KRS 150.172: Possession and use of firearm for self -defense and defense of others while

hunting or trapping -- Exceptions -- Administrative regulations.

(1) Any person who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm

may carry a f irearm and ammunition for that firearm for purposes of self -defense

and defense of others while hunting, fishing, trapping, or engaging in any other

activity not constituting a crime under KRS Chapter 218A or Chapters 500 to 534,

and may do so on any publi c lands under the control of the department and on any

private land under the control of the department, unless the owner of the private

land has posted notice that concealed deadly weapons are not allowed in a building

where they may be prohibited pursuant to KRS 237.110 or 237.115.

(2) (a) A person may use a firearm, if he or she is not prohibited by state or federal

law from possessing a firearm, or may use any other deadly weapon, at any

time and during any season to:

1. Kill or attempt to kill an anima l, whether protected or unprotected, in

self-defense or defense of another person; or

2. Kill or attempt to kill an injured animal for humane purposes; and

in either event, reports the kill or attempted kill to a game warden before

midnight of the same day as the kill or attempted kill.

(b) An investigation by the department shall be authorized to substantiate and

provide evidence on whether the kill or attempted kill of the animal is in

violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection or if the animal presen ts a threat

to public health and safety. If no violation is shown to exist, and if there is no

threat to public health and safety, then the animal or parts thereof shall:

1. Remain the property and in the possession of the person taking the

animal; or

2. If the animal or parts thereof were surrendered to the department, be

immediately returned to the person.

(c) An arrest shall not be made, except upon a warrant issued by a judge of a

court of competent jurisdiction, and a citation shall not be issued by a peace

officer if an animal is killed under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of

this subsection.

(d) A citation may be issued by a peace officer who witnesses the killing of an

animal in violation of a statute or federal regulation under circumstan ces

different from those described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(e) An arrest warrant or a summons may be issued by a judge of a court of

competent jurisdiction, upon application of the appropriate county attorney, if

the court believes that there is sufficient cause to doubt the claim that the

animal was killed under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this

subsection.

(3) In cases where an animal is killed and there is a claim that the animal was killed

under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section, the

department shall provide competent evidence as to how the animal was killed and

the circumstances surrounding the event.

(4) The department shall not promulgate administrative regulations restricting any ri ght

provided by this section or the spirit thereof.

(5) This section shall not apply to the killing, wounding, or other prohibited act relating

to specific wildlife which are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, 16

U.S.C. secs. 1531 to 1544; fe deral Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. secs. 703

to 712; or federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. secs. 668 to

668d.

(6) The principles contained in KRS Chapter 503 relating to the use of force and deadly

force against human beings shall apply to acts where wildlife is involved.