Your Guide to Fall Turkey Hunting in Kentucky: When, Where, and How

Hey there, Kentucky turkey hunters! Get ready to gobble up some excitement this fall as the 2023-2024 season is just around the corner. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a curious newcomer, this comprehensive guide has everything you need to know to bag your bird.

Put October 28–November 3 and December 2–8, 2023, on your calendars as the start of the fall turkey season. That’s right, you’ll have two separate periods to stalk those elusive turkeys. However, if you’re more of an enthusiast for archery, fear not! There’s plenty of time to put your skills to the test as the archery season lasts from September 2, 2023, to January 15, 2024. Additionally, the crossbow season runs from October 1–22 and November 11–December 31, 2023, for those who prefer the versatility of a crossbow.

There’s more, though! From April 1–2, 2023, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) will be hosting a special youth-only season. This is an excellent chance for young hunters to acquaint themselves with the sport of turkey hunting.

Now, let’s talk bag limits. You can harvest a maximum of two turkeys throughout the entire fall season. Only one of those turkeys, though, is allowed to have a beard that is at least three inches long. A jake is a young man who has less than three inches of facial hair or none at all. Furthermore, you may only consume one turkey per day, regardless of the preparation method.

Speaking of techniques, there are a few that you can employ when hunting turkeys in Kentucky:

• Shotgun: This is the most popular choice, and you can use shotguns no larger than 10 gauge and no smaller than .410. Remember, your shotgun must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in the magazine and one in the chamber).
• Archery: If you prefer a more traditional approach, archery is a great way to challenge yourself. You can use longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows of any draw weight.
• Crossbow: For those who want the accuracy and power of a crossbow, Kentucky allows their use during the designated seasons. Just make sure your crossbow has a working safety device.

No matter which method you choose, remember that you cannot use bait or any substance to lure turkeys. Additionally, you cannot hunt turkeys within 600 feet of a baited site or for 30 days after the bait is removed. This restriction doesn’t apply to bona fide agricultural practices or planted food plots.

Now, let’s talk about permits. Adult hunters (16 years of age and up) require both a current fall turkey permit and a Kentucky hunting license. The good news is that you can harvest up to the season bag limit with the fall turkey permit, which covers all three seasons (archery, crossbow, and shotgun). Short-term hunting licenses are not valid for turkey hunting.

For our younger hunters (under 12), the good news is that you don’t need a license or a turkey permit! However, if you’re between 12 and 15 years old, you can purchase a youth turkey permit, which allows you to harvest one turkey during any season. Remember, you still need to abide by the bag limits and harvest restrictions

One last thing: don’t forget to record and tag your harvested turkeys! The process is similar to that for deer and elk You can find all the details in the “Recording, Checking, Tagging, and Transporting” guidelines in the “General Information” section of the KDFWR hunting guide

And if you happen to harvest a wild turkey with a leg band, please report the band number online at fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/TurkeyBand.aspx. This information helps researchers track turkey populations and manage the resource effectively.

So, are you ready to embark on your Kentucky turkey hunting adventure? Remember to review the regulations, choose your weapon wisely, and most importantly, have fun! And don’t forget to share your success stories with us!