proposed changes at Taylorsville WMA

Changes proposed for hunting regulations on Taylorsville Lake WMA

Frankfort, Kentucky - The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider proposed hunting regulation changes for the Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at its August 15 meeting.

The proposed changes are two-fold: 1) elimination of the waterfowl refuge, and 2) daily closure of waterfowl hunting on the entire WMA at 2:00 p.m.

"Whenever possible, we want to increase opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife on our public lands, and this is a great opportunity to do that," said Dr. Karen Alexy, Wildlife Division director for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "With this proposal we can greatly expand hunting and other wildlife recreational access on this WMA without having an adverse impact on waterfowl and other wildlife populations."

Removal of the waterfowl refuge designation would add about 1,844 acres for fall and winter hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and other such activities allowed on the WMA. The waterfowl refuge currently closes to public access on the portion of the WMA east of the Van Buren boat ramp from November 1 through the end of February.

The waterfowl refuge area contains a series of wetlands created by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife that total about 40 acres. "For a variety of reasons, we have been unable to create additional wetlands as we had hoped to along the Salt River," said Brian Clark, a regional wildlife coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "The proposed 2 p.m. closure of hunting would afford waterfowl opportunities to rest and feed on the wetlands we have, while at the same time allowing people to access the area for other types of recreation."

The Taylorsville Lake WMA consists of 10,418 acres of land around the lake. The WMA is managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife under a license agreement with its owner, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Comments or questions about the proposed changes should be directed to Brian Clark at 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4479. The Commission's August 15 meeting will be held at 8 a.m. in the Arnold Mitchell Building at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters, #1 Sportsman's Lane on US 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of US 127.

Thank you for the update. I have written so many letters(most VERY to the point) about that very area and subject that they now refuse to reply. Now that it is THEIR idea, I feel certain things will go as they should have been a long time ago.

well it passed at friday's commission meeting.

" The waterfowl refuge area on Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area is now open to hunting, fishing and wildlife watching, but waterfowl hunters must cease hunting at 2 p.m. daily."

Thanks for the update.