FRANKFORT - The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission, at its March 3 quarterly meeting, proposed deer season dates and zone changes for 2006-2007.

The Commission proposed changing Edmonson, Grayson and Hart counties from Zone 3 to Zone 2, which would add six days to the modern gun season for deer in those counties.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The 2006-2007 Deer Seasons:

Statewide All Zones:

Archery - September 2, 2006 - January 15, 2007; Early Youth Weekend - October 14 -15, 2006; Early Muzzleloader - October 21-22, 2006; Late Muzzleloader - December 9-17, 2006; and Late Youth Weekend - December 30-31, 2006.

Zones 1 and 2:

Modern Firearms - November 11-26, 2006.

Zones 3 and 4:

Modern Firearms - November 11-20, 2006.

Bag limits remain the same as last year.

The Commission proposed that crossbows be permitted for deer and turkey during the entire archery season, which met opposition from some bowhunter organizations.

The Commission authorized Commissioner Jon Gassett to work with bowhunter groups and legislators in finalizing expanded crossbow season dates, and amend the proposed season during the regulation review process as necessary. 

Finalized crossbow season dates for deer and turkey this year will be Oct. 1-22, and Nov. 11 through Dec. 31.

Commissioners also proposed establishing an annual deer hunt for armed forces personnel deployed out of the country during the regular statewide deer season. The locations of the hunts will be determined in the future.

The Commission also voted to allow handgun hunting for elk beginning this season.

The new regulation will allow elk hunting with any handgun with a barrel at least 6 inches long, and firing a cartridge capable maintaining at least 500 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards with a bullet diameter of .270 or greater.

For pistols, this will include some.41-caliber handguns, and handguns equal or more powerful than the .44-caliber magnum.

The Commission also recommended establishing a non-resident daily hunting license for $10. This license would not include deer, turkey or elk and may be purchased beginning July 1, 2006.

In fisheries related business, the Commission recommended to implement a 9-inch minimum size limit on crappie at Buckhorn Lake to begin on March 1, 2007. They also proposed to continue the 40-inch minimum size limit for muskellunge on Buckhorn Lake.

The Commission also recommended the aquaculture industry be permitted to use selected water supply lakes with landowner permission for the reservoir ranching of paddlefish.

A Fisheries Commercial Propagation Permit will be required with specific provisions on the use of these lakes. These lakes are owned by cities or water companies and are not state or federally owned lakes.

The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2006 at 1 Sportsman's Lane off U.S. 60 in Frankfort.

Persons interested in addressing the Commission must notify the KDFWR Commissioner's office in writing at least 30 days in advance to be considered for placement on the meeting agenda.

To request to address the commission, write to KDFWR, Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett, No. 1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.