301 KAR 2:225. Dove, wood duck, teal, and other migratory game bird hunting.

301 KAR 2:225. Dove, wood duck, teal, and other migratory game bird hunting.

RELATES TO: KRS 150.330, 150.340, 150.360, 150.603(1), 150.620

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.360(1)

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife. KRS 150.360(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations restricting the methods for the taking of wildlife. This administrative regulation establishes procedures for the taking of migratory game birds within reasonable limits based upon an adequate supply, and within the frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Dove" means mourning dove and white-winged dove.

(2) "Migratory game bird" means mourning dove, white-winged dove, wood duck, teal, Canada goose, common moorhen, woodcock, common snipe, purple gallinule, Virginia rail, or sora rail.

(3) "Teal" means green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, or cinnamon teal.

Section 2. Season Dates for Gun Archery and Falconry. (1) A person shall not hunt a migratory game bird except on a date established in this administrative regulation.

(2) A person shall use the following time frames when hunting migratory birds:

(a) Dove beginning on:

1. September 1 for fifty-four (54) consecutive days; and

2. Thanksgiving Day for six (6) consecutive days.

(b) Woodcock beginning on the third Saturday in October for forty-five (45) consecutive days.

1. The third Wednesday in September for forty-seven (47) consecutive days; and

2. Thanksgiving Day for sixty (60) consecutive days.

(d) Wood duck and teal beginning on the third Wednesday in September for five (5) consecutive days.

(e) Virginia and sora rails, common moorhen and purple gallinule beginning on September 1 for seventy (70) consecutive days.

(f) Canada goose.

1. The first Saturday in September for nine (9) consecutive days;

2. Statewide except for the Ballard reporting area, and public lands in the west-central goose zone and the northeast goose zone which are established in 301 KAR 2:224.

Section 3. Bag and Possession Limits. (1) A person shall not exceed the following limits:

(a) Doves:

1. Daily limit shall be fifteen (15);

2. Possession limit shall be thirty (30);

3. Eurasian collared doves may be taken in addition to mourning doves if the hunter leaves the head or wing attached while in the field.

(b) Woodcock:

1. Daily limit shall be three (3); and

2. Possession limit shall be six (6).

1. Daily limit shall be eight (8); and

2. Possession limit shall be sixteen (16).

(d) Virginia rails and sora rails, singly or in the aggregate:

1. Daily limit shall be twenty-five (25); and

2. Possession limit shall be twenty-five (25).

(e) Common moorhen and purple gallinules singly or in the aggregate:

1. Daily limit shall be fifteen (15); and

2. Possession limit shall be thirty (30).

(f) Wood duck and teal:

1. Daily limit shall be four (4), which shall not include more than two (2) wood ducks; and

2. Possession limit shall be eight (8), which shall not include more than four (4) wood ducks.

(g) Canada goose.

1. Daily limit two (2) birds; and

2. Possession limit four (4) birds.

(2) A person shall leave the head or one (1) fully-feathered wing attached to a migratory game bird, except a dove, being held in the field or transported.

Section 4. Shooting Hours. A person shall not take a migratory game bird except during a time established in this section.

(1) Doves:

(a) The time between 11 a.m. and sunset during the September and October portions of the season, except if dove hunting on private land after September 1 the time between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset; and

(b) The time between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset during the November and December portions of the season.

(2) Other species listed in this administrative regulation may be taken between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset.

Section 5. Shot Requirements. A person hunting waterfowl shall not use or possess a shotgun shell:

(1) Longer than three and one-half (3 1/2) inches; or

(2) Containing:

(a) Lead shot;

(b) Shot not approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for waterfowl hunting; or

Section 6. Exceptions to Statewide Migratory Game Bird Seasons on Specified Wildlife Management Areas. (1) A Wildlife Management Area owned or controlled by the department:

(a) Except as provided in this section, all provisions of this administrative regulation shall apply.

(b) A person shall not:

1. Hunt wood duck or teal on an area closed to waterfowl hunting by 301 KAR 2:222;

2. Hunt in an area marked by a sign as closed to hunting; and

3. Enter an area marked by a sign as closed to the public.

(2) A person hunting dove on the Ballard, Boatwright, South Shore, Sloughs, Ohio River Islands, Duck Island, Kaler Bottoms, Kentucky River, Westvaco Wildlife Management Area, Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area, and established Wildlife Management Area waterfowl refutes as posted by sign, shall only possess or use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved nontoxic shot.

(3) Ballard Wildlife Management Area:

(a) A person shall not hunt doves, rails, moorhens or gallinules after October 13, except as provided in 301 KAR 2:221;

(b) A person shall not hunt snipe after October 13; and

(4) The Swan Lake Unit of Boatwright Wildlife Management Area.

(a) The body of water known as Swan Lake is closed to hunting;

(b) A person shall not hunt doves, rails, moorhens or gallinules after October 13, except as provided in 301 KAR 2:221;

(d) A person shall not hunt woodcock.

(5) Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area.

(a) A person shall not hunt doves after October 13, except as provided in 301 KAR 2:221;

(b) A person shall not hunt snipe after October 13, except as provided in 301 KAR 2:221;

(6) Grayson Lake Wildlife Management Area. A person shall not hunt:

(a) Within three-quarters (3/4) of a mile from the dam including the no-wake zone of the dam site marina;

(b) On Deer Creek Fork; or

(7) Land Between the Lakes. A person shall not hunt migratory game birds between the last Saturday in September and November 30.

(8) West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area. A person shall not hunt:

(a) Woodcock and snipe except on tracts 2, 3, 6, and 7; and

(b) On a tract designated by a number followed by the letter "A".

(9) Yatesville Lake Wildlife Management Area. The Greenbrier Creek Branch of Yatesville Lake, and Yatesville Lake, including all of the islands, north of the mouth of the Greenbrier Creek Branch is closed to all waterfowl hunting.

(10) A person shall not hunt a migratory game bird on the main block of Robinson Forest.

Section 7. Dove Hunter Guidelines on Wildlife Management Areas. (1) The department may establish hunter density guidelines for a dove hunting field on department property after considering the following:

(a) Terrain of the field;

(b) Topography of the field; and

(2) A strategically located sign shall be posted in a field advising a hunter:

(a) Of the recommended hunter density; and

(b) That hunting in excess of the desired hunter density limit shall be at the hunter's own risk.

(3) A hunter behaving in an unsafe or uncooperative manner shall be required to leave the premises. (22 Ky.R. 1174; eff. 2-12-96; Am. 23 Ky.R. 2536; 2972; eff. 2-12-97; 24 Ky.R. 1359; 1670; eff. 2-17-98; 25 Ky.R. 1095; eff. 1-19-99; 26 Ky.R. 1190; 1534; eff. 2-14-2000; 28 Ky.R. 1683; 2017; eff. 3-18-02; 29 Ky.R. 1319; eff. 1-16-03; 30 Ky.R. 995; eff. 1-5-04; 31 Ky.R. 826; eff. 1-4-05; 33 Ky.R. 1111; eff. 12-7-06; 34 Ky.R. 1113; eff. 2-1-2008.)