KYSCI has a SIGNIFICANT ISSUE with one of the changes outlined in KAR 2:172, which passed the Administrative Regulation Revue Subcommittee on April 9th.
KYSCI and believes the extension of the crossbow season benefits crossbow hunters only. If the deer herd is healthy and robust enough to sustain increased hunter opportunity for crossbow hunters, then a comprehensive discussion about all methods of take and season dates for the same should have been done.
This administrative regulation change expanded crossbow season from 13 weeks to 18 weeks. Crossbow hunters already had a robust 13 week season (91 days), which is significantly more than muzzleloader hunters (11 days) or rifle hunters (16 days). Yet, they argued for and the Fish and Wildlife Commission approved yet another expansion of the crossbow season to be 18 weeks (126 days). If the Department was driving this change for the good of the deer herd, then why is the conversation only about crossbow hunting?
Any argument that says allowing this additional 5 weeks of crossbow hunting will somehow “tip the scales” to finally help recruit more hunters or help even more youth start hunting is a partial truth at best, which means it’s also a partial untruth. Expanded muzzleloader or rifle seasons could do the same.
We thank Senator Julie Raque Adams (Republican) 36th District for her thoughtful questions of all who testified.
The remainder of the legislators on the Administrative Regulation Revue Subcommittee can be contacted by selecting their district number below.
Senator Steven West (Republican) 27th District
Representative David Hale (Republican) 74th District
Senator Perry Clark (Democrat) 37th District
Senator Alice Forgy Kerr (Republican) 12th District
Representative Deanna Frazier (Republican) 81st District
Representative Marylou Marzian (Democrat) 34th District
Representative Tommy Turner (Republican) 85th District
You can read the entire KAR change submitted to the LRC at this link: KAR 2:172
To speak to your State Legislator visit this link - Who’s my Legislator?
To speak with the Commissioner of the KDFWR click here - Mr. Storm.
To speak to your District Commissioner - F&W Commissioners.
To speak with our KY-SCI leadership contact us on the bottom of this page - KY-SCI Leadership.