Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, is responsible for the conservation of wildlife resources and for boating projects in the state. A commissioner appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission heads the department. The commission—which oversees the department's commissioner and promulgates regulations governing fishing, hunting, and boating—is a nine-member bipartisan board appointed by the governor from a list of candidates nominated by active hunters and anglers in each of nine geographic districts in the state.

Financial support of the department is derived through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registrations, federal grants and numerous other receipts. The department has a $68 million budget and employs about 400 full-time staff and more than 100 interim (seasonal) employees and contract labor.