FRANKFORT – For hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians and out-of-state visitors,
there is no place quite like the commonwealth when it comes to hunting, fishing or
just experiencing all that nature has to offer.
In a given year, more than 550,000 people fish, 347,000 hunt and another
two million either boat on our rivers and lakes or observe our wildlife.
Not surprisingly, these outdoor activities are a major driver of our
economy, with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
estimating the annual impact at nearly $6 billion.
Their direct support through applicable taxes, tags and license fees is
also the foundation for conservation and educational efforts that are
making sure what we enjoy today will still be thriving for generations
to come. Last year, that totaled almost $49 million.
In some ways, this money is helping improve what Mother Nature has done
on her own.
Consider that, a century ago, wildlife officials estimate there were
less than 1,000 white-tailed deer roaming the countryside. Now, there
are more than 820,000. As a result, the 2015 season was another one for
the record books, with 155,000 harvested.
There’s every reason to believe this year’s season will be even larger,
since bow hunters claimed 1,700 deer over the three-day Labor Day
weekend, which is several hundred more than last year and almost twice
as much as the total from a decade ago.
Elk, which were re-introduced into Kentucky in the late 1990s, have seen
phenomenal growth as well. Now, they make up the largest herd found
east of the Rocky Mountains.
There are other successes also worth highlighting. Kentucky State
University is at the forefront internationally in the field of
aquaculture, for example, and Murray State University is a national
leader in wildlife management and conservation. Eastern Kentucky
University, meanwhile, has a bass fishing team recognized as one of the
best in the country.
This coming Saturday, Sept. 24th, our country will honor those who help
make the outdoors great when we celebrate the 44th annual National
Hunting and Fishing Day. This time has been designated at the state
level as well, and is something I am proud to support as a member of the
Kentucky Sportsmen’s Caucus.
To make sure hunting and fishing rights are always secure, the General
Assembly approved a constitutional amendment in 2011 that voters
overwhelmingly ratified a year later. Now, according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures, about 20 states offer similar
protections in their own constitutions. Vermont holds the distinction
of having it on the books the longest – it was included in 1777 – but
the rest have been added over the past 20 years.
In addition to supporting Kentucky’s wildlife through their financial
contributions, many deer hunters also play a major role when it comes to
fighting hunger by donating excess deer meat.
Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry, a leader in that field, began its
charitable work more than a quarter-century ago and now harvests up to
70,000 pounds of meat a year, providing 560,000 meals. They say just
one donated deer can feed up to 400 people.
All of these gains and others too numerous to mention are why we are
among the leading states in conservation and wildlife management. It
didn’t happen by accident, either; it came about because of the
contributions of those who love to hunt, fish, relax on a boat or just
watch wildlife from a state park trail.
So if you are among that group, then you should be proud of the role
you’re playing in preserving our irreplaceable resources. That’s
something worth celebrating not just this coming Saturday, but every
day.
If you have any thoughts on this, or any other matter before the state,
I would like to know. You can write to me at Room 351A, Capitol Annex,
702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601; or you can email me at
Will.Coursey@lrc.ky.gov.
To leave a message for me or for any legislator by phone, please call
800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is
800-896-0305.
I hope to hear from you soon.
