When Can You Hunt Turkey All Day in Pennsylvania?

Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Pennsylvania, with over 200,000 hunters taking part each spring. Understanding the regulations around when you can hunt turkeys is key to having an enjoyable and legal hunt.

Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons in PA

There are two turkey hunting seasons in Pennsylvania – spring and fall The exact dates vary each year

Spring Turkey Season

• Runs from late April to late May
• Typically opens on the Saturday closest to May 1st and runs for 5 Saturdays
• Also includes a special 1-day youth season the weekend before the regular opener

The spring season targets male turkeys known as gobblers or toms. It is timed to minimize disruption of nesting hens.

Fall Turkey Season

• Runs from late October through November
• Length varies by Wildlife Management Unit from closed season up to 3 weeks plus Thanksgiving holiday

The fall season allows hunters to harvest either sex. Season length is used to regulate the harvest.

Hunting Hours

During both spring and fall seasons legal hunting hours are

• 1/2 hour before sunrise until noon
• 1 pm until 1/2 hour after sunset

So technically you can hunt turkeys nearly all day. However, turkey activity is highest in the early morning and evening.

Midday hours are typically less productive as turkeys move away from open areas to rest. Hunters often take a break themselves during these hours.

Exception – Sundays

There is no Sunday hunting allowed for turkeys in Pennsylvania except for:

• Youth season on the Sunday before the regular spring opener
• The 3 Sundays that fall within the 2-week pheasant season

So if you hunt on a Sunday outside of those exceptions, you must quit by noon.

Tips for All Day Hunting

While legal hours allow nearly all-day hunting, here are some tips for making the most of your time in the field:

• Focus on early morning and evening – Target the peak activity periods an hour before sunrise to mid-morning and late afternoon until dark.

• Scout and be mobile – Move to different locations throughout the day to find where birds are active. Have multiple setup spots scouted.

• Use a blind – A blind allows you to stay concealed if you need to stay in one area all day. Ground blinds are popular options.

• Take a midday break – Resting and recharging during the mid-day lull can lead to success in the evening.

• Be ready to call and work birds – Calling and using decoys can pull in wandering flocks. Keep equipment handy.

• Have back-up spots – Try a new public land area as a fallback if your primary spot isn’t panning out.

• Check regulations – Verify the season dates and ensure you are legally allowed to hunt all day on the days you plan to be out.

With preparation and understanding legal hours, you can maximize your chances of bagging a bird while hunting turkey in Pennsylvania all season long.

Youth Turkey Hunting Days

Youth hunters are those under 16 years old or older if they possess a valid mentored youth permit.

The one-day youth season takes place on the Sunday before the statewide spring opener, except when:

• Easter falls on that Sunday – then the youth day moves to the Saturday right before the regular opener
• The opener falls on April 24 (the latest it can be) – no youth day is held that year

Youth can harvest one bearded bird during the special youth season, but it does not count against their spring season limit.

Having this opportunity before the regular season gives youth hunters:

• A better chance to call in and harvest a gobbler
• Ability to hunt without as much competition from adult hunters

Any hunter accompanying a youth must be licensed and follow fluourescent orange requirements. They may not carry a firearm.

Spring Turkey Tag Limits

The spring season limit is:

• 1 bearded bird per day
• 2 bearded birds per season

Hunters are issued one spring turkey tag with the purchase of a general hunting license. A second tag can be bought for an additional fee.

The two-bird seasonal limit allows hunters to opportunistically harvest a second bird if encountered during the season.

About 15% of successful turkey hunters will end up tagging 2 birds in the spring. But most hunters will harvest 0-1 gobbler.

Fall Turkey Tag Limits

In the fall season, hunters may harvest:

• 1 turkey of either sex per day
• 2 turkeys of either sex per season

Both tags are included with a general hunting license. There is no option to buy more.

The fall either-sex harvest allows hunters to take hens if desired, which must be regulated to prevent over-harvest.

Fall season lengths in each WMU control total harvests. Average seasonal harvest is about 1 turkey per hunter.

Safety Tips for Turkey Hunters

Some key safety reminders when turkey hunting include:

• Never stalk a turkey. Only shoot from a stationary position.
• Ensure adequate backdrop – don’t shoot at sound or movement
• Use turkey calls cautiously and minimize movement when other hunters may be around
• Avoid wearing red, white and blue which can draw accidental fire
• Never shoot at a sound or movement. Be 100% sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

Staying alert, hunting ethically, and being visible to other hunters will help ensure an incident-free turkey hunt.

Turkey hunting all day is certainly possible within the legal hunting hours in Pennsylvania. However, the most effective strategy is to focus on the peak activity periods in the morning and evening.

Understanding the regulations around season dates, youth days, and tag limits will allow you to hunt safely, legally, and take advantage of all the opportunities a full spring or fall season has to offer. Do your scouting, be mobile, and be ready when that longbeard comes strutting into range.