Demystifying Ohio’s Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons – A Complete Guide

As an avid hunter and outdoorsman living in Ohio, I’m always interested in learning about the state’s hunting regulations. In particular, I wanted to dig into the details around turkey season since this feisty game bird provides a fun hunting challenge. In this article, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about Ohio’s turkey hunting seasons, rules, permit requirements, and more.

Overview of Ohio’s Turkey Hunting Seasons

Ohio offers spring and fall turkey hunting seasons to allow hunters ample opportunity The seasons are

• Spring Turkey Season – Runs for 4 weeks from mid April to mid May. This is the more popular season with the highest hunter participation.

• Fall Turkey Season – A shorter 2 week season held in mid October Provides additional but more limited chances to bag a turkey

So in total, you get about 6 weeks of potential turkey hunting if you participate in both seasons. Quotas and other regulations vary between the spring and fall.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season Details

The spring season is highly anticipated by Ohio turkey hunters. Here are some key details:

• Statewide Season Dates – Occurs annually from the Monday immediately following the second weekend in April through the following Sunday for 4 full weeks. In 2023, opening day is April 17.

• Hunting Hours – Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

• Bag Limits – Hunters can harvest up to two bearded turkeys during spring, but no more than one per day.

• Permits – A valid hunting license and spring turkey permit are required. Permits can be bought through early February.

• Areas – Hunting is permitted statewide on both public and private lands.

Rules and Regulations for Spring Turkey Season

When hunting turkeys in the spring, be sure to follow these key rules and regulations:

• Turkey hunters are required to check in their harvest using the HuntFish OH mobile app or website.

• Only bearded turkeys may be killed during the spring season. Hens and immature jakes without beards are off limits.

• Legal firearms include shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and archery equipment like crossbows.

• All standard hunting safety rules and ethical practices must be followed.

Fall Turkey Hunting Season Details

While the spring season gets more action, serious turkey hunters may also want to consider the fall season:

• Statewide Dates – Spans the Monday immediately following the first weekend in October through the second Sunday, so just 2 weeks. In 2023, October 16 – 29.

• Bag Limit – One turkey of either sex per hunter.

• Permits and License – Requires the same as spring – hunting license plus fall turkey permit.

• Areas – Limited only to specific counties designated each year by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Not valid statewide.

Key Tips for Hunting Success

Follow these tips to increase your odds of bagging a turkey in Ohio:

• Scout areas ahead of time to find signs of turkey activity.

• Use turkey calls and decoys to draw in toms during mating season.

• Wear camo and minimize movements when set up.

• Be extremely familiar with gun or archery equipment.

• Be properly concealed and patient when a turkey approaches.

• Aim for head and neck shots for clean ethical kills.

Consulting Ohio’s Hunting Regulations

When planning a Ohio turkey hunt, be sure to consult the state’s official hunting regulations for full details on permits, season dates, bag limits, and legal hunting methods. Regulations are issued annually, so check for any changes from previous years.

As you can see, Ohio offers ample turkey hunting opportunities in both spring and fall seasons. By following the rules and honing your turkey hunting skills, you’ll be ready to bag a bird and enjoy the thrill of this iconic hunt. Just don’t forget to get your permit ahead of time online or from an authorized agent. With the right preparation, you’ll have a great time in the field this turkey season.