Presidential Review of KDFWR District Commission Meeting September 2025

 

 

Hello  fellow Sportsmen!  The September 29th, 2025 Commission Meeting was very productive as your president perceived it alone with with other LKS leadership there.  The commission board recognized and welcomed me as the LKS President and was courteous and respectful throughout the meeting by giving  us opportunity to speak and express our concerns at the end.

 

Key Takeaway Points from the Commission Meeting are as follows:

1. The Financial Reports stated there was $1.9 million in license revenue and had a $38 Million budget.

2. NASP Report stated there are 27 million members/students in 10,000 schools with KYhaving 884 schools with 128, 621 students competing in 16,000 tournaments with 2,016 coaches.

 

Actions Items:

1. Wild Turkey survey stated 6% Jakes were harvested while 78% survived to maturity.Also 28% of the gobblers were harvested, so 56% survived.

2. The Commission issued 10 special permits each for Black Bear, Deer, Turkey, Elk and Waterfowl as fundraising for qualifying non-profits organizations.This is new for Beer permits in 2026.

3. A request for pontoon rentals was granted for Lake Beshear for 6 boats based on public need, suitable location and experience of the vendor.

4. Bag limits were increased on Bobcats and River Otters.

5. Permits for Rabbit hunting enclosures requirements were amended

6. KY Boating laws and definitions were amended to comply and conform to US Coast Guard.

 

Discussion Items:

1. Some KY lakes will allow wake sports in certain defined areas with Rough River and Lake Beshear removed from proposed list of lakes.Wake boats will be allowed on all waterways as long as their ballast are not in use to create large waves i.e. 200 ft. wake is normal vs. a 500’ wake from a wake boat.

2. Several fishing amendments were introduced with slot limits increased from 6 to 10 for Bass.

3. Paintsville Lake changes were removed for further study.Ket takeaway-Look for major change.

4. There will be a “Eat More Bass” campaign enacted as our lakes are overpopulated with small fish

5. Cave Run Lakes issues were discussed as Threadfin Chad were considered ass a food source.

 

Committee Meetings are to maintain a 3 Step Process with a limited number of attendees.  Also 4 commission members constitute a quorum in any setting as defined and explained by legal counsel present.

 

Turkey bag limits were discussed with fall archery elimination considered.  There were 6,000 hunters that harvested 2 birds to make 35,000 total birds  harvested.

 

Several large groups were present.