Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced on Thursday that Kentuckians who own farmland in the state are eligible for a fishing and hunting license exemption, even if they don’t live on the farmland.
In a formal Opinion of the Attorney General, Coleman has overruled decades-old interpretations of the statute that limited the license exemption only to those who currently resided on the land. That includes prior Attorney General’s opinions issued in 1963 and 1979.
State Sen. Gary Boswell, R-Owensboro, requested the Opinion of the Attorney General. As part of the legal review, the Attorney General’s Office consulted the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), which has historically “applied a lenient interpretation” to the statute.
KDFWR stated that it had not performed an exhaustive review of historical practices on the subject due to the expedited time frame in which the Office requested input, and it expressly reserved the right to supplement or amend its response upon further review or if additional records come to light.
“As someone who grew up hunting with my dad on his Logan County farm, I’m proud to stand up for the rights of all sportsmen,” said Coleman. “Kentucky is home to some of the finest natural and wildlife resources in the world, and I encourage every Kentuckian to responsibly enjoy them while supporting critical conservation and preservation efforts.”
The Office of the Attorney General is tasked with providing legal opinions to public officials to assist them in the performance of their duties. Opinions of the Office are persuasive in Kentucky courts and public officials are expected to follow them.
“I’m particularly grateful for the whip-smart attorneys in our Office who diligently considered this complex legal history to uphold the law and for Kentucky’s outdoorsmen,” Coleman noted. “Kentuckians are well-served by Aaron Silletto, Chris Bowlin and Christopher Thacker in the AG’s Office.”
Deer in field by Aaron J. Hill from pexels.com
