The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, is responsible for the conservation of wildlife resources and for boating projects in the state. A commissioner appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission heads the department. The commission—which oversees the department's commissioner and promulgates regulations governing fishing, hunting, and boating—is a nine-member bipartisan board appointed by the governor from a list of candidates nominated by active hunters and anglers in each of nine geographic districts in the state.

Financial support of the department is derived through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registrations, federal grants and numerous other receipts. The department has a $68 million budget and employs about 400 full-time staff and more than 100 interim (seasonal) employees and contract labor.

Mission statement

The department's mission is to conserve, protect and enhance Kentucky's fish and wildlife resources and provide outstanding opportunities for fishing, hunting, trapping, boating, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, and related activities.

History of the Department: 1945 to 1995

  • 1912: Kentucky Division of Game and Fish formed as a small commission with limited staff. It focuses on regulations to protect and help recover the fish and wildlife populations of the state that had been depleted as a result of unregulated exploitation of various kinds, as well as rapid habitat loss.
  • 1944: Department reorganized under a civil service structure, with an emphasis on professional, science-based conservation. Earl Wallace appointed director.
  • 1945: Division purchases experimental Game Farm outside of Frankfort for $12,575—for propagation of game birds, animals; experiments with trees, shrubs for improvement of wildlife environment. Nation's first Junior Conservation Club program begins. Kentucky deer population is less than 1,000. Division of Publicity (Public Relations) and Conservation Education begins. Nine law enforcement districts align with congressional districts. Commissioner Earl Wallace announces a department magazine, Happy Hunting Ground, to inform and educate the public. The first issue is published in December 1945, with a press run of 15,000 and a subscription cost of 50 cents a year.
  • 1946: First legal deer hunt (January 2–14) in 30 years; $15 tag required if deer is taken. Big Game Restoration Program, cooperative quail raising project with sportsmen begin. Two wildlife biologists pioneer process of live-trapping wild turkeys for restocking. 181,153 hunting licenses sold.
  • 1948: Amendment to Kentucky Statutes legalizes hunting raccoons with dogs. Statewide development of Big Game Refuges begins, continues to 1951. Legislature approves bill allowing fishing during the month of May (previously banned to protect fish during spawning) and raises the cost of fishing license from $1 to $2. First official documented use of aircraft to apprehend poachers. Kentucky hosts 10th Annual Crow Shooting Championship (June 26–27).
  • 1952: General Assembly rewrites game and fish laws, changes name of agency from Division of Game and Fish to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Kentucky Afield radio show premieres (15-minute weekly series). Experimental release of Great Plains jackrabbits in Mercer, Pendleton and Hancock counties. Commission orders closed season on all game November 6–16. All netting operations in Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam banned due to widespread violations. County licenses eliminated; only statewide licenses available. Junior hunting license for under age 16 and 10-day nonresident license begin. 119 conservation officers employed.
  • 1953: Kentucky Afield-TV
  • 1993: C. Tom Bennett becomes commissioner. Peregrine falcon restoration begins.
  • 1994: Becoming an Outdoors Woman begins. Division of Water Patrol joins Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Law Enforcement and Water Patrol begin cross-training officers. R. F. Tarter WMA land acquisition ($357,381).
  • 1995: Dr. James C. Salato Wildlife Education Center opens (Oct. 1) at the Game Farm. Restoring Our Wildlife Heritage program introduces collector art. Kentucky Wildlife Viewing Guide begins sales. Fiscal Control renamed Division of Administrative Services. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and Kentucky Educational Television produce hunter education classes for television. Waterfowl hunters required to use U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved nontoxic shot. Tim Farmer becomes Kentucky Afield-TV host.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, six officers have died in the line of duty.

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Officer

! Date of death

! Details

|-

| Game Warden Elijah Roberts

| style="text-align:center" | Saturday, September 14, 1918

| Gunfire

|-

| Conservation Officer John C. Martin

| style="text-align:center" | Thursday, August 7, 1947

| Gunfire

|-

| Conservation Officer Denver Earlington Tabor

| style="text-align:center" | Friday, July 20, 1973

| Drowned

|-

| Conservation Officer Robert C. Banker

| style="text-align:center" | Thursday, March 19, 1987

| Gunfire

|-

| Conservation Officer Douglas Wayne Bryant

| style="text-align:center" | Monday, May 19, 2003

| Vehicle pursuit

|-

|Conservation Officer Bernard Dean Ratliff

|style="text-align:center" | Monday, June 21, 1999

| Heart attack while training

|}

See also

  • List of law enforcement agencies in Kentucky
  • Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery
  • List of state and territorial fish and wildlife management agencies in the United States

References

  • Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources