COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio hunters are looking forward to spring wild turkey seasons beginning in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s spring turkey season is a highly anticipated tradition that has occurred annually since 1966.
Ohio’s 2024 youth wild turkey hunting season is Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. Ohio’s regular seasons are divided into two zones: the south zone, which opens to hunters on Saturday, April 20, and the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties), which opens on Saturday, April 27. The season limit is one bearded turkey.
Ohio’s wild turkey hunting seasons begin in April. The season limit is one bearded turkey.
During the 2023 spring turkey seasons, hunters harvested 15,673 birds. Among those were 1,823 turkeys checked by young hunters during the two-day youth season. Eastern and southern counties, where forested habitat is most abundant, typically record the highest number of harvests. The top five counties in 2023 were Ashtabula (454 birds taken), Gallia (428), Muskingum (420), Monroe (410), and Tuscarawas (408).
The restoration of the wild turkey in Ohio is among the state’s most notable wildlife success stories. Wild turkeys were extirpated around 1904, and the Division of Wildlife began reintroducing wild turkeys to the Buckeye State in the 1950s. For the next five decades, the wild turkey population grew and expanded rapidly, facilitated by trap-and-transfer efforts. By 1999, wild turkeys were found in all 88 counties. Wild turkey research Each summer, the Division of Wildlife collects information on young wild turkeys, called poults. Brood surveys in 2021, 2022, and 2023 showed above average results that will benefit Ohio’s wild turkey population numbers this spring. The statewide average poults per hen observed was 2.8 in 2023, 3.0 in 2022, and 3.1 in 2021, with a long-term average of 2.7. In addition to turkey brood surveys, the Division of Wildlife is studying the nesting and survival of hen turkeys in eastern Ohio in collaboration with researchers in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Last year, Ohio’s biologists affixed GPS transmitters to 49 hens and gathered information on their movement, survival, and nest activity timing. This year, staff are gathering data from 137 hens via GPS transmitters. Division of Wildlife staff are also conducting research on the gobbling frequency and timing of male wild turkeys. Biologists placed 32 recorders in northeast and southeast Ohio this spring to record wild turkey gobbles and learn more about factors that influence gobbling. Preliminary results from 2023 show that gobbling peaked in late April, with a smaller peak in the first half of May. Information gathered from the brood surveys, multiyear nest study, and gobbling research will influence wild turkey management decisions in the coming years. This helps the Division of Wildlife structure science-based turkey hunting regulations, ensuring wild turkey success across Ohio for many more years. Turkey hunting regulations During the two-day youth hunting season, hunters ages 17 and under can participate with a youth hunting license ($10 for a one-year license) and youth turkey permit ($16). Licenses and permits can be purchased on the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, via the HuntFish OH mobile app, or at participating license sales agents. Youth hunters are required to be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, 18 years of age or older. Hunting hours during the youth season are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
In both the south zone and northeast zone, turkey hunting hours for the first nine days of the season are from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon. For the remainder of the season, hours are extended until sunset. The season ends in the south zone on Sunday, May 19, and in the northeast zone on Sunday, May 26. Turkey hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and spring turkey permit, unless exempted. Find more information in the current hunting and trapping regulations. In youth and statewide seasons, hunters are required to game check their harvested bird no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day it was taken. The Division of Wildlife’s automated game check system is available on wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, by phone at 877-TAG-IT-OH (877-824-4864), or at a participating license agent. Reporting your harvest allows the Division of Wildlife to monitor wild turkey populations from year to year and impacts management decisions on wild turkeys.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
In 2024, join ODNR as we celebrate 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
As an avid young turkey hunter in Ohio, one of my most anticipated times of year is youth turkey season. This special weekend gives hunters under 18 an exclusive chance to chase spring gobblers before the general season opens. But when exactly is youth turkey weekend in Ohio?
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about dates, regulations, license requirements, and tips to make the most of this unique spring hunting opportunity.
When is Youth Turkey Season in Ohio?
For 2025, Ohio’s youth turkey season will take place on Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th. This is one weekend prior to the statewide opening day on April 25th.
Youth weekend gives hunters 17 years of age and younger exclusive turkey hunting rights statewide for this special two day period Only youth may hunt, and they must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
Youth Turkey Hunting Licenses and Permits
To participate in Ohio’s youth turkey season, hunters will need:
- Youth Hunting License – $11
- Spring Turkey Permit – $24
Youth hunters must carry their license and permit while hunting. Adult mentors are not required to have a license or permit since they are not hunting.
Licenses and permits can be purchased online at the Ohio DNR website or from authorized agents. Only one spring turkey permit is allowed per hunter.
Youth Turkey Hunting Regulations
Youth hunters must follow all standard turkey hunting rules and regulations during the special weekend season including:
- Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller using shot sizes #4 through #9
- Legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
- Mandatory harvest reporting within 24 hours
Only one bearded turkey is allowed per permit, but hunters can fill multiple permits. The youth hunter must make the shot, not the adult mentor.
Standard safety protocols like wearing hunter orange when moving and identifying targets also apply. Check the Ohio hunting digest for complete turkey hunting rules.
Tips for a Successful Youth Turkey Hunt
Here are some tips to help make the most of your youth turkey season experience:
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Scout areas ahead of time to find signs of turkey activity. Look for tracks, feathers, dusting bowls, and listen for gobbles.
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Use turkey calls cautiously. Start with light calling and increase intensity if needed. Be patient and don’t overcall.
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Set up a blind near roosting sites early in the morning. Have decoys ready if allowed.
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Be properly concealed and still when turkeys are near. Remain patient and let birds fully commit before shooting.
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If you don’t connect during youth weekend, keep practicing calling and scouting for your general season hunts.
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Follow your adult mentor’s lead on positioning, calling strategies, shot selection, and safety considerations.
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Stay positive and have fun even if you don’t harvest a bird. The memories and lessons learned last a lifetime.
Ohio’s youth turkey season is an amazing chance for young hunters to test their skills on spring gobblers. Mark your calendars for April 18-19, 2025 and make preparations for an exciting hunt. Purchase your license and permit, pattern your shotgun, scout areas, and practice calling well in advance. Follow the rules and tips above to set yourself up for success. Be safe, make smart ethical shots, and enjoy your youth turkey hunting opportunity to the fullest!
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Day 1 Episode 1 Youth Turkey Season Ohio Public Land
FAQ
What are the dates for turkey season in Ohio?
NEWS: 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons Set ⏺️ Youth: Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2025 ⏺️ South zone: Saturday, April 19 to Sunday, May 18, 2025 ⏺️ Northeast zone: Saturday, May 3 to Sunday, June 1, 2025 ⭐ Ohio’s spring turkey season is split into two zones to align with the timing of turkey nesting in those …
What are the two days of youth only turkey season in spring 2025 in Ohio?
(c) Youth spring wild turkey season is open on April 12 and 13, 2025 for persons seventeen years of age and younger. All spring wild turkey season rules apply to these dates.
What day is youth turkey season?
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025.
What age is youth season in Ohio?
Youth: For anyone 17 years old and younger. Resident: Adult For Ohio residents age 18-65. Nonresident: Adult For all nonresidents 18 years old and older. Apprentice: For residents and nonresidents accompanied by a licensed hunter.
When is Ohio’s spring turkey season?
Ohio’s spring turkey season is a highly anticipated tradition that has occurred annually since 1966. Ohio’s 2024 youth wild turkey hunting season is Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14.
When does turkey hunting start in Ohio?
Ohio’s regular seasons are divided into two zones: the south zone, which opens to hunters on Saturday, April 20, and the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties), which opens on Saturday, April 27. The season limit is one bearded turkey. Ohio’s wild turkey hunting seasons begin in April.
When is wild turkey hunting season open?
The fall wild turkey hunting season is open in 70 counties from Oct. 1, 2024, to Oct. 27, 2024. The season limit is one bird. Spring 2025 wild turkey seasons will be announced this fall.
Why is Ohio’s spring turkey season divided into two zones?
Separating the Buckeye State’s spring wild turkeys into two different population zones is common. “Ohio’s spring turkey season is split into two zones to align with the timing of turkey nesting in those regions,” the ODNR news release reads. Activity among turkeys in the two zones could fluctuate by as much as 2 weeks.
When can you hunt a wild turkey?
e period of May 3, 2025 through May 11, 2025 in the northeast zone.It shall be unlawful for any person during the spring wild turkey season to hunt or take a wild turkey at any time other than from one half hour before sunrise to twelve p.m. during t
When is the 2025 spring wild turkey hunt?
The 2025 youth spring wild turkey hunt is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of April 12 and 13. Ohio’s 5 northeastern counties — Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull — could see its regular 2025 spring turkey season take place May 3 – June 1.