Turkey hunting continues to grow in popularity across the United States. The spring gobbler season offers exciting camaraderie and challenge that many hunters look forward to each year. But regulations surrounding Sunday hunting have caused confusion in some states. So what are the rules on hunting wild turkeys on Sundays?
Overview of Sunday Hunting Laws
Laws regarding Sunday hunting vary widely across the U.S. Some states prohibit it altogether while others allow it with no restrictions. Most fall somewhere in between with specific limitations in place. Turkey hunting tends to face more Sunday restrictions than other types of hunting.
General regulations may include
- Complete bans on Sunday hunting.
- Bans on specific methods, like rifles or bows.
- Bans on public but not private lands.
- Limited hours, such as mornings only.
- Distance limits from buildings or roads.
To legally hunt turkeys on Sundays, you must follow both the general Sunday hunting rules for your state as well as any Turkey-specific restrictions
State-By-State Guide to Sunday Turkey Hunting
Here is a brief overview of the Sunday turkey hunting rules in each state:
Alabama
- Legal on private lands with landowner permission. No hunting within 100 yards of a church.
Alaska
- No general ban on Sunday hunting. Follow all other turkey regulations.
Arizona
- Sunday hunting permitted statewide. No day-of-week restrictions.
Arkansas
- Prohibited on WMAs. Allowed on private land with landowner consent.
California
- Sunday hunting allowed on private lands. Some public lands may be closed.
Colorado
- No restrictions. Sunday turkey hunting is legal.
Connecticut
- Prohibited on state land. Allowed on private land with restrictions.
Delaware
- Sunday hunting prohibited by state law.
Florida
- Legal on private lands with written landowner consent.
Georgia
- Allowed on private land on Sundays afternoon only. Not legal on WMAs.
Hawaii
- No general prohibitions on Sunday hunting.
Idaho
- Legal. No day-of-week restrictions on turkey hunting.
Illinois
- Hunting with firearms prohibited on Sundays. Archery is allowed.
Indiana
- Sunday turkey hunting allowed on private lands only.
Iowa
- Prohibited statewide on Sundays.
Kansas
- Legal on private land with consent. Prohibited on WIHA lands.
Kentucky
- Allowed on private lands. Not permitted on public lands.
Louisiana
- Legal for turkeys on private lands. Prohibited on public WMAs.
Maine
- General prohibition on Sunday hunting. Turkeys included.
Maryland
- Sunday turkey hunting allowed on private lands only.
Massachusetts
- No hunting on Sundays allowed by state law.
Michigan
- Fully prohibited on all public and private lands.
Minnesota
- Allowed on private land with landowner consent. Public lands closed.
Mississippi
- Legal on private lands with permission. No hunting on WMAs.
Missouri
- Prohibited by state law on all lands.
Montana
- No restrictions. Sunday turkey hunting is legal.
Nebraska
- Allowed on private land with written permission slip only.
Nevada
- No general prohibitions. Sunday turkey hunting is legal.
New Hampshire
- Hunting restricted on Sundays. See regulations.
New Jersey
- Prohibited on Sundays by state law.
New Mexico
- No general Sunday hunting restrictions.
New York
- Allowed on private lands. Most public lands closed to Sunday hunting.
North Carolina
- Legal on private land, with some restrictions on times. Public rules vary.
North Dakota
- No restrictions. Sunday turkey hunting is permitted.
Ohio
- Illegal on Sundays on public lands only. Private lands allowed.
Oklahoma
- Legal on private lands with landowner consent required.
Oregon
- Prohibited on all WMUs and cooperative hunting areas.
Pennsylvania
- Allowed on private lands with restrictions. Limited options on public lands.
Rhode Island
- Complete ban on Sunday hunting enforced by law.
South Carolina
- Legal on private land. Prohibited on WMAs.
South Dakota
- No state restrictions. Sunday turkey hunting allowed.
Tennessee
- Prohibited by state statute on all lands.
Texas
- Legal on private property. Restricted on some public units.
Utah
- Turkey hunting permitted on Sundays. No day-of-week limits.
Vermont
- Generally prohibited with exception for archery only.
Virginia
- Legal on private lands. Some public areas open on Sundays too.
Washington
- Allowed on private lands with access permit. Closed on WDFW lands.
West Virginia
- Sunday hunting allowed on private lands only.
Wisconsin
- Turkey hunting allowed on Sundays on private land only.
Wyoming
- No restrictions. Sunday turkey hunting is legal.
As this overview shows, Sunday turkey hunting opportunities vary widely across the United States. Be sure to check your state’s regulations thoroughly before planning a Sunday hunt. And always obtain landowner permission before entering private property. With the right preparation and location, many states do allow Sunday turkey hunting during at least a portion of the spring season.
Tips for Hunting Turkeys on Sundays
If legal in your area, here are some tips for a successful Sunday turkey hunt:
- Scout areas well in advance and have permission for properties you intend to hunt.
- Take a hunter education course if new to turkey hunting.
- Ensure you have the correct licenses and stamps.
- Use turkey calls and decoys ethically. Avoid over-calling.
- Follow regulations on hours, locations, weapons, ammunition, and reporting.
- Practice safety and courtesy near residential areas.
- Let others know where you will be and when to expect your return.
- Enjoy the day but don’t pressure yourself to tag out. Just being in the spring woods is a treat.
The Future of Sunday Turkey Hunting
In states where Sunday hunting expansion continues to be debated, supporters point to the potential benefits:
- Increased opportunity to draw in lapsed or new hunters unable to hunt on weekdays.
- Ability to better work around variable spring weather patterns.
- Boosts to rural economies through more hunting participation.
- Helps curb overpopulation through increased hunting pressure on Sundays.
The opposition raises concerns including disturbance to non-hunters and churchgoers as well as reduced productivity and family time. Each state continues weighing these factors while trying to find the right balance.
As populations and opinions change over time, Sunday turkey hunting opportunities will likely continue expanding in many areas. For now, hunters should follow all regulations and respect private landowners during the spring seasons. Where allowed, Sunday turkey hunting lets sportsmen and women share the traditions of the spring woods with family and friends when other weekend commitments allow.
Q: Is hunting deer or bear using a firearm or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs on Sunday allowed?
A: No. Hunting deer or bear using a firearm or other weapon with the aid or assistance of dogs is prohibited on Sunday. However, tracking dogs maintained and controlled on a lead may be used to retrieve dead or wounded deer or bear. A hunter who is engaged in such tracking may have in their possession a firearm and may use such weapon to humanely kill the wounded bear, deer, or turkey being tracked, including after legal shooting hours. Dogs may be used to pursue wildlife species other than deer and bear on Sunday. See the hunting regulations for season dates for other hunted wildlife species.
Q: Do I still need written permission to hunt on private lands on Sunday?
A: No. The Sunday hunting law was changed to remove the requirement that hunters have specific written permission from private landowners to hunt on Sunday. The general requirement to have written permission from the landowner when hunting posted property remains in effect.
Sunday turkey hunt
FAQ
Are you allowed to hunt Sundays?
(See Appendix E.) Currently, 38 states allow unrestricted Sunday hunting. Pennsylvania is one of nine states that prohibit Sunday hunting for wild game. In addition to Pennsyl- vania, the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia completely ban Sunday hunting for wild game.
Can you turkey hunt on Sundays in MD?
Sunday hunting is allowed on designated public lands open to Sunday hunting: Billmeyer-Belle Grove Wildlife Management Area. Cunningham Swamp Wildlife Management Area. Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
Can you hunt Sundays in VA?
Sunday Hunting. Hunting is allowed on Sundays except under the following circumstances: within 200 yards of a house of worship or any accessory structure thereof.
When can you hunt turkeys in NC?
North Carolina. SEASON DATES: Youth Season April 6-12, 2024; Spring Turkey Season April 13 – May 11, 2024.Feb 27, 2024
Can you hunt a dog on Sunday?
Like private lands, public land managers can only allow Sunday hunting on their lands with firearms before 9:30 am and after 12:30 pm. This means no hunting with a gun for this duration. Moreover, hunters are prohibited from using hunting dogs and hunting in a religious place located within 500 yards.
Can I Hunt a spring turkey?
Hunters will be asked to sign in at the park office, to stay on park property, and to follow all DEC rules and regulations while hunting spring turkey. Small Game Duck hunting is permitted in late season only. Hunters may hunt from shore but only between the high water mark and lake, and must follow all DEC rules and regulations.
When is the best time of day to hunt turkeys?
The best time of day to turkey hunt is whenever you get the opportunity to legally hunt where you live. Hunt turkeys every time you get the chance to hunt turkeys because there may be a day when you wish you could, but you can’t. With that being said, I need to really dive into the heart of that question.
How do you hunt a wild turkey?
Use any type of handgun or rifle to hunt wild turkey. Knowingly take wild turkeys from within 300 yards of any place in which bait has been placed. (An area is considered baited until 10 days after the bait has been consumed or otherwise removed.) Possess live wild turkeys or live birds that are indistinguishable from wild turkeys.
Can you hunt on Sunday in North Carolina?
North Carolina also has strict rules for firearms and archery equipment ¹ that apply to hunting on Sundays. It is any device with a stationary handle, two limbs, and a string that can propel arrows or bolts. Longbows, compound bows, crossbows, and recurve bows are allowed for hunting in an open hunting season.
Can you use a rifle to hunt a wild turkey?
It is unlawful to: Use any type of handgun or rifle to hunt wild turkey. Knowingly take wild turkeys from within 300 yards of any place in which bait has been placed. (An area is considered baited until 10 days after the bait has been consumed or otherwise removed.)