Fish and Wildlife regulations amended

​FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 24, 2022) — In accordance with KRS 150.025, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is providing updated information about proposed fish and wildlife-related regulation amendments that have received final legislative approval and are now in effect.

The following is a summary of the changes:

• 301 KAR 2:015 – Feeding of wildlife
  

• 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. The amendment prohibits baiting and feeding of all wildlife in a department-designated Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Zone or Management Zone county, including grains, salt, mineral and other attractants, except for normal agricultural practices, including food plots, bird feeders within the curtilage of the home; and furbearer trapping (trappers shall use no grain, salt or mineral). Surveillance Zone counties are listed on the department's website at fw.ky.gov. A Management Zone would only be established if CWD was detected in Kentucky. At this time, the disease has not been found in the state.
  

• 301 KAR 2:082 – Transportation and holding of live exotic wildlife
  

• This administrative regulation establishes requirements for importation, transportation and possession of exotic wildlife. The amendments allow for development of an online permitting system; expand the department's ability to deny or revoke a permit; prohibit the importation and possession of exotic wild rabbits, hares, pikas and lynx species; improve protections from rabies, meeting statutory requirements; update the prohibited species exemption section; and accommodate previously held legal prohibited wildlife species. These amendments were necessary to protect native rabbit species from disease, which could impact populations; protect the public from potential exposure to rabies; provide better customer service in the form of an online system; and meet statutory requirements pertaining to federally-listed endangered species. Additionally, these amendments improve health and human safety regarding the possession of live exotic wildlife.
  

• 301 KAR 6:001 – Definitions for 301 KAR Chapter 6
  

• This administrative regulation establishes definitions for terms used in 301 KAR Chapter 6. The amendment incorporates “wakeboards" in the definitions to address emerging safety concerns raised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their lakes, and to enhance boater and wakeboarder safety on lakes. The amended definitions help close a loophole for wake surfing in no-ski areas and make it mandatory for wake surfers to wear a lifejacket.

 Amendments to several other regulations (301 KAR 2:142, 301 KAR 2:224, 301 KAR 3:010, 301 KAR 3:012, 301 KAR 3:026, 301 KAR 3:027, 301 KAR 3:030, 301 KAR 3:110, 301 KAR 4:050, 301 KAR 4:070 and 301 KAR 6:070) cleaned up and simplified language in those existing regulations.

For updated information about proposed and recently enacted amendments to administrative regulations, visit fw.ky.gov.