Frankfort, KY, March 10, 2004- The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission set the 2004-2005 deer hunting seasons and zones at its quarterly meeting March 5 in Frankfort. 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 (KDFWR).

2004-2005 Deer Seasons:

Archery: Statewide: September 4, 2004 - January 17, 2005

Early Muzzleloader: Zones 1-3: (either sex); October 16-17, 2004

Zone 4: (antlered only); October 16-17, 2004

Late Muzzleloader: Statewide: (either sex); December 11-19, 2004

Modern Firearms: Zones 1-2: (either sex); November 13-28, 2004

Zone 3: (either sex); November 13-22, 2004

Zone 4: (antlered only); November 13-22, 2004

Crossbow: Zones 1-4: (either sex); November 29-December 8, 2004

In other deer related business, the Commission approved the deer zone changes for the 2004-2005 seasons. Meade County moved from Zone 1 to Zone 2. Woodford County moved from Zone 2 to Zone 1 and Estill, Powell and Rockcastle counties moved from Zone 4 to Zone 3.

The Commission also recommended extending the December muzzleloader deer season by two days and to allow deer hunters to use leashed dogs to recover wounded deer.

In turkey related business, the Commission extended the October and December turkey seasons from five to seven days and increased the bag limit to two birds. Only one bird may be taken in a day. The Commission also now allows the use of dogs for the fall turkey seasons.

In fisheries related business, a 16-inch minimum size limit and a one fish daily creel limit on rainbow and brown trout was passed for the section of Paint Creek in Johnson County from the KY 40 bridge downstream to the U.S. 460 bridge. A 15 fish daily creel limit with a possession limit of 30 on bluegill and all other sunfish was passed for Greenbo Lake in Greenup County. These new fishing regulations take effect March 1, 2005.