Kentucky spring turkey season: last spring's dates and free maps

Spring 2026 dates

Kentucky hadn't set its 2027 dates when we checked. These are last spring's (2026): check the agency for 2027.

Youth season: Saturday, April 4 to Sunday, April 5, 2026
Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
General season: Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, May 10, 2026
Source: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

Checked on the agency's site November 6, 2026. Permits, zones, bag limits and shooting hours differ: the regulations are what count, so read them before you go.

Legal shooting hours for big game in Kentucky, generally: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Spring turkey hours are often shorter (many states close at noon), so check the turkey rules.

Turkey hunting means walking in before first light to get set up near the roost, often where there's no signal. Download the maps for your spot ahead of time and Cartahaven shows your GPS position on them offline, so you can stay on public ground and find your way back to the truck.

Kentucky elk hunting units and deer zones Open the map app

Free public land maps in Kentucky

Kentucky USGS topo maps (779)
Kentucky historical topo maps (137)
Kentucky Forest Service FSTopo maps (125)
Kentucky national park maps (4)
Kentucky national forest maps (2)

All free maps in Kentucky

Before you go

Cartahaven is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Season dates come from the agency pages linked above.