Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Kentucky. With ample opportunities across two spring and fall seasons, hunters have a good chance of bagging a tom or hen turkey. But when exactly are the turkey hunting seasons in Kentucky in 2025? This guide covers everything you need to know, from season dates and permits to hunting tips for a successful turkey hunt.
Overview of Kentucky Turkey Seasons
Kentucky offers both a spring and fall turkey hunting season The dates for 2025 are
- Spring Youth Season – April 5-6, 2025
- Spring General Season – April 12 – May 4, 2025
- Fall Archery – September 6, 2025 – January 19, 2026
- Fall Crossbow – October 1-20, November 9 – December 31, 2025
- Fall Shotgun – October 25-31, December 6-12, 2025
Spring Turkey Season
The spring season is hugely popular, with over 80,000 wild turkeys taken each year. It offers the best opportunity to bag a mature tom.
Hunters can take up to two bearded turkeys in spring, though only one per day. At least one must have a beard over 3 inches.
Spring turkey firearms season overlaps with several weeks of the fall archery deer season. Hunters must follow deer firearms rules if hunting in an area that allows deer hunting with guns.
Fall Turkey Season
The fall season provides a chance at either sex turkey. The limit is two turkeys total, with only one per day. At least one turkey must be without a visible beard or with a beard under 3 inches.
Fall turkey hunting overlaps with several deer seasons. Firearms for deer hunting are prohibited during fall turkey archery and crossbow only segments.
Turkey Hunting Licenses and Permits
To hunt turkeys in Kentucky, you need:
- A valid hunting license
- Turkey permit for each season
- Shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Youth under 12 and seniors over 65 only need a turkey permit. Others need an annual hunting license plus permit.
Turkey Hunting Tips and Tricks
- Scout areas ahead of season opening. Look for scratching, tracks, droppings etc.
- Use turkey calls and decoys to attract toms in spring. Avoid calls opening week when hens are receptive.
- In fall, call softly and irregularly to locate flocks without alarming them
- Sit against large tree trunks and avoid quick movements
- Be sure of target before shooting as hens look similar to jakes
- Consider wearing a face mask and gloves to hide human scent
With preparation and persistence, your chances of bagging a turkey in Kentucky are excellent. Just be sure to get the required licenses and hunt only during the designated spring and fall seasons.
SEASON DATES AND RESTRICTIONS
| FALL TURKEY | SHOTGUN | ARCHERY | CROSSBOW |
| Oct. 25 – Oct. 31 and Dec. 6 – 12, 2025 | Sept. 6, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026 | Oct. 1 – 19 and Nov. 8 – Dec. 31, 2025 |
- 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.
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.
Firearm turkey hunters 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult, who shall remain in a position to take immediate control of the youth’s firearm at all times.
Youth hunters: Youths younger than 12 are exempt from license and turkey permit requirements. Youths ages 12-15 are eligible to purchase a youth turkey permit, which is valid for one turkey during any turkey season. 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.
KENTUCKY TURKEY SEASON!!! (Opening Weekend!)
FAQ
What are the dates for turkey season in Kentucky?
| FALL TURKEY | SHOTGUN | ARCHERY |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 25 – Oct. 31 and Dec. 6 – 12, 2025 | Sept. 6, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026 |
Can you hunt on your own land without a license in Kentucky?
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Kentucky Fish and Wildlifehttps://fw.ky.govDeer Season FAQ’s – Kentucky Department of Fish & WildlifeIf you are a Kentucky resident hunting on your own property, then neither you, your spouse nor your dependent children need a license or statewide deer permit t…
Is Kentucky good for turkey hunting?
Due to the terrain features in the Blue Grass State, Kentucky turkey hunts are becoming more popular because we can keep a solid population of the birds. They aren’t so rare that you can’t see them on almost every hunt, but they aren’t so easy to shoot that it makes it not fun.
What day does turkey season start?
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has set the 2025 Spring Turkey Season as follows: Regular Season: March 30 – May 5, 2025. Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025.