The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, is responsible for the conservation of wildlife resources and for boating projects in the state. A commissioner appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission heads the department. The commission—which oversees the department's commissioner and promulgates regulations governing fishing, hunting, and boating—is a nine-member bipartisan board appointed by the governor from a list of candidates nominated by active hunters and anglers in each of nine geographic districts in the state.
Financial support of the department is derived through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registrations, federal grants and numerous other receipts. The department has a $68 million budget and employs about 400 full-time staff and more than 100 interim (seasonal) employees and contract labor.
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Mission statement
The department's mission is to conserve, protect and enhance Kentucky's fish and wildlife resources and provide outstanding opportunities for fishing, hunting, trapping, boating, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, and related activities.
History of the Department: 1945 to 1995
1912: Kentucky Division of Game and Fish formed as a small commission with limited staff. It focuses on regulations to protect and help recover the fish and wildlife populations of the state that had been depleted as a result of unregulated exploitation of various kinds, as well as rapid habitat loss.
1944: Department reorganized under a civil service structure, with an emphasis on professional, science-based conservation. Earl Wallace appointed director.
1945: Division purchases experimental Game Farm outside of Frankfort for $12,575—for propagation of game birds, animals; experiments with trees, shrubs for improvement of wildlife environment. Nation's first Junior Conservation Club program begins. Kentucky deer population is less than 1,000. Division of Publicity (Public Relations) and Conservation Education begins. Nine law enforcement districts align with congressional districts. Commissioner Earl Wallace announces a department magazine, Happy Hunting Ground, to inform and educate the public. The first issue is published in December 1945, with a press run of 15,000 and a subscription cost of 50 cents a year.
1946: First legal deer hunt (January 2–14) in 30 years; $15 tag required if deer is taken. Big Game Restoration Program, cooperative quail raising project with sportsmen begin. Two wildlife biologists pioneer process of live-trapping wild turkeys for restocking. 181,153 hunting licenses sold.
1948: Amendment to Kentucky Statutes legalizes hunting raccoons with dogs. Statewide development of Big Game Refuges begins, continues to 1951. Legislature approves bill allowing fishing during the month of May (previously banned to protect fish during spawning) and raises the cost of fishing license from $1 to $2. First official documented use of aircraft to apprehend poachers. Kentucky hosts 10th Annual Crow Shooting Championship (June 26–27).
1952: General Assembly rewrites game and fish laws, changes name of agency from Division of Game and Fish to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Kentucky Afield radio show premieres (15-minute weekly series). Experimental release of Great Plains jackrabbits in Mercer, Pendleton and Hancock counties. Commission orders closed season on all game November 6–16. All netting operations in Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam banned due to widespread violations. County licenses eliminated; only statewide licenses available. Junior hunting license for under age 16 and 10-day nonresident license begin. 119 conservation officers employed.
District Commission system
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is directed by a commissioner, and overseen by nine district commission members. The commissioner manages direction and operations of the agency. Commission members serve as an oversight board, recommending fish, wildlife and boating regulations and statutes (pending final action by applicable legislative committees for regulations, or the legislature as a whole for statutes) and approving large-scale contracts such as major research projects. When a commission member's term is due to expire, a nomination election is held in the applicable district; five candidates for district commission member are nominated through votes cast by local hunters and anglers in each district, who must be licensed to hunt or fish. The five nominees receiving the most votes are sent to the governor for appointment of one as district commission member. This system was created by Kentucky sportsmen to ensure that both managerial and financial control of the state's wildlife resources stayed out of political control.
Organization
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife has gone through a great deal of organizational changes through the years. Today it consists of the Commissioner's office staff and seven divisions: Administrative Services; Wildlife; Fisheries; Law Enforcement; Information and Education; Engineering and Information Technology; and Marketing.
Terms of commissioners
1944–1958: Earl Wallace
1958–1971: Minor Clark
1971–1978 Arnold Mitchell
1978–1985: Carl E. Kays
1985–1993: Don McCormick
1993–2005: Tom Bennett
2005–2013: Jonathan Gassett
2014–2018: Gregory K Johnson
2019–present: Rich Storm
Volunteer
Volunteers - unpaid staff - are involved in several aspects of the work of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, including at the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Volunteers work in conservation education, help with special activities, help with plants, trails and special projects, and lead hunter education programs.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, six officers have died in the line of duty.