Spring Turkey Hunting Season Begins In Evansville Area

Strong Population Numbers in Kentucky Have Hunters Near Evansville Feeling Optimistic Heading Into Spring

If you’re an outdoors person here in the Evansville area or even just someone who enjoys a good spring tradition this is the kind of news you like to hear.

After a pretty rough winter filled with snow and ice, there’s finally something to look forward to… and it involves getting back outside. And I'm not a big hunter but I do know turkey season is right around the corner—and it’s shaping up to be a good one.

Turkey Season Is Almost Here

Just across the river in Kentucky, the 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Season is getting ready to kick off, and it’s already creating some buzz.

The youth-only hunt opens April 4th and 5th, with the regular season running April 18th through May 10th. So if you’ve been itching to get back out in the woods, your countdown officially starts now.

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After a Tough Winter, There’s Good News

This past winter wasn’t exactly easy on wildlife or on us, for that matter. But despite the snow and ice, things are actually looking up for the turkey population.

Biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources say recent surveys are showing strong signs of growth.

In simple terms? More baby turkeys (called poults) are being spotted, and that’s always a really good sign for the future.

Why This Year Could Be a Big One

The numbers are actually pretty encouraging.

More hens are raising young, and the number of poults per hen is going up—which means we’re seeing a healthier, growing population. That also leads to more 2-year-old gobblers this season… and if you’re a hunter, you know those are the birds everyone is hoping to hear (and see).

There’s even some talk that the emergence of cicadas last year may have helped boost nesting success, giving turkeys a bit of an unexpected advantage.

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What Hunters Need to Know

If you’re planning to head out this spring, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

You can harvest up to two birds total, but only one per day
Only male turkeys—or those with a visible beard—are legal
Hunting hours run from just before sunrise to just after sunset
You’ll need a valid license and turkey permit
And yes, you still have to check in your harvest before the end of the day

Also, while blaze orange isn’t required during turkey season, officials do recommend wearing it when you’re moving around especially when transporting a bird.

What This Means for Evansville Hunters

Here in Evansville, we’re in a pretty unique spot. With Indiana on one side and Kentucky just across the river, a lot of local hunters take advantage of opportunities in both states.

And if these numbers hold up, this spring could offer some really solid hunting across the region.

A Season Worth Getting Excited About

At the end of the day, it’s always good to hear that wildlife populations are staying healthy and that hunting traditions can continue for years to come.

So whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just someone who enjoys being outdoors this time of year, it sounds like this spring is bringing a little extra reason to get outside and enjoy it.