Financial support of the Department is derived from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal grants, interest income, fines and penalties assessed by the courts for violation of game and fish laws, and numerous other miscellaneous receipts.
The Department owns approximately 170,868 acres of land in Kentucky, which are used to further its program activities. The acreage includes the State Game Farm, approximately 80 major wildlife management areas, two warm water hatcheries, and three summer camps. An additional 450,501 plus acres of land and water is under lease or license by the Department for wildlife management activities. The Daniel Boone National Forest provides an additional 600,000 acres of land for public use.
The Department consists of seven program areas: Administration and Support, Wildlife Management, Fisheries Management, Information and Education, Law Enforcement, Marketing, and Engineering, Infrastructure and Technology.
The Wildlife Management program manages, develops, and maintains statewide game and non-game populations consistent with habitat availability on state owned lands, licensed wildlife management areas, and privately owned lands. Additionally, Wildlife Management conducts statewide surveys to determine the relative abundance of game and non-game wildlife, formulates hunting regulations based upon biological data and recreational demands, restores viable native wildlife species by restocking in suitable habitat, and evaluates the impact of land, water resource, and other construction projects on wildlife resources. Technical guidance is provided to private landowners for improvement of wildlife habitat. A fish and wildlife electronic information system is being maintained for use by state agencies that includes geographic information such as land types, vegetation conditions, and wildlife populations.
The Fisheries Management program manages Kentucky fishery resources to provide optimum fishing opportunities for anglers through research, surveys, fish stocking, regulation, and technical biological guidance. Fishery biologists manage and develop fish populations and their associated habitats in major impoundments, streams, rivers, and 100,000 acres of small lakes and ponds. In addition, technical guidance is provided to private pond owners. Research biologists provide support to management through evaluation of stocking and regulatory practices. The Environmental Section of the Fisheries Division manages the Kentucky Wetland Stream Mitigation Fund (referred to as the fees in-lieu of program) authorized by KRS 150.255 and by agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Corps 404 permits require mitigation when projects fill stream or wetland habitat. Funds are derived when 404 permit applicants can elect to pay a fee to satisfy mitigation requirements. These fees are used for identifying and restoring degraded streams with eroding banks and impacted habitat to stable conditions or restoring wetlands that have been drained.
The Information and Education program is responsible for educating and informing the public about our wildlife resources and the importance of conservation, and the recreational opportunities the fish and wildlife resources provide. The information and education program is essential to provide the general and sporting public timely and accurate information directly and through the media. Additionally, the dissemination of regulatory information is necessary for the sporting public to comply with applicable laws and regulations. The program also provides classroom instruction on wildlife conservation, hunter education, aquatic education; operates the Salato Wildlife Education Center; and, administers three summer camps for children.
The Law Enforcement program enforces fish, wildlife, and boating laws. Officers assist other federal, state, and local agencies in enforcement of all criminal laws in the Commonwealth. Officers also assist the public during times of natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, and severe winter weather.
The Administration and Support program area manages the day-to-day operations of the Department including maintaining accounting records, ensuring proper purchasing and inventory procedures, and administering hunting and fishing license sales and revenue collections. The Public Affairs Division facilitates public involvement in departmental policy and regulations.
The Marketing program is responsible for marketing, public involvement, social survey research, trend analysis, economic analysis of the benefits of wildlife-associated recreations and boating.
The Engineering program provides the labor and technical engineering services required for small construction projects, such as building small bridges, buildings, boat ramps, and roads. In addition, Engineering is responsible for surveying all property owned or being purchased by the Department.
Policy
The Governor's budget includes additional funding in the amount of $693,900 in fiscal year 2027 and $1,426,600 in fiscal year 2028 to fund a 2% salary increment in fiscal year 2027 and an additional 2% in fiscal year 2028.
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