Frankfort, KY, June 18, 2003- The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission set the early migratory bird seasons for 2003 and established new size and creel limits on rainbow trout in the Cumberland River at its quarterly meeting June 13 in Frankfort. The Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must also approve recommendations of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission for the migratory bird seasons because all migratory game birds are under federal control.

Proposed dates for the migratory bird seasons are as follows:

Dove:

September 1 - October 24, 2003; November 27 - December 2, 2003

Woodcock:

October 18 - December 1, 2003

Common Snipe:

September 17 - November 2, 2003; November 27, 2003 - January 25, 2004

Virginia and Sora Rail, Gallinule and Moorhen:

September 1 - November 9, 2003

Early Wood Duck or Teal:

September 17 - September 21, 2003

Resident Canada Goose:

September 6 - September 10, 2003

In other wildlife business, the commission recommended to open dove hunting on all tracts of the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area under statewide regulations in October, November and December. Previously during this time, hunting was allowed on tracts 2, 3, 6 and 7 only. Hunters will be permitted to take Eurasian Collared Doves statewide this season, which will not count toward the daily bag limit as long as the head or a wing is left attached until after the hunter leaves the field.

The commission established testing procedures and a $100 annual permit fee for commercial Nuisance Wildlife Control operators.

In fisheries related business, there will be a 15 to 20 inch slot limit and a five fish daily limit on rainbow trout in the Cumberland River from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line starting March 1, 2004. All rainbow trout caught between 15 and 20 inches in length must be immediately released and anglers may only keep one rainbow trout over 20 inches daily.

An interim reciprocal fishing agreement established in 1985, between Kentucky and Ohio regarding fishing on the Ohio River, is now a permanent agreement between the two states. A newly revised reciprocal agreement between Kentucky and Missouri regarding fishing on the Mississippi River was also formalized.

The legal procedure for measuring fish was clarified. The law will now state when measuring fish that the fish must be laid flat on a ruler, the mouth must be closed and the tail lobes squeezed together to take an accurate length measurement.

The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2003 at the Game Farm off U.S. 60 in Frankfort. 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.