The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission proposed several new deer and elk hunting regulations at its quarterly meeting December 2. The commission voted to allow air rifles .35-caliber and larger, powered by an external compression tank, during the modern gun deer season. Hunters will also be allowed to remove the hide or head from a deer carcass before telechecking the animal, but must still complete their log at the time of harvest. Those processing deer in the field must also have proof of the animal’s sex. Changes that will go into effect in the 2017-2018 deer season include: securing an unbroken orange item to a deer blind in a wildlife management area; removing the 15-inch inside spread antler restriction for deer on all WMAs; and WMAs in several counties will open to late muzzleloader season, including Dewey Lake, Fishtrap Lake, and Paintsville Lake.