Today an estimated 30,000 wild turkeys merriams, rio grande and eastern roam the states public and private lands. The start of the 23day general statewide season follows on april 14. This page hunting information such as regulations, applications, hunting guides, and more info for turkey. It is unlawful to hunt roosting turkeys by any means at any time or to release turkeys without. The spring wild turkey hunting season is open statewide. Persons ages 16 and older may not hunt turkeys during the youthonly season. Two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beard may be taken during the season, with the following restrictions. Kentucky spring turkey season approaching outdoor news daily. Non residents who have already purchased a 2020 spring turkey permit can hunt. Hunting prospects promising for spring turkey season march 10, 2017 media contact. South zone wild turkey hunting hours from april 23 may 6, 2018 are 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.
Ky also boasts one of the higher hunter success rates in the country. By the time the upcoming season closes on may 7, hunters will have bagged about 31,000 turkeys. With a limit of 2 bearded turkey and a season that runs from the saturday closest to april 15th for 23 consecutive days, it makes it one of the longer springs seasons in the midwest. The wait is almost over for turkey hunters in kentucky. In kentucky, the 2017 season is right around the corner. This year, kentuckys youthonly season is the weekend of april 78. Tennessee turkey season regulations and information. Customers who have not been issued any permits may submit up to two applications in 3rd lottery. A person shall not pursue, chase or take a deer, elk, or turkey during the spring turkey season.
Youth may also hunt during the regular spring turkey season. Kentucky predicts best turkey hunting in a decade realtree camo. The 2020 spring turkey lottery application period ended february 10, 2020. Spring 2020 the spring season is april 22 through may 10, 2020. As population rebounds, time to talk turkey in kentucky. Information on turkey harvest in new mexico can be found in the harvest report below. Use the pages below to learn about regulations for licensing, permits, and reporting. You may take only one turkey during the first week. A person can use shotgun gauges 10 through 20, using shot sizes 4 through 6 or mixed loads that include shot sizes 4 through 7. Children ages 15 and younger may hunt turkeys during the youthonly hunting weekend and the general spring season. Turkey hunters have a lot of gear to keep track of, so make sure. Spring turkey season in kentucky is usually around april 18th and goes through may 10th. The 2017 spring harvest was an 8% increase over the 2016 spring harvest of 12,081. Wild turkey populations have taken off in idaho since idaho fish and game first introduced them in the 1960s.
Kentucky suspends nonresident spring turkey permit sales. Kdfwr wild turkey spring season update kentucky fish and. For years the department has conducted a statewide survey of spring turkey hunters to collect their observations and opinions, but participation has been declining. One male turkey or turkey with visible beard youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until april 27. Wild turkeys now exist in all 100 counties in the state and all 100 counties now have a spring gobbler season. Apr 21, 2017 spring turkey hunting in kentucky 2017. Specific laws and regulations for each turkey season are below. Anyone hunting turkeys during the fall firearms turkey season may not be in possession of both a firearm and a bow. The 2017 spring turkey season in kentucky included a youthonly weekend. Youthonly turkey hunting is normally around the weekend of april 4th and april 5th.
No more than two 2 birds may be taken per spring season. During both spring and fall seasons, you must report taking a turkey within 7 days, via the decals online harvest reporting system or by calling 18664263778. Mar 15, 2018 in kentucky, hunters still have ample time to scout and develop a game plan to increase their odds of success in the upcoming spring turkey season. Spring turkey season 2020 is going on as scheduled. The youth hunt april 1112 and all time periods april 15may 26 remain open for turkey hunting. Hunting prospects promising for spring turkey season. This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season. South zone wild turkey hunting hours from may 7 20, 2018 are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. New regulations have been adopted for the 2020 spring wild turkey hunting season. See your county listing for season dates and special requirements. Kentucky s spring turkey season will open in about six weeks. All tennessee counties are open to spring turkey seasons.
In addition, shotgun gauges 10 through 28, including. Due to calendar shift kentuckys 2020 spring wild turkey season is. Unless you have booked a 2bird hunt, hunt prices listed above are based on killing 1 bird. A game hunting license and either an overthecounter turkey tag or draw permit is required to legally take wild turkey in the state. I can talk about archery slams, muzzleloader, and shotgun slams, but the point is, we love to turkey hunt. Kentuckys 2019 spring wild turkey season starts tomorrow, with the. The overall outlook for spring turkey hunting is good. Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for kentucky hunting seasons do vary based on animal and seasons. Hunters telechecked 33,061 birds during the 2017 spring season. The wild turkey population has increased from an estimated 2,000 birds in 1970 to an estimated 265,000 birds in 2015. Sep 15 2020 to nov 2020 nov 25 2020 to jan 15 2021. Game officials say kentucky s turkey flock is about 240,000 birds. Turkey hunting in nh new hampshire fish and game department.
Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed the limit of three permits in total for spring turkey hunting. The wild turkey population in kentucky is approximately 330,000 to 440,000. When kentucky s spring wild turkey season opens april 17, hunters can expect to find a bounty of gobblers. The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes. Kentuckys 23day spring wild turkey general season opens. Turkey hunters in kentucky encountered wind, rain and wild temperature swings this past spring season but did not let factors out of their control keep them from posting impressive results. The date of the season was based on the earliest time a season could be opened and still provide some protection of wild turkey hens. Season dates kdfwr kentucky department of fish and. Floridas osceola season is one of the first spring hunts of the year. Waterfowl hunting can be found on the sauerheber, jenny hole, highland creek and grassy pondpowels lake units of sloughs wma. To hunt for alligators in 2017, hunters must have applied for an alligator quota hunt by monday, july 31. Birds have been wintering in looseknit social flocks roughly segregated by sex and age but will soon begin to break up as older.
Spring 2017 turkey hunting information nwtfwi news. Game tags which allow the take of a second turkey will not be valid in units 3, 5, and 6. In addition to the turkey license, residents also must have a current nh hunting, archery or combination license, and nonresidents must have a big game hunting or archery license, depending on their hunting plans. Kentuckys wild turkey population and its management have undergone. This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for. Its looking like one of the best seasons in the past eight to 10 years, said steven dobey, wild turkey biologist for the kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources. The turkey license required to hunt turkey in new hampshire covers both the spring and fall turkey seasons. Kentucky spring turkey hunting myhuntingandfishing. Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only. Kentuckys spring turkey harvest has remained stable since the 2010 season when hunters.
The first season begins on the second monday of april. By the time the upcoming season closes on may 7, hunters will have bagged about 31,000. Anyone can obtain a spring turkey hunt license see hunt 0234 on page 12 for details. Hunters may buy leftover harvest authorizations on a oneperday basis until they are sold out, or the season is over. Nov 01, 2019 all counties with an open fall season sept.
Mar 31, 2017 by the time the upcoming season closes on may 7, hunters will have bagged about 31,000 turkeys. The fourth monday of april spring gobbler season opening date was designed to protect the wild turkey hen resource in west virginia and to permit spring hunting recreation on bearded wild turkeys. Jul 25, 2017 the hunting season start and end dates vary by animal, weapon, and sometimes location. Illinois residents and nonresidents customers who have been issued a permit in the 1st or 2nd lottery may submit one application in 3rd lottery. Unleashed dogs are prohibited april 1 until the third saturday in august, except during departmentauthorized field trials and the spring squirrel season. Even the most avid vagabond gobbler geek can only chase his spring passion for about weeks assuming an early start in florida and a june finish in maine. March 23, 2017 spring turkey hunting is slipping into position before daybreak and sitting still as the sun eases over the hills. Spring harvests increased in 60 counties with 30 exceeding 200 birds. Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their twobird limit during the season including the youth hunt. These birds are often concentrated in the relatively low elevation forests and along narrow riparian areas. This year, kentucky s youthonly season is the weekend of april 78. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources website. Regardless of whether or not you have harvested a turkey yourself, you can only assist another hunter by calling if you are licensed to turkey hunt. There are 2 turkey hunting seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall.
Any combination of male turkeys, or female turkeys with visible beards, may be included in this twobird season limit. The spring turkey permit is valid for the general spring season and allows a hunter to harvest up to the spring season bag limit of turkeys. Mar 10, 2017 kentuckys spring turkey season opens april 15. If you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week. We have side by sides available if you want to make an appointment to swing by and see the property if youre considering a kentucky turkey hunt or call and ask about hunting success rates. Kentucky is rated one of the top states to hunt eastern wild turkey. This change is effective beginning with the spring 2020 season. At other times of the year, unleashed dogs are permitted on tuesdays, thursdays, saturdays and sundays. Colorado parks and wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management.
The fiveyear 20122016 average spring harvest is 31,490. The season is open statewide, although special regulations do apply to some areas. The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey for the spring season. Kentuckys spring turkey harvest has remained stable since the 2010 season when. The inside word from biologists across the country on where to get your gobbler this spring. Kentucky game laws allow 2 bearded birds per hunter during the spring turkey season. The state saw recordlow reproduction in 2017, which will likely limit available. In addition, you will find turkey harvest data and tips for hunters. Remaining countyissued spring turkey permits will go on sale over the counter at license vendors beginning march 10, 2020, on a firstcome, firstserve basis.
Specific state and private land bag limits no longer apply. Turkeys can be hunted from a raised platform or tree stand with a firearm. Canadian hunters see rules for importing firearms for hunting. There is also walkin hunting available on large portions of the wma. The 2020 spring turkey hunting statebystate forecast. Shortterm 1 or 7day hunting licenses are not valid for turkey hunting. All turkey hunters each tag will allow the harvest of one turkey.
Bag limits in units 3, 5, and 6 northeast, southcentral, and southeast have been reduced from two turkeys to one turkey. I can tell you ive seen an albino turkey out at this farm and that would be a definite trophy for anyone, even above the longbearded gobblers. Hunters may purchase tags through the end of the season or until the tag limit is reached. Poor reproduction in 2017 means there will be fewer 2yearold gobblers this spring, and they. Waterfowl hunting opportunities at sloughs wma include online quota hunt draws, weekly onsite drawings, and seasonlong blind drawings. Your reward of patiently waiting in a tree stand or hunting blind is the satisfaction of taking responsibility for your own food, or finally bagging that trophy buck. Spring turkey hunters needed for ruffed grouse drumming survey. Feb 26, 2016 kentuckys spring turkey season will open in about six weeks. Hunters may now harvest a total of 5 bearded birds, regardless of property type. When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring turkey season. Apr 06, 2020 the kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources suspended sales of 2020 nonresident spring turkey hunting permits for the general statewide season. Kentucky has some good turkey habitat across the state, so i think.
Dogs may be used to locate and flush turkeys during the fall turkey seasons only. Check out a few of the most popular seasons and regulations here, and learn more with the georgia department of natural resources, wildlife resources division. A hunter may take a male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard. The spring turkey season is something of an obsession among hunters who have experienced those magical mornings many times over or dream about it happening their first time out this year. West virginia dnr setting of spring gobbler season. Kentucky hunting seasons, 20182019 hunting season hq. A calendar shift pushed the states 23day general spring wild turkey season back this year to the third weekend in april. It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Kentuckys spring turkey season opens saturday marshall. In kentucky, hunters still have ample time to scout and develop a game plan to increase their odds of success in the upcoming spring turkey season. Great news about kentuckys spring turkey season realtree. Unless exempt, all spring 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 spring turkey permit. Find updated season dates and information in our blog post on 20182019 hunting seasons.
The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorados wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. The 2020 forecast indicates a stable population of birds statewide. Mar 24, 2017 in kentucky, the 2017 season is right around the corner. Hunters harvested,069 wild turkeys in 90 of 92 indiana counties during the 2017 spring season. All the small clover and alfalfa food plots, it makes for an ideal place to spend kentucky spring turkey season. No more than one legal turkey may be taken per day. Season dates and bag limits ohio department of natural. Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife. It is unlawful to use shotguns larger than 10 gauge and shot size larger than no. However, there are some exceptions on public land see the wma section for details on public.
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