APPLICATION DEADLINE MOVED UP TO APRIL
Next year at least 400 elk permits will be awarded, and for the first time people drawn to participate in the bull- and cow-quota hunts will get their choice of hunting areas in Kentucky's 16-county elk restoration zone.
"We have some significant changes in elk season (for 2008)," said Tina Brunjes, deer and elk program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "We ask that hunters check our Web site ( http://www.fw.ky.gov ) and read the regulations carefully."
The changes for the 2008 elk season were passed at the recent quarterly meeting of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission in Frankfort.
There will be more permits available, but hunters should take note of a much earlier application deadline.
The number of hunting permits drawn will be at least 400, up from 300 for the 2007 season, but Brunjes said as many as 50 additional permits could be awarded, depending on population data being evaluated now.
The permits will be allocated on a 3-to-1 sex ratio, with three times as many cow permits issued to slow the reproductive capacity of the herd.
"That's the same ratio since 2006," Brunjes said. "Our elk herd is in a growth stage, but we don't want it to grow too fast."
Kentucky's elk herd now numbers about 7,300 animals.
"That's our estimate after spring calving," Brunjes said. "The project goal is 10,000, which we could reach in five to six years at the herd's present growth rate."
The application procedure for elk permits is unchanged, but the deadline will be April 30, three months earlier than in 2007.
"That will give (permit holders) more time to plan their hunts," Brunjes said.
Hunters still apply by purchasing a $10 chance for the lottery drawing for permits.
Successful applicants will receive either a bull or cow elk hunting permit.
Those drawn will then specify their preference for an elk hunting unit and be entered into a second drawing to get their hunting area assignment. "We'll notify successful applicants by the end of May, and by the end of June they will know where they are going to be hunting."
Commission members also voted to abandon limited entry areas and at-large permits in favor of dividing the 4 million-acre, 16-county elk restoration zone into six elk hunting units.
The elk hunting units will be roughly the same size.
"The number of hunting permits awarded in each unit will be based on elk densities," Brunjes said. "That way we can spread hunting pressure more evenly."
The boundaries are still in the works, Brunjes said. She expected that a map would be released in January.
Even though there have been no hunting accidents during elk season, the Commission voted to beef up hunter-orange clothing requirements.
Elk callers accompanying hunters must now wear hunter-orange clothing, just as hunters are required to do.
"Orange clothing really cuts down on (mistaken-for-game) accidents," Brunjes said. "We know that from deer season."
http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/258594.html
Next year at least 400 elk permits will be awarded, and for the first time people drawn to participate in the bull- and cow-quota hunts will get their choice of hunting areas in Kentucky's 16-county elk restoration zone.
"We have some significant changes in elk season (for 2008)," said Tina Brunjes, deer and elk program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "We ask that hunters check our Web site ( http://www.fw.ky.gov ) and read the regulations carefully."
The changes for the 2008 elk season were passed at the recent quarterly meeting of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission in Frankfort.
There will be more permits available, but hunters should take note of a much earlier application deadline.
The number of hunting permits drawn will be at least 400, up from 300 for the 2007 season, but Brunjes said as many as 50 additional permits could be awarded, depending on population data being evaluated now.
The permits will be allocated on a 3-to-1 sex ratio, with three times as many cow permits issued to slow the reproductive capacity of the herd.
"That's the same ratio since 2006," Brunjes said. "Our elk herd is in a growth stage, but we don't want it to grow too fast."
Kentucky's elk herd now numbers about 7,300 animals.
"That's our estimate after spring calving," Brunjes said. "The project goal is 10,000, which we could reach in five to six years at the herd's present growth rate."
The application procedure for elk permits is unchanged, but the deadline will be April 30, three months earlier than in 2007.
"That will give (permit holders) more time to plan their hunts," Brunjes said.
Hunters still apply by purchasing a $10 chance for the lottery drawing for permits.
Successful applicants will receive either a bull or cow elk hunting permit.
Those drawn will then specify their preference for an elk hunting unit and be entered into a second drawing to get their hunting area assignment. "We'll notify successful applicants by the end of May, and by the end of June they will know where they are going to be hunting."
Commission members also voted to abandon limited entry areas and at-large permits in favor of dividing the 4 million-acre, 16-county elk restoration zone into six elk hunting units.
The elk hunting units will be roughly the same size.
"The number of hunting permits awarded in each unit will be based on elk densities," Brunjes said. "That way we can spread hunting pressure more evenly."
The boundaries are still in the works, Brunjes said. She expected that a map would be released in January.
Even though there have been no hunting accidents during elk season, the Commission voted to beef up hunter-orange clothing requirements.
Elk callers accompanying hunters must now wear hunter-orange clothing, just as hunters are required to do.
"Orange clothing really cuts down on (mistaken-for-game) accidents," Brunjes said. "We know that from deer season."
http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/258594.html
