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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2026) — In accordance with KRS 150.025, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is providing updated information about fish- and wildlife-related regulation amendments that have received final legislative review and are now in effect.
The following summarizes provisions that relate to or affect Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and the services the agency provides to hunters, anglers, boaters and the public at large. Changes include expanded deer and furbearer hunting opportunities, new rules for private pond owners, revised waterfowl and public-area hunting requirements, and updates to permits, boat registration and the commission selection process.
Chapter 1 – Fish
301 KAR 1:125 – Transportation of fish
This administrative regulation provides for control of the transportation of fish, fish eggs, live bait and other aquatic organisms into, within, and through the state to protect resident fish populations. The amendment addresses the requirements for transportation of fish, other than invasive species, from a private lake or pond to another location, except public waters, and conforms with recent statute changes from 2026 SB 39.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026.
301 KAR 1:410 – Taking of fish by nontraditional fishing methods This administrative regulation establishes the procedures for taking sport and rough fish by nontraditional fishing methods. The amendment allows bona fide owners of private land in Kentucky, who are also residents of the commonwealth, to not be subject to any limits or restrictions established in this administrative regulation for daily limit, possession, size or method of take for the fish in the private landowner's private lake or pond when using non-traditional fishing methods. It also allows the bona fide landowner to extend these privileges in written or electronic form to any other person who has a valid fishing license and requires individuals utilizing extended privileges to provide written or electronic documentation from the bona fide landowner to game wardens upon request. The amendments conform with recent statute changes resulting from 2026 SB 39.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. Chapter 2 – Game 301 KAR 2:049 – Small game and furbearer hunting and trapping on public areas This administrative regulation establishes exceptions to statewide small game and furbearer requirements on public areas and establishes rules for dog training areas on public areas. This amendment limits coyote and bobcat hunting to daytime only on specified federal lands and prohibits night hunting of beaver on all public lands. The amendment removed management restrictions on Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area as the area has been transferred from department ownership to Meade County. An agency amendment established dog training permit requirements for West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and rules for use of dog training areas at West Kentucky WMA. The amendment provides additional training opportunities while restricting unleashed dogs during specified periods associated with hunting use.
301 KAR 2:172 – Deer hunting seasons, zones, and requirements This administrative regulation establishes deer hunting seasons and zones, bag limits, legal methods of taking, and checking and recording requirements for deer hunting.
The amendment clarifies how the department manages deer by categorizing deer hunting zones and designates Zone 1 counties as overpopulated with deer. It also adds antlerless deer hunting opportunities in counties in deer zones 1-3. A new four-day, antlerless-only firearms season in Zone 1 counties will begin on the fourth Friday in September, and a new three-day, antlerless-only firearms season will begin on the second Saturday in January in counties in deer zones 1-3.
The amendment conforms with recent statute changes resulting from 2026 HB 142.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. 301 KAR 2:176 – Wildlife causing damage and landowner designee process
This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for wildlife control tags, destruction tags, and the landowner designee appointment process. The amendment establishes a reporting mechanism for control tags and wildlife taken under KRS 150.170 authorization and clarifies the destruction tag issuance process for white-tailed deer damage. The amendment was necessary to comply with changes made to KRS 150 in 2026 HB 142.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. 301 KAR 2:222 – Waterfowl hunting requirements on public lands This administrative regulation establishes requirements for the taking of waterfowl within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21.The amendments include limiting public land hunters the ability to apply for or be assigned to a single hunting unit in Ballard County; removing primitive weapons restrictions for waterfowl hunters at Barren River Lake WMA; adding a 2 p.m. closure of hunting and limits entry before 4 a.m. daily on Blackford Oaks, Clear Creek and Harris-Dickerson WMAs; changing closed rest days at Sloughs WMA from Tuesday and Wednesday to Monday and Tuesday; requiring hunters utilizing Sloughs WMA to check into the area before hunting each day; removing the automatic online assignment of surrendered blinds at Boatwright WMA; changing the time when hunters shall apply for stand-by drawings at Boatwright WMA; and removing the forfeiture of hunting privileges and the ability to apply for limited-access hunts for anyone cited for violating state or federal law while participating in a limited access waterfowl hunt.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. 301 KAR 2:228 – Sandhill crane hunting requirements This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for taking sandhill cranes within reasonable limits and within the frameworks established by 50 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 21. The amendment changes the fee structure according to the formula utilized for all licenses and permits, including the application for a sandhill crane hunting permit. The new fee is prescribed in 301 KAR 5:022.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. 301 KAR 2:251 – Hunting and trapping seasons and limits on furbearers
This regulation establishes seasons, bag limits, legal methods of take, and checking and recording requirements for hunting and trapping furbearers. The amendment increases the otter bag limit to 15 per season, only 10 of which can be taken from Zone 2. The bobcat limit increases to 10 per season, only three of which can be taken with a firearm. An agency amendment added provisions for the night hunting of beavers and bobcats to comply with statutory changes to KRS 150.360 arising from 2026 SB 39.
On private land, hunters may take a beaver after daylight hours from Dec. 1 through the last day of February, subject to the following conditions:
Hunters may take a bobcat after daylight hours from Dec. 1 through the last day of February, subject to the following conditions:
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. Chapter 5 – Licensing 301 KAR 5:210 – Special agency fundraising permits This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the issuance and use of Special Agency Fundraising Permits. The amendment changes the title of the regulation and titles of the special agency fundraising permits to further distinguish the difference between this program and special commission permits. It also incorporates provisions of 2026 HB 142, adding a provision under which hunters can obtain a free entry into the “Big Game Pursuit Permit" drawing by harvesting and telechecking at least four female deer from Zone 1 counties during the previous hunting season. To qualify, hunters must submit a time-stamped photo of each of those deer, up to four, and request entry into the drawing at fw.ky.gov.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. Chapter 6 – Water Patrol 301 KAR 6:070 – Motorboat dealer and manufacturer registration This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for registering as a boat manufacturer and boat dealer. The amendment updates the material incorporated by reference to include reporting requirements that were already within the administrative regulation.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. Chapter 11 – Administrative 301 KAR 11:002 – Fish and Wildlife Commission member selection process This administrative regulation outlines the process for individuals seeking nomination for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission. The amendment conforms to changes made to state statutes governing the nomination and selection of commission members in 2026 HB 10 and 2026 SB 39.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026. 301 KAR 11:003 – Commission districts
This administrative regulation designates the counties within each district. The amendment changes the term “wildlife districts" to “commission districts" consistent with statutory language used in KRS 150 and KRS 235.
Effective Nov. 5, 2026.
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