Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission nomination meetings set for Nov 29

​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2023) — Nomination meetings for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission are being held this month to fill two of nine positions on the volunteer board.

The commission meets quarterly in Frankfort to help provide oversight of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and guide development of the state’s regulations on hunting, fishing, boating and conservation.

Commission members are nominated at public meetings. The governor selects one nominee from each district to the board, who must then be confirmed by the Kentucky Senate.

The meeting to nominate candidates for the 7th District will be held at the Convention Center at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 75 Theatre Court, Prestonsburg, on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Doors for the meeting open at 6 p.m. (Eastern Time), with the meeting to start at 7:30 p.m. The 7th District includes Breathitt, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties.

The meeting to nominate candidates for the 9th District will be held at the Hal Rogers Fire Training Center, 180 Oak Leaf Lane, Somerset, on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Doors for the meeting open at 6 p.m. (Eastern Time), with the meeting to start at 7:30 p.m. The 9th District includes Bell, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Wayne and Whitley counties.

If more than five candidates are nominated, the top five candidates for consideration by the governor will be selected by vote.

Those eligible to nominate prospective members and vote include residents of their district who purchased a Kentucky hunting or fishing license for the past two consecutive years, or those who hunted or fished for the past two years but were license exempt. Landowners who hunt or fish on their own property are license exempt.

Nominees for a commission seat must be a current resident of their respective districts and must have legally hunted and fished for the past five consecutive years. They must be well informed about wildlife conservation and restoration. They cannot be a convicted felon.

Up to five people may be nominated at each meeting. The governor will receive the lists of nominees to make an appointment for each district. The Kentucky Senate must then confirm each appointment. Appointees confirmed for the 7th and 9th districts will serve for a term ending Dec. 31, 2027.

Find out more by going online to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov. Search under the keyword “commission” to learn more about the board and its role in conservation.​