Kentucky

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the Counter

Application Period:  n/a

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment:  YES

Hunter Education Required:  Yes for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1975

Bag Limit: 2 bearded birds, one per day

2026 Season Dates: April 18 – May 10

Special Youth Hunt: April 4-5

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: All harvested turkeys must be logged and telechecked either online or by calling 800-245-4263. All successful hunters, including those who are license exempt, must fill out a harvest log as soon as the animal is taken and prior to moving the carcass. Information that must be written on the harvest log includes the species and sex of animal taken, date and county where taken.

Noteworthy Restrictions: No pre-season calling.  “A person shall not mimic the sound of a turkey in an area open to turkey hunting and where turkeys are reasonably expected to be present from March 1 until the opening of the youth-only turkey season, and from the close of the youth-only turkey season until the opening of the state-wide turkey season. However, locating turkeys with an owl, crow, coyote, or woodpecker call is permitted when scouting.”  Shotguns 10ga and smaller shooting shot #4 and smaller are legal. Shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than 3 shells. An area is considered baited until 30 days after the bait has been removed.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

800-858-1549

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys