Spring turkey season is an exciting time for hunters across the United States. The 2024 spring turkey seasons will offer hunters nationwide the chance to pursue these wary gamebirds in the spring mating season.
In this article, we’ll break down the 2024 spring turkey hunting forecast and seasons for each state, so you can start planning your hunts.
Overview of the 2024 Spring Turkey Outlook
According to the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2024 Spring Hunt Guide, wild turkey populations are stable or increasing in many states after good hatches in recent years. States like Mississippi and Missouri are expecting improved hunting due to periodic cicada hatches in 2021 that helped boost wild turkey reproduction.
With spring gobbler seasons opening as early as March in southern states, hunters have the opportunity to pursue spring toms over the course of two months or more depending on location. Let’s look at the spring turkey hunting prospects state by state.
When Does Spring Turkey Season Start in Each State?
Here are the opening and closing dates for spring turkey seasons in 2024 for each state:
Alabama
- Private Lands:
- Zones 1 and 3: March 25 – May 8, 2024
- Zone 2: April 1 – May 8
- WMAs and National Forests: April 8 – May 8
Alaska
- No open spring turkey season
Arizona
- April 26 – May 23, 2024
Arkansas
- Zone 1: April 15-23, 2024
- Zone 2: April 15-May 5, 2024
California
- March 30 – May 19, 2024 (archery)
- March 30 – May 5, 2024 (general season)
Colorado
- April 13 – May 31, 2024
Connecticut
- April 24 – May 25, 2024
Delaware
- April 13 – May 11, 2024
Florida
- South of State Rd 70:
- March 2 – April 7, 2024
- North of State Rd 70:
- March 16 – April 21, 2024
Georgia
- March 30 – May 15, 2024 (private lands)
- April 6 – May 15, 2024 (public lands)
Hawaii
- Season dates vary, check regulations
Idaho
- April 15 – May 25, 2024
Illinois
- April 15 – May 16, 2024
Indiana
- April 24 – May 12, 2024
Iowa
- April 8-May 12, 2024
Kansas
- April 17 – May 31, 2024
Kentucky
- April 13 – May 5, 2024
Louisiana
- Area A: April 6 – May 5, 2024
- Area B: April 6 – 28, 2024
- Area C: April 6 – 21, 2024
Maine
- April 29, 2024 – June 1, 2024
Maryland
- April 18-May 23, 2024
Massachusetts
- April 29 – May 25, 2024
Michigan
- April 20 – June 7, 2024
Minnesota
- April 17- May 31, 2024
Mississippi
- March 15 – May 1, 2024
Missouri
- April 15-May 5, 2024
Montana
- April 15 – May 31, 2024
Nebraska
- April 13 – May 31, 2024
Nevada
- Varies by county, check regulations
New Hampshire
- May 1-31, 2024
New Jersey
- April 22 – May 24, 2024
New Mexico
- April 15 – May 14, 2024
New York
- May 1-31, 2024
North Carolina
- April 9 – May 12, 2024
North Dakota
- April 9 – May 14, 2024
Ohio
- April 22 – May 21, 2024
Oklahoma
- April 6 – May 6, 2024
Oregon
- April 15 – May 31, 2024
Pennsylvania
- April 22 – May 13, 2024
Rhode Island
- April 20 – May 20, 2024
South Carolina
- March 20 – May 1, 2024
South Dakota
- April 11 – May 21, 2024
Tennessee
- March 25 – May 12, 2024
Texas
- April 1 – May 14, 2024
Utah
- April 11 – May 31, 2024
Vermont
- May 1-31, 2024
Virginia
- March 30 – May 17, 2024
Washington
- April 15 – May 31, 2024
West Virginia
- April 22 – May 18, 2024
Wisconsin
- April 13 – May 26, 2024
Wyoming
- April 1 – May 31, 2024
As you can see, opening dates range from early March in southern states to late April in northern states where snow and colder temperatures persist longer into spring. Most states have a season length of 4-8 weeks.
Now let’s look at what hunters can expect regarding spring turkey hunting regulations and prospects in each state for 2024
State-by-State Spring Turkey Hunting Forecasts for 2024
Alabama
The 2023 harvest was estimated at 47,084 turkeys. The daily limit is one gobbler, with a four gobbler total limit per combined fall and spring seasons.
Alaska
There is no open spring turkey season in Alaska.
Arizona
The estimated Merriam’s turkey population is 25,000-30,000. Hunters can expect a 24% success rate based on 2023 data. The bag limit is one turkey total for spring and fall combined.
Arkansas
The population is estimated at 80,000-100,000 turkeys. The 2023 harvest was 9,193 birds. The bag limit is two legal turkeys.
California
The statewide wild turkey population is approximately 250,000. The 2023 harvest was around 20,000 birds. The daily bag limit is one bearded turkey, with a three bird total limit.
Colorado
The estimated population is 30,000-35,000 turkeys. The 2023 harvest was 5,694 birds. The bag limit is two bearded turkeys in spring.
Connecticut
The population is estimated at 30,000-35,000 turkeys. The 2023 spring harvest was 1,279 birds. The season limit is five bearded turkeys.
Delaware
The population is approximately 6,000 turkeys. The 2023 harvest was 785 birds. The daily limit is one bearded turkey.
Florida
Wild turkeys occur in 66 of 67 counties. The 2023 estimated harvest was 11,590 turkeys. The daily limit is two gobblers or bearded turkeys.
Georgia
The 2023 minimum reported harvest was 17,500 turkeys. Limits are two gobblers total, one per day.
Hawaii
No turkey hunting forecasts or data available. Check regulations for details.
Idaho
The population is approximately 50,000 wild turkeys. The 2023 harvest was 6,400 birds. The bag limit is two bearded turkeys.
Illinois
The turkey population appears to be increasing. The 2023 harvest was 16,123 turkeys. Hunters can harvest up to three bearded turkeys.
Indiana
The long term population trend appears stable. The 2023 harvest set a record high of over 16,000 turkeys. The bag limit is one bearded turkey.
Iowa
The estimated population is 120,000-140,000 turkeys. The reported 2023 harvest was 14,817 birds. Residents can harvest up to two bearded turkeys.
Kansas
The estimated 2023 harvest was 14,989 turkeys. The bag limit is one bearded turkey.
Kentucky
The population estimate is 250,000-300,000 turkeys. The 2023 harvest was 35,363 birds. Hunters can harvest up to two gobblers in spring, with a one gobbler daily limit.
Louisiana
The population estimate is 40,000-50,000 wild turkeys. The 2023 estimated harvest was 5,000 birds. The daily limit is two gobblers.
Maine
The statewide turkey population is approximately 70,000 birds. The 2023 reported spring harvest was 7,050 turkeys. Bag limits range from one to two bearded birds depending on zone.
Maryland
The population is estimated at 45,000 turkeys. The 2023 reported harvest was 5,356 birds. The season limit is two bearded turkeys.
Massachusetts
The turkey population is estimated to be around 35,000 birds. The 2023 youth day harvest was 117 turkeys, and total spring harvest was 2,965 birds. The season limit
Wild Turkey Recipes
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Learn to Hunt Join Pennsylvania Game Commission Game Bird Management Supervisor and Information and Education Bureau Director to learn some turkey biology and scouting tips to help you harvest a bird this spring turkey season. |
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Turkey Calling With Matt Morrett Learn techniques from a five-time world champion turkey caller. |
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Shot Placement Where is the best place to aim on a gobbler? Matt Morrett provides a great tip on shot placement when spring turkey hunting. |
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Getting Comfortable As part of the Pennsylvania Game Commissions Turkey Hunting Tips series, Matt Morrett provides a great tip on preparing your hunting area and ways to get comfortable in the woods. |
TURKEY TOUR 2024!!! (Turkey Hunt from Today!)
When does the 2024 spring turkey season start?
View harvest reporting data organized by county, WMA, date of harvest, and more. The 2024 spring turkey season south of State Road 70 opens March 2 and runs through April 7 on lands outside of the WMA system. North of State Road 70, the 2024 spring season opens March 16 and runs through April 21. Hunters may take bearded turkeys and gobblers only.
How many turkeys can a hunter take in 2024?
North of State Road 70, the 2024 spring season opens March 16 and runs through April 21. Hunters may take bearded turkeys and gobblers only. On lands outside of the WMA system, the daily bag limit is two and the season and possession limit on turkeys is two.
Where can I find Turkey season dates & regulations?
State by state turkey season dates and regulations. – TurkeySeason.com An interactive map of the united state with state by state turkey hunting season dates and regulations. One source for every states turkey season information.
When do you need a Turkey permit in 2024?
Some states operate their turkey hunting licensing programs via limited draw lotteries and in some instances, the deadline to apply for spring turkey permits for 2024 has already passed. Season Dates: March 25-May 8, Zone 1; April 1-May 8, Zone 2; March 25-May 8, Zone 3.