Kentucky’s wildlife resources are significant at both a national and global level. From the Mississippi River to the Eastern Kentucky Mountains, the diverse habitats in Kentucky are home to countless wildlife species. It is the role of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to conserve and enhance all wildlife within the state, and our agency has taken this charge seriously. Within the past century, the list of species that were either extinct or on the brink of extinction in Kentucky included: white-tailed deer, turkey, otter, American black bear, and bald eagles. As a result of efforts from our agency, numerous state and federal partners, and the support of our sportsmen and women in Kentucky, all of these species are now thriving in the Commonwealth.
Our Wildlife Division employees engage in monitoring, research, and wildlife and habitat management every day. We are working hard to conserve all of Kentucky’s wildlife resources, from the rare freshwater mussels in Kentucky that help keep our waters clean, to the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River . We use three main tools to achieve these goals: KDFWR’s Strategic Plan, Kentucky’s Wildlife Action Plan, and public input. These tools allow us to set priorities, engage partners, and achieve conservation goals to safeguard Kentucky’s hunting traditions and natural heritage. Like other divisions in KDFWR, the wildlife division receives no general fund dollars and relies on the support of sportsmen and women to fund our operations. We invite you to explore our website and to partner with us to conserve and enhance our wildlife resources in Kentucky. Our wildlife division could not exist without the support of the sportsmen and women and other conservation partners.