When is Turkey Season in Massachusetts? A Complete Guide to Spring and Fall Hunting

For hunters in Massachusetts, turkey season is one of the most exciting times of the year. The state offers bountiful opportunities to bag these challenging birds in both spring and fall. Read on for a comprehensive guide to turkey hunting seasons, regulations, hot spots, and tips for a successful hunt in Massachusetts.

Overview of Massachusetts Turkey Seasons

Massachusetts hosts two annual turkey hunting seasons:

• Spring Turkey Season – Spans from late April to late May. This is the more popular and productive season

• Fall Turkey Season – Runs October through late November, Less hunters participate in the fall season,

Actual dates vary each year, so be sure to consult the Massachusetts Hunting & Fishing guide for exact open seasons.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season

The spring season sees the most turkey hunting action in Massachusetts. Here are key details:

• 2022 Dates: April 25 – May 21

• Bag Limit: 2 bearded turkeys per season for most Wildlife Management Zones. Some zones have lower limits – check regulations.

• Legal Hunting Hours: Half hour before sunrise to noon.

• Permits: All hunters must have a spring turkey permit, as well as a valid hunting license.

Spring coincides with turkey breeding season. Male birds are actively gobbling and strutting, making them more susceptible to hunter calls. The ample daylight also gives hunters more hours to be afield. For these reasons, spring offers the best opportunity to fill your tag.

Fall Turkey Hunting Season

While less popular than spring, fall turkey season provides a chance to pursue birds again. Details include:

• 2022 Dates: October 17 – November 26

• Bag Limit: 2 turkeys of either sex for most zones. Some zones have lower limits.

• Legal Hours: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset.

• Permits: Fall turkey permit and valid hunting license required.

In the fall, turkey flocks have dispersed from their breeding grounds and patterns change. However, with greater hunting hours and inclusion of hens in the bag limit, fall can still be an excellent time to hunt turkeys in Massachusetts.

Turkey Hunting Regulations in Massachusetts

When planning your turkey hunt, be sure to review Massachusetts hunting regulations and requirements:

• Shooting hours are strictly enforced. No hunting outside of designated hours.

• Use of dogs, baiting, electronic calls, and live decoys is prohibited.

• Legal firearms include shotguns (no larger than 10 gauge) loaded with #4 fine shot or smaller. Some areas prohibit rifles.

• All harvested birds must be checked and reported. Tags must be validated.

• Other general hunting laws and safety regulations apply (blaze orange, trespassing laws, etc).

Review the Massachusetts hunting digest for full details on legal hunting methods, tag validation, and zone-specific bag limits.

Top Turkey Hunting Spots in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers great turkey habitat across much of the state. Top areas to target include:

• Berkshires: Lots of forested land and agricultural fields prime for turkeys along the western state border.

• Connecticut River Valley: The river basin provides excellent habitat, especially along the Hampshire and Franklin county lines.

• Central Massachusetts: Large tracts of undeveloped land in Worcester County hold strong turkey populations.

• Myles Standish State Forest: This 16,000 acre property in Plymouth county provides diverse turkey habitat.

• Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area: Managed grasslands in this Franklin county WMA attract birds.

• Muddy Brook WMA: Mixed habitat and limited hunting pressure make this a top fall spot in Barnstable county.

Public lands including state forests and WMAs offer accessible hunting opportunities. Don’t overlook private land – ask farmers for permission to hunt their properties.

Tips for Hunting Turkeys in Massachusetts

To maximize your chances of success:

• Scout early – Locate flocks and identify roost sites several weeks before opening day.

• Use decoys and calls – Set up near roosts and use calls and decoys to entice gobblers into range.

• Pick travel corridors – Set up along known fly-down zones and between feeding and roosting areas.

• Sit all day – Stay stationary in hidden spots rather than stalking birds.

• Move slowly and silently – Noise and movement will spook turkeys.

• Be patient – Calling takes patience. Avoid over-calling.