Kentucky: Sandhill Crane Hunting Season Approved by Feds

With approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week, plans for Kentucky’s new sandhill crane hunting season now moves towards the final hurdle, the General Assembly review process.  A subcommittee of eight members has been formed and will meet on Tuesday, October 11, to discuss the proposed plans for this hunting season. 

If all goes as planned, the sandhill crane hunting season could begin as early as December 17.  Land east of the Mississippi has not seen sandhill cranes hunted in over a century due to a decrease in the species’ population.  Over the last three decades their population has grown more than 300% to the point where hunters in thirteen states currently enjoy being able to participate in the hunting and proper management of this abundant species.  

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is confident that the 30-day hunting season would result in approximately 400 birds killed, which is less than one percent of the total population.  The goal of the KDFWR proposal is to allow the greatest possible participation for hunters, while being certain the sandhill crane population is properly maintained for future generations.

Please contact members of the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee and respectfully urge them to SUPPORT the proposed plan for the Kentucky sandhill crane hunting season.  Contact information can be found below.

Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee

Senator Joe Bowen (R-8), Co-Chairman
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 662
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Representative Johnny Bell (D-23), Co-Chairman
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 688
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Senator David Givens (R-9)
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 624
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Senator Alice Forgy Kerr (R-12)
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 625
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Senator Joey Pendleton (D-3)
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 622
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Representative Robert R. Damron (D-39)
(502) 564-2217
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Representative Danny Ford (R-80)
(502) 564-5855
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Representative Jimmie Lee (D-25)
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 650
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