Gabe Jenkins Deer and Elk Program Coordinator # 1 Sportsman’s Ln Frankfort, KY

What is nuisance wildlife? What animals do we consider nuisance? Options landowners have in ways to mitigate damage White-tailed deer damage

Broadly defined this is the industry dealing with vertebrate species causing: Damage to property, agriculture, natural resources Threats to human health and safety Perceived threats and/or undesirability Operators are the professionals providing solutions to these issues.

Wildlife diversity is characteristic of healthy ecosystems Wildlife provides harvestable and renewable resources with proper management Wildlife provides many consumptive and non-consumptive recreational opportunities Managing our wildlife resource requires balancing the needs of people with the needs of wildlife

Is nuisance wildlife management necessary? ABSOLUTELY! Biological versus social carrying capacity Everyone is impacted by wildlife damage Urban sprawl has taken their homes? Yes, and a resounding NO!!!

The majority of all wildlife in Kentucky can at times be considered a nuisance Some species have special protection and the options landowners can use could be limited to mitigate damage Some species have special restrictions on who is allowed to handle them (bats, deer, elk, bears, turkeys, and copperbelly water snakes) Migratory wildlife are protected under Federal Regulations Waterfowl, Song birds, Raptors, Owls, Vultures, nearly all birds except non- migratory birds (turkey, quail, grouse ect)

Landowners have 4 options on ways to deal with wildlife causing damage 1. Handle the problem yourself 2. Contact a trapper for free trapping service (animal must be a furbearer) 3. Contact a nuisance wildlife control operator 4. Contact KDFWR

Landowner has the right to deal with wildlife causing damage KRS Quickest resolution to the problem Usually the cheapest option Options such as: Scare tactics Repellents Fencing Exclusion Trap and euthanasia Hunting Euthanasia

Kentucky Statute that deals with the killing of wildlife causing damage Landowners, their spouses or dependent children, or their designee can kill or trap wildlife causing damage to the lands or any personal property Formal process to designate someone by working with your KDFWR representative If it’s an animal that is required to be checked you must contact a KDFWR LE within 24 hours after it is killed Deer, elk, bear, and turkey I’ll expand on this more during my deer section

KDFWR fur trapper look-up per/search.aspx per/search.aspx Free service fur trappers offer Only good for furbearers Service only offered during the trapping season (Mid Nov-Feb)

KDFWR licensed companies permitted to take or handle wildlife causing damage year round Nearly all charge a fee Most are experienced in removal and exclusion KDFWR has a link to companies who work in each county eControlNew/ eControlNew/

NWCO are not permitted to work on certain species Species of special concern or are considered game animals Turkey, bear, elk and deer from NWCO

Technical guidance at your fingertips Fw.ky.gov Wildlife tab Information Regarding Nuisance Wildlife Deer Damage Problems Wildlife Rehabilitator List Nuisance Control Search Fur Trapper Lookup Black Vulture Depredation Wild Pig

If the damage causing animal is a turkey, bear, elk or deer landowners have additional options Must first contact your local KDFWR Law Enforcement officer or Wildlife Biologist Find my Contact Staff will set up a site visit to determine damage severity and provide landowners 2 different types of options for damage mitigation 2 broad forms of damage mitigation are: Exclusion Removal

Exclusion If the damage is extremely severe or crops are particularly valuable this is the best long term solution permanent or temporary Total exclusion by height or by electricity Harassment Repellants and Scare tactics Soap, human hair, deer away; limited effectiveness Propane cannons, dog on a long tether, fireworks and gunfire can be effective

The most effective and cost efficient way to mitigate damage is to allow hunting or trapping Hunting does multiple things 1. Removal of potential damage causing animal 2. Unsafe environment and risk is no longer worth the reward 3. Avoidance due to human activity and continual harassment

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1. Deer Hunting 2. In season additional antlerless control permits 3. Out of Season Kill Permits 4. Immediate kill of depredating deer

Best long term solution to manage deer numbers Season is long; approximately 140 days Landowners protected under Kentucky Statute to allow hunting and not be liable for any injuries Free option to landowners Could be a financial gain via hunting lease

In some instances there needs to be more deer removed by hunting than what is legally viable. Deer populations are not spread across the landscape uniformly Deer hunting is managed at the county level 301 KAR 2:176

Must contact KDFWR representative Site visit to determine severity of damage Additional tags issued for antlerless deer Hunter can use up to 5 All deer must be checked

Must contact KDFWR representative Site visit to determine severity of damage Must have allowed hunting and been issued and used control tags in past Used very conservatively 301 KAR 2:176 Good option if it’s only a few animals Tags are issued for antlerless or any deer Non edible parts (antlers/hides) must be destroyed or turned over to KDFWR

Permits are issued to landowner Landowner can designate someone else to do the shooting Form that KDFWR issues that the landowner must complete and submit back to KDFWR

Must contact a KDFWR Law Enforcement officer within 24 hours after the animal is killed Non edible parts (antlers/hides) must be destroyed or turned over to KDFWR KRS allows landowners to kill deer in the act of causing damage House Bill 448 amended this regulation

Nuclear option that has a short term affect Feels good, but not effective and a lot of work in the heat Option only for landowners; however they can designate someone just like the Out of Season Kill Permits authorization Farmers that are leasing ground can’t do this without prior authorization

Kyhuntersforthehungry.org 501(c)(3) that solicits funds to process deer and donate the venison to KY food pantries across the state Mission is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in KY by processing and distributing donated venison to those in need. Processors statewide and the amount of venison processed is dependent on funds Free service offered to hunters. Processors have quotas and accept deer until that number is met

Gabe Jenkins