wildlife. This administrative regulation is necessary to conserve small game wildlife populations and to provide recreational hunting and trapping opportunity for the public.

Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Eastern Zone" means the third through the ninth wildlife districts as established in 301 KAR 4:010.

(2) "Grouse Zone" means the area consisting of Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Bracken, Breathitt, Campbell, Carter, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Greenup, Harlan, Harrison, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe Counties.

(3) "Modern gun deer season" means the season established by 301 KAR 2:172.

(4) "Rabbit" means an eastern cottontail rabbit, swamp rabbit, or Appalachian cottontail rabbit.

(5) "Small game" means squirrels, rabbits, northern bobwhite or ruffed grouse.

(6) "Squirrel" means a gray squirrel or fox squirrel.

(7) "Western Zone" means the first and second wildlife districts as established in 301 KAR 4:010.

Section 2. Methods of Harvest for Small Game. (1) A person shall use any of the following to take small game:

(a) Rimfire gun;

(b) Shotguns no larger than 10-gauge;

(d)..22 caliber handgun;

(e) Bow and arrow;

(f) Crossbow;

(g) The following caliber air-guns with pellets:

1.177;

2..20; or

3..22.

(h) Dogs;

(i) Falconry, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:195; or

(j) Trapping, pursuant to Section 5 of this administrative regulation, for:

1. Rabbits; or

2. Squirrel.

(2) A person shall not use the following to take small game:

(a) A shotgun shell containing a shot size larger than number two (2); or

(b) Single projectile shotgun ammunition.

Section 3. Small Game Hunting Seasons. (1) Except as specified in 301 KAR 2:049 or 2:125, a person shall not take small game except during the dates specified in this section.

(2) Small game taken by falconry: September 1 through March 30.

(3) Squirrel:

(a) The third Saturday in May through the third Friday in June; and

(b) The third Saturday in August through the last day of February except during the first two (2) days of modern gun deer season.

(4) Rabbit and northern bobwhite:

(a) Western Zone: the third day of modern gun deer season until February 10.

(b) Eastern Zone: November 1 until January 31 except during the first two (2) days of modern gun deer season.

(5) Ruffed Grouse: November 1 through the last day of February in the Grouse Zone, except during the first two (2) days of modern gun deer season.

(6) There shall not be a closed season for chasing rabbits during daylight hours for sport and not to kill.

(7) Free youth week. For seven (7) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday after Christmas, a youth may take small game without a hunting or trapping license. Statewide requirements and bag limits apply.

Section 4. Limits and Other Requirements. (1) The small game possession limits shall be twice the daily bag limits.

(2) Daily bag limits:

(a) Squirrel: six (6);

(b) Rabbit: four (4);

(d) Ruffed grouse: four (4).

(3) A falconer hunting outside any of the dates specified in Section 3(2) through (4) of this administrative regulation shall not take more than two (2) small game animals per day.

(4) A person shall hunt small game during daylight hours only.

Section 5. Trapping for Squirrel and Rabbit. A person trapping for squirrel or rabbit shall: (1) Trap in accordance with 301 KAR 2:251, Section 7.

(2) Only trap when the small game hunting season and trapping season overlap;

(3) Possess a trapping license;

(4) Adhere to daily bag and possession limits pursuant to Section 4 of this administrative regulation; and

(5) Harvest squirrel and rabbits upon capture, except for a person possessing the appropriate captive wildlife permit, pursuant to 301 KAR 2:081 and 3:022. (33 Ky.R. 2831; eff. 6-13-2007; 34 Ky.R. 2437; eff. 7-9-08; 37 Ky.R. 1752; eff. 4-1-2011.)