2008 Spring Turkey and Squirrel Hunting Guide

GENERAL INFORMATION / TELECHECK

NEW THIS YEAR

New regulations are now printed in light blue text.

Youth under the age of 12 are no longer required to purchase licenses or permits (except the Elk Lottery Application, Elk Quota Hunt Permit and Out-of-Zone Elk Permit). This exemption goes into effect with the 2008-09 license year.

2008 SPRING HUNTING SEASONS

TURKEY

Youth-Only: April 5-6

General Season: April 12 - May 4

SQUIRREL & OTHER SPECIES (Open statewide)

Squirrel: June 7-20

Coyote, Groundhog & Wild Hog: year-round

NOTE: Seasons on some Wildlife Management Areas and other public hunting lands not managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife may be different from those above. Please check the Public Land Hunting section for those exceptions.

LICENSES AND PERMITS

General Hunter Requirements

All turkey hunters (except those noted under ‘License and Permit Exemptions’ below) are required to purchase and carry an annual 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; those two birds shall be male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards. The youth turkey permit is explained under ‘Youth Hunter Requirements.’

All turkey hunters are required to record and check harvested turkeys (and tag them if necessary) as described under “Recording, Checking and Tagging.”

All squirrel hunters, unless license exempt, are required to carry the appropriate 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 & PERMIT EXEMPTIONS

The only time hunters are not required to purchase a hunting license or turkey permit is if they are:

• 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.

Persons exempt from buying a license and permit, including resident landowners, must abide by all other season regulations as outlined in this guide. 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 REQUIREMENTS

Youth 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. Youth turkey hunters ages 12-15 who are not license exempt 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 REQUIREMENTS

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. Hunters who own land in Kentucky but do not meet the residency requirements noted above are classified as nonresidents.

All nonresident turkey hunters are required to purchase and carry an annual nonresident hunting license and nonresident spring turkey permit while turkey hunting. Nonresident squirrel hunters may purchase either an annual, one-day or five-day nonresident license, as applicable. A one- or five-day nonresident hunting license is not valid for turkey hunting. 

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 migratory bird hunting) and trout permit. Purchased separately, these items would cost $50 more than buying the Sportsman’s package deal. Peabody and LBL user permits, trapping license, an Elk Lottery Application, Elk Quota Hunt Permit (if drawn), Out-of-Zone Elk Permit and bonus deer permits must be purchased separately. A Federal Duck Stamp (available at post offices) is required for waterfowl hunting.

RESIDENT SENIOR & DISABLED HUNTER REQUIREMENTS

The $5 Resident Senior and Disabled licenses are discounted licenses which include the same licenses and permits as a Resident Sportsman’s License, plus bonus deer permits.

Who qualifies?

Kentucky residents who are:

1) 65 years of age and older;

2) 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;

3) Kentucky resident employees of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, declared totally and permanently disabled by a recognized authority; or

4) Veterans at least 50% disabled as the result of a service-connected disability.

How To Get This License

Kentucky residents 65 or older need only show proof of residency and age in order to purchase the $5 Senior Combination License from any license dealer.

All others (2-4 above) eligible to purchase the Disabled Combination License must first obtain a disability authorization card from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife in order to buy the Disabled Combination License. The authorization card must be presented at the time of purchase, and then retained with the license in the hunter’s possession while hunting.

Holders of a Senior or Disabled Combination License are required to follow all laws, bag limits, season dates, regulations and hunter education requirements the same as any other hunter. Harvested turkeys must be recorded, checked and tagged as described in this guide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I’m a nonresident but I own land in Kentucky. Do I have to buy nonresident licenses and permits?

A: Yes. All nonresidents must purchase nonresident licenses and permits.

LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES

* Not available

** Peabody and LBL User Permits, Elk Lottery Application, Elk Quota Hunt Permit, Out-of-Zone Elk 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.

Beginning with the 2008-09 license year, youth under the age of 12 are no longer required to purchase licenses or permits (except the Elk Lottery Application, Elk Quota Hunt Permit and Out-of-Zone Elk Permit).

WHICH LICENSE OR PERMIT DO I NEED?

The tables below are a quick overview of licensing requirements for hunting in Kentucky for the 2008-09 license year. See the rest of this section for exemptions and complete residency, licensing and hunter education requirements. All elk hunting regulations are explained in the fall Hunting & Trapping Guide, available in July.

*Included in Youth Sportsman’s License

†Included in Resident Sportsman’s License

HIP survey required (also required for Resident Sportsman’s License) You will be asked survey questions during your purchase