Turkey hunting season is an exciting time for hunters across the United States. With seasons that vary by state and different regulations on bag limits, permits, and hunting zones, it can get a bit confusing on when exactly you can hunt wild turkey in your area. This comprehensive guide breaks down turkey hunting seasons on a state-by-state basis, so you’ll know exactly when you can get out in the woods and bag your bird.
Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons
Most states have a spring turkey hunting season that runs from mid-April through May. This capitalizes on the breeding season when male turkeys are gobbling and engaged in mating behaviors, making them easier to locate. States may have different zones or time periods for turkey hunting within this wider spring season.
Fall turkey hunting seasons are less common but some states do offer limited opportunities in the fall to hunt hens or turkeys of either sex. Fall seasons generally run from late September through November.
Within both spring and fall, timing varies significantly by state. Let’s look at some key dates for spring 2023:
- The earliest spring turkey seasons open March 15th in Mississippi and March 18th in Texas.
- Most states open the last week of April or first week of May.
- Late seasons go until the end of May or even early June in some states like California and Michigan.
- Youth turkey hunts provide special opportunities for younger hunters, often a week or two before the regular opening day.
So when’s the best time to go turkey hunting? It depends on your state and personal preference. Early seasons take advantage of eager toms looking to breed, while later seasons see foliage filling in but less mating activity.
Turkey Hunting Seasons By State
Below are the 2023 spring turkey hunting dates and bag limits for every state that has a huntable wild turkey population.
Alabama
- Season Dates: March 25 – May 8
- Bag Limit: One gobbler per day; four per combined fall and spring seasons
Alaska
No turkey hunting season
Arizona
- Season Dates: Varies by unit
- Bag Limit: Varies by unit
Arkansas
- Season Dates: April 17-25 (Zone 1); April 17 – May 7 (Zone 2)
- Bag Limit: Two gobblers
California
- Season Dates: March 25 – April 30
- Bag Limit: Three bearded turkeys
Colorado
- Season Dates: April 10 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Connecticut
- Season Dates: April 26 – May 27
- Bag Limit: Five bearded turkeys
Delaware
- Season Dates: April 8-28 (four one-week seasons)
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Florida
- Season Dates: March 4 – April 23 (varies by zone)
- Bag Limit: Two gobblers or bearded turkeys
Georgia
- Season Dates: April 1 – May 15
- Bag Limit: Two gobblers total, one per day
Hawaii
- Season Dates: Varies by island
- Bag Limit: Varies by island
Idaho
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 25
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Illinois
- Season Dates: April 3 – May 11 (five one-week seasons)
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey per permit, up to three permits
Indiana
- Season Dates: April 26 – May 14
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Iowa
- Season Dates: April 10 – May 14 (four segments)
- Bag Limit: Two bearded or male turkeys
Kansas
- Season Dates: April 12 – May 31
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Kentucky
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 7
- Bag Limit: Two male or bearded turkeys
Louisiana
- Season Dates: April 1-30 (varies by area)
- Bag Limit: Two gobblers
Maine
- Season Dates: May 1 – June 3
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Maryland
- Season Dates: April 18 – May 23
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Massachusetts
- Season Dates: April 24 – May 20
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Michigan
- Season Dates: April 22 – June 7 (varies by unit)
- Bag Limit: Varies by unit
Minnesota
- Season Dates: April 12 – May 16 (six seasons)
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Mississippi
- Season Dates: March 15 – May 1
- Bag Limit: Three gobblers with beard restriction
Missouri
- Season Dates: April 17 – May 7
- Bag Limit: Two gobblers
Montana
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Varies by permit
Nebraska
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Nevada
- Season Dates: Varies by unit
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
New Hampshire
- Season Dates: May 1 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Varies by permit
New Jersey
- Season Dates: April 24 – May 26 (five periods)
- Bag Limit: Male turkeys only, limits vary
New Mexico
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 10
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
New York
- Season Dates: May 1-31
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
North Carolina
- Season Dates: April 8 – May 6
- Bag Limit: Two male or bearded turkeys
North Dakota
- Season Dates: April 8 – May 14
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Ohio
- Season Dates: April 22 – May 28 (two zones)
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Oklahoma
- Season Dates: April 16 – May 16
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Oregon
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Three male or bearded turkeys
Pennsylvania
- Season Dates: April 29 – May 30 (two segments)
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Rhode Island
- Season Dates: April 27– May 21
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
South Carolina
- Season Dates: March 22 – May 10 (varies by zone)
- Bag Limit: Three gobblers
South Dakota
- Season Dates: April 8 – May 31
- Bag Limit: One male turkey
Tennessee
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 28
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys, one can be a jake
Texas
- Season Dates: March 18 – May 14 (varies by region)
- Bag Limit: Varies regionally
Utah
- Season Dates: April 8 – May 31
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Vermont
- Season Dates: May 1-31
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Virginia
- Season Dates: April 8 – May 13
- Bag Limit: Varies regionally
Washington
- Season Dates: April 15 – May 31
- Bag Limit: Three bearded turkeys
West Virginia
- Season Dates: April 17 – May 21
- Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Wisconsin
- Season Dates: April 19 – May 30 (six seven-day periods)
- Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Wyoming
- Season Dates: April 1 – May 31 (varies by area)
- Bag Limit: One male or bearded turkey
This covers spring turkey hunting seasons for every state with a huntable turkey population. Remember to check your state’s regulations for any changes to season dates, bag limits, permit requirements, or hunting zones. With this guide, you’ll know exactly when you can get out there and pursue America’s largest game bird on its annual spring breeding grounds.
What to Know Before Turkey Hunting
Now that you know when your state’s turkey season takes place, there are a few other things to brush up on:
Licenses and tags – Most states require a general hunting license plus a turkey tag or permit to hunt turkeys. Big game licenses or upland game bird licenses generally do not cover turkey hunting. Also research whether your state has quotas or lotteries for turkey permits.
Zones or areas – Some states have different turkey hunting units, zones, or management areas with varying season dates and regulations. Know what applies to the area you’ll be hunting.
Limits – Turkey bag limits range from one to
October 19 through November 1, November 27 and 28, and December 2 through December 14
In the counties of Accomack, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Powhatan, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, York (except on Camp Peary), and the City of Suffolk.
Legal Methods and Restrictions for Archery Turkey Season
Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle and Local Firearms Ordinances for more details.
- Archery tackle only.
- Persons with a disability that prevents them from drawing a bow or crossbow may hunt with an arrowgun during the special archery season provided they have in possession an authorization form provided by the Department that has been completed by their physician.
- Decoys and blinds may be used.
- Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
- It is unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead turkeys (see Hunting with Dogs).
- It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession. (See exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.)
How To HUNT TURKEYS: Basics With Jay Maxwell
FAQ
When can you hunt turkey in Ohio?
| SEASON | OPENING DATE | BAG LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Wild Turkey: Select Counties | Oct. 14, 2023 | 1 (either sex) |
| Youth Spring Wild Turkey | April 13, 2024 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Spring Wild Turkey: South Zone (except for Lake La Su An Wildlife Area) | April 20, 2024 | |
| Spring Wild Turkey: Northeast Zone | April 27, 2024 |
Where to hunt turkey in Virginia?
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in central Virginia cover more than 1.7 million acres of hunting opportunity, not only for spring gobblers, but for small game, fall turkeys, whitetails, and black bears. Located near the town of Saltville, the Clinch Mountain WMA offers good turkey hunting, too.
When can I hunt turkey?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
What is the turkey season in Michigan?
Michigan Offers both a Spring and Fall season to ticketed hunters. The Spring turkey season runs from April 19 – June 7, 2025. The Fall season typically runs from mid-September 15 to mid-November.
Do turkeys Hunt in the fall?
Before their population declined, wild turkeys were typically hunted only in the fall. When the spring seasons were introduced, fall turkey hunting became less pursued. In recent years, as populations have climbed and then stabilized, many states reintroduced fall turkey seasons. Currently, more than 40 states have a fall season.
Are Turkey seasons open?
Turkey seasons are opening up all across the land as spring takes full command of the landscape in many places. Here is a glance at season dates, hunting license costs and bag limits in each of the 49 states that have an open turkey season.
When is hunting season?
Season Dates: April 13-May 19 in all open units. Hunting Licenses: Spring hunting only open to residents (non-residents may hunt turkeys in the fall). Regular licenses are issued by weighted lottery after the number of gratis licenses to be issued is deducted from the total available.
When do I need a permit for a turkey hunt?
DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS/NOTES: Spring turkey season permit hunt applications are due March 1, 2025. BAG LIMIT: One wild turkey of any sex or age per license, not to exceed five licenses per person. DOGS ALLOWED?
When can I Harvest a Turkey?
Any turkey harvested during the fall season counts toward the statewide bag limit of one (1). Hours: Thirty (30) minutes before legal sunrise to sunset. All counties are open to spring turkey seasons, however, there are some exceptions on WMAs and public lands. Birds may be harvestedfrom any combination of Turkey Management.
Are all counties open to spring turkey season?
All counties are open to spring turkey seasons, however, there are some exceptions on public land. *Any turkey harvested during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts toward the statewide spring season limit of two (2). Ages 6-16. One (1) male turkey per day, which counts toward the statewide bag of two (2), only one can be a jake.