Turkey Hunting Seasons & Limits
SEASON DATES AND RESTRICTIONS
General Season - Twenty-three (23) consecutive days beginning on Saturday, closest to April 15.
Youth-Only Season - Two (2) consecutive days beginning on the first Saturday in April.
| SPRING TURKEY | Youth-Only | General Season |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | April 1-2, 2023 | April 15 - May 7, 2023 |
Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters may be in the field before and after shooting hours.
Exception for Federal Military Reservations
Turkey hunting dates and regulations on federal military reservations may differ from statewide seasons. Contact the appropriate agency for details on the following federal lands: Blue Grass Army Depot, Fort Campbell Military Reservation, and Fort Knox Military Reservation.
| FALL TURKEY | SHOTGUN | ARCHERY | CROSSBOW |
| Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 and Dec. 2 - 8, 2023 | Sept. 2, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024 | Oct. 1 - 22 and Nov. 11 - Dec. 31, 2023 |
BAG LIMITS
- Two (2) turkeys for the fall season.
- One (1) turkey with a beard at least three (3) inches long.
- One (1) turkey with no visible beard or a beard shorter than three (3) inches.
- One (1) turkey may be taken per day.
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Adult hunters: Unless exempt, all fall turkey hunters ages 16 and older must carry with them in the field proof of purchase of a valid Kentucky hunting license and a valid fall turkey permit. Short-term (1- or 7-day) hunting licenses are not valid for turkey hunting. The fall turkey permit is valid for the fall archery, crossbow and shotgun turkey seasons and allows a hunter to harvest up to the fall season bag limit of turkeys.
Youth hunters:Youths younger than 12 are exempt from license and turkey permit requirements. Youths age 12-15 are eligible to purchase a youth turkey permit, which is valid during any turkey season for one turkey. Youth hunters must abide by season bag limits and harvest restrictions but can use the youth permit throughout the license year. The youth sportsman’s license includes two (2) youth turkey permits. Anyone may call turkeys, or assist in the hunt. Callers and assistants are not required to possess a hunting license or turkey permit and may carry equipment while in the field.
