Last year, 7,160 wild turkeys were reported by 684 people, showing that turkey hunting in Maryland is a beloved and popular sport and is still going strong! Want to go on an exciting adventure in Maryland and hunt some turkeys in the new 2024? This post has got you covered with everything about the Maryland Turkey Season!
We give you all the important information you need to know about the upcoming turkey season in Maryland, including dates, rules, and licensing requirements.
For hunters eagerly awaiting spring turkey season in Maryland, an important question arises – when exactly does turkey season start? Knowing the upcoming 2024-2025 season dates and bag limits can help you plan ahead This article provides a comprehensive overview of Maryland’s upcoming turkey hunting seasons
Maryland Turkey Season Dates 2024-2025
Maryland offers turkey hunting opportunities in the spring, fall, and winter. Here are the seasons with their opening and closing dates:
Spring Turkey Season
- Dates: April 18 – May 23, 2025
- Opening day: April 18
- Includes Sundays in certain counties
This is the most popular season with the most widespread opportunities
Fall Turkey Season
- Dates: November 2 – November 10, 2024
- Opening day: November 2
- Open only in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties
- Includes Sundays in certain counties
A limited late fall hunt offered in just three counties.
Winter Turkey Season
- Dates: January 23 – January 25, 2025
- Opening day: January 23
- Open statewide
A small window to hunt turkeys in January before spring season.
Junior Turkey Hunt Days
- Dates: April 12 – 13, 2025
- Opening day: April 12
- Open statewide to junior hunters only
Two special youth hunting days preceding the spring season.
Turkey Hunting by Region in Maryland
Turkey populations and hunting opportunities vary in different regions of Maryland:
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Central and Western Maryland – Highest turkey densities where all seasons are offered. This includes Allegany, Garrett, Washington, Frederick and Carroll counties.
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Eastern Shore – Decent turkey numbers and a limited fall season. Includes Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties.
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Southern Maryland – Lower turkey populations and only a spring season. Includes Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.
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Central Maryland – Scattered turkey flocks and limited to spring season only. Includes Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties.
So hunters in western Maryland will have the most options and longest seasons for turkey hunting. The eastern shore offers some fall hunting, while central Maryland is restricted to spring season only.
Maryland Turkey Hunting Season Bag Limits
Bag limits regulate individual turkey harvests in Maryland:
- Spring Season: 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 per season
- Fall Season: 1 turkey of either sex total combined with winter season limit
- Winter Season: 1 turkey of either sex total combined with fall season limit
- Junior Hunt Days: 1 bearded turkey per day
Only bearded turkeys may be taken in the spring. But fall and winter seasons allow hunters flexibility to take a bird of either sex.
What is Needed to Turkey Hunt in Maryland?
To hunt turkeys in Maryland, you need:
- A Maryland hunting license or be exempt from licensing requirements
- Turkey hunting stamps – one for spring season, one for fall/winter combined
- Harvest registration – all turkeys must be checked in immediately after harvest
- Approved hunting devices like shotguns, bows, crossbows etc.
Review Maryland turkey hunting regulations carefully before going afield. Understanding the required licenses, stamps, reporting procedures and legal methods of take is crucial.
With separate spring, fall, and winter turkey seasons, hunters in Maryland have diverse opportunities to pursue wild turkeys. Key dates to remember are the spring season opening on April 18, 2025, fall opening on November 2, 2024, and winter opening on January 23, 2025. And junior hunters get to kick off spring action on the April 12-13 youth days.
Just be sure to consult the Maryland Hunting Seasons Calendar for any late changes to seasons, bag limits and regulations before planning your next turkey hunt. Careful preparation and persistence will lead to an exciting day in the turkey woods.
Turkey Tagging & Checking
Before you move a deer or turkey from the place where you killed it, make sure to do the following first:
- Fill out a Turkey Field Tag at the place of the kill and attach it to the animal.
- Or check in the animal at the place of kill and get a confirmation number. This is important, so don’t forget to do it!
- When required, the field tag must be attached to the leg of the turkey.
Within 24 hours after harvesting a turkey, you must:
- Register it with the Department of Natural Resources. You can do this through their official website, or their phone line (888-800-0121), or their official mobile app (AccessDNR).
- Remember to keep a permanent record of your registration either by writing down the confirmation number on a form or saving it to your mobile device.
When you check in your turkey after hunting, make sure to tell the folks at the check station what kind of hunting gear you used to catch it.
You’ll need to give them your DNRid number, which is on your hunting license.
Each turkey you check in will have its own special number, so make sure to write it down before you leave it with a processor or butcher.
Turkey season is popular in this state but there is more to offer during the hunting seasons. We have also collected other hunting seasons available in Maryland for your reference. Here is the breakdown:
- Sept. 16–30, 2024
- Daily bag limit is 6 and total possession limit is 18.
Maryland Turkey Season Regulations
When hunting turkey in Maryland, there are some basic rules all hunters need to follow:
- It’s important to bring proper identification like a driver’s license or another form of ID. If you’re hunting on private land, you’ll need written permission from the landowner.
- You’ll also need a hunting license to hunt wild turkeys, unless you’re in the military.
- All hunters must complete the tagging and checking procedure for any turkeys they catch.
- It’s illegal to hunt turkeys with bait or near baited areas. Feed or bait that is for other wildlife, like deer, can still be considered baiting if you’re hunting turkeys near there.
- It’s illegal to use things like recorded or amplified calls, or motorized turkey decoys when hunting turkeys.
- You’re good to go without any special clothing during the day, but it’s a good idea to wear something bright color just in case.
- When you catch a turkey, be sure to put an orange ribbon on it before carrying it out of the woods.
- Check out the hunting safety tips for more info on how to be safe and respectful while hunting.
- Don’t forget that shotguns can only hold three shells at a time, so make sure to plug them if they can hold more than that.
- Lastly, during certain seasons, you can only use shotguns, crossbows, air guns, or bows and arrows to hunt turkeys.
In general, it’s important to follow the rules and regulations when hunting to make sure you’re hunting safely and legally.
These are the types of licenses that you can purchase for turkey hunting in Maryland.
| License Types | Price |
| Resident Apprentice Hunting License (age 16 or younger) | $15 |
| Nonresident Apprentice Hunting License (age 16 or younger) | $40 |
| Resident Regular Hunting License (age 16-64) | $35 |
| Resident Junior Hunting License (age 16 or younger) | $15 |
| Resident Senior Hunting License (age 65 or above) | $5 |
Notes:
- Hunting licenses are valid from August 1st to July 31st of the next year.
- It’s important to have a physical or digital copy of your license with you while hunting.
- First-time hunters need to show a certificate of firearms safety and hunting skills. Young hunters (under 16) can get a free annual license, stamps, archery or muzzleloader stamps after completing a hunter education course.
- Non-residents and residents can get an apprentice hunting license.
- If you’re a Maryland resident who owns property and only hunts on that land, you don’t need a license.
- To get a hunting or trapping license, stamps, or permits, you’ll need a DNRid number, which you can get for free by connecting to the DNR portal here: https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/.
- If you lose or damage your license, you can reprint it for free.
Great Start Maryland Turkey
FAQ
When can you hunt turkeys in Maryland?
The daily hunting hours are from before sunrise to noon from April 18 to May 9, and from before sunrise to sunset from May 10 to May 23. You can only use shotguns(loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts to hunt turkeys.
What day does hunting season start in Maryland?
Maryland’s Deer Firearms Hunting Opens November 25
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, November 25, and runs through Saturday, December 9.
What day does turkey hunting season start?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
Where are wild turkeys in Maryland?
Wild turkeys can be found in every county of the state thanks in part to an intensive trap and translocation effort by the department with assistance from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
When is the wild turkey season in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the spring wild turkey season begins April 18 and continues through May 23*. The season kicks off with Junior Turkey Hunt Day on April 13. Wild turkeys remain abundant throughout most of Maryland.
When is Junior Turkey Hunt Day in Maryland?
Maryland’s Junior Turkey Hunt Day is on April 13. The statewide spring wild turkey season begins on April 18 and continues through May 23, during which all hunters can hunt.
How many Turkey seasons in Maryland 2024-2025?
There are 5 turkey seasons for 2024-2025 in Maryland. Here are the details of each of them: 2024 Season: 2025 Season:
What are the hunting hours for spring turkey season?
Spring Turkey Season daily shooting hours for May 10 through May 23 are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within certain counties. Hunting Devices for Spring Turkey Season are only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts.
Are there turkeys in Maryland?
Wild turkeys are abundant throughout Maryland,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Turkey hunting is an enjoyable way to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring, and perhaps be fortunate to bag a nice gobbler.
When can you hunt a Turkey?
During the first part of the regular hunting season, from April 18 through May 9, hunting is allowed from one half-hour before sunrise until noon. For the rest of the regular season, from May 10 through May 23, and during the Junior Hunt, hunting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset.