Frankfort, Ky. – All hunters in southeastern Kentucky’s 16-county elk restoration zone must comply with hunter orange clothing requirements while in the field during firearms seasons for bull and cow elk. The bull elk firearms season is Oct. 7-13, while the cow elk firearms season runs from Dec. 9-22.

The elk restoration zone includes Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties.

“Any time firearms are being used in the woods, visibility is crucial to safety,” said Tina Brunjes, big game coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Hunting is one of the safest sports there is and hunter orange clothing requirements contribute to that.”

The hunter orange clothing regulation applies to all hunting regardless of species in the elk restoration zone during the two firearms seasons.

“Elk hunting requires high-powered, large caliber rifles,” Brunjes said. “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable hunt.”

This year, around 26,000 hunters applied for one of the 200 available slots for the 2006 quota elk hunts. Biologists estimate the elk herd numbers about 5,700.

For more information about elk hunting, call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information desk at 1-800-858-1549.