Frankfort, KY (March 10, 2004) - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is practicing what it preaches by casting out a new advertising campaign this week to retrieve state fishermen who’ve gotten off the license-buying hook.

Close to 60,000 postcards will be sent to anglers who purchased fishing licenses in 2002 or 2003, but for whatever reason, elected not to fish in 2004. The agency wants to re-establish contact with some of those "lapsed" anglers, and encourage them to return to the ranks of the fishing public.

Kentucky is not unlike many other states who in recent years have discovered that the volume of fishermen who go fishing for a year or two, then don’t, then do again is surprisingly high. Agency officials recognize that the key to maintaining quality fishing opportunities, and being able to sustain management of state fishery resources greatly depends on a consistent flow of revenue from license sales. The KDFWR is primarily funded by fishing, boating and hunting license fees. It does not receive a general fund allotment.

The actual "churn" of anglers over the past two years in Kentucky numbers almost 200,000. Out of a total of just over 650,000 anglers who bought fishing licenses for the 2002 or 2003 license years, over 200,000 of those people did not buy a license in 2004. No matter what kind of business, a fluctuation of that magnitude in customer base would be a major concern.

"We have some world-class fishing opportunities and an excellent number of places people can fish," said KDFWR’s Marketing Manager Michael Gray.

"Licenses in Kentucky are very reasonable and fishing is one of the most enjoyable activities an individual, or family can do."

"We know today’s lifestyle is busy and hectic and that leisure time is at a premium for many families, but fishing is one of the most inexpensive, fun and rewarding ways parents, grandparents and children can spend time that increases the strength of the family unit."

"When a youngster catches a fish, and his or her family is there to share the experience and applaud the achievement, that kind of interaction builds lasting ties and values.

"It teaches confidence, creates excitement and memories of happy times, and instills a core level appreciation for natural resources that you just can’t get inside a classroom or from watching television."

"Going fishing is more than just something to do. It’s an activity that can make life better in many ways people don’t realize."

"We hope to remind people of that, and at the same time, help solidify the agency’s ability to provide a consistent level of resource management that results in high quality fishing," Gray said.

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