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Deer seasons not affected by ban on open burning
10/15/07
Frankfort, Kentucky - Deer hunters won't be able to build campfires until the recent ban on outdoor burning is lifted. Otherwise, the ban will have no impact on deer seasons this year, said Jon Gassett, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
"While we received dozens of calls from people who thought hunting seasons were being cancelled because of the outdoor burning ban, nothing could be further from the truth," Gassett said. "Hunting seasons have not changed. In fact, we're expecting an outstanding deer harvest this year."
Governor Ernie Fletcher issued the ban on outdoor burning Oct. 4. The ban includes bonfires, campfires, agricultural burning and other types of open fires, unless approved first by the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
"We're asking hunters to honor this ban by using camp stoves and lanterns instead of building campfires," Gassett said. "Hunters also should be careful about parking their trucks or ATVs in high grass - a hot exhaust system could start a fire."
This is the second time this fall that department personnel have fielded numerous calls involving rumors of deer season cancellation. Other calls involved this year's outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
Department officials have received nearly 3,800 documented reports of deer dying from the disease this year. The actual number of deaths is higher because not all of the deer deaths are being reported.
"While we don't know the exact number of deer that have been killed by this disease, the number of deer being checked by hunters this season shows us that there's still a large deer population out there," said Tina Brunjes, big game program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "Because the harvest numbers are strong, we don't see the need to change any deer zones or seasons this year."
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease cannot be transmitted to humans. As a precaution, hunters should not eat deer that appear sick prior to harvest, or have obvious signs of infection or abscesses. The disease is caused by a virus, which is transmitted by the bite of a gnat. Outbreaks generally cease with the first insect-killing frosts.
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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Media Contact:
Dave Baker (800) 852-0942 ext. 347
10/15/07
Frankfort, Kentucky - Deer hunters won't be able to build campfires until the recent ban on outdoor burning is lifted. Otherwise, the ban will have no impact on deer seasons this year, said Jon Gassett, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
"While we received dozens of calls from people who thought hunting seasons were being cancelled because of the outdoor burning ban, nothing could be further from the truth," Gassett said. "Hunting seasons have not changed. In fact, we're expecting an outstanding deer harvest this year."
Governor Ernie Fletcher issued the ban on outdoor burning Oct. 4. The ban includes bonfires, campfires, agricultural burning and other types of open fires, unless approved first by the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
"We're asking hunters to honor this ban by using camp stoves and lanterns instead of building campfires," Gassett said. "Hunters also should be careful about parking their trucks or ATVs in high grass - a hot exhaust system could start a fire."
This is the second time this fall that department personnel have fielded numerous calls involving rumors of deer season cancellation. Other calls involved this year's outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
Department officials have received nearly 3,800 documented reports of deer dying from the disease this year. The actual number of deaths is higher because not all of the deer deaths are being reported.
"While we don't know the exact number of deer that have been killed by this disease, the number of deer being checked by hunters this season shows us that there's still a large deer population out there," said Tina Brunjes, big game program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "Because the harvest numbers are strong, we don't see the need to change any deer zones or seasons this year."
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease cannot be transmitted to humans. As a precaution, hunters should not eat deer that appear sick prior to harvest, or have obvious signs of infection or abscesses. The disease is caused by a virus, which is transmitted by the bite of a gnat. Outbreaks generally cease with the first insect-killing frosts.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion annually. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Media Contact:
Dave Baker (800) 852-0942 ext. 347
