Kentucky’s 2026 spring turkey hunting season opens in April and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials say hunters should expect a strong season.

The season begins with a youth-only weekend April 4-5, followed by the general season April 18 through May 10. Hunters with proper permits may harvest two birds during the spring season, but only one per day. Legal birds are male turkeys or those with a visible beard.

Kentucky turkey-grouse program coordinator Zak Danks said brood surveys and recent research indicate improvements in turkey numbers statewide.

“All evidence suggests turkey numbers have improved over the past five years,” Danks said.

In 2025, Kentucky hunters telechecked 30,661 birds. State biologists said the 2026 season could produce another strong harvest because of favorable reproduction in recent years.

Brood surveys from 2024 showed 70% of hens with poults, up from 62% in 2023. The average number of poults per hen also increased statewide from 2.3 to 2.7 and rose in all three regions of the state. Eastern Kentucky showed one of the strongest gains.

Wildlife officials said hunters should see more jakes this spring, while male poults hatched in 2024 are expected to be vocal 2-year-old gobblers.

Hunters should review regulations before the season. Shooting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. A spring turkey permit and annual hunting license are required unless exempt.