When is Turkey Hunting Season? A Complete Guide

Turkey hunting season is one of the most exciting times of the year for hunters across the United States. Wild turkeys are wary, challenging birds to hunt, making a successful turkey hunt extremely rewarding. With turkey populations thriving in many states, there are ample opportunities for hunters to enjoy spring and fall turkey hunting. This complete guide provides key information on when turkey seasons occur, license requirements, bag limits, and more for a successful hunt.

Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons

There are two main turkey hunting seasons each year – spring and fall. Spring turkey season focuses on hunting male gobblers during breeding season as they are more active and vocal. Fall turkey season includes both male and female turkeys. Turkey hunting seasons vary by state, with specific opening and closing dates. Most states offer multiple periods for spring hunting to spread out hunting pressure.

Spring turkey hunting generally runs from early/mid-April through May with many state seasons closing by mid-May. For example California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide on March 30 and runs through May 5.

Fall turkey hunting picks up again in late October or November in many states and runs through January. Fall seasons are more limited than spring.

When Does Turkey Season Open in Each State?

Turkey season dates fluctuate yearly and are set by each state’s natural resource agency, Here are some general time frames

Northeast – Spring turkey opens early/mid April through late May. Fall hunting runs late October into December. States include Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont.
Southeast – Spring season opens early/mid March and runs through May. Fall season picks up late October through January. States include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.
Midwest – Spring hunting runs from early/mid April through mid/late May. Fall seasons open late October and run through January. States include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri.
Western States – Spring seasons open mid/late April and may run into early June Fall seasons open late September through late December States include Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming.

Refer to your state’s wildlife agency regulations for exact season dates and details. Seasons and bag limits can change from year to year.

Turkey Hunting Licenses

A license is required to hunt turkeys in every state. In addition to a general hunting license, most states require hunters to purchase a wild turkey permit or tag. Make sure to review license requirements well in advance of opening day.

Resident license fees range from $15-$50 in most states.
Non-resident licenses run $100-$500+ per state.
Turkey permits or tags often cost $10-$50 for residents and $50-$150+ for non-residents.

Some states also require a habitat stamp or upland game bird stamp ($5-$25) to hunt turkeys. Hunter education completion may be mandatory. Apply early for limited draw turkey tags in certain states like Colorado.

Common Turkey Hunting Bag Limits

Bag limits help regulate turkey harvests in each state. Limits are generally set between 1-3 gobblers in the spring and 1-2 total turkeys (either sex) in the fall.

Spring turkey hunting limits per state:

1 bearded turkey (AZ, CT, GA, MN, TN)
2 bearded turkeys (AL, IL, IN, IA, MI, NY)
3 bearded turkeys (MD, TX)

Fall turkey hunting limits per state:

1 turkey either sex (CO, ID, ND, PA)
2 turkeys either sex (MN, VA, WI)

Check regulations as some states have seasonal or daily limits. For instance, Wisconsin allows 1 turkey per day, 2 per season in the spring.

Turkey Hunting Opportunities Outlook

After near extinction in the early 1900s, wild turkeys have made an incredible comeback thanks to reintroduction efforts and management. Spring 2022 surveys show thriving turkey populations across most of their range.

With growing populations in many states, spring turkey hunting seasons continue to provide excellent opportunities across the turkey’s range. The spring 2023 outlook is positive with great hunting awaiting hunters. Be sure to scout and be properly prepared for a memorable turkey hunt this spring!

when is turkey hunting season

Iowa’s Hunting Regulations

This is not a complete set of hunting and trapping laws but contains the information you are most likely to need to safely participate in these outdoor activities.

Turkey Hunting in Iowa

By the early 1900s, unrestricted market hunting and drastic reductions in habitat had eliminated wild turkeys in Iowa. For many years, the thunderous gobbles of the wild turkey were absent from Iowas woodlands and forests.

This silence was broken in 1966 when the Iowa Conservation Commission, now the Department of Natural Resources, initiated a program to return the wild turkey to Iowa. Wild turkeys were released at several sites across the state, with the first release occurring in Lee County, Iowa. Since these early days, turkey populations have expanded across the entire state of Iowa.

Coming to Iowa to hunt for turkey? Nonresident spring turkey application period is Jan 1 to the last Sunday in January. The application will be available in December. Check availability of available licenses before going online to purchase. For zone map information and season dates be sure to download our Nonresident Turkey Application Guide

This Is How You Turkey Hunt in the Late Season

FAQ

Is turkey season open in California?

The California Spring Wild Turkey General Season normally begins on the last Saturday of March and runs for 37 consecutive days. California law allows for hunts to take place daily during the season from one-half hour before sunrise until 5:00 p.m. The daily bag limit allows for 1 bearded bird per day and 3 per season.

How long is fall turkey season in Wisconsin?

Season Dates, Regulations and Hours

Zones 1-5	Nov. 23 – Jan. 5, 2025
Statewide	Sept. 14 – Nov. 22

When should I start turkey hunting?

The best time of year to hunt turkey will depend largely on the regulations in your state. In most cases, turkey hunting takes place during the spring and again in mid-to-late fall.

What is fall turkey season in Massachusetts?

Wild Turkey Season: October 16 – November 25 in Zones 1-9 Massachusetts residents must have a hunting license, a turkey permit, and safety stickers. Non-residents must have a big game license, a turkey permit, and safety stickers. Hunters are limited to one turkey of either sex during the fall season.

Do turkeys Hunt in the fall?

Before their population declined, wild turkeys were typically hunted only in the fall. When the spring seasons were introduced, fall turkey hunting became less pursued. In recent years, as populations have climbed and then stabilized, many states reintroduced fall turkey seasons. Currently, more than 40 states have a fall season.

When is turkey hunting season?

There are two segments for the turkey hunting season: Fall turkey season (WMZ 1-13): Beginning the 8th Monday prior to Thanksgiving to the Saturday following Thanksgiving. All days inclusive except no Sunday hunting. See allowable implements for each season in the sections above.

Can you hunt a Turkey on a Sunday?

*During certain periods of the fall season, only archery equipment is permitted, get details. All dates are inclusive. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays. Spring turkey season: Hunting hours begin 1/2 hour before sunrise and end at noon. Fall turkey season: Hunting hours begin 1/2 hour before sunrise and end 1/2 hour after sunset.

Are Turkey seasons open?

Find it all here. Turkey seasons are opening up all across the land as spring takes full command of the landscape in many places. Here is a glance at season dates, hunting license costs and bag limits in each of the 49 states that have an open turkey season.