When is Turkey Hunting Season in California?

Turkey hunting season in California is a popular and highly anticipated event for many hunters in the state. With growing wild turkey populations across California, spring turkey hunting has become one of the highlight opportunities on the hunting calendar each year. In this article we’ll break down when and where you can hunt turkeys in California rules and regulations, licensing requirements, and tips for a successful hunt.

Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons

There are two main turkey hunting seasons in California each year

• Spring turkey season – This is the most popular season opening statewide on the last Saturday in March and running through the first Sunday in May. In 2024, opening day is March 30.

• Fall turkey season – A much shorter season focused on either-sex birds, usually running from mid-November through mid-December. In 2024, fall turkey opens November 9 and closes December 8.

Within the spring and fall seasons, there are different options and segments including general, archery-only, and junior hunts. Spring also includes a special youth hunting weekend before the general opener.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season Details

The main turkey hunting opportunity is the spring season which spans about 5-6 weeks statewide. Here are some key details on the 2024 spring turkey seasons:

• General Season – March 30 through May 5, 2023. Bag limit of 1 bearded turkey per day, 3 per season.

• Archery-only – May 6 through May 19. Same bag limits as general season.

• Special Junior Hunt – March 23-24 and May 5-18. Provides extra opportunities for juniors to hunt turkeys.

Shooting hours run from a half-hour before sunrise until 5 PM each day. Hunters are allowed to take one bearded turkey per day, with a total limit of three bearded turkeys during the full spring season.

Fall Turkey Hunting Season

The fall turkey season is much more limited than the abundant spring opportunity. Here are the key details for 2024:

• General Fall Season – November 9 through December 8, 2024.

• Bag limit – 1 either-sex turkey per day, 2 per season.

• Shooting hours – Sunrise to sunset.

Fall season is open for either bearded hens or males, unlike the spring bearded-bird restriction. The overall opportunity is much more limited compared to spring due to the shorter season dates and lower bag limits.

Turkey Hunting Regulations

Turkey hunting in California is regulated by CDFW with specific rules including:

• License required – All turkey hunters need a valid California hunting license and upland game bird validation.

• Tagging – All harvested turkeys must be tagged immediately with the proper tag.

• Non-lead ammunition – Lead ammo is banned for turkey hunting on all public and private lands.

• No baiting – It is illegal to use any form of bait to attract turkeys in California.

• No electronic calls – Only manually-operated calls and mouths calls can be used when hunting turkeys in the state.

Best Areas for Turkey Hunting

California has thriving and expanding turkey populations across much of the state. Some of the best areas to target include:

• North Coast ranges – Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity counties

• Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills

• Central Coast ranges – Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey counties

• San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties

There are also great turkey hunting opportunities on CDFW wildlife areas and national forests across the state. Hunters can research areas on CDFW’s hunt planner map and BLM and USFS land maps.

Tips for Hunting Wild Turkeys

To maximize your odds of bagging a spring gobbler, keep these turkey hunting tips in mind:

• Scout ahead of season – Locate flocks and patterns as early as possible.

• Use turkey calls – Expert calling skills are key to luring in spring gobblers. Practice different yelps, cutting, and fighting purrs.

• Set up near roosts – Get in position early near where birds are roosting overnight.

• Use decoys carefully – Decoys can pull in curious longbeards but also spook them easily.

• Sit still and stay hidden – Turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight so avoid excess movement.

• Be patient – Calling takes patience. Stay alert and ready for sudden gobbler appearances.

With preparation and smart hunting, your next spring turkey season in California can result in a successful harvest and lasting memories. Now that you know generally when turkey seasons fall in the state, get your gear ready and start scouting for your next memorable turkey hunt.