For many hunters, spring turkey season is a highlight of the year in West Virginia. The excitement of calling in a responsive tom turkey is hard to beat. But successfully harvesting one of these wary birds takes preparation and understanding the hunting regulations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about West Virginia’s 2024-2025 spring and fall turkey hunting seasons, including dates, bag limits, licenses, and more.
Overview of West Virginia Turkey Season Dates
West Virginia offers both spring and fall turkey hunting seasons to pursue these challenging game birds.
Spring Turkey Season
- Opening Day: April 21, 2025
- Closing Day: May 25, 2025
The spring season targets bearded turkeys only and lasts 5 weeks.
Fall Turkey Season
- Opening Day: Varies by county from October 12 – October 28, 2025
- Closing Day: November 3 or November 17 depending on county
The fall turkey season is split into different segments based on county. It is shorter than spring at 2-6 weeks depending on your location. Hunters can harvest either sex during the fall.
Youth Spring Turkey Weekend
- April 19-20, 2025
This special weekend allows youth hunters to get a head start before the main spring season opens.
Spring Turkey Hunting Overview
Let’s take a closer look at key details for the 2025 spring gobbler season in West Virginia:
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Bag Limit: 2 bearded turkeys for the entire spring season. Only one turkey may be harvested per day.
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Legal Birds: Bearded turkeys only of either sex. Hens without beards are illegal for harvest.
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Permits: A spring turkey permit is required in addition to a base hunting license.
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License: Resident or non-resident 2025 hunting license valid for spring turkey.
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Hunting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise until 1pm.
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Areas Open: Statewide on public and private lands. Some exceptions occur on public lands, so consult local regulations.
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Check-In: All spring turkeys must be electronically registered within 24 hours of harvest.
During the spring mating season, only bearded turkeys are legal quarry. Take care to properly ID your target as a bearded bird before shooting. Use turkey decoys and calling tactics to draw in lovesick gobblers.
Fall Turkey Hunting Overview
While less popular than spring, West Virginia’s fall turkey season offers unique hunting opportunities mainly on private lands:
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Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per day, season limit of 2
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Legal Birds: Either sex turkey without possession limits
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Areas Open: Limited counties only, see regulations
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Permits: A fall turkey permit is required in participating counties
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Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
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Check-In: Electronic registration within 24 hours
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License: Valid base hunting license for 2025 season
Fall turkeys vocalize less but flock together, allowing multiple harvest opportunities from bush hiding and ambush tactics. Shotguns, bows, or crossbows may be used.
Youth Turkey Weekend in West Virginia
Youth hunters under the age of 15 get exclusive early access to spring gobbler hunting:
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Dates: April 19-20, 2025
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Eligibility: Youth 15 and under who have completed a hunter education course
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Mentor: Must be accompanied by an adult mentor who cannot carry a firearm/bow
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Limit: 1 bearded turkey for the weekend
This special weekend lets young hunters learn tactics and gain experience before the main season opens. A great opportunity to introduce someone new to turkey hunting.
How to Buy a West Virginia Turkey Permit
All turkey hunters need a valid base hunting license plus a turkey permit for each season:
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Purchase online at www.wvhunt.com or anywhere hunting licenses are sold
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Permits cost $4 for residents and $28 for non-residents
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Spring and fall turkey permits must be bought separately
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Youth younger than 15 hunt for free but still need the permit
Be sure you have the proper licenses before heading afield. Carry them with you while hunting.
West Virginia Turkey Hunting Rules and Regulations
Follow all turkey hunting laws and ethics:
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No electronic calls allowed
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Fluorescent orange required when moving between sites
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Legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 1pm in spring; 30 minutes after sunset in fall
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No baiting
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Report harvests within 24 hours and attach harvest tag
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No harvest of bearded hens in spring
Know the regulations to stay legal and hunt safely. A hunter education course reviews key laws.
Tips for Hunting Gobblers in West Virginia
To maximize your turkey hunting success:
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Scout areas ahead of season to pattern bird habits
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Use realistic decoys to draw in toms
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Learn different calling techniques like yelps, purrs, and cuts
-Sit still and stay concealed when birds are near
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Be patient and move slowly. Quick motions will spook them.
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Take shots within 40 yards for clean kills
Hunting turkeys takes expertise. Mentored hunts with seasoned turkey hunters can shortcut the learning curve.
With the right preparation and skills, tagging a spring or fall turkey in West Virginia is an achievable goal. Know the season dates and understand regulations. Scout ahead of time and have proper equipment. Remain still, unseen, and silent when birds are close. If you learn a gobbler’s patterns and appeal to its senses, your time is sure to come. The work will pay off the moment a big tom thunders in to your calls.
Follow this guide to understand when turkey seasons occur and how to hunt them successfully. Gobble at every opportunity this spring and fall with preparation and persistence. Before you know it, you’ll have that trophy turkey on display.
WILD TURKEY – FALL SEASON/REGULATIONS
- 26 counties are open to a one-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20, 2024).
- 15 counties are open to a split two-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 –Nov. 3, 2024).
- 14 counties are open to a split four-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 – Nov. 17, 2024).
- Fall wild turkey season now includes Sunday closing days.
- For more information, consult the 2024–2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.
No. Baiting for turkeys in both the spring and fall hunting seasons is prohibited.
WILD TURKEY – SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS
- Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025.
- The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
No, only shotguns, bows (arrows must have a point with at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of 3/4 inch wide) or crossbows are permitted. Shot size restrictions have been removed.
No. Class XS license holders are only permitted to hunt in the youth antlerless deer season, the Class XS license privilege does not apply to other youth seasons (e.g., youth spring gobbler season, youth small game season).
West Virginia spring gobbler season set to open
FAQ
What day does turkey season start in WV?
| Species | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| *Turkey (Fall)Split Season (Selected Counties – See Page 44) | October 28 | November 3 |
| October 28 | November 17 | |
| *Turkey (Spring 2025 – Bearded Only) | April 21 | May 25 |
| *Turkey (Spring 2025 – Youth Season – See Page 44) | April 19 | April 20 |
Can you shoot a turkey with a rifle in WV?
Wild turkey may be hunted with rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders, shotguns, bows or crossbows with arrows or bolts equipped with a point having at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of 3/4 inch wide (see exception for Youth Spring Gobbler Season on page 43).
What day does turkey season start?
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has set the 2025 Spring Turkey Season as follows: Regular Season: March 30 – May 5, 2025. Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025.
Can you turkey hunt on Sundays in West Virginia?
(b) Notwithstanding any ballot measure relating to Sunday hunting, it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on private lands on Sundays with the written consent of the private landowner pursuant to §20-2-7 of this code, and it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on federal land …
When is fall turkey season in West Virginia?
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a successful fall turkey season. When is West Virginia’s fall turkey season in 2024? West Virginia’s fall turkey season is open October 12–20 in all 55 counties. What makes this season unique is that select counties around the state are also open for additional weeks.
When is turkey hunting in West Virginia?
Hunting safety tips and essential gear to help you enjoy turkey hunting in West Virginia. Get ready for fall hunting adventures because West Virginia’s 2024 fall turkey season is set to open on Oct. 12.
When is hunting season in West Virginia?
Explore West Virginia’s Hunting Seasons with vital insights into licensing, regulations, including the four-day WV Mountaineer Heritage Season that starts on the 12th and ends on the 15th of January for hunting deer, bear, and turkey. Plan your next hunting trip with this comprehensive guide.
Where can I find information about the fall turkey season?
For more information about the fall turkey season, check page 44 in the West Virginia Hunting Regulations Summary for more details on the fall turkey seasonCheck, available online at //WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations. See an error in our reporting?
When does West Virginia Gobbler Season start?
Visit WVhunt.com to get started. West Virginia’s spring gobbler season kicks off with a two-day youth season on April 19–20 and the regular season opens statewide on April 21.
Can you shoot a Turkey in the fall?
During the fall season in West Virginia, one turkey of either sex can be taken using a gun, bow, or crossbow within the shooting hours of 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The use of dogs is legal during this time.