Title 301 | Chapter 004 | Regulation 090REG
PROPOSED
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PREVIOUS VERSION
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TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE CABINET
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(Amendment)
301 KAR 4:090.Taxidermy and the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Cervid" means a member of the family Cervidae.(2)
"Federally protected wildlife" means any federally threatened or endangered species or any native migratory bird.(3)
"Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.(4)
"Licensed taxidermist" means any person, partnership, firm, or corporation that accepts remuneration for the mounting of skins or other inedible wildlife parts and who holds a valid Kentucky taxidermist license, as established in KRS 150.175.(5)
"Mounting" means to arrange processed wildlife for the purpose of display.(6)
"Permanently preserved pelt" means any processed furbearer pelt, but does not include raw fur or pelts treated with salt, borax, or sunlight.Section 2.
Licenses Required.(1)
Any person, partnership, firm, or corporation engaged in the business and accepting remuneration for mounting skins or other inedible parts of wildlife shall possess a valid Kentucky taxidermist license.(2)
A licensed taxidermist shall:(a)
Openly display a valid taxidermist license at the place of business; and(b)
Have all records pertaining to the business and all wildlife specimens or wildlife parts available for inspection during normal business hours by a department game warden(3)
A person or business who transforms a legally acquired, processed, inedible wildlife part into a hand-crafted or manufactured finished product shall not be required to possess a license from the department.(4)
A person or business is not required to possess a license to buy or sell legally acquired furbearer inedible parts, secretions, or permanently preserved pelts, excluding raw fur.(5)
In addition to the appropriate state license, all licensed taxidermists who mount federally protected species shall possess a valid federal taxidermist license issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.(6)
Submit to the department the appropriate license fee as referenced at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Pages/Fees.aspx and established in 301 KAR 5:022. along with the completed Taxidermy License Application.Section 3.
Labeling Requirements.(1)
Each licensed taxidermist shall keep records of the name, address, and phone number of the owner and the date killed of all wildlife or wildlife parts in their possession and shall tag each specimen or part to identify its owner.(2)
Wildlife heads harvested in Kentucky or other parts separated from the carcass for mounting by a licensed taxidermist shall have the hunter's confirmation number, if applicable, attached to the separated part.Section 4.
Cervid Carcass Disposal. A licensed taxidermist shall dispose of any unused cervid carcass material by:(1)
Burying the carcass or parts in an opening in the earth at least four (4) feet deep with the carcass or parts covered with two (2) inches of quicklime and at least three (3) feet of earth;(a)
With the cervid abdominal cavity, if applicable, opened wide the entire length;(b)
At a point which is never covered with the overflow of ponds or streams; and(c)
Not less than 100 feet from any watercourse, sinkhole, well, spring, public highway, residence, or stable; or(2)
Depositing the carcass or parts in a contained landfill, as established in KRS Chapter 224.Section 5.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
"Taxidermist License Application", 2025; is incorporated by reference.(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Game Farm Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at: https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Documents/Taxidermist-License-App.pdf .RICH STORM, Commissioner
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 27, 2025
FILED WITH LRC: June 27, 2025 at 2:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on September 30, 2025, at 1:30 p.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 September 30, 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, (502) 564-3400, fax: (502) 564-0506, email: fwpubliccomments@ky.gov
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Jenny Gilbert
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for taxidermy licensure, the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is necessary to establish the requirements for taxidermy licensure, the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the buying, selling, or transporting of wildlife. KRS 150.4111 authorizes a person to sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife to a licensed taxidermist for the purpose of mounting, authorizes a licensed taxidermist to buy or sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, and authorizes any person to purchase from or sell to a licensed taxidermist any legally mounted specimen.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This regulation establishes the requirements to acquire a taxidermy license and corresponding storage of records, establishes the parameters for the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts in order to protect wildlife in the 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 removes any reference to fees and replaces them with a reference to the fee regulation, 301 KAR 5:022, and similarly updates any applicable material incorporated by reference. It also makes a technical update to change the name of Conservation Officer to Game Warden.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to allow future fee changes to be promulgated in 301 KAR 5:022 without the need for promulgating matching amendments to this regulation.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) grants authority for the department to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of KRS Chapter 150. KRS 150.175 sets out licenses and tags to be sold by the department. KRS 150.195 requires the department to establish administrative regulations to provide for the control, design, issuance, distribution, and other matters related to licenses and permits issued by the department.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will consolidate any associated fees into a single fee regulation, 301 KAR 5:022.
(3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
All individuals who which to obtain the associated license or permit.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) 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 (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
No action will be required to comply with the amendments, however, the individuals would need to look to 301 KAR 5:022 for the regulation which establishes the cost of the associated license or permit.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3):
There will be no cost to comply with the amendments to this regulation.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3):
Compliance with these amendments will allow individuals to obtain the associated license or permit.
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no cost to implement these regulatory amendments initially.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no continuing costs to implement these amendments.
(6) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation:
The Fish and Game Fund
(7) 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:
There will be no increase in fees or funding necessary to implement these changes.
(8) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish any fees or directly or indirectly increase any fees. Any associated fees are addressed in 301 KAR 5:022.
(9) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
(Explain why or why not) Tiering is not applied as all individuals will need to look to 301 KAR 5:022 for the regulation which establishes the cost of the associated permits.
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 regarding the buying, selling, or transporting of wildlife. KRS 150.4111 authorizes a person to sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife to a licensed taxidermist for the purpose of mounting, authorizes a licensed taxidermist to buy or sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, and authorizes any person to purchase from or sell to a licensed taxidermist any legally mounted specimen.
(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 and 150.195.
(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:
These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
For subsequent years:
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:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(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:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(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(13):
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 4:090.Taxidermy and the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Cervid" means a member of the family Cervidae.(2)
"Federally protected wildlife" means any federally threatened or endangered species or any native migratory bird.(3)
"Furbearer" means mink, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, river otter, bobcat, coyote, or striped skunk.(4)
"Licensed taxidermist" means any person, partnership, firm, or corporation that accepts remuneration for the mounting of skins or other inedible wildlife parts and who holds a valid Kentucky taxidermist license, as established in KRS 150.175.(5)
"Mounting" means to arrange processed wildlife for the purpose of display.(6)
"Permanently preserved pelt" means any processed furbearer pelt, but does not include raw fur or pelts treated with salt, borax, or sunlight.Section 2.
Licenses Required.(1)
Any person, partnership, firm, or corporation engaged in the business and accepting remuneration for mounting skins or other inedible parts of wildlife shall possess a valid Kentucky taxidermist license.(2)
A licensed taxidermist shall:(a)
Openly display a valid taxidermist license at the place of business; and(b)
Have all records pertaining to the business and all wildlife specimens or wildlife parts available for inspection during normal business hours by a department game warden.(3)
A person or business who transforms a legally acquired, processed, inedible wildlife part into a hand-crafted or manufactured finished product shall not be required to possess a license from the department.(4)
A person or business is not required to possess a license to buy or sell legally acquired furbearer inedible parts, secretions, or permanently preserved pelts, excluding raw fur.(5)
In addition to the appropriate state license, all licensed taxidermists who mount federally protected species shall possess a valid federal taxidermist license issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.(6)
Submit to the department the appropriate license fee as referenced at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Pages/Fees.aspx and established in 301 KAR 5:022. along with the completed Taxidermy License Application.Section 3.
Labeling Requirements.(1)
Each licensed taxidermist shall keep records of the name, address, and phone number of the owner and the date killed of all wildlife or wildlife parts in their possession and shall tag each specimen or part to identify its owner.(2)
Wildlife heads harvested in Kentucky or other parts separated from the carcass for mounting by a licensed taxidermist shall have the hunter's confirmation number, if applicable, attached to the separated part.Section 4.
Cervid Carcass Disposal. A licensed taxidermist shall dispose of any unused cervid carcass material by:(1)
Burying the carcass or parts in an opening in the earth at least four (4) feet deep with the carcass or parts covered with two (2) inches of quicklime and at least three (3) feet of earth;(a)
With the cervid abdominal cavity, if applicable, opened wide the entire length;(b)
At a point which is never covered with the overflow of ponds or streams; and(c)
Not less than 100 feet from any watercourse, sinkhole, well, spring, public highway, residence, or stable; or(2)
Depositing the carcass or parts in a contained landfill, as established in KRS Chapter 224.Section 5.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
"Taxidermist License Application", 2025; is incorporated by reference.(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Game Farm Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at: https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Documents/Taxidermist-License-App.pdf .RICH STORM, Commissioner
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 27, 2025
FILED WITH LRC: June 27, 2025 at 2:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on September 30, 2025, at 1:30 p.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 September 30, 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, (502) 564-3400, fax: (502) 564-0506, email: fwpubliccomments@ky.gov
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Jenny Gilbert
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for taxidermy licensure, the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is necessary to establish the requirements for taxidermy licensure, the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the buying, selling, or transporting of wildlife. KRS 150.4111 authorizes a person to sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife to a licensed taxidermist for the purpose of mounting, authorizes a licensed taxidermist to buy or sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, and authorizes any person to purchase from or sell to a licensed taxidermist any legally mounted specimen.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This regulation establishes the requirements to acquire a taxidermy license and corresponding storage of records, establishes the parameters for the buying and selling of inedible wildlife parts, and the proper disposal of cervid carcasses and parts in order to protect wildlife in the 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 removes any reference to fees and replaces them with a reference to the fee regulation, 301 KAR 5:022, and similarly updates any applicable material incorporated by reference. It also makes a technical update to change the name of Conservation Officer to Game Warden.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to allow future fee changes to be promulgated in 301 KAR 5:022 without the need for promulgating matching amendments to this regulation.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 150.025(1) grants authority for the department to promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of KRS Chapter 150. KRS 150.175 sets out licenses and tags to be sold by the department. KRS 150.195 requires the department to establish administrative regulations to provide for the control, design, issuance, distribution, and other matters related to licenses and permits issued by the department.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will consolidate any associated fees into a single fee regulation, 301 KAR 5:022.
(3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
All individuals who which to obtain the associated license or permit.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) 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 (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
No action will be required to comply with the amendments, however, the individuals would need to look to 301 KAR 5:022 for the regulation which establishes the cost of the associated license or permit.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3):
There will be no cost to comply with the amendments to this regulation.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3):
Compliance with these amendments will allow individuals to obtain the associated license or permit.
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no cost to implement these regulatory amendments initially.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no continuing costs to implement these amendments.
(6) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation:
The Fish and Game Fund
(7) 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:
There will be no increase in fees or funding necessary to implement these changes.
(8) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish any fees or directly or indirectly increase any fees. Any associated fees are addressed in 301 KAR 5:022.
(9) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
(Explain why or why not) Tiering is not applied as all individuals will need to look to 301 KAR 5:022 for the regulation which establishes the cost of the associated permits.
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 regarding the buying, selling, or transporting of wildlife. KRS 150.4111 authorizes a person to sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife to a licensed taxidermist for the purpose of mounting, authorizes a licensed taxidermist to buy or sell the inedible parts of any legally taken wildlife for the purpose of mounting, and authorizes any person to purchase from or sell to a licensed taxidermist any legally mounted specimen.
(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 and 150.195.
(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:
These amendments will not result in any cost savings for the department.
For subsequent years:
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:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(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:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(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(13):
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.