2023 Spring Hunt Guide

More than 2 million turkey hunters will hit the woods this year for the spring wild turkey season in 49 states. This year, the NWTF celebrates 50 years of conservation work and commits to the continued enhancement of wild turkey habitat and our hunting heritage, now and in the future. This spring, take a moment and consider what the past 50 years has meant to the wild turkey and our passionate pursuit of America’s greatest game bird. Together, NWTF members and staff and dedicated state and federal agencies have helped turn 1.3 million wild turkeys in 1973, into more than 6 million today.

It's important to recognize the progress that has been made, but also to understand the current barriers we face moving forward as some regions of the country experience unstable wild turkey populations. The 2023 spring forecast shows the states’ estimated wild turkey population, as well as a three-year average of spring wild turkey harvest totals between 2019-21. The current status of populations and harvest totals in reporting states is noted as increasing (+), decreasing (-), stable (s) or undetermined (n/a) due to unavailable data. The population status is based on a comparison of the current wild turkey population and the reported population in the 2014 status and distribution paper.

Get out and enjoy the spring woods this season, and remember the connection between the habitat work we have completed and continue today, and the enjoyment you receive from each hunt. Your continued support means both conservation and hunting will continue for the next 50 years and beyond.

Jump to your state using the first letter of your state's name.

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.outdooralabama.com/; (334) 242-3469
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 365,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 25,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: Zone 1: March 25 - May 8 (DECOYS ALLOWED APRIL 4)
Zone 2: April 1 - May 8 (DECOYS ALLOWED APRIL 11)
BAG LIMIT: One gobbler per day; four gobbler bag limit during combined fall and spring season.
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 225,000

No huntable turkey population

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.azgfd.com/; (602) 942-3000
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 20,000-22,250 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 1,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: Check regulations
BAG LIMIT: Check regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 35,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.agfc.com; (501) 223-6300
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 80,000-100,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 7,500 (-)
SEASON DATES: Zone 1 - April 17-25, 2023
Zone 2 - April 17 - May 7, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - gobblers only (no jakes)
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 30,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wildlife.ca.gov/ ; (916) 445-0411
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 300,000-400,000 (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 20,000 (n/a)
SEASON DATES: March 25 - April 30, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Three - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 8,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://cpw.state.co.us/; (303) 297-1192
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 30,000-35,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 10 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 15,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEPHunting; (860) 719-3152
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 30,000-35,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 1,250 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 26 - May 27, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Five – bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/; (302) 739-9910
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 6,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 550 (-)
SEASON DATES:

• A - April 8-14
• B - April 15-21
• C - April 22-28
• D - April 29 - May 6 (No Sundays)

BAG LIMIT: One - bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/; (850) 488-4676
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 15,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: South of St Rd 70 - March 4 - April 9, 2023
North of St Rd 70 - March 18 - April 23
BAG LIMIT: Two - gobblers and bearded turkeys
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: Georgiawildlife.com; (706) 557-3333
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 17,500 (-)
SEASON DATES: Private land: Apr. 1 - May 15, 2023; public land: Apr. 8 - May 15, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two gobblers per season, daily bag of one
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 21,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/bird; (808) 974-4221
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (n/a)
SEASON DATES: Check regulations
BAG LIMIT: Check regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not Reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://idfg.idaho.gov/; (208) 334-3700
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 25,000-55,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (+)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 25, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.illinois.gov; (217) 782-6302
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 15,000 (+)
SEASON DATES:

South Zone

1st Season – April 3-7, 2023
2nd Season – April 8-13, 2023
3rd Season – April 14-19, 2023
4th Season – April 20-26, 2023
5th Season – April 27 - May 4, 2023

North Zone

1st Season – April 10-14, 2023
2nd Season – April 15-20, 2023
3rd Season – April 21-26, 2023
4th Season – April 27 - May 3, 2023
5th Season – May 4-11, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird per permit (up to three permits).
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/; (317) 234-8440
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 125,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 12,500 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 26 - May 14, 2023; Youth turkey season is April 22 and 23, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: Iowadnr.gov; (515) 725-8200
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 110,000-120,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 11,500 (s)
SEASON DATES:

Season 1 - April 10-13, 2023
Season 2 - April 14-18, 2023
Season 3 - April 19-25, 2023
Season 4 - April 26 - May 14, 2023

BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded or male turkey only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: ksoutdoors.com; (620) 672-5911
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 16,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 12 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One - bearded turkey only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 750

WEBSITE/PHONE: fw.ky.gov; (800) 858-1549
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 250,000-400,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 30,000 (s)
SEASON DATES: April 15 – May 7
BAG LIMIT: Two – male or bearded turkeys
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 1,930

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/; (225) 765-2361
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 40,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,000 (-)
SEASON DATES:

Area A - April 1-30, 2023
Area B - April 1-23, 2023
Area C - April 1-16, 2023

BAG LIMIT: Two - gobblers only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 6,500

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/; (207)287-8000
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 70,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,750 (-)
SEASON DATES: May 1 - June 3, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: dnr.maryland.gov; (410) 260-8540
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 40,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 4,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 18 - May 23, 2023 (includes Sundays in certain counties)
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 1,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: WWW.MASS.GOV/MASSWILDLIFE/; (508) 389-6300
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 35,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 3,000 (s)
SEASON DATES: ZONES 1-13 – April 24 - May 20, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 150

WEBSITE/PHONE: Michigan.gov/turkey; (517) 896-1720
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (n/a)
SEASON DATES: April 22 - June 7, 2023; See Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable hunt unit dates
BAG LIMIT: See regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 3,700

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/turkey/index.html; (888) 646-6367
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 12,000 (-)
SEASON DATES:

Season A - April 12-18, 2023
Season B - April 19-25, 2023
Season C - April 26 - May 2, 2023
Season D - May 3-9, 2023
Season E - May 10-16, 2023
Season F - May 17-31, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One - bearded bird only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 15

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.mdwfp.com; (601) 432-2199
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 225,000-275,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 22,500 (-)
SEASON DATES: March 15 - May 1, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Three - gobblers only, beard restriction
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 53,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: mdc.mo.gov; (573) 751-4115
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 390,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 35,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 17 - May 7, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - gobblers only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 12,700

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://fwp.mt.gov/; (406) 444-2535
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 120,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 3,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Check regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: outdoornebraska.gov; (402) 471-0641
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 20,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 4,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ndow.org/; (775) 688-1500
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 1,600-2,400 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 65 (+)
SEASON DATES: Varies, check regulations
BAG LIMIT: One - bearded turkey only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildnh.com; (603) 271-2461
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: May 1 – May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: See regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.NJFishandWildlife.com; (609) 292-2965
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 20,000-25,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 2,750 (s)
SEASON DATES:

Period A - April 24-28, 2023

Period B - May 1-5, 2023

Period C - May 8-12, 2023

Period D - May 11-15 and May 22-26, 2023

Period E - All Saturdays during periods A-D

BAG LIMIT: Varies – male turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/; (505) 476-8000
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 20,000-30,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 2,500
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 10, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 25,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dec.ny.gov; (518) 402-8883 / (866) 933-2257
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 170,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 17,000 (s)
SEASON DATES: May 1-31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 10,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ncwildlife.org; (888) 248-6834
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 270,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 20,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 8 - May 6, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - male or bearded turkeys
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 4,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://gf.nd.gov/; (701) 328-6300;
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 2,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 8 - May 14, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male wild turkey per license. (North Dakota does not allow nonresident turkey hunting, although some tribal lands are open to nonresidents.)
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: wildohio.gov; (800) WILDLIFE
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 150,000-170,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 14,000 (-)
SEASON DATES: South Zone - April 22-May 21, 2023
Northeast Zone - April 29-May 28, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One - bearded turkeys only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 2,100

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlifedepartment.com; (405) 521-2730
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 85,000-90,000 (-)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,500 (-)
SEASON DATES: April 16 - May 16, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One - bearded turkey
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: myodfw.com; (800) 720-6339
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (n/a)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Three - male turkeys or bearded birds
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 2,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: pgc.pa.gov; (717) 787-4250
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (n/a)
SEASON DATES: April 29 - May 13, 2023 and May 15 - May 30, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded birds only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 45,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife; (401) 789-0281
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 4,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 250 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 27 - May 21, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded birds
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.sc.gov; (803) 734-3886
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 100,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 14,500 (-)
SEASON DATES: Zones 1 and 2 – April 1 - May 10, 2023; Zones 3 and 4 – March 22 - April 30, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Three - gobblers only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 20,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://gfp.sd.gov; (605) 223-7660
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported (n/a)
SEASON DATES: April 8 - May31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One - male turkey
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 7,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: http://tnwildlife.org/; (615) 781-6500
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 250,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 50,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 28, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys (only one can be a jake)
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 5,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://tpwd.texas.gov/; (512) 389-4800
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 510,500 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 25,000 (+)
SEASON DATES:

Rio Grande

North Zone - April 1 - May 14, 2023
South Zone, March 18 - April 30, 2023
Special one-turkey bag limit, April 1-30, 2023

Eastern

April 22 - May 14, 2023

BAG LIMIT: Varies, check regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 575,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlife.utah.gov; (801) 538-4700
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 25,000-35,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 2,000 (s)
SEASON DATES: Limited Entry – April 8-27, 2023
General Season – May 1-31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: One - bearded bird
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.vtfishandwildlife.com; (802) 828-1000
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,500 (s)
SEASON DATES: May 1-31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded turkeys
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dwr.virginia.gov/; (804) 367-1000
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 180,000 (s)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 20,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 8-23, 2023 (ends at noon each day), April 24 - May 13
BAG LIMIT: Varies, check regulations
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 29,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wdfw.wa.gov/; (360) 902-2200
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 5,000 (+)
SEASON DATES: April 15 - May 31, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Three - bearded birds
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 2,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: wvdnr.gov/; (304)558-2771
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 100,000 (+)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 10,000 (s)
SEASON DATES: April 17 - May 21, 2023
BAG LIMIT: Two - bearded only
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 15,000

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey/; (608) 212-7923
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 38,000 (s)
SEASON DATES:

Period A April 19-25, 2023

Period B April 26 - May 2, 2023

Period C May 3-9, 2023

Period D May 10-16, 2023

Period E May 17-23, 2023

Period F May 24-30, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One - bearded bird
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: 600

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/; (307) 777-4600
WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)
AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 2,500 (+)
SEASON DATES:

Hunt Area 1, 2, 4, and 5 – April 20 - May 31, 2023;
Hunt Area 3 – April 1 - May 31, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One - male or bearded turkey
1973 POPULATION ESTIMATE: Not reported