Kentucky environmental attorney Sanders says Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission proposes to make several changes for bird hunting season in Kentucky.

At its June 2009 meeting, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission (“Commission”) proposed changing one of the dove fields at Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to a field where hunters may only use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot. The change would go into effect for this year’s dove seasons. This change reduces lead toxicity concerns as the field is located adjacent to a high-use waterfowl area.

The Commission also changed the wording of the regulation that would allow the department to designate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot-only dove fields close to high-use waterfowl areas and wetlands as posted by signs on WMAs.

The Commission also recommended closing West Kentucky WMA to the September Canada goose season beginning in 2009 and establishing a youth dove hunt at Camp Robert E. Webb in Grayson County. Hunters would be drawn from campers who attended Camp Robert E. Webb and earned their Outdoorsman Patch during that year’s summer camp season. The hunt would occur on the first Saturday of dove season, which this year is Sept. 5.

The proposals from the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission have not yet been approved by the Kentucky General Assembly, so the recommendations are not yet in effect.