Everything You Need to Know About Turkey Season in Ohio

For hunters in Ohio, spring turkey season is one of the most exciting times of the year. The thrill of calling in a big tom turkey and outsmarting these wily birds makes turkey hunting a cherished tradition for many. If you want to take part in bagging a spring gobbler this year, read on to learn all about Ohio turkey season dates, rules, tips, and more.

When Does Turkey Season Start in Ohio?

There are two turkey hunting zones in Ohio each with slightly different season dates

• Northeast Zone Counties include Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull The 2024 spring turkey season for the northeast zone runs from April 27th through May 26th

• South Zone: The remaining 83 counties fall into this zone, which has spring turkey dates of April 20th to May 19th in 2024.

So hunters in the northeast can start a week later than those in the south zone, but both regions get around 4-5 weeks to hunt spring gobblers. Many hunters appreciate the split because it prevents too much hunting pressure on turkeys in a short time.

Ohio Spring Turkey Hunting Rules

When gearing up for Ohio’s annual spring turkey season, be sure you understand the regulations:

• Must have a valid hunting license and spring turkey permit.

• Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

• Only bearded turkeys are legal game during spring.

• The bag limit is two bearded turkeys per hunter across both zones.

• Turkey decoys and calls are permitted.

• Turkeys must be checked by 11:30 pm on the day of harvest via the HuntFish OH app.

• Use of drones for scouting or hunting turkeys is prohibited.

Following the rules ensures an ethical hunt and helps conserve healthy turkey populations for future seasons.

Timing Your Hunt

The exact timing of when to hunt spring gobblers changes based on weather, habitat, and other factors. However, there are some general guidelines on when you’re most likely to strike gold in bagging a longbeard:

• Early mornings – Target roosted birds before they fly down and start henned up.

• Late afternoons – Try calling in lonely gobblers seeking a final hen as daylight fades.

• All day during the peak breeding period – Hunt hard when most hens are on nests and toms are actively seeking, usually early-mid May.

• After rain showers – Cooler, wet weather keeps turkeys gobbling enthusiastically.

• Avoid extremely windy or stormy days – Barometric changes shut down turkey activity.

Pay close attention to the weather forecasts and patterns you observe in the woods to maximize your hunting time.

Scouting for Spring Gobblers

Scouting areas thoroughly before opening day is the key to pinpointing where the turkeys are located on your hunting properties.

• Locate roost trees to target first thing in the morning. Look for clusters of droppings, feathers, and scratching under tall trees.

• Note promising calling spots like forest openings, field edges, and logging roads.

• Search for strutting zones littered with feathers and scratching. These signal prime areas for calling in lonely toms.

• Trail camera surveillance of travel patterns can reveal a lot about local flock habits.

• On public lands, scout multiple areas in case pressure pushes birds around on opening day.

Dedicate ample time to scouting so you have a solid game plan once your window for hunting opens up.

Must-Have Gear for Turkey Hunting

The right equipment makes a successful spring turkey hunt much easier. Be sure you have these essentials:

• Turkey hunting shotgun – The classic pump action model like a Remington 870 is affordable and reliable. Choose a 12 or 20 gauge loaded with turkey specific #4, #5 or #6 lead or copper-plated lead shot.

• Camo clothing – Blend into spring landscapes with camo suits, gloves, facemasks and boots to avoid detection.

• Turkey vest – Keep calls, ammo, and other gear handy but quiet with a vest designed for turkey hunting.

• Locator calls – Start with mouth calls like box, slate, or diaphragm types which mimic hen yelps, clucks and purrs.

• Friction calls – Mechanical striker and peg calls easily imitate loud gobbler sounds to amp up excitement.

• Decoys – Set up realistic hen or jake decoys to draw in looking toms.

• Blind – Stay concealed from super-alert birds with a portable hunting blind.

Proper equipment like this gives you a true tactical edge when pursuing spring gobblers.

Prime Places to Hunt Ohio Turkeys

Ohio offers excellent public land options for spring turkey hunting, along with fantastic private farm habitat. Top spots include:

• Public lands – Shawnee State Forest, Tri-Valley Wildlife Area, Waterloo Wildlife Area, Salt Fork State Park, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area.

• Mixed habitat – Find turkeys where forest meets openings like croplands, pastures, and power line corridors.

• Agricultural areas – Birds love borders between woods, crop fields, and meadows.

• Clearcuts – New tree growth in logged areas provides good cover and bugging.

• Food sources – Flock activity centers around acorn crops, greens, bugs, and waste grains in fields.

Look for this blend of habitat types when scouting for the highest turkey populations in your hunting zone. With permission and some pre-season scouting, private farmlands can offer fantastic spring turkey hunting too.

Expert Tips to Tag Your Spring Gobbler

Veteran turkey hunters always have hard-earned wisdom to share. Here are some pro tips to help you fill a tag in Ohio:

• Hunt patiently – Calling too aggressively can spook gobblers. Use restraint and let birds come to you.

• Play the wind – Your scent blows downwind, so set up accordingly.

• Use mapping apps – Tools like OnX help pinpoint land boundaries and ownership.

• Have backup spots – Be prepared to move if other hunters pressure your first choice.

• Adjust calling tactics – Mix things up until you trigger a response.

• Use a blind – Concealment is critical no matter how well camouflaged you are.

• Watch turkey behavior – Learn their habits to know how to hunt them.

• Enjoy the experience – Hunting spring turkeys is a rush regardless of bagging one.

Follow this advice from seasoned turkey veterans to up your odds this spring.

Turkey Hunting Safety

While exhilarating, turkey hunting does come with some inherent hazards. Stay safe in the spring woods by:

• Wearing blaze orange when moving between setups.

• Identifying your target and what’s beyond before shooting.

• Using proper shotgun patterning to ensure clean kills.

• Hunting sober and alert to avoid errors in judgment.

• Letting others know your hunting location and expected return time.

• Respecting private lands and not trespassing.

Prioritizing safety ensures the best experience for you and your hunting partners during Ohio’s spring turkey season.

Enjoying the Spring Turkey Hunting Tradition

For many Buckeye hunters, spring turkey season is the high point of the year. The excitement of matching wits with a savvy old tom turkey is a thrill like no other. Thanks to careful management by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Ohio hunters can enjoy ample opportunities to bag a gobbler each spring.

As you prepare for hitting the woods this turkey season, use the tips in this article to maximize your chances of success. Scout thoroughly, hunt patiently, have the proper gear, and focus on safety. Follow this advice to create lasting memories on your quest to tag a spring longbeard. Best of luck this turkey season!