State: KY

Recreational fishing is widely accepted as a wholesome and non-controversial lifetime outdoor activity with numerous positive benefits. By sanctioning angling as a recognized sport, athletic associations and schools provide opportunities for students and families who might not otherwise participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. Due to its wholesome and non-controversial nature, recreational fishing is widely recognized…

The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component of the hunter’s safety course, which provides potential hunters a way to receive their hunter safety certification at their own pace. By offering new hunters an easy and efficient way to gain hunter safety certification, more people will have the opportunity to begin…

Similar to hunting, a lack of access is cited as one of the primary barriers to participation in the shooting sports. School-based programs offer opportunities to participate in shooting activities at a young age which is essential in maintaining and increasing the number of hunters and recreational shooters across the United States. Trap, skeet, sporting…

Many state legislatures have enacted legislation to afford senior citizens, veterans, and active duty military members special hunting and fishing opportunities and discounted fees as a means of maintaining hunter numbers, as well as to reward them for their service to the country and commitment to conservation. However, states should be cautioned to work with…

Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, sportsmen and women across the nation celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD). This year’s efforts from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) helped secure proclamations commemorating the day from 39 governors and the President of the United States. Governors from all 12 Southeastern region states signed NHFD proclamations…

Why It Matters: The Cumberland Forest area is home to Kentucky’s Elk Management Zone and also provides key habitat for a number of other game and nongame species. Maintaining public access through measures such as conservation easements is crucial to ensuring these landscapes are available for outdoor activities for generations to come. Access, including the…

Why It Matters: States have recognized the importance of providing positive outdoor recreation experiences for youth. It is no secret that hunter numbers are declining across the board so taking kids hunting and doing whatever possible to provide them with positive experiences only serves to benefit recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts as well as provide…

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is accepting public comment on proposed amendments to hunting and fishing regulations. The public has the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed regulation changes either by attending a public meeting or through the submission of written comments. Why It Matters: Public engagement on proposed rule amendments is…

On February 24, legislation that would make it unlawful for financial institutions and government entities to discriminate against the firearms industry reported favorably out of the Kentucky House Judiciary Committee. Prior to the vote, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a support letter to the committee. CSF’s letter stated, “Firearms and firearms-related businesses are essential to supporting Kentucky’s hunters and…

Contact: Clay Chester, Southeastern States Coordinator  As the nation continues to adjust to social distancing requirements, some state fish and wildlife agencies are providing alternatives to hunter education course requirements while other states are easing access restrictions for anglers that were imposed due to COVID-19. These waivers and revisions allow sportsmen and women to participate…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director  Many state legislatures in the Southeast were in session during the first couple months of the year while other state legislatures were just getting started when COVID-19 caused many legislatures to go into recess. Nevertheless, members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundations’ (CSF) States Program Team continue to monitor legislation and regulatory rulemaking throughout the…

On August 30, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and 23 other conservation organizations submitted a letter to Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt supporting the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Western Kentucky. Located along the Green River and Ohio River in Henderson County, the Green River NWR would conserve wetlands, floodplain forests…