When Is Spring Turkey Season In Kentucky?
The spring turkey season begins in its entirety on April 16 and continues until May 8. The spring hunting season in Kentucky is designed in such a way that it allows turkeys adequate opportunity to reproduce before putting them under pressure from hunters.
What time of day is best for spring turkey hunting?
Wild turkeys have a propensity for nesting in heavily wooded areas; however, as a result of widespread deforestation over the course of the past several decades, they have also learned to adapt and thrive in environments that contain very little wooded area.
This is one of the variables that should be considered when going on a turkey hunt. New York, Wisconsin, Alabama, Missouri, and Pennsylvania are among the states that are considered to be among the finest for hunting wild turkeys. The Solunar Calendar is based on the belief that animal behavior is influenced by the location of the moon and whether or not it is full.
This hypothesis was developed by John Alden Knight in 1926. It is stated that those who hunted and fished employed this hypothesis a long time before Knight’s theory was published, and it is still generally recognized and used today. The behavior of wild turkeys can vary greatly throughout the year because of the time of year.
- To a great extent, the best time of year to hunt Turkey will also depend on the state in which you are hunting, but in general, the ideal time of year to hunt Turkey will be between the early spring and the middle to late fall.
- Time of Day: Due to the fact that turkeys construct their nests in the branches of trees and on the ground in forested regions, one of the most productive times of the day to hunt is first thing in the morning.
Get out to your blind first thing in the morning and be on the lookout for turkeys making sounds like yelps, cackles, and gobbles as they begin their quest for meal. Temperature: The volume of noise produced by wild turkeys can be affected by temperature in certain ways.
- It is thought that turkeys are at their most loud when the temperature is between 60 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This is due to the fact that turkeys are at their most active during periods of warm weather.
- In a manner similar to that of humans, when the temperature is either too hot or too cold, their activity level decreases.
Barometric Pressure: The average barometric pressure is another factor that influences the amount of gobbling that occurs. Generally speaking, more pressure is accompanied by a greater amount of vocal activity from the birds. Research has shown that turkeys are at their most active between the ages of 29.9 and 30.2 inches.
Conditions of the Atmosphere in General: To give you a broad idea, you’ll find that turkeys are at their most active in the morning and early afternoon hours on days that are calm and clear. The activity level of turkeys often reduces when unfavorable weather conditions, such as wind and rain, are present.
Turkeys are unable to be heard and are not very active when it is really wet and raining outside. Wind: Much as when it’s raining, turkeys have a tendency to be more reticent on days when there is a moderate to strong wind blowing. Even if wild turkeys are moving about, it may be difficult for hunters to hear them due to the presence of strong winds.
Can you shoot a turkey with a bow in the spring?
What is it That You Need to Wait For? – It is a wonderful time to be in the woods during the spring turkey season. Additionally, it is a wonderful opportunity to hone your bowhunting skills in preparation for going after larger animals. Turkeys are a difficult animal to bowhunt due to their size.
Those wake-up calls at four in the morning are well worth it if you hear a gobble and see their footprints in the woods, even if you don’t really release an arrow. To get started on your turkey hunting journey, look up the regulations and dates of the season on the website of the wildlife organization responsible for your state.
The next step is to go to the archery store in your area to purchase the equipment you need to take down this difficult bird.
Can you bait turkey in KY?
It is against the law to hunt turkeys with bait. It is against the law to hunt turkeys over bait, which is defined as a location that contains feed, grains, or any other item that is capable of enticing wild turkeys.
How much is a non resident Kentucky turkey license?
Payment for Licenses and Permits
| LICENSE / PERMIT | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Permit (statewide) (two turkeys) | $30.00 | $85.00 |
| Youth (ages 12-15) Turkey Permit (one turkey, spring or fall) | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| Fall Turkey Permit (statewide) (four turkeys) | $30.00 | $85.00 |
| Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit** | $15.00 | $15.00 |
Where do you aim a turkey?
This general rule of thumb does have one notable exception, which is when hunters use shotguns to pursue wild turkeys. It is possible that the shot will not be able to penetrate to the important organs since the dense feathers and massive wing bones are shielding them. 
Do turkeys travel the same path?
KNOW THEIR NEEDS – Turkeys, like all other living things on our planet, have specific requirements that must be satisfied in order for them to thrive. This is common knowledge among hunters. However, like humans, turkeys have habits, something that not all hunters are aware of.
- Turkeys have a tendency to traverse the same routes or circuits each day to the same regions, as long as those areas continue to supply what turkeys want and desire.
- Using this knowledge, hunters are able to position themselves either directly in the flight route of the birds or at the at least, quite near to the general path that those birds follow on any given day.
The reality of the matter is that it is a great deal simpler to coax birds in the direction that they already have their sights set on than it is to force them to travel in a different direction. View More Pictures Here Instead of attempting to lure mature gobblers to you, you should shift your attention to doing careful scouting and positioning yourself in an area where they are likely to want to be.
- Shutterstock picture) Now, in order to successfully pattern turkeys, you are going to need to do some scouting.
- It’s true that everyone says that, but very few people actually follow through and do it.
- Or, if they do make an attempt, it is a superficial one at best.
- Listening to the gobbles of birds from a moving vehicle is not an effective method for bird identification.
It’s possible that this may serve as a jumping off place, but in order to discover the locations of the nests, you’ll need to make your way cautiously into the forest. Obviously, with the technology that exists now, scouting can be done simply at any time of the year.
- Deer hunters rely on cameras to assist them identify where to put up their stands; but, when the season is over, they frequently take the cameras down or stop watching them.
- However, since turkeys and chickens have many of the same requirements, they frequently use the same spaces.
- Turkeys tend to congregate in greater flocks throughout the winter months, and they are never satisfied in their pursuit of food.
As soon as spring arrives, they begin to disband. Even though the hens aren’t quite ready to mate yet, this is the time when gobblers begin to compete with one another for supremacy. 
Where do you aim a turkey with a crossbow?
One of the most photogenic poses for a strutting bird is one in which it is looking in the other direction. When you are in this posture, your spine will be in a straight line, and the base of the fan will provide you with the ideal shooting point. An arrow that is pointed in the direction of the “vent” will enter the chest cavity without any detour, and it may even severe the spine. 
What is the minimum draw weight for turkey hunting?
The draw weight of a deer or elk hunting bow should be reduced to 45 pounds or less for turkey hunting, according to the preference of many turkey hunters. When hunting deer and elk, you often take your shot while standing or kneeling; but, when shooting a turkey, you are more likely to be seated.
What hunting season is it in ky right now?
During Kentucky’s hunting seasons, you can harvest a variety of different types of game. The woodlands of the state are home to a wide variety of species for hunters to pursue, including deer, bears, elk, and small game. There are several animals that need the purchase of a hunting license or permit.
Both locals and nonresidents can readily acquire these items through the use of the internet. You may also acquire permits from a licensing agent in person or over the phone. Those options are also available. Prices for licenses and permits change depending on the time of year, the applicant’s age, the state in which they reside, and any special distinctions.
For the purpose of checking in harvested game, the state of Kentucky provides two options: over the phone or on the website of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. After being bagged, elk, turkeys, bears, bobcats, and river otters all need to be checked in using one of the available methods.
| Crossbow | Sept.17-Jan.16 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct.15-16 Dec.10-18 |
| Modern Gun | Nov.12-27 |
| Youth-Only Gun | Oct.9-10 |
| Youth-Free Weekend | Dec.31-Jan.1 |
| Youth-Only | Oct.8-9 |
Depending on the zone, certain season dates and rules may shift slightly. If you are interested in learning more, be sure to check out the webpage for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Seasons for Elk in Kentucky
| Archery/Crossbow | Sept.10-23 Dec.3-9 |
| Firearms | Bull: Sept.24-28 and Oct.1-5 Cow: Nov.26-30 and Dec.31-Jan.4 |
| Youth Only | All Season Dates |
*The dates of the hunting seasons differ depending on the region as well as if a bull or a cow is being taken. Any time of year is appropriate for youth-exclusive quota hunts. Kentucky Turkey Times of the Year
| Fall Archery | Sept.3-Jan.16 |
| Fall Firearms | Oct.22-28 Dec.3-9 |
| Fall Crossbow | Oct.1-16 Nov.12-Dec.31 |
*Dates for the spring are being considered. Visit the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for definitive information on the spring turkey hunting season in the state of Kentucky. Seasons for the Kentucky Bear
| Archery | Oct.22-28 |
| Chase Only | June 1-Aug.31 Sept.9-30 |
| Firearms | Dec.10-16 |
There is a possibility that certain hunting zones in Kentucky do not permit bear hunting. Visit the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife if you are interested in learning more about black bear hunting in the state of Kentucky. Only residents of Kentucky are permitted to participate in bear seasons. Kentucky Seasons for the Smaller Games
| Crow | Sept.1-Nov.7 |
| Groundhog | March 1-Feb.28 |
| Squirrel | Aug.20-Nov.11 Nov.14-Feb.28 |
| Grouse | Nov.14-Feb.28** |
| Rabbit | Nov.1-Feb.10** |
| Quail | Nov.1-Feb.10** |
*The dates of the seasons change depending on where you are in the state. Bag limits, special seasons, and other hunting rules in Kentucky change depending on the species and the season. Visit the website of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for further information on how to get licenses, permits, and restrictions.