Kentucky fishery polotics

[SSKY]

Just wondered since the kentucky state budget is in such a dire state. How will it effect our state fishery. I thought that the money from our money that we paid for licenses paid for it. In the past that money was dipped into for the general fund. I have not heard of that happening now, but is there a place to go to see where the fishermens money is going today? Just a question no accusations at all.Are you not curious?

[LarryG]

its going to the horse racing interests, after all its the bluegrass state and they do have great horses that only arabs can afford

[mhall]

Just wondered since the kentucky state budget is in such a dire state. How will it effect our state fishery. I thought that the money from our money that we paid for licenses paid for it. In the past that money was dipped into for the general fund. I have not heard of that happening now, but is there a place to go to see where the fishermens money is going today? Just a question no accusations at all.Are you not curious?

As I have always understood it is that we stand alone with our dollars generated from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We cannot dip into the general fund nor can they reach into Fish and Game's pocket either. Totally seperated if I'm not mistaken.

[fishbum]

As I have always understood it is that we stand alone with our dollars generated from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We cannot dip into the general fund nor can they reach into Fish and Game's pocket either. Totally seperated if I'm not mistaken.

The Governor is not allowed to touch Fish and Wildlife Monies.
The only thing he can do is restrict Fish and Wildlife overtime etc.. since the State of Kentucky writes the checks. He can order Overtime cut in order to reduce payroll costs that the State absorbs.
On another note, Fish and Wildlife officers are called on regularly to do searches for Marijuana and other items. They are the ONLY OFFICERS who are allowed to do a search on Private Property without a warrant. They are also the only officers who can arrest the President I believe..

[jcb]

They are also the only officers who can arrest the President I believe..

This could come in handy in future years.

[artcarney_agr]

I wish the Ky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife was mandated by the state and received monies from all the taxes we pay, instead of relying solely on license sales, etc. I recently hunted in Missouri this past season, and the quality and quantity of public hunting opportunities was UNBELIEVABLE! There was just no comparison! Missouri receives a certain percentage of the taxes, and has a set budget each year that doesn't flucuate nearly as much as Kentucky's. The budget Missouri has for their fish and wildlife department nearly triples that of Kentucky....can you imagine what could be accomplished with a budget that nearly triples that of what we currently have? The pulic duck hunting land I was on had boats provided, extraordinary blinds, and land that was just full of ducks! Each morning of the draw there were at least 80+ parties there drawing for a blind...and every party got to hunt! AND IT WAS ALL FREE! Compare that to Ballard Co. WMA, and it's a non-brainer that Ballard is junk! It just seems stupid to keep jacking up license fees each year trying to regain what was lost...and never getting ahead. I say let the state take over...they pretty well already run the show with the KDFWR anyways even though they're not supposed to...

Just my thoughts on the situation...if you think I'm wrong, venture out of the state and see how others do it and then you can jump my case...just an opinion here based on what I've seen...

[Bonefish]

I agree Art. But what is lacking in this state are people with vision and organization to set up departments without waste, internal fighting and misappropriated funds.

[artcarney_agr]

Yep. It's just really frustrating when you see how good it is in other states, and then come back to yours and feel like you're getting the shaft...

It would take some major changes in the mindset of all of those currently in the department, those associated with the department, and those affected by the department. It's so hard to change people from doing what they've always done...and doing what they've always done just isn't good enough anymore.

[bstrick]

It is my understanding that the second man in the fish and wildlife is a retired state police officer. Is this true? That might explain the way they are being managed now.

[Jbyrd]

As I have always understood it is that we stand alone with our dollars generated from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We cannot dip into the general fund nor can they reach into Fish and Game's pocket either. Totally seperated if I'm not mistaken.

If I remember correctly several years ago the fish and wildlife fund was SEPERATE from the general fund . But I think the woman gov(could have been the one after)that we had, saw the general fund bankrupt and the fish and wildlife at the time held 33 million dollars surplus. Ok how do the powers in Frankfort get their money wasting hands on that fund. "Bingo" lets include the fw into all law enforcement. State police, Water patrol, fish and wildlife all one agency. BAM!!!! There goes the surplus.................

[LarryG]

hey its ky. what do you expect. Inept management,cronyism,and bad pay.The state of georgia, charges less than half of what a ky non resident pays, and if it wasn't for this darn drought, the fishing is much better at almost all the lakes, and most of the facilitys are top notch.but its a place that I chose to live in, so I'll make the best of it,even if the corp of engineers is against all of us.

[FlyLie]

Now, I'm confused about whether the KDFWR budget IS or IS NOT free from political Control. Based upon Commissioner Gassetts letter of March 1, 2007, it appears it IS NOT under political control.

Quoting Letter from Commissioner Gassett, March 1, 2007

“Many states subsidize their license revenues with General Fund dollars or other mechanisms that spread conservation costs across all citizens. Kentucky does not. Missouri’s fish and wildlife funding nets nearly $100 million from a sales tax percentage. Fish and Wildlife agencies in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia also receive funding from the general populace. Wildlife belongs to all citizens and is held in public trust by the government. But in Kentucky, only those who buy licenses and permits pay for wildlife management and conservation.”

Full text is available at http://fw.ky.gov/gassettletter.asp?lid=1917&NavPath=C129

Also, you may find the following link interesting reading: The History of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources from Settlement Through 1944 ( paste link below into your web browser)

http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/kdfwrhistory.asp?lid=1715&NavPath=C557

Good Fishing to All,
Gary