Kentucky's Spring Hunting Begins with Youth-Only Turkey Season

 Kentucky's spring hunting seasons begin with the youth-only turkey season on April 5-6, followed by the general season for turkeys from April 12-May 4. In Kentucky, the youth-only spring turkey hunting season is a two-day weekend hunt, typically preceding the general spring season, and is open to hunters aged 15 and younger. Youths aged 12-15 need a hunting license and spring turkey permit, while those under 12 are exempt. 

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), surveys predict a successful turkey season ahead. 

"During our winter netting and leg banding research, we caught an unusually high number of younger birds," said Zak Danks, KDFWR Wild Turkey Program coordinator. "This aligns with the productive poult hatch in 2024, so hunters may see more younger birds this spring." 

Danks suggests that this season could be favorable for youth and new hunters aiming to harvest a bird for the first time, as younger birds are generally easier to hunt than older birds. 

Hunters are advised to have a good turkey call and familiarize themselves with its use. The online Learn to Hunt Turkey webpage on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website provides tips and resources. 

While most turkeys are harvested during the opening weekend of the spring season, hunters are reminded that they have three more weeks to take their bird. Weather conditions can affect hunting success, with windy or rainy days generally making hunting more challenging. 

No more than two legal turkeys may be taken per spring season. A legal turkey is defined as a wild turkey that is male or has a visible beard. Hunters may only harvest one bearded turkey per wildlife management area (WMA), and no more than one bird may be taken per day. Turkeys taken by youths during the youth-only season count toward their spring turkey bag limit. 

For those without a place to hunt, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife manages numerous WMAs across the state open to the public for hunting. These can be found online at the department's Wildlife Management Area & Public Lands Search webpage. 

Danks recommends that public lands hunters focus on prescribed burn sites, which often feature fresh regrowth favored by turkeys. Scouting via an interactive topographic and aerial photography map, like the one available on the department's Hunting webpage, can help identify such areas.