When Does Turkey Season Start in North Carolina? Your Complete Guide

Turkey hunting is a beloved tradition in North Carolina. The thrill of spring gobbler hunting gets many hunters’ hearts pumping in anticipation. If you’re new to NC turkey hunting or need a refresher, this guide covers everything you need to know about the upcoming 2023 season.

Overview of NC Turkey Seasons

There are two turkey seasons in North Carolina

• Youth Season – April 1st to 7th, 2023
• Statewide Season – April 8th to May 6th, 2023

During the youth season, only hunters under 18 years old can hunt turkeys. This gives young hunters a chance to get out before the more intense statewide season opens.

The statewide season is the main affair open to all turkey hunters with a valid license and permits, This is when most hunters take to the woods in pursuit of these challenging birds

Turkey Tag Limits

Hunters are limited to two turkeys total for the Spring 2023 season in North Carolina. Of your two turkey tags:

• Only one can be used during the youth season
• The second tag can be used during the statewide season

So if you harvest a bird during the youth hunt, you only have one tag left for the regular season.

It’s illegal to exceed your two turkey tag limit.

Legal Hunting Hours

Turkeys can only be hunted between:

• Half an hour before sunrise
• Half an hour after sunset

These are the legal hunting hours statewide.

Methods of Take in NC

There are restrictions on what methods can be used to harvest wild turkeys:

• No rifles or handguns – Only archery equipment and shotguns are legal for turkey hunting
• No electronic calls – Only manual and mouth calls are permitted
• No baiting – Hunting turkeys over bait is illegal in North Carolina

License Requirements

To hunt turkeys in North Carolina you need:

• Resident or non-resident NC hunting license
• Big game hunting license or sportsman’s license
• Turkey hunting permit – usually included with hunting license purchase
• Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification

Youth under 16 can hunt turkeys without a license if accompanied by a properly licensed adult. Hunter education is required for youth hunting alone.

Licenses can be purchased online through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website or from authorized agents in person.

Where to Hunt Turkeys in NC

There are good turkey populations throughout North Carolina, with notable hotspots being:

• Mountains Region – Blue Ridge Mountains have excellent public land hunting on Pisgah National Forest and area game lands. Mix of open fields and dense forest.

• Piedmont Region – Foothills and northern Piedmont offer both private and public lands. Look for a mix of pine forest, hardwoods, and agricultural areas.

• Coastal Plain Region – Lowland swamps, pine savannas, and farmland make for great turkey habitat. Hunters have success in counties along the Roanoke and Neuse Rivers.

Talk to local NCWRC biologists for up-to-date info on the best public hunting locations in your region. Scouting areas in late winter is key to success.

Safety Tips for Turkey Hunters

• Use a tree stand and hunt from an elevated position
• Wear camo clothing and avoid white, blue, red colors
• Remain still and don’t move when turkeys are close
• Identify your target clearly before shooting
• Watch out for snakes when in the spring woods
• Let someone know where you’ll be hunting
• Never stalk a turkey or approach a bird you shot before waiting 15 minutes

Enjoy the Hunt!

That covers the basics of when turkey season opens and what you need to know for a successful spring hunt in North Carolina. Best of luck tagging your two gobblers! Let us know how your NC turkey season goes after opening day on April 1st.