Sandhill Crane season Set

Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources Breaking News

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission proposes sandhill crane season, early migratory bird dates

June 7, 2011 Contact: Lee McClellan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4443

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission voted June 3 to implement a sandhill crane hunting season beginning this year.

The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission’s Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee will review the proposal following a public comment period. In addition to state legislative review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also must approve the proposal.

Commission members also recommended the 2011-2012 early migratory bird season dates, including modifying woodcock and the September Canada goose seasons. All recommendations are subject to legislative review prior to becoming law.

The Commission proposed a sandhill crane hunting season opening Dec. 17, 2011 and closing Jan. 15, 2012. The sandhill crane season quota will be 400 birds or 30 days, whichever occurs first. The daily and season bag limit will be 2 birds per hunter. Shooting hours are sunrise to sunset.

Hunters must apply for a sandhill crane permit online. Applicants must possess a valid Kentucky hunting license by the time of the drawing. Those selected must pass a bird identification test before the permit will be issued.

Only non-toxic shot approved for use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be used. Participating hunters must tag birds immediately after harvest and telecheck their birds by midnight the day of harvest. They must also complete a post-season survey.

In other wildlife-related business, the Commission proposed the 2011-2012 early migratory bird season dates. They also modified the woodcock season by moving it later in the year, during the peak of woodcock migration. The Commission also lengthened the September Canada Goose season from nine days to 15 days, the most days allowed within the federal season framework.

2011 – 2012 Early Migratory Bird Seasons:

Mourning Dove

Sept. 1 – Oct. 24, 2011; Nov. 24 – Dec. 2, 2011;

Dec. 31, 2011 – Jan. 6, 2012

September Canada Goose

Sept. 1 – 15, 2011

Wood Duck and Teal

Sept. 21 – 25, 2011

American Woodcock

Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2011

Virginia and Sora Rail, Common Moorhen and Purple Gallinule

Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2011

Common Snipe

Sept. 21 – Oct. 30, 2011; Nov. 24, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012

Season lengths and bag limits remain the same as last year.

In fishing-related business, the Commission proposed removing the yellow bass from the aggregate daily creel limit for white bass, striped bass and their hybrids on the Ohio River. The yellow bass reverts back to the statewide regulation of a 30-fish daily creel limit in the Ohio River. This regulation goes into effect March 1, 2012.

In boating-related business, the Commission recommended removing the horsepower restriction on boat motors on Lake Beshear. Boaters operating below Kentucky River and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locks and dams as indicated by signage must wear personal flotation devices. These new regulations go into effect March 1, 2012.

The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2011 at #1 Sportsman’s Lane off U.S. 60 in Frankfort. Persons interested in addressing the Commission must notify Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s 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 Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at least 10 days in advance and the agency will provide a translator. To request to address the commission, write to KDFWR, Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.

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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.