Photo by John R. Ford

Although Kentucky on the whole has relatively small amounts of land suited to waterfowl hunting, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is working to make the most of the territory it does have to manage for ducks and geese.

Hunters can find quality hunting on public lands, some of which require advance application to hunt, but there are others where walk-in or boat-in hunting is allowed. This season should offer a variety of opportunities for the gunner who does a little homework, stays in touch with public land managers, and can be ready to go when the birds arrive.

One of the initiatives new KDFWR Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett has identified for the agency is to work even more diligently to add more public lands to the coffer, some of which would certainly be acreage that can be used by migrating waterfowl. Kentucky has the potential to increase the availability of habitat, which translates to more public hunting lands. Yet finding funds to purchase high-dollar property remains an ongoing challenge. Groups like Ducks Unlimited have funded joint acquisition and habitat improvement projects with the KDFWR and have contributed greatly to the waterfowl hunting Kentuckians now enjoy. But more can be done.

In recent years, duck hunting in Kentucky has become the waterfowling sport more hunters have found success pursuing. Canada goose hunting certainly remains an option, especially with several expanding resident goose flocks in different spots around the Commonwealth. But what biologists are studying may be a shift in migration and use patterns on Kentucky lands and waters, which is having a noticeable effect on goose hunting opportunity. Fewer geese have come down the flyway as far as Kentucky the past few seasons, mostly believed to be the result of warmer winters, but duck hunting has been stable and in some cases is improving.

Most Kentucky hunters know that within the Commonwealth, there are two duck hunting zones the KDFWR identifies. But they really only serve as two separate areas in relationship to youth hunting days that the state offers to younger hunters. Duck hunting season dates and limits now apply statewide, so there's no difference in bag limits or times to hunt regardless of whether you're in the eastern, central or western parts of the Commonwealth.

Kentucky gives junior hunters in the western third of the state two days to hunt waterfowl before the normal season opens, and in the eastern two-thirds, a couple of days extra in February after the season closes. Otherwise, there's no difference in regulations between the two zones. It is likely that these special youth hunting days will be an option for hunters 15 and under statewide this season, rather than be split into two days per zone. If that occurs, the two "duck" zones may no longer be necessary.

Hunters should be aware that goose hunting zones, however, are set aside with specific dates and limits and each of the five are different. This is simply to maximize and tailor management of different migratory and resident flocks to prevent overharvesting and to treat each group of birds individually, rather than lumping all flocks together under one management plan. Geese are more intensely managed than ducks because the flyway and areas they use divide them more distinctly. Some populations are higher, others lower.

Breeding success in the north does not occur at the same rate in all areas; therefore, flock numbers can greatly fluctuate from year to year. Regulating the hunting of these birds (mostly done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) as separate groups makes the most sense, although it sometimes makes laws complicated for those hunting in several different areas. Hunters have to watch closely what is allowed and what's not depending on where they go.

By far, the best and largest amount of duck and goose wetland habitat is found in the western third of Kentucky. Much of the work now being done on public lands and some private property is the development of moist soil units for waterfowl. True-blue duck hunters have likely noticed more of the hunting opportunities on wildlife management areas geared to waterfowl are now becoming associated with flooded natural vegetation areas.