Spring is coming and so is the turkey season! Spring is one of the best time to hunt turkey. Here we gather information about the dates and limits for turkey seasons in different U.S. states to help hunters prepare in advance.
Now let’s start with the following hot list of states popular with Spring turkey hunting in 2024.
Best States To Hunt Spring Turkey
Wyoming Turkey Seasons
The Wyoming turkey seasons last about 2 months, starting from the beginning of April to the end of May.
Area 1 (Quota 100)
- General: Apr. 20 - May. 31
- 001-3: Apr. 1 - May. 31
Area 2 (Quota 250)
- General: Apr. 20 - May. 31
- 002-3: Apr. 1 - Apr. 19
- 002-3: Apr. 20 - May. 31
Area 3 (Quota 400)
- General: 1 - May. 31
- 003-3: 1 - May. 31
Area 4 (Quota 50)
General: Apr. 20 - May. 31
- 004-1: Apr. 20 - May. 31
Area 5
- General: 20 - May. 31
Bag limits for each season: Each hunter with a valid hunting license can hunt any male wild turkey or any wild turkey with a visible beard. Buy remember that there is a total quota for certain areas so the seasons may close earlier when all quotas have been reached.
Vermont Turkey Seasons
Next, the top hot state for turkey hunting is Vermont. Here is the summary of the turkey seasons:
Youth Weekend and Novice Weekend: April 27-28
Spring General: May 1 - 31
The seasons are statewide and no area restrictions.
While there are season limits. You can hunt only one bearded turkey in the Youth weekend; and two bearded turkeys in the Spring.
The Vermont spring turkey hunting season only lasts one month. But don’t worry, if you haven’t fully enjoyed the Spring season, the state has 3 Fall turkey seasons in October and November.
Maine Turkey Seasons
Maine offers a great opportunity for turkey hunting for outdoor enthusiasts. The Spring season is open statewide.
Wildlife Management Districts 7, 9-29: April 29, 2024 - June 1, 2024
Wildlife Management Districts 1-6 and 8: April 29, 2024 - June 1, 2024
Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day: April 27, 2024
All hunters may take up to 2 turkeys in each wildlife management district. The legal hunting hours in Maine is from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Wisconsin Turkey Seasons
In Wisconsin, there are 7 turkey management zones in total and they are all open to the Spring turkey hunt.
The season starts from mid April and then ends in late May. Here is the exact schedule dates:
2024 Spring Turkey Youth Hunt: April 13–14
2024 Spring:
- April 17–23(Period A)
- April 24–30(Period B)
- May 1–7(Period C)
- May 8–14(Period D)
- May 15–21(Period E)
- May 22–28(Period F)
The legal hunting hours are different in northern and southern locations, and you will have to calculate them.
For example, in Period A, the hunting hour is 30 minutes before sunrise and sunset. For Zone B, there is an additional 4 minutes more than the time for Zone A. Zone C has 8 minutes more than the time for Zone A, and Zone D has 12 more minutes than the time given for Zone A, and so on.
We hope that you don’t get lost in the calculation!
Iowa Turkey Seasons
The turkey season in Iowa lasts about a month and is divided into 6 ones. Here it is:
Youth season (residents only): Apr 5 - 7, 2024
Season 1: Apr 8 - 11, 2024
Season 2: Apr 12 - 16, 2024
Season 3: Apr 17 - 23, 2024
Season 4: Apr 24 - May 12, 2024
Resident archery-only: Apr 8 - May 12, 2024
In each Spring season, you can only hunt one bearded or male turkey. And, remember that the hunting hour is half hour before sunrise to sunset.
West Virginia Turkey Seasons
Youth Season: April 13 - April 14
Bearded Turkey Only: April 15 - May 19
You can hunt turkey in West Virginia within a month. The daily bag limit is One turkey, and you can harvest Two turkeys in total for the whole season.
New Mexico Turkey Seasons
The New Mexico turkey season is mainly starting from April 15 to May 15. But the season dates is a bit different in zones. Here are the details:
| Zones | Dates |
| Unit 2A, 2B, 2C, 8, 9 | Apr. 15–May 15 |
| Unit 6B | Apr. 15–30 |
| Unit 26, 27 | May 1–30 |
| Unit 30 | Apr. 26–28 |
| May 3–5 |
The bag limit for each zone is only one bearded turkey. However, in zone 8, the bag limit is two turkeys.
Minnesota Turkey Seasons
The shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Youth season: April 17-May 31
Archery season: April 17-May 31
- A: April 17-23
- B: April 24-30
- C: May 1-7
- D: May 8-14
- E: May 15-21
- F: May 22-31
In Minnesota, there is no minimum age for youth hunters or elder hunters. Everyone can hunt turkey statewide.
There is one simple rule to remember: No baiting and no dogs in turkey hunting.
Nebraska Turkey Seasons
Since 1959, the wild turkey has been widely populated in Nebraska, making it one of the best places for turkey hunting, especially the Merriam turkey.
Be ready to hunt your trophy in this state? Be sure to follow the season dates as follows：
Spring archery: Mar. 25–May 31, 2024
Spring youth shotgun: Apr. 6–May 31, 2024
Spring shotgun: Apr. 13–May 31, 2024
In the Spring season, hunters can only hunt one turkey each day.
What needs to be aware of is that in 2024, the fees of hunting licenses and permits have increased for nonresidents who want to hunt in Nebraska. Such as:
“nonresident turkey permits: from $125 to $140.”
“nonresident landowner turkey permits: from $62.50 to $70.”
Missouri Turkey Seasons
Spring: Youth Season: April 6, 2024 - April 7, 2024
*Bag Limit: One male turkey or turkey with visible beard
Spring Season: April 15, 2024 - May 5, 2024
*Two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards, but it can’t be 2 turkeys on the same day
Hunters can use shotguns and all types of bows such as longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows, and crossbows.
Also, hunters should keep in mind that the hunting hours are different. On public lands, the hunting hour ends at 1:00 pm. However, hunters can shoot on private land till sunset.
Arkansas Turkey Seasons
Special Youth Turkey Hunt: April 6-7, 2024 (Zone 1 and 2)
Regular Turkey Season:
- Zone 1: April 15-23, 2024
- Zone 2: April 15-May 5, 2024
The bag limit is two legal turkeys, no jakes and only one turkey can be taken per day.
In Arkansas, there is also a lottery system used for granting turkey permits to hunters. The winner who has been selected by the system is eligible to buy turkey permits.
If you are not being chosen, don’t forget to check the leftover licenses later.
Pennsylvania Turkey Seasons
The Spring turkey seasons in Pennsylvania only last less than a month. The daily bag limit is One turkey but you can take Two in total for the whole season.
Spring Gobbler(Bearded bird only):
- May 4 - May 18, 2024
- May 20 - May 31, 2024
For the first hunting period, hunting is allowed from half an hour before sunrise until 12 noon. This one ends earlier than usual. For the latter one, the legal hunting hours last from half an hour before sunrise and after sunset.
Kentucky Turkey Seasons
Youth-Only: April 6-7, 2024
General Season: April 13 - May 5, 2024
The hunting hour is half hour before sunrise and half hour after sunset.
The bag limit is one bearded turkey per day and two in total for the Spring season.
Hunters will need a hunting license and permit to hunt Spring turkey. The license can be directly bought online or any agent.
Michigan Turkey Seasons
Spring Turkey: Apr. 20 through Jun. 7, 2024
0234 Hunt: May 4–31, 2024
Hunting hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour before sunset
In Michigan, there is no age limit. Young hunters under 9 years old can also hunt in the field as long as they are mentored. And there is no hunting license required.
Michigan is also a draw state that assigns hunting licenses to qualified hunters by a random system.
To check your drawing results, buy licenses, and keep updated with the latest news on turkey hunts in Michigan, you can download the official App called: Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
The Michigan turkey hunt is in the near future soon. If you are not selected in the drawing, no worries, you can still buy a Hunt 0234 license. It is a statewide license that can be bought by everyone directly. However, it does have limits on the lands that you can hunt on.
Ohio Turkey Seasons
Statewide youth wild turkey season: April 13-14, 2024
South zone: April 20-May 19, 2024 (all counties except the northeast zone)
Northeast zone: April 27-May 26, 2024 (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull)
Bag limit: one bearded turkey
Hunting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
There are 3 separate seasons in Ohio and some of them have limits on the counties you can hunt in. Make sure to check it first.
In Ohio, regardless of age, everyone needs to buy a legal hunting license to hunt turkey in this state. Hunters can directly purchase the licenses online or from any agent.
The license fees for each type of hunter are: Resident Youth($10), Resident Adult( $19), and Nonresident s($180.96).
Indiana Turkey Seasons
Youth Turkey: April 20 and 21, 2024
Spring Wild Turkey: April 24 - May 12, 2024
The turkey seasons last less than a month so hunters should grab any chance to be involved in these thrilling activities.
The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey during the whole season. And the hunting hour starts from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
To hunt turkey in Indiana, remember to possess a spring turkey hunting license and Game Bird Habitat stamp. These two are required for common hunters.
Tennessee Turkey Seasons
Young Sportsman: April 6 - 7, 2024
Shotgun/Archery: April 13 - May 26, 2024
Bag limit: One bearded turkey per day. Only 2 in total per season and only one can be a jake.
Hunting hours: 30 minutes before legal sunrise to legal sunset.
There are more states that have turkey seasons. Some of them may not be so popular as the destination for a turkey hunt, but you can always make additional plans in case you are not selected for the drawing.
Let’s find out more about the turkey seasons in other states.
Alabama Turkey Seasons
| Seasons | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
| Spring Turkey Season | March 25– May 8, 2024 | April 1– May 8, 2024 | March 25 – May 8, 2024 |
| Special Youth Hunt | March 23 - 24, 2024 | March 30 - 31, 2024 | March 23 - 24, 2024 |
| Special Disabled Hunt | March 24, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | March 24, 2024 |
Bag limit: One gobbler per day and four in total, including the Fall turkey season. You cannot hunt more than 2 gobblers in one wildlife management area.
Virginia Turkey Seasons
Youth and Apprentice Weekend: April 6 and 7, 2024
Bag limit: one (bearded turkey only
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset
Spring Turkey:
April 13–28, 2024 (30 minutes before sunrise until 12 noon)
April 29 - May 18, 2024 (30 minutes before sunrise to sunset)
Bag limit: one (bearded turkey per day, three in total.
Connecticut Turkey Seasons
April 24 - May 25, 2024
Bag Limits: 5 bearded birds
Hunting hour is from half hour before sunrise to sunset
Utah Turkey Seasons
Spring limited-entry Hunt: April 13–25, 2024
Youth Turkey Hunt: April 26–28, 2024
General Turkey Season: April 29 - May 31, 2024
Bag Limits: three in total ( one beard turkey each season )
There are Spring limited seasons and general seasons for hunters. If hunters don’t draw for the limit-entry season, they can still harvest turkey in the general season.
Maryland Turkey Seasons
Junior Turkey Hunt: April 13 - April 14, 2024
Spring Turkey Season: April 18–May 23, 2024
The bag limit is 1 bearded turkey per day and two for the seasons.
Illinois Turkey Seasons
Youth Spring Turkey: March 30 - 31 and April 6 - 7, 2024
Spring Turkey Hunt:
1st Season: April 8 - April 12(South); April 15 - April 19(North)
2nd Season: April 13 - April 18(South); April 20 - April 25(North)
3rd Season: April 19 - April 24(South); April 26 - May 1(North)
4th Season: April 25 - May 1(South); May 2 - May 8(North)
5th Season: May 2 - May 9(South); May 9 - May 16(North)
New York Turkey Seasons
Youth Turkey Season: April 20 -21, 2024
Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey
Spring Season: May 1 - May 31, 2024
Bag Limit: 2 bearded birds
Georgia Turkey Seasons
Special Opportunity Youth/Mobility Impaired: Mar. 23–24, 2024
Statewide Season:
Mar. 30–May 15, 2024 (private land)
April 6–May 15, 2024 ( public land)
Bag Limit: One turkey per day and Two in total
Washington Turkey Seasons
Youth: April 1-7, 2024
General: April 15 - May 31, 2024
Bag Limit: Three in total. Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only
North Carolina Turkey Seasons
Youth Season: April 1-7, 2024
Statewide Season: April 8 – May 6, 2024
Bag Limit: Two turkeys in total
Florida Turkey Seasons
Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend: March 9-10, 2024
Spring turkey season: March 16 – April 21(North); March 2 – April 7 (South)
The bag limit is 2 turkeys daily and in total.
Texas Turkey Seasons
Spring Rio Grande Turkey:
- North: 30, 2024 - May 12, 2024
- South: 16, 2024 - Apr. 28, 2024
Spring Youth-Only:
- North: 23-24, 2024 & May 18-19, 2024
- South: 9-10, 2024 & May 4-5, 2024
Spring Eastern Turkey: Apr. 22, 2024 - May 14, 2024
Which States Require Drawing Application For Turkey Hunt?
In some states, hunters will need to apply for a drawing to be qualified to obtain hunting licenses for big games, like turkey.
A drawing is a random system that allocates license qualifications to hunters. The success ratio for residents and nonresidents is different.
What’s more, there are something called Preference Points. The more you have, the higher your chance you getting selected.
In some states, just because you were not selected for the drawing does not mean that you are not eligible to hunt turkey. There are still leftover licenses available. Make sure to keep track of the drawing results and the sale dates of the leftover license.
Here, we collected information about those states that require drawing applications. So, hunters can keep in mind to apply for the quota each year.
The following is the list of states that have a drawing lottery system:
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- Arkansas
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Illinois
- Georgia
- Arizona
- Alaska
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- California
- Florida
- Kansas
- Wisconsin
Tips For Spring Turkey Hunt
Spring is a great time to hunt turkey. In this season, turkeys are active. To ensure a successful hunt, here are some of the tips from turkey experts:
Utilize Turkey Calls And Decoys
Using a locator call can help you find out where the toms are. Male turkeys often respond to a sudden, loud noise by gobbling in surprise. Once the season starts, try to make use of hen calls to locate a male turkey.
The best place to place a decoy is about 20 yards from where you plan to sit. Once you are prepared, use your turkey call to lure the birds. Typically, you can use hen yelps, clucks, and purrs to lure male turkeys.
*Pay attention to the regulations in each state because some of them prohibit the use of decoys.
Read also: How to Use A Turkey Decoy?
Know How To Keep Track Of Turkey
Turkey tracks and paths are distinctive. If you know how to identify them, then you can know where to look for your prey.
Look for their footprint. They usually measure approximately four inches in length, with three elongated toes pointing forward and one small toe pointing backward. Compared to tom’s, hen’s toes are smaller.
If you see some wing marks or feathers, that is the track of male turkeys because they usually drag their wings while walking.
Find The Best Hunting Spot
Before getting turkey coming closer to you, make sure to find a good spot for hiding and shooting first.
Search for grass areas or small open spaces with lots of food. If you come across a large amount of droppings under a tree, that is probably the roosting tree for turkey. Remember the tree's location and then you will know where to set up a hunting spot.
It is recommended to sit on a tree stand for safety and a better view. Camouflage clothing and a safety harness are also essential for the turkey hunt. They keep you concealed and safe on the tree stand.
Know Their Roost Behavior
Turkeys usually roost at night in trees. However, during the nesting period, hens may choose to stay in the nest in order to protect the eggs. Turkey prefers using the largest trees in a group and usually roosts as near to the tree's highest point as possible.
Hunters should stand about 70 yards from where the birds are resting and use calling methods to lure them in while hunting. It is illegal to shoot turkeys while they are still in the tree.
Conclusion
Here is our comprehensive guide on the Spring Turkey Seasons for 2024. The turkey season dates and limits vary by state so it is important to keep in mind to stay updated with the most current information.
We hope this guide will help you in the planning of your upcoming hunting trip. And wish you a successful and ethical hunting season!