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The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission expanded the areas for elk hunters to hunt in 2005 to Wildlife Management Areas and parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest at a special commission meeting held February 2, 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all spending by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR).
"This opens up tens of thousands of acres that the public already owns to elk hunters," said Jon Gassett, director of wildlife for the KDFWR. "This will allow us to open areas such as Dewey, Paintsville and Fishtrap WMAs and the part of the Daniel Boone National Forest that is in the elk restoration zone for elk hunters to enjoy." Elk hunters that are successfully drawn but who are not chosen for hunting in a limited entry area may use these areas, as well as private property where they have permission.
In other elk-related business, the Commission changed the 16-county firearms elk season to 7 days in October for bull elk and 7 days in December for cow elk to match the limited entry area firearms elk seasons.
"This brings uniformity and helps us with our landowner-cooperator program," Gassett explained. "It also gives us a clearly defined elk season."
The Commission also recommended that all hunters in the elk zone during the elk firearms seasons must now comply with the hunter orange clothing requirement.
The at-large, in zone archery elk season remains unchanged from last year. The season opens on the first Saturday in October and closes the third Monday in January.
The Commission agreed to negotiate with Natural Resource Partners as a Landowner Cooperator for elk hunting access.
The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2005 at the Game Farm off U.S. 60 in Frankfort. Deer and other hunting seasons for 2005 will be addressed at this meeting. Persons interested in addressing the Commission must notify the KDFWR Commissioner’s office in writing at least 30 days in advance to be considered for placement on the meeting agenda.
People who are hearing impaired and plan to attend the meeting should contact the KDFWR at least 10 days in advance and the agency will provide a translator. To request to address the commission, write to KDFWR, Commissioner Tom Bennett, #1 Game Farm Road, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.
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