September is Quota Hunt Application Month
Hunters have just a few more days to apply for deer, pheasant, quail, upland bird and waterfowl quota hunts managed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The application deadline is Sept. 30. Most quota hunts take place on department wildlife management areas (WMAs). Complete details about the quota hunts, including dates and hunter requirements, are available in the quota hunt section that starts on page 43 of the 2010-11 Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide. The 2010-11 waterfowl quota hunt dates are available online at http://fw.ky.gov/10waterfowlquotahunt.asp
Hunters must call toll-free 1-877-598-2401 to apply for all types of quota hunts. It costs $3 per hunter to apply for each species, although waterfowl hunt applicants are charged $3 per area if they wish to apply for both the Ballard and Sloughs WMA hunts.
Hunters who apply but are not selected will receive a preference point for use in the following year’s quota hunt drawing. These points increase the hunter’s chances of being drawn. Hunters must continue to apply each year to keep building preference points.
Hunters must be aware of some changes to the quota hunts this year. The bonus WMA quota hunt deer permit is no longer available. Hunters must use their statewide deer permit or a bonus antlerless-only deer permit.
Hunters drawn for a Taylorsville Lake WMA antlerless-only quota hunt will not lose accumulated preference points. Hunters on the West Kentucky WMA quota and open gun hunts must check in daily. At check-in prior to each day’s hunt, hunters must choose a tract and not hunt outside of it.
At the Clay WMA quota hunt on Nov. 6-7, the bag limit has been increased to four deer. Clay WMA will also hold four one-day upland bird (grouse and quail) quota hunts for the first time. For the dates and regulation details, consult page 50 of the 2010-11 Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide or go online: http://fw.ky.gov/deerguide10quota.asp.
Hunters are chosen from the applicant pool based on preference points. Applicants who have the greatest number of points receive first choice. Applicants with a decreasing number of points are chosen until all spots are filled.
Some hunts are so popular that it may take hunters several years to be drawn. Other hunts, usually those offered in more rural areas or near other public land, do not draw as many applicants and hunters can expect to be drawn every couple of years or so.
Hunters may apply as groups. If one person in the group is selected, all group members are selected. If one or more people in the group have a high number of preference points, it increases the chances of the entire group being selected.
Applicants will lose their accumulated preference points if they do not apply every year. Applicants can check fw.ky.gov online after Oct. 8 to see if they are drawn. Results will also be available by calling Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 after Oct. 11.
