The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission members proposed issuing 800 permits through Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's quota elk hunt drawing for the upcoming season. Of this number, 600 would be valid for antlerless elk (cow or a bull without visible antlers). Another 125 permits would be valid for bulls with a minimum of four antler points on at least one side. The remaining 75 elk hunting permits would be spike permits, valid for bull elk with up to two antler points on each side.
The number of permits issued for the special youth-only elk hunt in September remains at five.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife commission members also proposed eliminating the November gun season for antlerless elk (cows or a bull without visible antlers). Last year, cow elk hunters could use rifles during November's modern gun season for deer. Hunters with an antlerless elk permit could still use rifles or muzzleloaders during their assigned week in December.
Other proposed changes for this season include:
* Subdividing elk hunting unit 3 into two subunits to help spread hunting pressure. Unit 3 is located southeast of Hindman, bordered by KY 80, U.S. 23 and KY 15.
* Increasing the amount of property open for the September youth elk hunt.
* Eliminating metal permit tags.
* Eliminating the deer permit requirement for those hunting elk outside southeastern Kentucky's 16-county elk restoration zone. Hunters still must have an out-of-zone elk permit, however.
* Limiting the number of times a hunter could be drawn for a bull elk permit. Under this proposal, a hunter drawn for a bull elk permit could not apply for another bull permit for the next three years. However, the hunter could continue to apply for a cow elk permit. This is designed to increase the number of people hunting elk in Kentucky for the first time.
* Allowing a young hunter to only be drawn once for the special September youth hunt. After being drawn, the hunter could not apply for the youth hunt again. However, the hunter could enter the general drawing for an elk hunt.
2010-11 Elk Season
* Firearms
Week 1 (bull) - Oct. 2-8
Week 2 (bull) - Oct. 9-15
Week 1 (cow) - Dec.11-17
Week 2 (cow) - Dec. 18-24
* Archery
Week 1 (bull) - Oct. 2-8, and Oct.16, 2010 - Jan. 17, 2011
Week 2 (bull) - Oct. 9, 2010 - Jan. 17, 2011
Week 1 (cow) - Oct. 16 - Dec. 17 and Dec. 25, 2010 - Jan. 17, 2011
Week 2 (cow) - Oct.16 - Dec. 10 and Dec.18, 2010 - Jan. 17, 2011
* Crossbow
Week 1 (bull) - Oct. 2-8, Oct. 16-17 and Nov.13 - Dec. 31
Week 2 (bull) - Oct. 9-17, and Nov. 13 - Dec. 31
Week 1 (cow) - Oct. 16-17, Nov.13 - Dec.17 and Dec. 25-31
Week 2 (cow) - Oct. 16-17, Nov.13- Dec. 10 and Dec.18 - 31
* Youth-only
Sept. 25-27
The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be 8 a.m. Eastern time, June 11. Meetings are held at the Arnold MitchellBuilding, located at 1 Sportsman's Lane in Frankfort. Persons wishing to be placed on the meeting agenda to speak before the Commission on an issue should notify Kentucky Fish and Wildlife in writing at least 30 days in advance. People who are hearing impaired and plan to attend the meeting should contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at least 10 days in advance. The agency will provide a translator. Send requests for placement on the meeting agenda to:
Dr. Jon Gassett, Commissioner
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife
1 Sportsman's Lane
Frankfort, Ky. 40601.