The National Deer Association opposes Kentucky House Bill 142 (HB142), a legislative overreach of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ (KDFWR) authority to manage the state’s native deer herd.
HB 142 would require the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to issue a minimum of five deer destruction permits to landowners who report wildlife damage. It would also allow landowners, their family members, and tenants to hunt under a depredation tag without requiring a hunting license.
While deer damage can be a real issue for farmers and landowners, Kentucky already has a system in place that allows the department to evaluate damage and issue permits when appropriate. Under current regulations, deer destruction permits are issued after review by department staff and approval from leadership, ensuring the number of deer taken, the method, and the timing align with sound wildlife management.
HB 142 would replace that professional judgment with a statutory mandate. Instead of allowing trained and experienced professional deer managers to determine how many deer should be removed and when, the bill would force the department to issue permits regardless of broader herd management goals.
That approach undermines the proven model of wildlife conservation in North America, where trained wildlife agencies manage species like white-tailed deer using harvest data, biological monitoring, and local conditions.
Kentucky’s deer herd is one of the state’s greatest conservation success stories. Maintaining healthy populations requires flexibility and science-based decision-making. Legislating deer management decisions weakens the ability of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to do its job effectively.
Why This Matters
- Deer herd management decisions should be made by trained professionals — not set in statute.
- Mandatory issuance of deer destruction permits removes necessary oversight and flexibility.
- Expanding out-of-season killing could undermine carefully balanced harvest strategies.
Take Action
If you are a Kentucky deer hunter, your voice is important. Contact your legislator and respectfully ask them to vote NO on Kentucky House Bill 142.
Tell them wildlife management authority should remain with the professionals at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources — not written into statute.