Contact:
Lee McClellan
1-800-852-0942 ext.330
Kentucky
Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release
Hunter Orange Required of All Hunters in Elk Restoration Zone During
Bull Elk Firearms Season
Frankfort, Ky. – Hunters who
pursue small game, deer or migratory birds in the 16-county elk
restoration zone must wear hunter orange during the upcoming bull elk
firearms season that opens October 6 and closes October 12.
This requirement extends to both public
and private lands in Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson,
Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Perry, Pike,
and Whitley counties.
Hunter orange must be solid and visible
from all sides on the head, chest and back. Camouflage patterns with
hunter orange interspersed within are not legal. Hunter orange garments
may be a mesh material as long as the openings in the mesh are no wider
than one-quarter of an inch and the hunter orange is unbroken.
The Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources imposed this regulation for safety.
Horseback riders and ATVs riders who chose to ride in the elk
restoration zone during gun season for bull elk are strongly encouraged
to wear hunter orange. For safety reasons, riders should wait until any
fog has lifted and visibility is good before going out. There have not
been any hunting-related incidents involving ATV or horseback riders
since Kentucky’s elk hunts began in 2001.
ATVs are not allowed at
any time on wildlife management areas (WMAs) owned or leased by Kentucky
Fish and Wildlife. Horseback riding on WMAs is not allowed during
firearms seasons for turkey, deer and elk, unless participating or
assisting in a legal elk hunt. Elk hunters on horseback must wear hunter
orange clothing.
For more information about the hunter
orange requirements or elk hunting, consult the 2007-2008 Kentucky
Hunting and Trapping Guide available wherever hunting licenses are sold.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages,
regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and
wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways
for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky
Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, has an economic
impact to the state of $4.8 billion annually. For more information on
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
