The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission proposed the 2009-2010 early migratory bird season dates at its quarterly meeting on June 12.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. All recommendations must be approved by legislators before they become law.

The 2009-2010 Early Migratory Bird Seasons:

Mourning Dove:

Sept. 1 - Oct. 24, 2009; Nov. 26 - Dec. 4, 2009;

Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010

Canada Goose:

Sept. 5 - 13, 2009

Wood Duck and Teal:

Sept. 16 - 20, 2009

American Woodcock:

Oct. 17 - Nov. 30, 2009

Virginia and Sora Rail, Common Moorhen and Purple Gallinule:

Sept. 1 - Nov. 9, 2009

Common Snipe:

Sept. 16 - Nov. 1, 2009; Nov. 26, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2010

Season lengths and bag limits remain the same as last year.

In other early migratory bird hunting business, the Commission proposed changing one of the dove fields at Yellowbank Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to a field where hunters may only use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot. The change would go into effect for this year‚s dove seasons. This change reduces lead toxicity concerns as the field is located adjacent to a high-use waterfowl area.

The Commission also changed the wording of the regulation that would allow the department to designate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot-only dove fields close to high-use waterfowl areas and wetlands as posted by signs on WMAs.

The Commission also recommended closing West Kentucky WMA to the September Canada goose season beginning in 2009 and establishing a youth dove hunt at Camp Robert E. Webb in Grayson County. Hunters would be drawn from campers who attended Camp Robert E. Webb and earned their Outdoorsman Patch during that year‚s summer camp season. The hunt would occur on the first Saturday of dove season, which this year is Sept. 5.

In fisheries-related business, the Commission proposed lengthening the boat length maximum limit to 22 feet on all lakes owned or managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Currently, several lakes have an 18-foot maximum length restriction. Boat motor horsepower restrictions on these lakes would not change. This law would go into effect on March 1, 2010.