Fall hunting season is approaching in Oklahoma with dove season leading off on Sept. 1 and other migratory birds, big game, waterfowl and others to follow.
From the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation, heres a when different hunting seasons occur this fall and winter.
Spring turkey season is an exciting time for hunters in Oklahoma. The season offers a chance to get outside and hunt one of America’s most iconic game birds – the wild turkey. But when exactly is spring turkey season in Oklahoma? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from season dates to license requirements.
Overview of Spring Turkey Season
Spring turkey season in Oklahoma generally runs from mid-April to mid-May. However, the exact dates vary each year. The season is open statewide and allows the harvest of one bearded turkey per licensed hunter. Only tom turkeys may be harvested.
Both resident and nonresident hunters need the appropriate licenses to hunt turkey in Oklahoma during spring season. Youth younger than 18 may also participate under certain license exemptions. The season bag limit is one tom turkey, regardless of hunting method.
When is Spring Turkey Season in 2025?
For 2025 Oklahoma’s spring turkey season dates are as follows
-
Youth Spring Turkey Season – April 12-13 2025
-
Regular Spring Turkey Season – April 16 – May 16. 2025
The youth season allows those 17 and under to hunt one tom statewide. This turkey counts against the regular season limit. During the regular season, hunters of all ages can pursue tom turkeys within the season dates and bag limits.
Spring Turkey Hunting Licenses
To hunt wild turkeys in Oklahoma during spring season, you must have a valid hunting license plus a turkey license. Here are the license requirements:
Resident
- Annual Hunting License
- Spring Turkey License
Nonresident
- Nonresident Annual Hunting License
- Nonresident Spring Turkey License
Youth
- Youth Annual or 5-Day Super Hunting License
Lifetime license holders still need to purchase the annual hunting and turkey licenses each spring. All hunters are limited to one tom turkey for the spring season.
Legal Methods for Spring Turkey Hunting
Turkey hunters in Oklahoma may use the following methods during spring season:
- Shotguns – either conventional or muzzleloading, with #4 shot or smaller
- Archery – bows and crossbows meeting minimum draw weight requirements
Rifles, handguns, and pellet guns are prohibited for spring turkey hunting. Electronic calls are also illegal.
Tips for a Successful Spring Turkey Hunt
Here are some tips to increase your chances of bagging a tom this spring:
-
Scout early – Locate flocks and identify roost sites before opening day.
-
Use decoys and calls – Set up hen decoys and use locator calls to draw in toms. Avoid overcalling.
-
Be patient – Sit still and quiet once you’ve set up in a promising area. Stay put for several hours if needed.
-
Camouflage – Blend in with your surroundings and break up your outline.
-
Safety first – Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it. Assume every sound is another hunter.
Spring turkey hunting provides exciting opportunities to outwit these wary game birds. With Oklahoma’s 2025 spring turkey season running April 16 – May 16, now is the time to start planning and preparing. Get your licenses, scout your hunting spots, and pattern local flocks. Follow the season dates, limits, and regulations to have a safe and successful spring turkey hunt.
Spring turkey hunting season
- Youth turkey spring: April 12-13, 2025
- Turkey spring: April 15 through May 16, 2025
When is dove hunting season in Oklahoma? 2024 game bird seasons
- Dove: Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 and Dec. 1-29
- Crow: Oct. 10 through Nov. 16 and Dec. 9 through March 4, 2025
- Woodcock: Oct. 26 through Dec. 9
- Rail: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9
- Snipe: Sept. 28 through Jan. 12
- Gallinule: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9
Spring turkey hunting season set to begin in Oklahoma
FAQ
How many turkeys can you shoot in Oklahoma?
Season Limit
One tom turkey statewide regardless of method of take.
Where is the best public land turkey hunting in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is a frequent destination for many traveling turkey hunters. To the west, the Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area has good Rio Grande turkey populations. Some of the better public hotspots for the Eastern subspecies are Three Rivers, Honobia Creek, and Pushmataha wildlife management areas.
Do you have to tag a turkey in Oklahoma?
All hunters (including lifetime license holders) who harvest a turkey (fall or spring) must immediately attach a field tag, securely to the carcass, with their name, customer ID number and date and time of harvest (lifetime license holders are exempt from listing date and time on the field tag).
Can I hunt on my own land without a license in Oklahoma?
Resident landowners or tenants who hunt or trap only on land owned or agriculturally leased by them (not including hunting leases) are exempt from the hunting license.
What percentage of Oklahoma’s turkey hunters failed to kill a bird?
Last season, 76 percent of Oklahoma’s turkey hunters failed to kill a bird and only 19% killed one bird. Populations of Rio Grande turkeys have declined from just three years ago in southwest Oklahoma by 67% and in northwest Oklahoma by 55%, according to winter flock surveys by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
What is the Oklahoma turkey hunting season?
The Oklahoma turkey hunting season has varied limitations depending on the particular season. Hunters are only permitted to take one tom turkey during spring, and non-bearded turkeys are off-limits. Similarly, hunters can only take one tom turkey during the Youth Spring Turkey season.
Can you take a Turkey in the spring?
Illegal Firearms: Rifles and handguns may not be used during the spring seasons. Statewide. One (1) tom turkey statewide regardless of method of take. A turkey taken during the youth spring season counts toward the regular spring turkey season limit of one turkey. Statewide. One (1) tom turkey; harvest of non-bearded turkeys is prohibited.
Does Oklahoma have a turkey hunting season?
Yes, Oklahoma does have a turkey hunting season. Turkey hunting in Oklahoma is a time-honored and age-old tradition. In the past, turkey hunting in Oklahoma wasn’t as successful for hunters. The turkey population in Oklahoma was drastically reduced, and restoration actions had to take place. That wasn’t a good look for a state that started the Lieutenant Governor’s Invitational Turkey Hunt.
Can a 17 year old Hunt a Turkey?
One (1) tom turkey; harvest of non-bearded turkeys is prohibited. 17 years old and younger. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. The adult may not hunt or possess any archery equipment or firearms. One tom turkey statewide regardless of method of take.
Can you take a Turkey in the fall?
Unfilled fall turkey license (Jan. 1-15) may be used the following fall season. One tom turkey regardless of method of take. Archery: Oct. 1, 2024 – Jan. 15, 2025, statewide. Atoka, Choctaw, Coal, Delaware, Latimer, Le Flore, Mayes, McCurtain, Ottawa, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Rogers, and Tulsa counties are closed to Fall turkey gun hunting.