When is Spring Turkey Season in Oklahoma? A Complete Guide

Spring turkey hunting is a beloved tradition for Oklahoma hunters. Pursuing these wary gamebirds as they gobble and strut makes for an exciting challenge. If you want to join in the fun next spring, here is everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s 2025 spring turkey season dates and regulations.

Overview of Spring Turkey Season

The 2025 spring turkey season in Oklahoma runs for a total of 31 days from April 16th through May 16th

During this time, hunters can harvest one bearded turkey of either sex per calendar year. Only tom turkeys may be taken during the regular season.

There is also a separate youth season held the weekend prior on April 12th-13th. This gives young hunters age 17 and under the chance to hunt before the main season opens.

Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset each day. Only shotguns and archery equipment are permitted. Rifles and handguns are prohibited for spring turkey hunting.

Spring Turkey Hunting Zone and Season Dates

Oklahoma has a single spring turkey hunting zone for the entire state. The dates are:

Youth Spring Turkey: April 12-13, 2025
Regular Spring Turkey: April 16 – May 16, 2025

Both the youth and regular spring turkey seasons are open statewide on public and private lands.

Oklahoma Spring Turkey Bag Limits

Each spring turkey hunter may harvest the following:

Youth season: 1 tom turkey statewide
Regular season: 1 tom or bearded turkey statewide

The youth season limit of 1 tom counts toward the hunter’s overall yearly limit. So a youth who bags a tom during the early weekend can’t harvest another in the regular season.

It’s illegal to take more than one turkey per license year. Only one turkey license can be purchased annually.

Legal Hunting Methods for Spring Turkeys

Hunters may use shotguns and archery equipment to take spring turkeys in Oklahoma.

Shotguns – Any conventional or muzzleloading shotgun using shot sizes no larger than BB are legal. Lead and nontoxic shot are both approved.
Archery – Bows and crossbows meeting the minimum draw weight and arrow requirements for deer hunting may be used.

The following methods are prohibited for spring turkey hunting:

Centerfire or rimfire rifles
Handguns
Pellet guns
Electronic calls
Live decoys
Baiting

Checking & Tagging Requirements

Hunters must check in their harvested turkey either online or by phone within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area.

A printed carcass tag with check confirmation number must be attached after checking in the bird. Tags are available from license vendors or your Go Outdoors Oklahoma account.

Properly field dressing and cooling the turkey quickly helps ensure good tasting meat. Only the edible portions may be kept.

Where to Hunt Spring Turkeys in Oklahoma

There are excellent turkey hunting opportunities across all regions of the state. The top counties include:

Southeast – McCurtain, Pushmataha, LeFlore
South Central – Atoka, Coal, Hughes
Northeast – Delaware, Adair, Cherokee
North Central – Osage, Pawnee, Payne
Northwest – Woodward, Harper, Alfalfa

Public lands like the Three Rivers and Honobia Creek wildlife management areas also hold good numbers of birds. Locating feeding and roosting sites pre-season is key.

Spring Turkey Hunting Tips and Tactics

Follow these tips to boost your chances of bagging a spring gobbler in Oklahoma:

Scout areas in advance to find flocks and patterns
Set up near roost sites early in the morning
Use hen decoys and calls judiciously
Sit still and stay hidden when birds are near
Be patient and persistent when birds are “henned up”
Stay until late morning before changing locations

Locating where the birds want to be each day is vital. Hunting regulations allow you 31 days each spring to outwit a tom in Oklahoma!

Get Ready for Spring Turkey Hunting

With the 2025 spring turkey dates coming up soon, now is the time to start planning. Buy your turkey tag, pattern your shotgun, set trail cameras, and scout for the start of another exciting Oklahoma season.

when is spring turkey season in oklahoma

Spring Turkey License Requirements

Youth Annual Super Hunting License

Resident Annual Hunting License, and
Resident Spring Turkey License

Nonresident Youth (unless exempt):

Nonresident Youth 5-day Super Hunting or
Youth Annual Super Hunting License

Nonresident Annual Hunting License, and
Nonresident Spring Turkey License

*** The adult nonresident 5-day hunting license is not valid for hunting turkey.

Spring turkey hunting season set to begin in Oklahoma

FAQ

What are dates on spring turkey season in Oklahoma?

Youth hunters 17 and younger have the first chance to harvest a gobbler during these two days ahead of the regular spring turkey season, which runs from April 16 to May 16 statewide, according to the Wildlife Department.

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).

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.

Can you hunt turkeys over bait in Oklahoma?

2), archery equipment, or crossbows are permitted for turkey hunting in Oklahoma. Rifles and handguns are not allowed. Furthermore, it’s illegal to hunt turkeys over baited areas or use electronic calls or live decoys.