hunting guide - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Photo © Tommy Kirkland 

TELECHECK: 

1-800-245-4263 

Fish & Wildlife: 

1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov 

Office hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 AM - 4:30 PM 

Dr. Jonathan Gassett, Commissioner 

Report Game Violations: 

1-800-25-ALERT 

KENTUCKY SPRING 

HUNTING GUIDE 

MARCH – JUNE 2011 

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE RESOURCES #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601

ABOUT THIS GUIDE 

This is a SUMMARY of the laws regarding 

spring hunting. This guide is intended solely 

for informational use. It is not a reprint of 

any referenced statute or regulation in its 

entirety and should not be used as such. 

Questions about the information contained 

in this guide should be directed to the Kentucky 

Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 

BEFORE engaging in the activities 

referenced. Actual wording of any Kentucky 

Revised Statute (KRS) or Kentucky Administrative 

Regulation (KAR) can be viewed 

at www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/frntpage.htm. 

Kentucky Dept. of Fish 

& Wildlife Resources 

1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov 

Dr. Jonathan Gassett, Commissioner 

#1 Sportsman’s Lane 

Frankfort, KY 40601 

4 GENERAL INFORMATION 

13 SPRING TURKEY HUNTING 

16 SPRING SQUIRREL HUNTING 

17 OTHER SPECIES 

18 PUBLIC LAND HUNTING 

March - June 2011 

KENTUCKY SPRING 

HUNTING GUIDE 

John Brunjes photo 

OTHER GUIDES AVAILABLE 

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also produces regulation guides for fall hunting and trapping, 

waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting, and fishing and boating. Call 

1-800-858-1549 weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Copies of these regulation guides are 

also available where hunting licenses are sold, and are online at fw.ky.gov. 

1

2 

Commonwealth of Kentucky 

Steven L. Beshear, Governor 

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION 

1st District: Terry Teitloff, Smithland 

2nd District: David M. Williams II, 

Reynolds Station 

3rd District: Stuart N. Ray, Louisville 

4th District: Dr. James R. Angel, Campbellsville 

5th District: Dr. James R. Rich, Taylor Mill 

6th District: Stephen Glenn, Frankfort 

7th District: Doug Hensley, Hazard 

8th District: Norman “Joe” Fryman, Paris 

9th District: Taylor Orr, London 

Department of 

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES 

Commissioner: Dr. Jonathan Gassett 

Deputy Commissioner: Benjy Kinman 

Deputy Commissioner: Hank Patton 

Wildlife Director: Dr. Karen Waldrop 

Fisheries Director: Ron Brooks 

Law Enforcement Director: Maj. Paul Teague 

(acting) 

Information & Education Director: Tim Slone 

Administrative Services Director: Darin Moore 

Engineering Director: Keith Parker 

Public Affairs Director: Brian V. Blank 

SPRING HUNTING GUIDE 

Editor: Art Lander Jr. 

Art/Design Director: Adrienne Yancy 

Contributors: Steve Beam, Derek Beard, Denise 

Boebinger, Stephen Bonney, Brian Clark, Mark 

Cramer, Steven Dobey, Tom Edwards, Larry 

Estes, Chris Garland, Scott Harp, Scott King, 

Vera King, Joe Lacefield, John Morgan, Ben 

Robinson, Paul Teague and Karen Waldrop. 

Mark Marraccini photo 

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is funded 

through the sale of hunting and fishing 

licenses and boat registration fees. 

It receives no general fund state tax 

dollars. The Department manages, 

regulates, enforces and promotes 

responsible use of all fish and wildlife 

species, their habitats, public wildlife 

areas and waterways for the benefit of 

those resources and for public enjoyment. 

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency 

of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. 

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER 

It’s a new experience 

for some Kentuckians 

– spring squirrel 

hunting. 

But I believe if you 

try it, you’ll enjoy it. The 

weather is mild, and 

squirrels are active. It’s a 

good time to introduce 

a friend, family member 

or youngster to the fun 

of squirrel hunting. 

What started as 

an experiment on four 

state wildlife management 

areas in 1994, 

went statewide in 1999. 

This year spring squirrel season has 

been lengthened by 14 days. It opens earlier, 

on May 21, and runs through June 17. 

The daily bag limit is the same as in the fall 

– six squirrels. 

Hunting squirrels in the spring makes 

biological sense. Our season is timed to coincide 

with the spike in squirrel numbers 

after the year’s first of two nesting periods 

– a time when hunting won’t severely impact 

populations. 

Good squirrel hunting is available in 

all 120 Kentucky counties. The state has 

BASIC RULES FOR HUNTING 

1. You can NOT hunt or retrieve game on 

someone else’s land without permission. 

2. Unless you are license exempt, you must 

buy and carry afield the right hunting 

license and permits for the kind of 

hunting you do. 

3. You can only hunt when the season is 

open for that species. Your hunting 

equipment must be legal. You can take 

no more game than the daily or season 

bag limits allow. 

4. Before you move a harvested turkey, you 

must record it on a hunter harvest log. 

You must also telecheck the turkey by 

more than 70,000 squirrel 

hunters, and wildlife cooperator 

surveys tell us that our 

most avid squirrel hunters 

average more than 12 trips 

afield annually. 

In early summer, squirrels 

seek out the cooler temperatures 

found in stream 

drainages, and feed on soft 

mast, such as the seeds of 

maple, ash, elm, mulberry, 

wild cherry, hackberry and 

box elder trees. They consume 

some green vegetation 

(grasses), and occasionally 

mushrooms and blackberries. Insects, including 

grasshoppers, katydids and locusts, 

are also a part of their diet. 

Float trips combining squirrel hunting 

and stream fishing are an excellent way 

to enjoy late spring, but be sure to ask the 

landowner permission to access streams 

from their property. 

As part of our commitment to small 

game, we are happy to offer hunters more 

opportunity to pursue our most stable and 

abundant small game species. 

— Dr. Jonathan Gassett 

midnight. See pages 8-10 for details. 

5. All hunters born on or after January 

1, 1975 must pass a hunter education 

course before hunting on any land besides 

land they own, unless they have a 

valid temporary hunter education exemption 

permit or are less than 12 years 

old. See pages 11-12 for other youth 

hunter requirements. 

All hunters should read the General 

Information section of this guide, in 

addition to the section for the game they 

are hunting, before going afield. Public 

land hunters should also read the Public 

Land Hunting section. 

HUNTING ON PRIVATE LAND IS A PRIVILEGE. 

ALWAYS GET PERMISSION AND THANK THE LANDOWNER. 

Nathan Sangster photo

fw.ky.gov 

7% 

Boating Miscellaneous 

8% 

35% Federal 

grants (based 

on number of 

licenses sold) 

50% 

Hunting 

and fishing 

licenses 

FuNDINg 

SourCeS 

[ KeNtuCKY Dept. oF FISH & wIlDlIFe reSourCeS ] 

wHo we are 

The Kentucky Department of Fish 

and Wildlife Resources is an agency of the 

Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. 

Our nine-member commission is nominated 

by Kentucky sportsmen and sportswomen and 

appointed by the governor. This commission 

appoints the department’s commissioner. 

We employ about 500 people full-time, 

including conservation officers, wildlife and 

fisheries biologists, conservation educators, 

and information technology, public relations, 

customer service and administrative 

professionals. 

Our headquarters is located in Frankfort, 

but we work with landowners, hunters, anglers, 

boaters and wildlife enthusiasts statewide. 

10% 

Administrative 

& Support 

11% 

Information 

& Education 

15% 

Fisheries 

18% 

Capital/Land 

Aquisition 

24% 

Wildlife 

FuNDINg uSe 

22% Law 

Enforcement 

wHat we Do 

We conserve and enhance fish and 

wildlife resources and provide opportunity 

for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and 

other wildlife-related activities. 

Every year, we: 

• Enforce hunting, fishing and boating laws 

across Kentucky for resource protection 

and public safety. 

• Manage about 1 million acres of public 

land and water for the benefit of all fish 

and wildlife species. 

• Stock more than 4 million fish in public 

waters. 

• Build and maintain public boat ramps, 

shooting ranges and bank fishing access 

areas, and acquire new public land and 

maintain facilities (capital construction). 

• Assist about 2,000 private landowners with 

fish and wildlife habitat improvement. 

• Inform and educate more than 400,000 

kids and adults through education and 

outreach programs. 

How You Help 

Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources • #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 • 1-800-858-1549 

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife receives no 

money from the state’s General Fund. 

You provide our agency’s funding every 

time you: 

• Buy a hunting or fishing license 

• Buy a firearm, ammunition, or fishing or 

archery equipment 

• Pay your boat registration fee 

• Buy fuel for your boat

GENERAL INFORMATION 

4 

2011 SPRING HUNTING SEASONS 

SPECIES Youth-Only General Season 

* Groundhogs and wild hogs may be trapped year-round. It is illegal to possess live wild 

hogs in Kentucky; all trapped hogs must be killed at the trap site, and not released. 

NOTE: Seasons on Wildlife Management Areas and other public hunting lands not 

managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife may be different from those above. Please 

check pages 18-19 for those exceptions. 

GENERAL HUNTER LICENSING 

All turkey hunters (except those 

noted under ‘License-Exempt Hunters’) 

are required to purchase and carry 

an annual or youth Kentucky hunting 

license and a spring or youth turkey permit 

while hunting wild turkey during 

the spring season. 

The spring turkey permit allows 

the hunter to take two birds during the 

spring season. The youth turkey permit 

allows the hunter to take one bird, as 

outlined under ‘Youth Hunter Licensing.’ 

A short-term (1- or 5-day) hunting 


Turkey April 2-3 April 16 - May 8 

Squirrel May 21 - June 17 

Coyote, Groundhog 

& Wild Hog* 

Year-round 

LICENSES AND PERMITS 

license is not valid for turkey hunting. 

All squirrel hunters, unless license 

exempt, are required to carry an annual, 

youth or short-term Kentucky hunting 

license. 

Each hunter must have his or her 

own license or permit. Paper licenses 

and permits must be signed and filled 

out before going afield. Licenses, permits, 

license authorization numbers and 

carcass tags are non-transferable. 

LICENSE-EXEMPT HUNTERS 

In some cases, hunters are not re- 

Mark Marraccini photo 

NEW THIS YEAR 

• Spring squirrel season is now 

28 days long. 

• Anyone who may legally possess 

firearms may carry firearms 

while hunting, but only persons 

with valid concealed carry 

deadly weapon permits may 

carry their firearms concealed. 

• A change in the law now allows 

the use of buckshot for coyotes, 

and other furbearers. 

• Turkeys taken on the Blue 

Grass Army Depot are now 

bonus birds. 

quired to purchase a hunting license or 

turkey permit. Here are those situations: 

• Kentucky resident owners of farmlands, 

their spouses and dependent children 

hunting upon their own farmlands 

during an open season; 

• Tenants, their spouses and dependent 

children hunting on farmlands where 

they reside and work; 

• Kentucky residents on military furlough 

of more than three days in this state 

who carry identification and papers 

that verify their furlough status; or 

• Resident and nonresident youth under

the age of 12. 

Resident landowners and tenants 

are required to buy hunting licenses and 

permits whenever they hunt somewhere 

other than their own property or their 

landowner’s property. 

YOUTH HUNTER LICENSING 

Hunters under the age of 12 are not 

required to purchase hunting licenses or 

turkey permits. Unless exempt, hunters 

ages 12-15 must carry a youth hunting 

license to hunt squirrels or turkeys. Nonexempt 

turkey hunters ages 12-15 must 

also purchase and carry a youth turkey 

permit, valid during any turkey season 

for one turkey. 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 is 

available to resident and nonresident 

youth ages 12-15, and includes a youth 

hunting license, youth deer permit and 

youth turkey permit. 

NONRESIDENT HUNTER 

LICENSING 

Those who do not meet the definition 

of a Kentucky resident are required 

to purchase nonresident licenses and 

permits. A resident is any person who 

has established permanent domicile 

and legal residence and has resided in 

Kentucky for 30 days prior to purchasing 

a license, full-time students enrolled 

in an educational institution for at least 

a six-month term, and military service 

personnel on permanent assignment in 

Kentucky. 

Nonresident youth hunters are subject 

to the same license and permit requirements 

as resident youth hunters. 

RESIDENT SPORTSMAN’S 

LICENSE (SAVE $50!) 

Available to Kentucky residents 

only, the Sportsman’s License includes a 

combination hunting and fishing license, 

spring turkey permit, fall turkey permit, 

statewide deer permit, state waterfowl 

permit (which also covers dove and other 

migratory bird hunting) and trout permit. 

Peabody and LBL permits, trapping license, 

an elk lottery application, elk quota 

hunt permit (if drawn), out-of-zone elk 

permit, bear permit and bonus deer permits 

must be purchased separately. A federal 

duck stamp (available at post offices) 

is required for waterfowl hunting. 

RESIDENT SENIOR AND DISABLED LICENSES 

The following are eligible to purchase the $5 Senior or Disabled Combination 

Hunting and Fishing License (which includes the same license and 

permits as the Resident Sportsman’s License, plus bonus deer permits): 

• Kentucky residents 65 years of age or older. 

• Kentucky residents certified totally and permanently disabled by the Federal Social 

Security Administration, a state Workers Compensation Board, the Kentucky 

Teacher Retirement System or the United States Railroad Retirement Board. 

• Kentucky resident employees of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 

declared totally and permanently disabled by a recognized authority. 

• Kentucky resident veterans at least 50% disabled as the result of a serviceconnected 

disability. 

Seniors need only show proof of age and residency to purchase this 

license. Persons with disabilities listed above must first obtain a disability 

authorization card from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

To obtain a disability license 

authorization card: 

If your disability is through the: 

• Federal Social Security Administration: 

Contact your local Social Security office 

and request a form showing your name, 

address, Social Security number and 

date of birth, which states that you are 

disabled and drawing benefits. Send form 

to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

• Veteran’s Administration: Contact your 

local VA office and request a letter that 

verifies you are at least 50% disabled as a 

result of a service-connected disability. Send 

letter to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

Q: Does a nonresident who owns 

land in Kentucky have to buy nonresident 

licenses and permits? 

A: Yes. All nonresidents must 

purchase nonresident licenses and 

permits. 

Contacting us 

Except for those who 

qualify for a Disability 

License through Worker’s 

Compensation, mail or fax 

your disability certification to: 

KDFWR Disability License 

#1 Sportsman’s Lane 

Frankfort, KY 40601 

FAX: (502) 564-9845 

• State Worker’s Compensation Board: Request an application from Kentucky 

Fish and Wildlife, fill it out and send it to the State Worker’s Compensation 

Board. 

• United States Railroad Retirement Board: Contact the Board and request 

a letter stating you are 100% totally and permanently disabled. Send letter 

to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

• Kentucky Teacher Retirement System: Contact the Teacher Retirement 

System and request written documentation stating you are on disability 

retirement. Send documentation to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

•United States Office of Personnel Management: Contact the federal Office of 

Personnel Management and obtain certification of employment and documentation 

of being 100% disabled. Send documentation to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. 

Once the proper documentation is processed, applicants will receive their 

authorization card by mail. The authorization card is not a license. It must be 

presented to the license seller, or the authorization number entered online, at 

the time of purchase. 

Other laws still apply! 

All hunters, including those who 

are license-exempt or eligible to 

purchase reduced-price licenses, 

must abide by all other regulations 

as outlined in this guide. 


5


6 

The tables below are a quick overview 

of current licensing requirements. 

See the rest of this section for exemptions 

and complete residency, licensing 

*Included in Youth Sportsman’s License 

†Included in Resident Sportsman’s License 

WHICH LICENSE OR PERMIT DO I NEED? 

KENTUCKY RESIDENTS Ages 12-15 Ages 16-64 

Deer 

Fall Turkey 

Spring Turkey 

Youth Hunting License* 

+ Youth Deer Permit* 


+ Youth Turkey Permit* 



Q: Can a hunter collect or possess wild 

turkey eggs? 

A: No. It is illegal for anyone to collect, possess, 

buy, sell or attempt to hatch wild turkey eggs. 

Annual Hunting License † 

+ Statewide Deer Permit † 


+ Fall Turkey Permit † 


+ Spring Turkey Permit † 

Also: 

See page 5 for Senior/Disabled 

License eligibility. 

Q: Can a hunter sell the beard and spurs from 

harvested turkeys? 

A: No, only licensed taxidermists may sell the 

inedible parts of wildlife. 

Ages 65 and over OR 

Disabled 

Senior/Disabled License 



Small Game & Furbearer Youth Hunting License* Annual † or 1-Day Hunting License Senior/Disabled License 

Trapping 

Migratory Birds (dove, 

crows, snipe, woodcock, 

moorhens, rails, gallinules) 

Waterfowl 

(ducks, geese, coots 

and mergansers) 

NONRESIDENTS 

(must buy nonresident licenses/permits) 

Deer 

Fall Turkey 

Spring Turkey 

Annual Youth 

Trapping License 



Annual or Landowner/Tenant 


Annual † or 1-Day Hunting License 

+ Kentucky Migratory Bird or 

Kentucky Waterfowl Permit † 

Annual † or 1-Day Hunting License 

+ Kentucky Waterfowl Permit † 

+ Federal Duck Stamp 

Ages 12-15 Ages 16 and over 


+ Youth Deer Permit* 





Annual or Landowner/Tenant 



Senior/Disabled License + 

Federal Duck Stamp 

Annual Hunting License + Statewide Deer Permit 

Annual Hunting License + Fall Turkey Permit 

Annual Hunting License + Spring Turkey Permit 

Small Game & Furbearer Youth Hunting License* Annual, 1-Day or 5-Day Hunting License 

Trapping Annual Trapping License Annual Trapping License 

Migratory Birds (dove, crows, snipe, 

woodcock, moorhens, rails, gallinules) 

Waterfowl 

(ducks, geese, coots and mergansers) 

and hunter education requirements. All 

elk and bear hunting requirements are 

explained in the fall Hunting & Trapping 

Guide, available in July. 

NOTE: Licenses and permits for the species below are not required for kids under the age of 12. 



Annual, 1-Day or 5-Day Hunting License + Kentucky 

Migratory Bird or Kentucky Waterfowl Permit 

Annual, 1-Day or 5-Day Hunting License + Kentucky 

Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES 

LICENSE / PERMIT Resident Nonresident 

Annual Hunting (deer, elk or turkey) $20.00 $130.00 

Annual Fishing $20.00 $50.00 

Joint Husband/Wife Annual Fishing $36.00 Not available 

1-Day Fishing $7.00 $10.00 

Nonresident 7-Day Fishing Not available $30.00 

Nonresident 15-Day Fishing Not available $40.00 

Trout Permit $10.00 $10.00 

1-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) $7.00 $10.00 

5-Day Hunting (not valid for deer, elk, turkey or bear) Not available $40.00 

Annual Youth Hunting (ages 12-15 only) $5.00 $5.00 

Annual Combination Hunting/Fishing $30.00 Not available 

Senior/Disabled Combination Hunting/Fishing* $5.00 Not available 

Deer Permit (statewide) (two deer) $30.00 $60.00 

Youth (ages 12-15) Deer Permit (one deer) $10.00 $10.00 

Bonus Antlerless Deer Permit (two deer) $15.00 $15.00 

Spring Turkey Permit (statewide) (two turkeys) $30.00 $60.00 

Youth (ages 12-15) Turkey Permit (one turkey, spring or fall) $10.00 $10.00 

Fall Turkey Permit (statewide)(four turkeys) $30.00 $60.00 

Kentucky Waterfowl Permit $15.00 $15.00 

Migratory Bird Permit $10.00 $10.00 

Annual Trapping $20.00 $130.00 

Annual Landowner/Tenant Trapping $10.00 Not available 

Annual Youth (ages 12-15) Trapping 

Sportsman’s License* 

$5.00 Not available 

(Includes combination hunting/fishing, statewide deer permit, spring and fall 

turkey permits, state waterfowl permit and trout permit.) 

Youth (ages 12-15) Sportsman’s License* 

$95.00 Not available 

(Includes youth hunting license, youth deer permit and youth turkey permit. 

Fishing license, waterfowl permit and trout permit not required for youth.) 

$25.00 $25.00 

Elk Lottery Application (deadline April 30; available at fw.ky.gov only) $10.00 $10.00 

Youth WMA Elk Lottery (deadline April 30; available at fw.ky.gov only) $10.00 $10.00 

Elk Quota Hunt Permit (if drawn) $30.00 $365.00 

Out-of-Zone Elk Permit $30.00 $365.00 

Bear Permit $30.00 Not available 

Peabody WMA User Permit $15.00 $15.00 

Land Between the Lakes (LBL) Hunter Use Permit $20.00 $20.00 

Temporary Hunter Education Exemption Permit 

(available online at fw.ky.gov only) 

$5.00 $5.00 

Federal Duck Stamp (available at post offices) $15.00 $15.00 

Shooting Preserve License (available online at fw.ky.gov only) $5.00 $5.00 

*Peabody and LBL permits, elk lottery application, elk quota hunt permit, out-of-zone elk permit, bear permit and federal duck 

stamp not included. 

Annual licenses and permits are valid from the date of purchase through the last day in February. New licenses are required 

annually March 1. (A 1- or 5-day hunting license is valid only for the period shown on the license.) 

Resident and nonresident youth under the age of 12 are not required to purchase licenses or permits (except the elk lottery application, 

elk quota hunt permit, out-of-zone elk permit and resident bear permit). 


7


8 

HOW TO BUY 

LICENSES AND 

PERMITS 

GETTING A LICENSE IN PERSON 

Licenses and permits can be purchased 

throughout the state at about 900 

locations, including country stores, some 

county court clerk offices, local hunting 

and fishing shops, and some chain stores 

that sell outdoor sporting goods. License 

vendor locations are listed on the 

department’s website: fw.ky.gov. 

GETTING A LICENSE BY PHONE 

Licenses and permits can be purchased 

by phone 24 hours a day, by calling 

toll-free at 1-877-598-2401. 

It is the caller’s responsibility to 

know what type of license or permit is 

needed. If you are unsure what license or 

permit you should buy, refer to pages 5-7 

of this guide, or contact Kentucky Fish 

and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549. 

By Phone: 

Call toll-free 1-877-598-2401 

Persons purchasing by phone: 

1. Must use Visa, Mastercard, Discover 

or e-check; 

2. Will be charged a small fee; 

3. Must provide their name, address, 

date of birth and Social Security 

number; 

4. Will be issued an authorization 

number which serves as a license/ 

permit until paper license/permit 

is issued; and 

5. Will be issued a paper license/ 

permit by mail, if requested 

6. Must have the authorization 

number in addition to a picture 

ID while hunting, if they have not 

yet received their paper license/ 

permit in the mail. 

By Internet: 

Visit fw.ky.gov 

Persons purchasing online: 

1. Must use Visa, Mastercard or 

Discover; 

2. Must provide their name, address, 

date of birth and Social Security 

number; 

3. Must print their own paper 

license/permit at the end of their 

purchase; and 

4. Will not receive a paper license/ 

permit in the mail. 

purchased over the telephone. 

GETTING A LICENSE THROUGH 

THE INTERNET 

All Kentucky hunting and fishing 

licenses and permits, except a Joint 

Husband/Wife Fishing License, can 

be purchased on the department’s website: 

fw.ky.gov. 

Replacement licenses can be printed 

there at no cost. 

RECORDING, CHECKING AND TAGGING 

CALLING TELECHECK 

1. Call toll-free 1-800-245-4263. 

It’s in service 24 hours a day 

while seasons are open. 

2. Listen to each question carefully 

and provide the requested 

information using the keypad 

on any touch-tone phone. You 

will be asked to indicate the 

animal’s species and sex, type 

of equipment used, whether the 

land was private or public and 

what type of license you used 

(or if you are a landowner). 

3. Once your harvest information 

has been entered correctly, you 

will be asked to hold while the 

system submits your survey 

information. Be prepared to 

write down the confirmation 

number given by the system on 

the hunter harvest log for the 

turkey you are checking in. 

All Kentucky hunting and fishing 

licenses and permits, except a disabled 

license, elk lottery application and 

all youth licenses and permits, can be 

Harvested Turkey 

All successful turkey hunters, including 

those who are license exempt, 

must record, check and tag turkeys according 

to the following regulations. 

BASIC GUIDELINES 

• You must have a completed hunter 

harvest log for each harvested turkey 

with you anytime you are in the field 

hunting turkey. 

• You must be able to show you have the 

correct licenses and permits to hunt 

turkey, unless you are license/permit 

exempt. 

• Meat processors and taxidermists are 

prohibited by law from accepting any 

part of an unchecked or untagged 

turkey. 

RECORDING 

All successful turkey hunters must 

write down harvest information on a 

hunter harvest log as soon as the bird 

is taken and before it is moved. Blank 

spaces to fill in the required information 

are provided on the back of any paper 

license or permit. Otherwise, you may 

obtain a blank log sheet from a license 

dealer, use the example in this guide, or 

make one yourself and complete it as explained 

on page 9. 

Log information should be written 

in ink. 

HUNTER HARVEST LOG: 

• If you have a paper license or permit, 

simply fill in the blanks on the back as 

indicated on page 9. 

• License exempt hunters, youth under 

12 years of age, and those who only 

have a license authorization number, 

may create their own hunter harvest 

log. ALL HUNTERS must record 

their kill on a hunter harvest log 

after taking a turkey. See page 9 for 

details.

& 

1 

2 

Name: 

Phone Number: 

Telecheck Confirmation Number: 

1-800-245-4263 

(toll-free) 

CARCASS TAG 

BEFORE YOU MOVE THE TURKEY 

FROM THE SPOT IT WAS FOUND: 

Step 1: Mark the box for “Turkey” and fill 

in the date, county and sex of the bird. Put 

the harvest log back in your pocket. 

SAMPLE HARVEST LOG & CARCASS TAGS 

Harvest logs are not to be used as carcass tags. 

(Animal must be checked in, and the confirmation number 

filled in above before carcass leaves hunter’s possession.) 

CARCASS TAG 

Name: 

Phone Number: 

Telecheck Confirmation Number: 

1-800-245-4263 

(toll-free) 

WHEN YOU CALL 

TO CHECK IN THE 

TURKEY: 

HOW TO FILL OUT THE 

HUNTER HARVEST LOG 

Step 2: Write the 

Telecheck confirmation 

number on the harvest 

log, and keep the log 

information in your 

possession whenever you 

are in the field during 

turkey season. 

(Animal must be checked in, and the confirmation number 

filled in above before carcass leaves hunter’s possession.) 

Note: 

First things first: 

You will need to 

have a pen with 

you in the field. 

Turkeys must be checked by 

midnight on the same day 

harvested. If you give the carcass 

to anybody else before it’s 

processed, you must first attach a 

completed carcass tag to the bird 

before it leaves your possession. 

Reminder: All hunters must fill out a hunter harvest log. Carcass tags are only required if the carcass leaves your possession. 

& 


9


10 

KENTUCKY COUNTY CODE NUMBERS FOR TELECHECK 

001 Adair 025 Clark 049 Harrison 073 McCracken 097 Perry 

002 Allen 026 Clay 050 Hart 074 McCreary 098 Pike 

003 Anderson 027 Clinton 051 Henderson 075 McLean 099 Powell 

004 Ballard 028 Crittenden 052 Henry 076 Madison 100 Pulaski 

005 Barren 029 Cumberland 053 Hickman 077 Magoffin 101 Robertson 

006 Bath 030 Daviess 054 Hopkins 078 Marion 102 Rockcastle 

007 Bell 031 Edmonson 055 Jackson 079 Marshall 103 Rowan 

008 Boone 032 Elliott 056 Jefferson 080 Martin 104 Russell 

009 Bourbon 033 Estill 057 Jessamine 081 Mason 105 Scott 

010 Boyd 034 Fayette 058 Johnson 082 Meade 106 Shelby 

011 Boyle 035 Fleming 059 Kenton 083 Menifee 107 Simpson 

012 Bracken 036 Floyd 060 Knott 084 Mercer 108 Spencer 

013 Breathitt 037 Franklin 061 Knox 085 Metcalfe 109 Taylor 

014 Breckinridge 038 Fulton 062 LaRue 086 Monroe 110 Todd 

015 Bullitt 039 Gallatin 063 Laurel 087 Montgomery 111 Trigg 

016 Butler 040 Garrard 064 Lawrence 088 Morgan 112 Trimble 

017 Caldwell 041 Grant 065 Lee 089 Muhlenberg 113 Union 

018 Calloway 042 Graves 066 Leslie 090 Nelson 114 Warren 

019 Campbell 043 Grayson 067 Letcher 091 Nicholas 115 Washington 

020 Carlisle 044 Green 068 Lewis 092 Ohio 116 Wayne 

021 Carroll 045 Greenup 069 Lincoln 093 Oldham 117 Webster 

022 Carter 046 Hancock 070 Livingston 094 Owen 118 Whitley 

023 Casey 047 Hardin 071 Logan 095 Owsley 119 Wolfe 

024 Christian 048 Harlan 072 Lyon 096 Pendleton 120 Woodford 

Telecheck: 

1-800-CHK-GAME 

(1-800-245-4263) 

CHECKING (TELECHECK) 

All harvested turkeys must be telechecked 

through the toll-free, automated 

phone-in system by midnight on 

the day the bird is harvested. Harvested 

turkeys must be checked in before being 

transported out of Kentucky. 

When you call, you will be asked a 

short series of questions, including your 

Social Security number and the county 

code number where you took the bird. 

The county code chart appears above. 

Checking your turkey takes about 

five minutes. Entering false information 

is unlawful. 

TAGGING 

If you take a turkey, and it never 

leaves your possession, you are not required 

to put a carcass tag on the animal. 

Harvested animals in a hunter’s 

possession are assumed to be his or 

hers, unless they bear a carcass tag stat- 

ing otherwise. An individual in possession 

of an untagged turkey must have 

a fully completed hunter harvest log as 

described on page 9 for each bird. 

If a turkey leaves the possession 

of the person who harvested it, that 

hunter must first make and attach a 

carcass tag to the turkey that clearly 

includes the following information: 

1. Hunter’s name. 

2. Hunter’s phone number; and 

3. Turkey’s telecheck confirmation 

number. 

The carcass tag must remain attached 

until processing begins or the hunter returns 

to take possession of the carcass.

OTHER HUNTING REGULATIONS 

LANDOWNER PERMISSION 

A person SHALL NOT ENTER 

upon the lands of another to hunt, trap 

or fish, WITHOUT the oral or written 

PERMISSION of the landowner, 

tenant or person who has authority to 

grant permission. Those who fail to obtain 

permission are subject to arrest and 

prosecution. Railroad tracks and rights 

of way are privately owned property and 

permission to hunt, trap or fish must be 

obtained prior to entry. 

Q: Can a hunter retrieve game 

from another person’s land without 

permission? 

A: No. Hunters MUST have permission 

to enter private property. 

HUNTER EDUCATION LAW 

Kentucky’s Hunter Education Law 

states that all hunters, if required to 

purchase a Kentucky hunting license and 

Youth supervision 

Adults must accompany hunters 

ages 15 and under who turkey hunt 

with a shotgun. The adult shall remain 

in a position to take immediate 

control of the youth’s firearm. 

born on or after January 1, 1975, must 

carry a valid hunter education course 

completion card while hunting. However, 

a one-time temporary hunter education 

exemption permit is available online at 

fw.ky.gov. This $5 permit allows hunting 

without a hunter education card for one 

year from the date of purchase. After it 

expires, the hunter is no longer exempt 

and must successfully complete a hunter 

education course. The permit is valid 

only in Kentucky, and is not accepted at 

Bluegrass Army Depot or Fort Campbell. 

(Resident landowners are only license 

and hunter education exempt on their 

own property. When hunting elsewhere, 

they must be licensed and comply with 

What a deal for the 

TRUE Kentucky SpoRTSman! 

the hunter education law.) 

A bowhunter may carry a valid National 

Bowhunter Education Program 

course completion card instead of the 

hunter education card. 

The hunter education law applies to 

all types of hunting. Hunter education 

cards obtained from other states are valid 

in Kentucky. Hunter education cards 

and temporary hunter education exemption 

permits are not required when 

buying a license or permits, but must be 

in the hunter’s possession while hunting. 

Course information and a schedule 

are available at fw.ky.gov or by calling 

1-800-858-1549. 

Children under 12 years old are 

exempt from the hunter education law, 

and cannot take the hunter education 

test until they turn 9 years old. 

Hunters under 12 years of age and 

those who have a temporary hunter education 

exemption permit, must be accompanied 

by an adult at least 18 years 

old, who meets the hunter education 

requirement. 

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Spring & Fall Turkey Permits 

Statewide Deer Permit 

Statewide Waterfowl and Trout Permits 

Available wherever licenses are sold 

and online at or call 1-877-598-2401. 

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12 

The adult shall be in a position to 

take immediate control of firearms at all 

times while hunting. 

This law applies even if the person 

hunting with a temporary hunter education 

exemption is an adult. One adult 

shall not accompany more than two 

children at the same time. 

Free replacement hunter education 

cards can be printed online at fw.ky.gov. 

Replacements are also available 

for $5 by calling 1-800-858-1549 or 

by mailing the replacement fee and the 

following information to the Kentucky 

Fish and Wildlife Hunter Education 

Program at the address on the front of 

this guide: name, current address, date 

of birth, phone number, when and where 

the course was taken, and the mailing 

address at the time the course was taken 

if different from the current address. 

The replacement fee must be received 

before the card will be mailed. 

LEGAL EQUIPMENT 

Anyone who may legally possess 

firearms may carry firearms while 

hunting, but only persons with valid 

concealed carry deadly weapon permits 

may carry their firearms concealed. It is 

illegal for any person to take game with 

equipment that is contrary to the restrictions 

outlined in this guide. 

HUNTER ORANGE FOR SAFETY 

Hunters are not required to wear 

Watch video clips of your favorite “Kentucky Afield” 

segments on your computer and get the latest news 

on the show. Sign up now for the Kentucky Afield 

electronic newsletter online at 

fw.ky.gov 

KET 1 

Sat. 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 CT 

Sun. 4 p.m. ET/3 CT 

Check local listings for 

additional days and times. 

Shooting hours 

Shooting hours for turkey, squirrel 

and other species open to spring 

hunting are one-half hour before 

sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. 

However, hunters may be in the field 

before and after shooting hours. 

Sunrise and sunset tables are 

available at: www.usno.navy. 

mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/ 

data-services/rs-one-day-us 

hunter orange clothing during the 

spring turkey or squirrel seasons. However, 

wearing an article of hunter orange 

clothing when changing locations in the 

field or carrying a harvested turkey, is a 

simple and effective way to help prevent 

mistaken for game hunting accidents. 

HUNTING METHOD EXEMPTIONS 

The department grants exemptions 

to hunters with certain physical disabilities 

to hunt with a crossbow during 

archery-only seasons, or use a stationary 

vehicle as a hunting platform. 

However, persons with qualifying 

physical disabilities must first have an 

exemption form completed and signed 

by a licensed physician certifying why 

the exemption is necessary. Forms are 

available from the department and online 

at fw.ky.gov. A completed exemption 

form serves as the hunter’s exemption 

permit. It should NOT be returned 

to the department. Persons who obtain 

an exemption are still required to have 

the appropriate hunting license and permits, 

and must carry the signed exemption 

form with their hunting license and 

permits while in the field. 

FEEDING OF WILDLIFE 

It is illegal to feed wildlife with 

grain, seed or manufactured animal feed 

outside the curtilage of the home (the 

area immediately surrounding a home or 

group of homes) from March 1 through 

May 31. This regulation does not apply 

to normal agricultural practices or food 

plots, or municipal areas not open to legal 

hunting or trapping.

SPRING TURKEY HUNTING 

SPRING HUNTING SEASONS 

SPECIES Youth-Only General Season 

Turkey April 2-3 April 16 - May 8 

Both the youth-only and general 

spring turkey seasons are open 

statewide. 

YOUTH-ONLY SEASON 

Open to hunters 15 years of age or 

younger, but youth hunting licenses and 

permits are valid for the entire license 

year, if they are purchased BEFORE the 

youth’s 16th birthday. 

Youth who hunt turkeys with a 

shotgun must be accompanied by an 

adult who is at least 18 years old. The 

adult must remain in position to take 

immediate control of the youth’s shot- 

gun at all times. Adults may not accompany 

more than two youth at the same 

time, and are not required to have a license 

or permit. 

BAG LIMITS 

• A hunter may take a male turkey or a 

turkey with a visible beard. 

• No more than one (1) bird may be 

taken per day. 

• No more than two (2) birds may be 

taken per season. Any combination of 

male turkeys, or female turkeys with 

visible beards, may be included in this 

two-bird season limit. 

Art Lander Jr. photo 

Q: Can more than one Youth 

Turkey Permit be purchased? 

A: Yes. Multiple Youth Turkey 

Permits may be purchased, but season 

bag limits must be followed. 

• Turkeys taken by youth during the 

youth-only season count toward the 

spring turkey bag limit. 

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS 

License and permit requirements 

for spring turkey hunters are explained 

on pages 4-6. 

CALLER / ASSISTANT 

Anyone may call turkeys, or assist 

in the hunt, for a legal hunter. 

Callers and assistants don’t have to 

possess hunting licenses or turkey per- 


13


14 

mits if they are not turkey hunting, and 

may carry equipment while in the field. 

POSSESSION/RELEASE OF 

LIVE TURKEYS 

Because of potential disease problems 

and genetic pollution, it is illegal to 

possess live wild turkeys. For the same 

reasons, domestic or pen-raised turkeys 

should not be released into the wild. 

Due to the potential for spread of 

disease, it is recommended that turkeys 

not be artificially fed. Providing standing 

corn, wheat or clover patches is a 

much better alternative. 

See the General Information section 

of this guide for regulations on feeding 

wildlife from March 1 - May 31. 

PROHIBITED HUNTING METHODS 

A person hunting wild turkeys 

shall not: 

• Use a dog during the spring season. 

• Hunt from a boat, or from any type of 

vehicle unless prescribed by regulation 

(see “Hunting Method Exemptions” 

on page 12). 

• Take a roosting turkey. 

• Use or possess an electronic or digital 


Hunters may ONLY use the 

following to take turkeys during 

the spring seasons: 

• Breech-loading or muzzleloading 

shotguns no larger 

than 10-gauge and no smaller 

than 20-gauge. 

• Breech-loading shotguns 

must be plugged to hold a 

maximum of three shells 

(two in magazine and one in 

chamber). 

• Lead or non-toxic shot no 

larger than number 4. 

• Longbows, recurve bows, and 

compound bows, of any draw 

weight (no minimum). 

• Crossbows, of any draw weight 

(no minimum), with a working 

safety. 

• Broadheads at least 7/8” 

wide, which aren’t barbed, 

chemically-treated, or have 

attachments that contain 

chemicals. 

Hunter harvest log 

tagging requirements 

All harvested turkeys must be 

logged, and telechecked as outlined 

on pages 8-10. 

calling device. 

• Use live decoys. 

• Hunt on a baited area or by the aid of 

baiting while bait is present, or for 30 

days after the bait has been removed. 

A baited area is an area where feed, 

grains or other substances capable of 

luring wild turkeys have been placed. 

An area where grain, feed or other 

substance exists as the result of bona 

fide agricultural practice or manipulat- 

ing a crop for a wildlife management 

purpose is legal for turkey hunting. 

• Mimic the sound of a turkey from 

March 1 until the opening of the 

spring season in an area open to hunting 

if turkeys are reasonably expected 

to occur. (Locator calls such as crow or 

owl calls are permitted.) 

Register your turkey! 

For information about registering 

your turkey with the official 

NWTF records system, log on to 

www.nwtf.org or contact National 

Wild Turkey Federation, Attn: 

Wild Turkey Records, P.O. Box 

530, Edgefield, SC 29824-0530, 

telephone: (803) 637-3106. 

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1. Don’t stalk a turkey. The chances of 

getting close enough for a shot are 

slim, and your chances of becoming 

involved in an accident increase. 

2. Eliminate the colors red, white and 

blue from your turkey hunting outfit. 

Red is the color most hunters count on 

to differentiate a gobbler’s head from 

the hen’s blue-colored head. White 

can look like the snowball-colored top 

of a gobbler’s head. Leave those white 

tee-shirts and socks at home. Not only 

will these colors put you in danger, but 

they can be seen by turkeys as well. 

3. Don’t move, wave or make turkey 

sounds to alert another hunter of your 

presence. A quick movement may 

draw fire. Yell in a loud voice and remain 

hidden. 

IDENTIFYING WILD TURKEYS 

WHITE CROWN 

MINOR CARUNCLES 

VARIOUS REDS, 

WHITES & BLUES 

DARK PLUMAGE 

APPEARS TO BE BLACK 

STRUTTING GOBBLER 

FEATHERED 

HEAD 

GRAY-BLUE 

COLOR 

GRAY-BROWN 

PLUMAGE 

SNOOD 

DEWLAP 

MAJOR 

CARUNCLES 

SAFE TURKEY HUNTING TIPS 

4. Do not attempt to approach closer 

than 100 yards to a roosting turkey. 

The wild turkey’s eyesight and hearing 

are much too sharp to let you get 

much closer. 

5. Be particularly careful when using the 

gobbler call. The sound and motion 

may attract other hunters. 

6. When selecting your calling position, 

don’t try to hide so well that you cannot 

see what’s happening. Remember, 

eliminating motion is your key to success, 

not total concealment. 

7. Select a calling position that provides 

a background as wide as your shoulders, 

and one that will completely 

protect you from the top of your head 

down. Small trees won’t hide slight 

movements of your hands or shoul- 

GOBBLER 

The gobbler is most easily recognized by the 

long beard growing from his chest, and the 

pronounced spurs, sometimes as long as two 

inches, found on the back of his legs. A gobbler 

appears larger, darker, shinier and is more 

colorful than a hen, especially on his head, 

which can appear alternately red, white and 

blue. He often “puffs up” and struts during 

spring to attract hens for breeding. 

SNOOD 

DEWLAP 

CARUNCLES 

HEN 

The hen’s overall look 

is for concealment and 

protection. She is 

smaller and more drab 

than the colorful 

gobbler, so she can sit 

on her nest well 

camouflaged. Likewise, 

her head has more 

feathers to add to her 

camouflaged 

appearance. 

Based on information and graphics from the National Wild Turkey Federation website, which can be viewed at www.nwtf.org. 

ders, which could look like a turkey to 

another hunter who might be stalking 

your calls. Position yourself so you can 

see 180 degrees in front of you. 

8. Camouflage conceals you. It does not 

make you invisible. When turkey hunting, 

think and act defensively. Avoid 

all unnecessary movement. Remember, 

you are visible to both turkeys and 

hunters when you move even slightly. 

Sitting perfectly still will help you more 

than all the camo you can wear. 

9. Never shoot at a sound or movement. 

Be 100 percent sure of your target. 

Assume that every sound you hear is 

made by another hunter. 

10. After bagging a turkey, wear hunter 

orange while carrying the bird out of 

the woods. 


15

SQUIRREL & OTHER SPECIES 

16 

SPECIES 

Q: Can a hunter use dogs when 

hunting squirrels in the spring? 

A: Yes. Hunting squirrels 

with dogs puts a new spin on the 

traditional pursuit, creating a more 

social atmosphere for small groups 

of hunters. 

The Feist and Mountain Cur 

are two breeds of dogs often used 

for squirrel hunting. They are high 

energy, hard working little dogs that 

use all their senses to find squirrels. 

They smell where a squirrel has 

been walking on the forest floor, and 

follow its trail to a tree. Well-trained 

dogs stay on the tree, with their feet 

up, baying. 

Hunters can often tell if the dog 

has seen a squirrel, or just smelled 

one, based on the dog’s bark. Treed 

squirrels are preoccupied with the 

barking dogs and often present 

hunters with easy shots. 

SPRING SQUIRREL HUNTING 

SPRING HUNTING SEASON 

Spring Season 

Squirrel May 21-June 17 

SQUIRREL BAG LIMITS 

• Daily limit is 6; possession limit is 12. 

• Trapping squirrels is prohibited during 

the spring season. 

• Hunting squirrels with slingshots or 

blowguns is prohibited. 

SPRING SQUIRRELS 

Squirrels are Kentucky’s most 

stable and abundant small game 

species. 

This year, the spring squirrel 

season has been lengthened to 28 days, 

and starts earlier, on May 21. 

The spring season opens after the 

first of two nesting periods, so squirrel 

populations are high. Young squirrels 

leave the nest after 45 days, to venture 

off on their own. Litters are typically 

three to four squirrels. 

The gray squirrel is the dominant 

(with completed 

hunting log) 

species in the eastern third of Kentucky, 

with a higher percentage of fox squirrels 

in far western Kentucky. Gray squirrels 

are most often found in large tracts of 

John Brunjes photo 



following to take squirrels during 

the spring season: 

• Rifles that shoot rimfire 

ammunition, or .22 caliber 

handguns. 

• Muzzle-loading or breechloading 

shotguns no larger 

than 10-gauge. Breech-loading 

shotguns must be plugged to 

hold a maximum of three shells 

(two in magazine and one in 

chamber). 

• Lead or non-toxic shot no 

larger than number 2. 

• Muzzle-loading rifles. 

• Archery or crossbow 

equipment. 

• Pellets fired from .177, .20 or 

.22 caliber airguns. 

• Dogs may be used to aid in the 

hunt. 

forest lands. Fox squirrels prefer small 

woodlots and wooded fencerows of 

agricultural areas.

OTHER SPECIES 

SPECIES 

Coyote, Groundhog 

& Wild Hog 

COYOTE 

Coyotes may be hunted statewide, 

year-round, with no bag limit. 

Coyotes may NOT be hunted at 

night. Shooting hours are one-half hour 

before sunrise until one-half hour after 

sunset. 

Both mouth calls and electronic 

calls that imitate wounded prey or coyote 

calls, are legal. 

It is also legal to hunt coyotes over 

animal carcasses. 

WILD HOG 

Wild hogs may be hunted statewide, 

year-round, with no bag limit. It is illegal 

to possess, sell, or transport wild hogs in 

Kentucky. They may be trapped yearround. 

Trapped hogs must be killed at 

the trap site, and not released. 

GROUNDHOG 

Groundhogs may be hunted 

statewide, year-round, with no bag 

limit. They may also be trapped yearround. 

HUNTING SEASONS 

Season 

Year-round, hunting license required, unless exempt. 

EXOTIC SPECIES 

Persons may hunt the following 

exotic wildlife year-round without a 

hunting license, and with no bag limit 

or checking requirement: English sparrows, 

starlings, Eurasian collared doves, 

free-ranging non-native cervid species 

or non-domesticated bovid species. 

Non-native cervids include any deer 

species except whitetails and elk. Nondomesticated 

bovids include any type of 

non-domesticated sheep, antelope, goat, 

bison or other exotic hoofed species. 

Pheasants released during quota 

hunts are NOT open to year-round 

hunting on Green River WMA and 

Clay WMA. 

Fallow deer on Land Between the 

Lakes National Recreation Area are 

NOT open to year-round hunting. 

All birds of prey, songbirds, spotted 

skunks, and threatened or endangered 

species are protected under state and 

federal laws. 

All species of mice, moles, rats, 

shrews and terrestrial invertebrates 

Joe Lacefield photo 



following to take coyotes, wild 

hogs, groundhogs, and exotic 

species: 

• Muzzle-loading rifle, modern 

rifle, or handgun of any caliber, 

with no restriction on magazine 

capacity. 

• Shotguns no larger than 10 

gauge, shooting any size lead 

or non-toxic shot, including 

BUCKSHOT. Breech-loading 

shotguns must be plugged to 

hold a maximum of three shells 

(two in the magazine and one 

in the chamber). 

• Archery and crossbow 

equipment. 

• Dogs may be used to aid in the 

hunt. 

• Falconry (Sept. 1 through 

March 30). 

(such as worms and insects), except 

rare, threatened or endangered species, 

are unprotected and may be taken yearround 

without a hunting license. 

OTHER SPECIES 

17

PUBLIC LAND HUNTING 

18 

This page lists WMAs where special 

regulations are in effect for the 

spring turkey and squirrel seasons. If you 

plan to hunt on any of these areas, make 

note of the differences from statewide 

regulations. 

When hunting on WMAs respect 

the boundaries of adjoining private 

lands, be courteous, don’t trespass, and 

and keep safety in mind. 

Horseback riding on WMAs is 

prohibited during firearms seasons for 

turkeys. 

All department-owned or managed 

WMAs are open under statewide regulations 

for the spring turkey and squirrel 

hunting seasons, with the following 

exceptions: 

BARREN RIVER LAKE WMA 

Barren & Allen cos. 

All areas are open under statewide 

regulations for the youth-only and general 

turkey seasons and spring squirrel 

Maps and information 

For maps and information on 

WMAs and other public hunting 

areas, go online to fw.ky.gov. Then 

click Maps and Online Services. 


WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS 

season, with one exception. 

On the Peninsula Unit (including 

Narrows, Goose and Grass Islands), 

modern (breech-loading) firearms may 

not be used during any season. 

HIGGINSON-HENRY WMA 

Union County 

Open for the youth-only and general 

spring turkey seasons, but turkey 

hunters may only use archery gear, and 

crossbows. Open for spring squirrel season, 

under statewide regulations. 

LIVINGSTON COUNTY WMA AND 

STATE NATURAL AREA 

Open for the youth-only spring turkey 

season. Open to youth hunters only 

during the general spring turkey season. 

Open for spring squirrel season. 

PAUL VAN BOOVEN WMA 

Breathitt County 


spring turkey seasons and spring 

squirrel season, except the area is closed 

to vehicle access from one hour after 

sunset to one hour before sunrise. 

PEABODY WMA 

Ohio, Hopkins & Muhlenberg cos. 

Hunters are reminded that a Pea- 

Obie Williams photo 

body WMA user permit ($15) is required 

for anyone 16 years of age and 

older entering the property for any recreational 

purpose. 

PIONEER WEAPONS WMA 

Bath & Menifee cos. 


spring turkey seasons and spring 

squirrel season, except hunters shall not 

use modern (breech-loading) firearms. 

Muzzleloaders may not be equipped 

with optical sights. 

ROBINSON FOREST WMA 

Breathitt, Knott & Perry cos. 

The main block of this WMA is 

closed to all turkey and squirrel hunting. 

The remainder of the WMA is open for 

the youth-only and general spring turkey 

seasons and spring squirrel season. 

WEST KENTUCKY WMA 

McCracken County 

Open for the youth-only spring turkey 

season. Closed for the general spring 

turkey season. Open for spring squirrel 

season, except hunters shall not use rifles, 

or ball or slug ammunition. Tracts marked 

with the letter “A” are closed to turkey and 

squirrel hunting. Tract 6 is closed to vehicular 

traffic Feb. 1 - Apr. 16.

AREAS OPEN WITH SPECIAL 

REGULATIONS 

The following lands are not owned 

or managed by Kentucky Fish and 

Wildlife. These areas may have special 

season dates, regulations and hunter 

requirements. You MUST contact the 

appropriate agency to obtain details. 

Seasons and requirements on military 

installations are subject to change 

based on training exercises and other 

activities. Quota hunts require advance 

registration. 

On some areas, hunters do not 

have to use their statewide turkey permit. 

Birds taken on those areas, as noted, 

are considered “bonus” birds and do not 

count against the statewide season bag 

limit. But, all hunters must possess a 

valid hunting license and turkey permit, 

unless license exempt, to participate in 

these hunts. 

BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT 

Madison County 

Attn: Alan Colwell, (859) 779-6328 

Richmond, KY 40475-5010 

Application period for spring turkey 

hunts is July of the previous year. All 

spots are filled for 2011 spring season. 

Apply during July 2011 for 2012 spring 

turkey hunting. Background check re- 

Report poachers! 

OTHER PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS 

quired if selected. Birds taken are bonus 

birds. All ages must have hunter education 

card. Temporary hunter education 

exemption permit not accepted. 

CLARKS RIVER NATIONAL 

WILDLIFE REFUGE 

Graves, Marshall & McCracken cos. 

(270) 527-5770 

P.O. Box 89, Benton, KY 42025 

Open under statewide regulations 

for spring squirrel and turkey seasons. No 

bonus birds. Must use statewide turkey 

permit. Refuge user permit required. 

FORT CAMPBELL 

MILITARY RESERVATION 

Christian & Trigg cos. 

(270) 798-2175 

Outdoor Recreation Branch, Bldg. 6645, 

101st Airborne Div. Rd., Fort Campbell, 

KY 42223-5000 

Post permit required. Birds taken 

are bonus birds. Call for dates. No 

spring squirrel hunting. All ages must 

have hunter education card. Temporary 

hunter education exemption permit not 

accepted. 

FORT KNOX MILITARY RESERVATION 

Bullitt, Meade & Hardin cos. 

(502) 624-7311 

Call 1-800-25-ALERT (1-800-252-5378) to report wildlife law violators. 

Department of the Army, Env. Mgm. 

Div. (IMSE-KNX-PWE-N), Dir. of 

Public Works, Bldg. 112 (Hunt Control), 

125 6th Ave. Ste 320, Fort Knox, 

KY 40121-5719 

www.knox.army.mil/fw 

Post permit required. Birds taken 

are bonus birds. Contact Ft. Knox for 

dates. Spring squirrel hunting permitted. 

Ages 60 and under must have hunter 

education card. 

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES (LBL) 

NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 

Trigg & Lyon cos. 

(270) 924-2065 

100 Van Morgan Drive 

Golden Pond, KY 42211-9001 

Area user permit required. No bonus 

birds. Must use statewide turkey permit. 

Spring squirrel hunting permitted. Call 

LBL for dates. 

REELFOOT NATIONAL 

WILDLIFE REFUGE 

Fulton County 

(731) 538-2481 

4343 Hwy. 157, Union City, TN 38261 

Quota hunts early April by advance 

application. Birds taken are bonus birds. 

No spring squirrel hunting. 

Don’t forget... Telecheck your game – it’s the law! 


19

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Visit fw.ky.gov to purchase your permit online. 

Take a shot at the largest elk herd in the Eastern U.S. 

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fw.ky.gov • 1-800-858-1549 

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Total cost of $215 includes meals and transportation • Scholarships are available 

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