Kentuckians and visitors alike are gearing up for one of the state’s most anticipated outdoor traditions: turkey hunting season. Enthusiasts can immerse themselves in nature, experiencing the thrill of the hunt among the burgeoning spring flora and fauna.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has officially announced the dates for the 2024 turkey hunting season. Young hunters aged 15 and under will have their exclusive weekend April 6-7. The general season will run from April 13 through May 5.
Sgt. Ben Fisher, conservation officer, enjoys the spring turkey season for more than just the sport of it.
“Any parent or mentor that has taken a youth on their first hunt, especially a successful one, would tell you that the experience is like no other,” Fisher remarked.
His commitment extends beyond mere participation. Fisher spearheads the Little Heroes Disabled Youth Hunt program, designed to facilitate hunting adventures for youth with severe disabilities. Fisher and fellow conservation officers have taken 23 disabled youth hunters into the field through the program, which he started personally in 2016.
“My focus is to take youth who have a severe disability that prevents them from hunting,” Fisher said. “I got my inspiration from my daughter, Reagan, who was born with an extremely rare genetic condition. Being a parent of a child with a disability puts me in a unique position to have access to and assist youth like her.”
During the hunts, conservation officers help youth hunters and their parents work through the nitty-gritty details of a hunting trip.
“I knew that it would be impossible for Reagan to participate in the outdoors without my help,” said Fisher. “There are many hunts focused on youth, but very few focus on youth with disabilities due to its heavy involvement and other risk factors.”
Zak Danks, the wild turkey and grouse program coordinator, expects an average harvest. He noted that the 2023 spring season overall harvest was even more successful than anticipated.
“Things will be back to normal this year,” he said. “Our statewide turkey hatch has been stable the past two years after the bump in 2021, which is consistent with other states across the region.”
Kentucky saw its second-highest turkey harvest on record in 2023, with 35,655 birds. This was 21% higher than the three-year average, 23% higher than the five-year average and 18% higher than the 10-year average.
The exceptional poult hatch of 2021, a ratio of 3.2 poults per hen, led to the boost in excitable 2-year-old gobbler activity on the landscape in 2023. When it comes to this season’s jakes, the 2022 brood survey resulted in 2.3 poults per hen, a ratio that has stayed consistent from 2019 through 2023, besides the spike in 2021.
“There’s plenty of gobbling to be heard, but due to a solid mast crop last fall and the recent mild winter, birds will simply have less incentive to move,” said Danks.
This means that hunters will want to plan on extra scouting trips this season.
It seems as though spring is coming early, too, and that will play a role in the season’s outcome.
“The increase in daylight hours dictates the beginning of spring breeding, but weather can also shift the timing,” explained Danks.
He also reminded hunters that turkey hunting success is weather-dependent. In general, hunters should hope for less rainfall and warmer temperatures. Rainy days are the worst conditions for spring turkey hunting when birds typically hunker down.
Danks reminds hunters of the regulations in place.
Turkeys may not be hunted over bait or while roosting in trees.
A legal turkey is defined as a turkey that is male or has a visible beard.
Hunters are allowed no more than two legal turkeys and no more than one bird is allowed per day.
Turkeys taken by young hunters during the youth-only season count toward their spring limit.
Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
A summary of season regulations and turkey hunting basics is available online at the department’s Spring Turkey Hunting page.
Danks advises that going into the field with full camo is a must, as turkeys have great eyesight. He also advises hunters to take along an orange hat or vest to wear while carrying out a harvested turkey.
Spring turkey hunting success also relies on a good turkey call and knowing how to use it well.
“The basic rules of hunter education are very important during spring turkey season,” Danks said. “Always know your backdrop and what’s behind your target. Shooting at the skyline isn’t safe, either.”
All harvested turkeys must be logged and telechecked. Hunters who harvest a turkey with a green or silver metal leg band are also encouraged to report band information to the department.
Hunters can consult the online 2024 Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide before the season.