Virginia, located on the East Coast of the United States, is famous for its plentiful wildlife, drawing hunters across the country. The state’s varied terrain, including mountains and coastlines, makes it a prime location for turkey hunting.
With a thriving turkey population and over 2 million acres of public hunting land, Virginia offers the perfect setting for an exciting turkey hunting season. During the 2023 turkey hunting season in Virginia, a grand total of 24,447 wild turkeys were successfully harvested! This beats the old record set in 2015.
The current season may not be as amazing as before, but it is still exciting. Here, we have summarized the season dates, regulations, and license information in one place that can help you prepare for the upcoming Virginia turkey season 2024. Keep reading!
With its beautiful backcountry and healthy wild turkey population, Virginia is a top destination for turkey hunters across the country. The state offers generous spring and fall turkey seasons, allowing ample opportunities to bag a tom or hen. But when exactly does turkey season open each year?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Virginia’s turkey hunting seasons and regulations for 2023. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned hunter, use this as your go-to reference for essential details on spring and fall turkey season dates, bag limits, licensing, and more in Virginia.
Overview of Virginia Turkey Season Dates
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) regulates the annual turkey hunting seasons Here’s an overview of the typical spring and fall season dates
Spring Turkey Season
- April 1 – 14, 2023: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon
- April 15 – May 13, 2023: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset
Youth & Apprentice Season: March 25-26, 2023
Fall Turkey Season
- Archery: October 7 – November 17, 2023
- Firearms: Varies by county, typically October – January
Youth & Apprentice Season: October 14-15, 2023
Key Details on Spring Turkey Season
Let’s take a closer look at some key details for the spring 2023 turkey hunting season in Virginia
- Daily Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey per day
- Season Limit: 2 bearded turkeys total for the spring season
- Legal Hunting Hours:
- April 1-14: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon
- April 15 – May 13: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset
- Licensing: Valid hunting license, turkey tag, and harvest card required
During the youth season, hunters 15 years and younger can harvest 1 bearded turkey if accompanied by an adult with a valid hunting license.
What to Know About the Fall Turkey Season
The shorter fall turkey season has its own set of specifics to understand
- Archery: October 7 – November 17, 2023
- Firearms: Varies by county, typically October – January
- Daily Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per day
- Season Limit: 2 turkeys total, only 1 can be taken during fall season
- Licensing: Same as spring season
Fall season dates for firearms hunting depend on the county. Hunters must carefully verify season dates for their specific area.
Tips for Hunting Success
To maximize your chances of bagging a turkey in Virginia, keep these tips in mind:
- Scout early and often to pattern bird movements
- Use decoys and calls sparingly and realistically
- Take care not to alert birds to your presence when setting up
- Be safely concealed in a ground blind near expected turkey activity
- Remain still and quiet as birds approach your position
- Check regulations for specific equipment restrictions
Do your scouting homework and hunt smart, and you’ll be rewarded with a fine Virginia tom!
Do You Need a License to Hunt Turkeys in Virginia?
Yes, anyone hunting turkeys in Virginia needs:
- A current Virginia hunting license
- Completed hunter education certification
- A turkey license tag for each bird you plan to harvest
- A turkey harvest card for reporting birds taken
All required licenses and certifications must be in hand before heading out to hunt wild turkeys.
Can You Hunt Turkey on Sundays in Virginia?
Sunday hunting is permitted on private lands with written landowner consent in Virginia. However, most public lands in the state prohibit Sunday hunting. Be sure to verify regulations for the specific area and land ownership you’ll be hunting.
Are There Spring Turkey Hunting Restrictions?
There are few restrictions in the spring season beyond following bag limits, legal hunting hours, and reporting harvested birds. Be sure to check for any special regulations in your county. Otherwise, enjoy the extended spring season and opportunities to call in lovesick toms.
Ready for a Rewarding Virginia Turkey Hunt
With separate spring and fall seasons, hunters have ample opportunities to harvest turkeys in Virginia. Just be sure to verify your specific county dates and regulations before grabbing your bow or firearm.
Do your scouting, fine-tune your calls, and remain cautiously concealed, and you’ll have an excellent chance at bagging your Virginia gobbler this year. Enjoy the hunt!
Virginia Turkey Season Regulations
As we stated before, each of the seasons has its regulations. For an ethical and legal hunt, hunters should pay attention to the rules and make sure to follow them to avoid any problems.
Youth and Apprentice Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend
Zones: Statewide
Bag Limits: each youth/apprentice hunter is allowed to take one turkey (bearded only) per weekend.
Hunting Hours: hunting is permitted from half an hour before sunrise to sunset.
Rules:
- Resident and nonresident youth under 15 or anyone who has an apprentice license can hunt with adult supervision.
- Nonresident youth of any age need to have the appropriate licenses.
- Turkeys taken by youth/apprentice hunters count towards their daily and season bag limits.
- Adult mentors of youth hunters do not need specific licenses during this time.
TURKEY HUNTING VIRGINIA/ How to hunt the Toughest Part of the Season
FAQ
What day does turkey season start in Virginia?
| Seasons | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Season | April 12 – 27 April 28 – May 17 |
| Archery Turkey Season | October 5 – November 15, 2024 |
| Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend | October 12 – 13, 2024 |
| Fall Firearms Turkey Season | October 19 – November 1 November 28, 2024 |
Can you hunt turkey with a rifle in Virginia?
In Virginia you are allowed to use rifle, shotgun, bow and muzzleloader legally. The only limit is that you are not allowed to use buck shot. I think being able to use a rifle in the turkey woods is insane and dangerous.
Can you hunt turkeys on Sunday in VA?
Note: The General Assembly passed a law in 2022 allowing Sunday hunting on public land for all game species.
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.