Title 301 | Chapter 002 | Regulation 251REG
PROPOSED
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TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE CABINET
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(Amendment)
301 KAR 2:251.Hunting and trapping seasons and limits for furbearers.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Body-gripping trap" means a commercially manufactured spring-loaded trap designed to kill an animal upon capture.(2)
"Dry land set" means a trap that is placed so that no portion of the trap touches the water of a river, stream, pond, lake, wetland, or other water course.(3)
"Foothold trap" means a commercially manufactured spring-loaded trap with smooth, metallic or rubber soft-catch jaws that close upon an animal's foot.(4)
"Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.(5)
"Hunter" means a person legally taking furbearers by means other than trapping.(6)
"Otter Zone 1" means the following counties: Anderson, Ballard, Bath, Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Grant, Graves, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Hopkins, Jefferson, Kenton, Larue, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, Mason, McCracken, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Webster, and Woodford.(7)
"Otter Zone 2" means all Kentucky counties not included in subsection (6) of this section.(8)
"Snare" means a wire, cable, or string with a knot, loop, or a single piece closing device, the deployment of which is or is not spring-assisted, but any spring-assisted device is not for the purpose of applying tension to the closing device.(9)
"Squaller" means a hand-operated, mouth-operated, or electronic call capable of mimicking the vocalizations of furbearers.(10)
"Trap" means a body-gripping trap, box trap, deadfall, foothold trap, snare, or wire cage trap used to catch furbearers, in the set or unset position.(11)
"Water set" means a trap placed in the water of a river, stream, pond, lake, wetland, or other water course so that a portion of the trap body is underwater.(12)
"Youth" means a person under the age of sixteen (16) by the date of the hunt or the trapping date.Section 2.
License and Permit Requirements. Unless exempted by KRS 150.170, a person shall carry on his or her person a valid:(1)
Hunting license while hunting furbearers; and(2)
Bobcat hunting permit while hunting bobcat; or(3)
Trapping license while trapping furbearers.Section 3.
Furbearer Hunting Seasons. Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a person shall only take furbearers by hunting during the seasons established in subsections (1) through (5) of this section:(1)
Bobcat, from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third Saturday in November through the last day of February;(2)
Coyote, year-round;(3)
Raccoon and opossum, October 1 through the last day of February;(4)
All other furbearers except as established in subsection (5) of this section, from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third day of modern gun deer season through the last day of February; and(5)
Furbearers taken by falconry, September 1 through March 30.Section 4.
Furbearer Trapping Season. Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a person shall only take furbearers by trapping from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third day of the modern gun deer season through:(1)
The(2)
If using a water set, the last day of March.Section 5.
License-Exempt Youth Season. For seven (7) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday after Christmas, a youth may hunt or trap furbearers without a license, but all other statewide requirements shall apply.Section 6.
Legal Hunting Equipment. Except as established in Section 7(8) of this administrative regulation, a hunter shall only use the equipment established in subsections (1) through (7) of this section to hunt furbearers:(1)
Centerfire gun;(2)
Rimfire gun;(3)
Shotgun;(4)
Muzzleloader;(5)
Bow and arrow;(6)
Crossbow; or(7)
An air gun using pellets at least .22 caliber in size.Section 7.
Hunter Restrictions.(1)
Furbearers may be taken during daylight hours only, except for the following, which may also be taken after daylight hours:(a)
Coyote;(b)
Opossum; or(c)
Raccoon.(2)
A person shall not take a raccoon or opossum during daylight hours during the modern gun deer season, as established in 301 KAR 2:172.(3)
A person hunting from a boat shall not use a light in conjunction with taking a raccoon or opossum.(4)
A person shall not use the following while chasing a raccoon or opossum from noon on March 1 through September 30;(a)
A firearm;(b)
Slingshot;(c)
Tree climber; or(d)
Any device to kill, injure, or force a raccoon or opossum from a tree or den.(5)
A person may use a squaller year-round.(6)
There shall not be a closed season on:(a)
Chasing red and gray foxes during daylight hours for sport and not to kill; or(b)
Chasing raccoons or opossums for sport and not to kill.(7)
A hunter may use a hand or mouth-operated call, electronic call, or any other attracting device during a furbearer hunting season.(8)
A person may take a coyote after daylight hours year-round, except that:(a)
It shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm season is open;(b)
Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall only be used from December 1 through March 31, and from May 16 through June 30 on public and private land;(c)
Any artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall not be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle;(d)
A holder of a valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permit or Hunting Methods Exemption - Vehicle Permit may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform and may cast lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle;(e)
On public land, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun and shall not use a shotgun shell with a single-projectile;(f)
On private land, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun and shall not use a shotgun shell with a single-projectile, except that from December 1 through March 31 and May 16 through June 30 a person may also use a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less, a shotgun shell with a single projectile, or any modern firearm, including any rifle, pistol, or shotgun loaded from the rear of the barrel.Section 8.
Legal Traps.(1)
A person who is trapping with a dry land set shall only use traps as established in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection:(a)
Deadfall;(b)
Wire cage or box trap;(c)
Foothold trap with a maximum inside jaw spread of six (6) inches measured perpendicular to the hinges;(d)
A snare; or(e)
Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a body-gripping trap with a maximum inside jaw spread of seven and one-half (7 1/2) inches measured parallel with the trigger:1.
In the center of the trap; and2.
In the unset position.(2)
There shall be no restrictions on the size or type of trap used as a water set, except that any body-gripping trap greater than twenty (20) inches in width shall be set so that the trap is completely submerged underwater.Section 9.
Trapper Restrictions.(1)
A person trapping on private land shall not place traps used as dry land sets any closer than ten (10) feet apart unless possessing written permission from the landowner or the landowner's designee, except that there shall not be more than three (3) traps placed within any ten (10) foot spacing.(2)
The trap spacing requirement established in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:(a)
Box or cage live traps; or(b)
Properties of five (5) acres or less.(3)
A trap shall not be set in a trail or path commonly used by a human or a domestic animal.(4)
A trapper may use lights from a boat or a vehicle in conjunction with trapping furbearers.Section 10.
Trap Tags.(1)
Each trap shall have a metal tag attached to it that clearly shows:(a)
The name and address of the person setting, using, or maintaining the trap; or(b)
A FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number issued by the department and the 1-800-25ALERT department hotline phone number.(2)
(a)
(b)
(3)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(2)(4)
A person shall:(a)
Not use a trap tag that has an inaccurate or outdated address;(b)
Not use a trap tag that has a FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number that corresponds to an inaccurate or outdated address or phone number; and(c)
Maintain an(3)(5)
A FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number shall be valid for a trap tag for the life of the holder.Section 11.
Bag Limits.(1)
There shall not be a bag limit on furbearers, except as established in subsections (2) through (6) of this section.(2)
A person shall not take more than five (5) bobcats per season, no more than three (3) of which shall be taken with a gun, except as established in subsection (3) of this section.(3)
Hunters and trappers may increase their bobcat bag limit for the following season, under the following criteria:(a)
A hunter or trapper who submits lower jaws from all harvested bobcats in a single season may receive one (1) additional bobcat to the bag limit for the following season for every two (2) jaws submitted.(b)
Additions to the bobcat bag limit also increase the allowable number of bobcats that may be taken with a gun.(c)
Hunters and trappers shall submit all lower jaws, from bobcats they harvest during a single season, to the department by March 15th the year the season ends to be eligible for bag limit incentives. Instructions how to remove and submit the lower jaws can be obtained from the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov.(d)
Additions of bobcats to bag limits are non-transferable.(4)
A person shall not take more than ten (10) river otters per season in Otter Zone 1.(5)
A person shall not take more than six (6) river otters per season in Otter Zone 2.(6)
The total river otter bag limit per season shall be ten (10) per person, only six (6) of which can be taken from Otter Zone 2.(7)
A falconer hunting within the falconry season, but outside the dates specified in Section 3(3) and (4) of this administrative regulation, shall not take more than two (2) of any furbearer per day.Section 12.
Harvest Recording.(1)
Immediately after harvesting a river otter or bobcat, and prior to moving the carcass, a person shall record in writing the:(a)
Species;(b)
Date;(c)
County where taken; and(d)
Sex of the river otter or bobcat.(2)
The information required by subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section shall be documented on:(a)
The hunter's log section on the reverse side of a license or permit;(b)
A hunter's log printed from the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov;(c)
A hunter's log available from any KDSS agent; or(d)
An index card or similar card.(3)
A person shall retain and possess the completed hunter's log while hunting or trapping during the current season.Section 13.
Checking a River Otter or Bobcat.(1)
A person who harvests a river otter or bobcat shall check each animal by:(a)
Completing the telecheck process after calling 800-245-4263 or completing the check-in process on the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov:1.
Before midnight on the day the river otter or bobcat is recovered;2.
Prior to processing the carcass; and3.
Prior to transporting the raw fur, pelt, or unskinned carcass out of Kentucky; and(b)
Writing the check-in confirmation number on the hunter's log as established in this section.(2)
A person who intends to sell the raw fur of a river otter or bobcat to a licensed fur processor, fur buyer, or taxidermist or wishing to export a river otter or bobcat pelt outside the United States shall:(a)
Request1.
2.
(b)
(3)
A person who is transferring a river otter or bobcat that does not have an attached CITES tag shall attach to the carcass a handmade tag that contains the:(a)
Confirmation number;(b)
Hunter or trapper's name; and(c)
Hunter or trapper's phone number.(4)
A person shall not knowingly provide false information when:(a)
Completing the hunter's log;(b)
Checking a river otter or bobcat;(c)
Completing a CITES tag request form; or(d)
Creating a handmade carcass tag.(5)
A CITES tag shall be attached to the raw fur, pelt, or unskinned carcass upon receipt of the tag from the department per the instructions provided by the department and remain attached until it is processed or exported outside the United States.(6)
Possession of an unused CITES tag issued by the department shall be prohibited.Section 14.
Transporting and Processing a River Otter or Bobcat.(1)
A person shall not sell the raw fur of a river otter or bobcat except to a licensed:(a)
Fur buyer;(b)
Fur processor; or(c)
Taxidermist.(2)
A taxidermist, fur buyer, or fur processor shall:(a)
Not accept a river otter or bobcat carcass or any part thereof without a proper carcass tag or CITES tag as established in Section 13 of this administrative regulation; and(b)
Retain the information established in subparagraphs 1. through 4. of this paragraph from a hunter or trapper:1.
Name;2.
Address;3.
Confirmation number or CITES tag number; and4.
Date received for each river otter or bobcat.Section 15.
(1)
(a)
(b)
(2)
Approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission
RICH STORM, Commissioner
APPROVED BY AGENCY: August 11, 2025
FILED WITH LRC: August 15, 2025 at 11:36 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at KDFWR Administration Building, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing was received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through October 31, 2025. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Jenny Gilbert, Legislative Liaison, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, phone (502) 564-3400, fax (502) 564-0506, email fwpubliccomments@ky.gov.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Jenny Gilbert
Subject Headings:
Fish and Wildlife, Hunting, Conservation
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This regulation establishes furbearer hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits, legal methods of take, and other furbearer hunting and trapping requirements.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to provide adequate furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities and to properly manage furbearer populations in Kentucky.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife, to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. KRS 150.175(7), (9) authorizes the department to issue licenses, permits, and tags for hunting and trapping. KRS 150.360 requires restrictions on the taking of wildlife and authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the requirements for hunting coyotes at night. KRS 150.400 authorizes the department to establish the types of traps that can legally be used by trappers. KRS 150.410 authorizes the department to regulate trap tags, trap visitation, and trap placement to protect domestic animals.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will fulfill the purposes of KRS 150.025 and 150.410 by defining the seasons, bag limits, and methods of take used to manage furbearers in Kentucky.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment will extend the season for trapping furbearers with water sets through March.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment will help alleviate wildlife damage issues and provide opportunity for take of furbearers.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
See (1)(c) above.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
See (1)(d) above.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
No
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
All legal trappers could pursue furbearers through March using water sets thereby assisting landowners experiencing wildlife damage and gaining additional opportunity to utilize fur.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
Trappers may take advantage of an extended trapping season for using water sets to trap furbearers.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
There will be no additional cost to licensed trappers.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
Trappers will have more opportunity to pursue furbearers using water sets.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no additional cost to the department to implement this administrative regulation.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no additional cost to the department on a continuing basis.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The source of funding is the State Game and Fish Fund.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
It will not be necessary to increase any other fees or to increase funding to implement this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish fees or directly or indirectly increase any fees.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
No. Tiering is not applied because all furbearer trappers in Kentucky must comply with the requirements of this administrative regulation.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife, to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. KRS 150.175(7), (9) authorizes the department to issue licenses, permits, and tags for hunting and trapping. KRS 150.360 requires restrictions on the taking of wildlife and authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the requirements for hunting coyotes at night. KRS 150.400 authorizes the department to establish the types of traps that can legally be used by trappers. KRS 150.410 authorizes the department to regulate trap tags, trap visitation, and trap placement to protect domestic animals.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
This amendment is not expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly but is promulgated pursuant to KRS 150.025.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The promulgating agency is the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. No other state agencies are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
These amendments will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
For subsequent years:
These amendments will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
These amendments will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
For subsequent years:
These amendments will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
For the first year: These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
For subsequent years:
For the first year: These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
No local entities should be affected by these amendments.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
No other entities should be affected by these amendments.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
This amendment will not have any significant fiscal impact.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This amendment does not modify any fees or require affected entities to expend funds to comply with the amendments beyond those incidental to normal operations.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
This amendment will not have a major economic impact.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This amendment does not increase any fees or otherwise create a financial burden to state or local government agencies or to regulated entities.
TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE CABINET
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(Amendment)
301 KAR 2:251.Hunting and trapping seasons and limits for furbearers.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Body-gripping trap" means a commercially manufactured spring-loaded trap designed to kill an animal upon capture.(2)
"Dry land set" means a trap that is placed so that no portion of the trap touches the water of a river, stream, pond, lake, wetland, or other water course.(3)
"Foothold trap" means a commercially manufactured spring-loaded trap with smooth, metallic or rubber soft-catch jaws that close upon an animal's foot.(4)
"Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.(5)
"Hunter" means a person legally taking furbearers by means other than trapping.(6)
"Otter Zone 1" means the following counties: Anderson, Ballard, Bath, Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Grant, Graves, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Hopkins, Jefferson, Kenton, Larue, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, Mason, McCracken, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Webster, and Woodford.(7)
"Otter Zone 2" means all Kentucky counties not included in subsection (6) of this section.(8)
"Snare" means a wire, cable, or string with a knot, loop, or a single piece closing device, the deployment of which is or is not spring-assisted, but any spring-assisted device is not for the purpose of applying tension to the closing device.(9)
"Squaller" means a hand-operated, mouth-operated, or electronic call capable of mimicking the vocalizations of furbearers.(10)
"Trap" means a body-gripping trap, box trap, deadfall, foothold trap, snare, or wire cage trap used to catch furbearers, in the set or unset position.(11)
"Water set" means a trap placed in the water of a river, stream, pond, lake, wetland, or other water course so that a portion of the trap body is underwater.(12)
"Youth" means a person under the age of sixteen (16) by the date of the hunt or the trapping date.Section 2.
License and Permit Requirements. Unless exempted by KRS 150.170, a person shall carry on his or her person a valid:(1)
Hunting license while hunting furbearers; and(2)
Bobcat hunting permit while hunting bobcat; or(3)
Trapping license while trapping furbearers.Section 3.
Furbearer Hunting Seasons. Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a person shall only take furbearers by hunting during the seasons established in subsections (1) through (5) of this section:(1)
Bobcat, from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third Saturday in November through the last day of February;(2)
Coyote, year-round;(3)
Raccoon and opossum, October 1 through the last day of February;(4)
All other furbearers except as established in subsection (5) of this section, from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third day of modern gun deer season through the last day of February; and(5)
Furbearers taken by falconry, September 1 through March 30.Section 4.
Furbearer Trapping Season. Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a person shall only take furbearers by trapping from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise on the third day of the modern gun deer season through:(1)
The last day of February; or(2)
If using a water set, the last day of March.Section 5.
License-Exempt Youth Season. For seven (7) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday after Christmas, a youth may hunt or trap furbearers without a license, but all other statewide requirements shall apply.Section 6.
Legal Hunting Equipment. Except as established in Section 7(8) of this administrative regulation, a hunter shall only use the equipment established in subsections (1) through (7) of this section to hunt furbearers:(1)
Centerfire gun;(2)
Rimfire gun;(3)
Shotgun;(4)
Muzzleloader;(5)
Bow and arrow;(6)
Crossbow; or(7)
An air gun using pellets at least .22 caliber in size.Section 7.
Hunter Restrictions.(1)
Furbearers may be taken during daylight hours only, except for the following, which may also be taken after daylight hours:(a)
Coyote;(b)
Opossum; or(c)
Raccoon.(2)
A person shall not take a raccoon or opossum during daylight hours during the modern gun deer season, as established in 301 KAR 2:172.(3)
A person hunting from a boat shall not use a light in conjunction with taking a raccoon or opossum.(4)
A person shall not use the following while chasing a raccoon or opossum from noon on March 1 through September 30;(a)
A firearm;(b)
Slingshot;(c)
Tree climber; or(d)
Any device to kill, injure, or force a raccoon or opossum from a tree or den.(5)
A person may use a squaller year-round.(6)
There shall not be a closed season on:(a)
Chasing red and gray foxes during daylight hours for sport and not to kill; or(b)
Chasing raccoons or opossums for sport and not to kill.(7)
A hunter may use a hand or mouth-operated call, electronic call, or any other attracting device during a furbearer hunting season.(8)
A person may take a coyote after daylight hours year-round, except that:(a)
It shall not be allowed in a county or area where a deer or elk firearm season is open;(b)
Artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall only be used from December 1 through March 31, and from May 16 through June 30 on public and private land;(c)
Any artificial light or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night shall not be connected to or cast from a mechanized vehicle;(d)
A holder of a valid Mobility-Impaired Access Permit or Hunting Methods Exemption - Vehicle Permit may use a stationary vehicle as a hunting platform and may cast lights or other means designed to make wildlife visible at night so long as the means used are not connected to the vehicle;(e)
On public land, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun and shall not use a shotgun shell with a single-projectile;(f)
On private land, a person shall not use any equipment other than a bow, crossbow, or shotgun and shall not use a shotgun shell with a single-projectile, except that from December 1 through March 31 and May 16 through June 30 a person may also use a muzzleloader of .54 caliber or less, a shotgun shell with a single projectile, or any modern firearm, including any rifle, pistol, or shotgun loaded from the rear of the barrel.Section 8.
Legal Traps.(1)
A person who is trapping with a dry land set shall only use traps as established in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection:(a)
Deadfall;(b)
Wire cage or box trap;(c)
Foothold trap with a maximum inside jaw spread of six (6) inches measured perpendicular to the hinges;(d)
A snare; or(e)
Except as established in 301 KAR 2:049, a body-gripping trap with a maximum inside jaw spread of seven and one-half (7 1/2) inches measured parallel with the trigger:1.
In the center of the trap; and2.
In the unset position.(2)
There shall be no restrictions on the size or type of trap used as a water set, except that any body-gripping trap greater than twenty (20) inches in width shall be set so that the trap is completely submerged underwater.Section 9.
Trapper Restrictions.(1)
A person trapping on private land shall not place traps used as dry land sets any closer than ten (10) feet apart unless possessing written permission from the landowner or the landowner's designee, except that there shall not be more than three (3) traps placed within any ten (10) foot spacing.(2)
The trap spacing requirement established in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:(a)
Box or cage live traps; or(b)
Properties of five (5) acres or less.(3)
A trap shall not be set in a trail or path commonly used by a human or a domestic animal.(4)
A trapper may use lights from a boat or a vehicle in conjunction with trapping furbearers.Section 10.
Trap Tags.(1)
Each trap shall have a metal tag attached to it that clearly shows:(a)
The name and address of the person setting, using, or maintaining the trap; or(b)
A FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number issued by the department and the 1-800-25ALERT department hotline phone number.(2)
A person shall:(a)
Not use a trap tag that has an inaccurate or outdated address;(b)
Not use a trap tag that has a FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number that corresponds to an inaccurate or outdated address or phone number; and(c)
Maintain an updated address and phone number in MyProfile on the department website.(3)
A FW Customer ID or wildlife identification number shall be valid for a trap tag for the life of the holder.Section 11.
Bag Limits.(1)
There shall not be a bag limit on furbearers, except as established in subsections (2) through (6) of this section.(2)
A person shall not take more than five (5) bobcats per season, no more than three (3) of which shall be taken with a gun, except as established in subsection (3) of this section.(3)
Hunters and trappers may increase their bobcat bag limit for the following season, under the following criteria:(a)
A hunter or trapper who submits lower jaws from all harvested bobcats in a single season may receive one (1) additional bobcat to the bag limit for the following season for every two (2) jaws submitted.(b)
Additions to the bobcat bag limit also increase the allowable number of bobcats that may be taken with a gun.(c)
Hunters and trappers shall submit all lower jaws, from bobcats they harvest during a single season, to the department by March 15th the year the season ends to be eligible for bag limit incentives. Instructions how to remove and submit the lower jaws can be obtained from the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov.(d)
Additions of bobcats to bag limits are non-transferable.(4)
A person shall not take more than ten (10) river otters per season in Otter Zone 1.(5)
A person shall not take more than six (6) river otters per season in Otter Zone 2.(6)
The total river otter bag limit per season shall be ten (10) per person, only six (6) of which can be taken from Otter Zone 2.(7)
A falconer hunting within the falconry season, but outside the dates specified in Section 3(3) and (4) of this administrative regulation, shall not take more than two (2) of any furbearer per day.Section 12.
Harvest Recording.(1)
Immediately after harvesting a river otter or bobcat, and prior to moving the carcass, a person shall record in writing the:(a)
Species;(b)
Date;(c)
County where taken; and(d)
Sex of the river otter or bobcat.(2)
The information required by subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section shall be documented on:(a)
The hunter's log section on the reverse side of a license or permit;(b)
A hunter's log printed from the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov;(c)
A hunter's log available from any KDSS agent; or(d)
An index card or similar card.(3)
A person shall retain and possess the completed hunter's log while hunting or trapping during the current season.Section 13.
Checking a River Otter or Bobcat.(1)
A person who harvests a river otter or bobcat shall check each animal by:(a)
Completing the telecheck process after calling 800-245-4263 or completing the check-in process on the department's Web site at fw.ky.gov:1.
Before midnight on the day the river otter or bobcat is recovered;2.
Prior to processing the carcass; and3.
Prior to transporting the raw fur, pelt, or unskinned carcass out of Kentucky; and(b)
Writing the check-in confirmation number on the hunter's log as established in this section.(2)
A person who intends to sell the raw fur of a river otter or bobcat to a licensed fur processor, fur buyer, or taxidermist or wishing to export a river otter or bobcat pelt outside the United States shall:Request a Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) tag by logging into a MyProfile account on the department website.(3)
A person who is transferring a river otter or bobcat that does not have an attached CITES tag shall attach to the carcass a handmade tag that contains the:(a)
Confirmation number;(b)
Hunter or trapper's name; and(c)
Hunter or trapper's phone number.(4)
A person shall not knowingly provide false information when:(a)
Completing the hunter's log;(b)
Checking a river otter or bobcat;(c)
Completing a CITES tag request form; or(d)
Creating a handmade carcass tag.(5)
A CITES tag shall be attached to the raw fur, pelt, or unskinned carcass upon receipt of the tag from the department per the instructions provided by the department and remain attached until it is processed or exported outside the United States.(6)
Possession of an unused CITES tag issued by the department shall be prohibited.Section 14.
Transporting and Processing a River Otter or Bobcat.(1)
A person shall not sell the raw fur of a river otter or bobcat except to a licensed:(a)
Fur buyer;(b)
Fur processor; or(c)
Taxidermist.(2)
A taxidermist, fur buyer, or fur processor shall:(a)
Not accept a river otter or bobcat carcass or any part thereof without a proper carcass tag or CITES tag as established in Section 13 of this administrative regulation; and(b)
Retain the information established in subparagraphs 1. through 4. of this paragraph from a hunter or trapper:1.
Name;2.
Address;3.
Confirmation number or CITES tag number; and4.
Date received for each river otter or bobcat.Approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission
RICH STORM, Commissioner
APPROVED BY AGENCY: August 11, 2025
FILED WITH LRC: August 15, 2025 at 11:36 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at KDFWR Administration Building, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing was received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through October 31, 2025. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Jenny Gilbert, Legislative Liaison, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1 Sportsman’s Lane, phone (502) 564-3400, fax (502) 564-0506, email fwpubliccomments@ky.gov.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Jenny Gilbert
Subject Headings:
Fish and Wildlife, Hunting, Conservation
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This regulation establishes furbearer hunting and trapping seasons, bag limits, legal methods of take, and other furbearer hunting and trapping requirements.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to provide adequate furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities and to properly manage furbearer populations in Kentucky.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife, to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. KRS 150.175(7), (9) authorizes the department to issue licenses, permits, and tags for hunting and trapping. KRS 150.360 requires restrictions on the taking of wildlife and authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the requirements for hunting coyotes at night. KRS 150.400 authorizes the department to establish the types of traps that can legally be used by trappers. KRS 150.410 authorizes the department to regulate trap tags, trap visitation, and trap placement to protect domestic animals.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will fulfill the purposes of KRS 150.025 and 150.410 by defining the seasons, bag limits, and methods of take used to manage furbearers in Kentucky.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment will extend the season for trapping furbearers with water sets through March.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment will help alleviate wildlife damage issues and provide opportunity for take of furbearers.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
See (1)(c) above.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
See (1)(d) above.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
No
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
All legal trappers could pursue furbearers through March using water sets thereby assisting landowners experiencing wildlife damage and gaining additional opportunity to utilize fur.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
Trappers may take advantage of an extended trapping season for using water sets to trap furbearers.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
There will be no additional cost to licensed trappers.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
Trappers will have more opportunity to pursue furbearers using water sets.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no additional cost to the department to implement this administrative regulation.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no additional cost to the department on a continuing basis.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The source of funding is the State Game and Fish Fund.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
It will not be necessary to increase any other fees or to increase funding to implement this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish fees or directly or indirectly increase any fees.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
No. Tiering is not applied because all furbearer trappers in Kentucky must comply with the requirements of this administrative regulation.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to establish open seasons for the taking of wildlife, to regulate bag limits and methods of take, and to make these requirements apply to a limited area. KRS 150.175(7), (9) authorizes the department to issue licenses, permits, and tags for hunting and trapping. KRS 150.360 requires restrictions on the taking of wildlife and authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the requirements for hunting coyotes at night. KRS 150.400 authorizes the department to establish the types of traps that can legally be used by trappers. KRS 150.410 authorizes the department to regulate trap tags, trap visitation, and trap placement to protect domestic animals.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
This amendment is not expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly but is promulgated pursuant to KRS 150.025.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The promulgating agency is the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. No other state agencies are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
These amendments will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
For subsequent years:
These amendments will not result in any additional expenditures for the department.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
These amendments will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
For subsequent years:
These amendments will not result in any change in revenues for the department.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
For the first year: These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
For subsequent years:
For the first year: These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
No local entities should be affected by these amendments.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
No other entities should be affected by these amendments.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
NA
For subsequent years:
NA
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
This amendment will not have any significant fiscal impact.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This amendment does not modify any fees or require affected entities to expend funds to comply with the amendments beyond those incidental to normal operations.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
This amendment will not have a major economic impact.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This amendment does not increase any fees or otherwise create a financial burden to state or local government agencies or to regulated entities.