301 KAR 2:142. Spring wild turkey hunting.

301 KAR 2:142. Spring wild turkey hunting.

RELATES TO: KRS 150.175(1)(r), 150.305, 150.360, 150.390, 150.990(11)

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1), 150.390(1)

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) and 150.390(1) authorize the department to promulgate administrative regulations governing wild turkey hunting. This administrative regulation establishes season dates, shooting hours and other requirements for spring turkey hunting.

Section 1. Definition. "The youth turkey season" means a season that is open to a person who has not reached his 16th birthday by the day of the hunt.

Section 2. A person may take a wild turkey:

(1) For twenty-three (23) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday closest to April 15.

(2) Using firearms or archery equipment as specified in Section 5 of 301 KAR 2:140; and

(3) From one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.

Section 3. Youth Turkey Season. There shall be a two (2) day statewide youth turkey hunting weekend beginning the first Saturday in April.

Section 4. A person shall not take more than:

(1) One (1) male turkey or turkey with a visible beard per day; or

(2) Two (2) male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards during the spring season.

Section 5. (1) Unless otherwise specified in this section, spring season dates and the requirements of 301 KAR 2:140 shall apply to Wildlife Management Areas.

(2) A person shall not hunt a wild turkey during the spring on the areas listed in this section except on the dates specified in this administrative regulation.

(3) A turkey listed as a bonus bird shall not count against statewide limits.

(4) Barren River Wildlife Management Area. On the peninsula unit, including Narrows, Goose and Grass Islands, a person shall not:

(a) Hunt turkey with a breech-loading firearm; or

(b) Except as authorized by the department, carry a breech-loading firearm with ammunition in the chamber or magazine.

(5) Fort Campbell Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Season. The third Saturday in March through the second Sunday in May.

(b) A turkey taken on Fort Campbell shall be a bonus bird.

1. Obtain a post combination hunting-fishing permit before hunting; and

2. Attach a Fort Campbell game check card to the turkey before leaving the post.

(6) Fort Knox Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Seasons. The last Saturday in March through the second Sunday in May.

(b) A person shall:

1. Hunt in assigned areas; and

2. Not take more than one (1) turkey during the spring season.

(7) Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area. During the spring season a person shall not use or possess a firearm while turkey hunting.

(8) Land Between the Lakes.

(a) Seasons.

1. Quota hunts of no more than six (6) days beginning on or after the last Saturday in March.

2. Up to sixteen (16) days between the first Saturday in April and the second Saturday in May.

(b) A person shall:

1. Check in and out, as required by the USDA Forest Service;

2. Hunt in assigned areas;

3. Check turkeys at a Land Between the Lakes check station before leaving Land Between the Lakes, as required by the USDA Forest Service;

4. Affix a Land Between the Lakes game check card as required by the USDA Forest Service; and

5. Not take more than one (1) turkey in the spring.

(9) Livingston County Wildlife Management Area. Open for the Youth Turkey Season. Statewide Spring Turkey Season open to youth only.

(10) Pioneer Weapons Wildlife Management Area. During the spring season a person shall not use a breech-loading shotgun.

(11) Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.

(a) Season. Quota hunt, three (3) consecutive days in April.

(b) A person shall:

1. Not take more than one (1) turkey; and

2. Obtain written permission from the area manager before hunting.

(12) The main block of Robinson Forest shall be closed to turkey hunting.

(13) West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area shall be open during the youth turkey season.

Section 6. A person may assist or call turkeys for another person who is legally hunting. This assistant:

(1) May possess a hunting license or turkey permit, but does not have to possess a hunting license if he is assisting a licensed hunter; and

(2) Shall not carry a firearm, archery equipment or crossbow if he has taken the bag limit for that season. (24 Ky.R. 792; Am. 1060; eff. 11-12-97; 25 Ky.R. 1692; 2135; eff. 3-10-99; 26 Ky.R. 2017; 27 Ky.R. 75; eff. 7-17-2000; 3335; 28 Ky.R. 358; eff. 8-15-2001; 2413; eff. 7-15-02; 29 Ky.R. 1317; eff. 1-16-2003; 31 Ky.R. 1705; 1962; eff. 6-8-05; 32 Ky.R. 1923; eff. 7-7-06; 33 Ky.R. 1893; eff. 4-6-07.)