Spring turkey season is an exciting time for hunters across Pennsylvania The start dates vary depending on if you’re hunting the youth season, mentored hunt, or regular season. Read on to learn exactly when turkey season begins in PA in 2023.
Overview of Turkey Season Dates in Pennsylvania
Turkey hunting seasons in Pennsylvania for 2023 are as follows
- Youth Season – April 22, 2023
- Mentored Hunt – April 22, 2023
- Statewide Regular Season – May 1-31, 2023
So the earliest spring turkey hunting opens up on April 22 for young hunters. But the regular gobbler season doesn’t kick off until May 1.
Below I’ll break down the details on start times, end times, and bag limits during Pennsylvania’s spring turkey seasons.
Youth Turkey Hunting Season Dates
The youth turkey day is a special one-day hunt open to junior hunters. Here are the key details:
- Date: April 22, 2023
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey
- Participants: Licensed hunters 16 years old or younger
- Hours: Half hour before sunrise to noon
This season gives young hunters a chance to get out before the regular crowds and pressure. It’s open to junior license holders only. Youth must be accompanied by an adult who is not allowed to carry a firearm.
Pennsylvania Mentored Hunting Program
The mentored hunt also takes place on April 22 alongside the youth season. This program allows new adult hunters to learn under the guidance of a licensed mentor.
Here are the basic details on the 2023 mentored spring gobbler hunt:
- Date: April 22, 2023
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey
- Participants: Mentored permit holders 16 years or older
- Hours: Half hour before sunrise to noon
Any adult can get a mentored hunting permit, even if they’ve never hunted before. This gives new hunters a chance to try turkey hunting with an experienced mentor before the regular season opens.
When Does Regular Turkey Season Start?
The statewide regular spring gobbler season in Pennsylvania runs from May 1-31, 2023.
The first part of the season from May 1-13 has shorter hours than the remainder of the season:
- May 1-13: Half hour before sunrise to noon
- May 15-31: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
So while youth and mentored hunters only get that one special day in April, the regular turkey season gives hunters the full month of May to tag their gobblers.
What Are the Spring Turkey Bag Limits?
Bag limits in Pennsylvania are:
- Youth & Mentored Season: 1 bearded turkey
- Regular Season: 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 per season
The daily limit is one, and hunters can harvest two bearded turkeys total during the regular spring season if they purchase a second tag.
This gives hunters plenty of opportunity to hunt multiple birds across the month-long season while preventing overharvest.
What Are Turkey Hunting Hours in PA?
As mentioned above, turkey hunting hours in Pennsylvania are:
- Youth & Mentored Season: Half hour before sunrise to noon
- May 1-13: Half hour before sunrise to noon
- May 15-31: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
It’s legal to hunt turkeys from half an hour before sunrise until noon for the first part of the season, then the evening hours are added later in May.
These hours are designed to maximize hunting during peak gobbler activity in both the morning and evening.
Where Can You Turkey Hunt in PA?
Turkey hunting is permitted in most areas of Pennsylvania with only a few exceptions:
- State game lands – Requires a hunting license and meet orange requirements
- State forests – Allowed unless otherwise posted
- State parks – Limited to specifically designated areas only
Many public lands are open, but state parks only allow turkey hunting in certain locations. Be sure to check regulations for the area you want to hunt.
Turkeys can be hunted on private land with landowner permission. A hunting license is required.
Tips for the Opening Days of Turkey Season
Here are some tips for maximizing your success on opening day:
- Scout pre-season to find active birds
- Set up near suspected roosting areas
- Take a shotgun and turkey choke
- Use hen calls and be patient
- Hunt safely – identify your target
Do your scouting homework, hunt near roosts early, and use proper gear and hunting strategies to make the most of your time when turkey season starts.
Can’t Wait to Get Started? Apply for a Hunting License
If you don’t have your Pennsylvania hunting license yet, you can purchase one online ahead of time.
Be sure to get your general hunting license along with turkey tags. Then you’ll be ready to hunt when turkey season kicks off!
The openings of youth season, mentored hunt, and the statewide regular spring gobbler season offer lots of exciting turkey hunting opportunities across Pennsylvania. Now you know exactly when you can get started bagging your spring gobbler!
FALL WILD TURKEY – (Male or Female)
âWMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow only): â Oct. 28-Nov. 17 and Nov. 22-24
WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E â Oct. 28-Nov. 4 WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C â Oct. 28-Nov. 11 WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E â Oct. 28-Nov. 11 and Nov. 22-24
WMU 5B â Oct. 31-Nov. 2WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D â CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
Season Limit – 1 bird per license year.
*As a reminder, no single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey seasons. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only.
Spring Turkey Season Timing
FAQ
When can you hunt turkeys in PA?
What are the dates for hunting season in PA?
How early to go out turkey hunting?
Can a 16 year old hunt alone in PA?
When does Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season start?
HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season kicks off Saturday, Oct. 30 in 20 of Pennsylvania’s 23 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), and there’s reason for hunters to be excited. Turkey reproduction was well above average this past summer, translating to above average fall flock sizes that are worth pursuing.
When does turkey hunting season start in PA?
Turkey hunting season begins soon in Pa.: Here’s what you should know A wild tom turkey spreads his tail and puffs out his feathers as he approaches a hen in a field in Zelienople, Pa. on Saturday, May 2, 2015. (Keith Srakocic, AP Photo) AP Turkey hunters, your time is nearly at hand. The 2024 turkey hunting season is about to begin.
What is the season limit for a wild turkey?
FALL WILD TURKEY – (Male or Female) WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow only): – Oct. Season Limit – 1 bird per license year. SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird…
When is turkey hunting season?
From late October to late November, there are autumn turkey shooting seasons open to both men and women, except in some WMUs where hunting is prohibited. For the qualified novice and guided shooters, a unique season with a one-bird restriction for spring gobbler shooting begins in late April.