2025 NWTF Spring Hunt Guide

In addition, wild turkey research projects are ongoing in more than half of the state’s in the U.S. and more funding is being devoted to wild turkeys than ever before. That is in large part due to the support of the NWTF and its members and the devoted universities and state wildlife agencies who are committed to seeing and hearing more wild turkeys on the landscape this season. We hope this information is of value to spring wild turkey hunters and wish all a safe, successful season!

Please contact your state wildlife agency for complete details or visit the website for more information.

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: N/A

2024 HARVEST DATA: 35,906 estimated

SEASON DATES: Private, Leased, and Open Permit Public Lands (Excluding WMA and USDA Forest Service Ranger Districts

• Zone 1: Special Youth Hunt: March 22-23 (Decoys allowed), Special Disabled Hunt: March 24 (Decoys allowed), Spring Season: March 25 - May 8 (Decoys allowed April 4 - May 8)

Zone 2: Special Youth Hunt: March 29-30 (Decoys allowed), Special Disabled Hunt: March 31 (Decoys allowed), Spring Season: April 1 - May 8 (Decoys allowed April 11 - May 8)

• Zone 3: Special Youth Hunt: March 22-23 (Decoys allowed), Special Disabled Hunt: March 24 (Decoys allowed), Spring Season: March 25 - May 8 (Decoys allowed April 4 - May 8)

WMA and USDA Forest Service Ranger Districts - Bankhead Ranger District; WMAs - Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA and Martin CHA. Special Youth Hunt: April 5 (Daylight until 1 p.m.; Decoys allowed). Special Disabled Hunt: April 7 (Daylight until 1p.m.; Decoys allowed). Spring Season: April 8 - May 8 (Daylight until 1p.m.; Decoys allowed April 11 - May 8)

Remainder for National Forest Districts (Talladega Ranger District, Shoal Creek Ranger District Oakmulgee Ranger District, Tuskegee Ranger District and Conecuh Ranger District) and remainder of WMAs that allow Turkey Hunting: Special Youth Hunt – March 29 (Daylight until 1 p.m.; decoys allowed), Special Disabled Hunt – March 31 (Daylight until 1 p.m.; decoys allowed), Spring Season: April 1 - May 8 (Daylight until 1 p.m.; Decoys allowed April 4 - May 8)

BAG LIMIT: One gobbler per day; four gobbler bag limit during combined fall and spring season. No more than two gobblers from any one WMA, CHA, or National Forest Ranger District.

No more than one gobbler during the first 10 days of each season from each WMA, CHA, and National Forest Ranger District.

HUNTING HOURS: Private Land - (daylight hours only) *See in “Spring Season Dates” section

NO HUNTABLE TURKEY POPULATION

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.azgfd.com/; (602) 942-3000

ESTIMATED WILD TURKEY POPULATION:

Merriam’s: 25,000; Gould’s: 3,000; Rio Grande: 100 2024 

SPRING HARVEST DATA: 1,178 turkeys statewide

SPRING SEASON DATES: April 25-May 22, 2025 with two stratified seasons (draw permits)

Archery over-the-counter in 6 units: May 9-22, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One turkey per calendar year

HUNTING HOURS: Daylight hours

STATE STATUS: Arizona does not conduct population surveys, but trend data indicates populations in the eastern and northern part of the state are increasing. Populations in the central part of the state are, for the most part, stable. Almost all spring turkey permits are limited and issued through a drawing with a deadline for applications in October of the previous year (October 2024 for spring 2025). There are a handful units that are open to youth and archery hunting with over-the-counter tags (check the current regulations). Arizona is still active with supplementing populations of wild turkeys where the populations declined during recent severe weather events. We are using GPS transmitters to monitor the success of those translocations.

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.agfc.com; (501) 223-6300

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Estimated 91,910 – 100,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 9,296 checked birds

SEASON DATES: Special Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend: Turkey Zones 1-2: April 12 – 13; Regular Season: Turkey Zone 1: April 21 – April 29; Turkey Zone 2: April 21 – May 11; WMA permit application Jan. 15 – Feb. 15

BAG LIMIT: Two legal turkeys (no jakes) statewide; Zone 1: one legal turkey; Zone 2: two legal turkeys; hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit; no more than one legal turkey may be taken during first seven days of the regular season; no more than one legal turkey per day; it is illegal to harvest a bearded hen

HUNTING HOURS: One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset daily.

STATE STATUS: Current research includes Wild Turkey Gobbling Chronology Monitoring: To obtain a consistent and annual estimate of wild turkey gobbling chronology; data will be useful in identifying trends in gobbling activity, and aid in season recommendations.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wildlife.ca.gov/; (916) 445-0411

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: estimated 250,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: (n/a)

SEASON DATES: General Season: March 29 - May 4, 2025

• Archery Season: May 5-18, 2025

• Additional Junior: 22-23, 2025, May 5-18, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird per day, three per season; check regulations for specifics.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://cpw.state.co.us/; (303) 297-7227

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: estimated 30,000- 35,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES: April 12 – May 31, 2025, see regulations for specific units

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys in spring; one must be taken with a limited license, the other with an over-the-counter license.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://portal.ct.gov/ DEEPHunting; (860) 418-5961

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: No estimate

2024 HARVEST DATA: The 2024 spring harvest consisted of a total of 1,219 birds, 316 juvenile, 898 adult males, three bearded females, and two unknown. Harvest decreased by 4.7% from 2023.

SEASON DATES: April 30 - May 31, 2025

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: Five bearded birds only

STATE STATUS: Research is beginning east of the Connecticut River in early 2025; hunters may encounter banded birds, hens with transmitters, and cameras on nest. Bands from harvested birds are to be reported via the web link printed on the band.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware. gov/fish-wildlife/; (302) 735-3600

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 6,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 723 turkeys

SEASON DATES: April 12 – May 10, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird only

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.

STATE STATUS: Turkey Hunter Safety Course required for all hunters. Permits required for turkey hunting on Delaware public lands, application must have been post-marked by Jan. 6 to be processed for the lottery drawing. A special one-day hunt for youth (ages 10-15) and non-ambulatory hunters will be held on April 5, 2025. Hunting on Sundays is now permitted for turkeys in Delaware.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/; (850) 488-4676

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES: South of St Rd 70 – Youth weekend Feb. 22-23, 2025, Regular spring season March 1 - April 6, 2025; North of St Rd 70 – Youth weekend March 8-9, 2025, Regular spring season March 15 - April 20, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two gobblers or bearded turkeys

WEBSITE/PHONE: Georgiawildlife.com; (706) 557-3350

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 38,810 turkey hunters harvested 11,924 turkeys in spring 2024.

SPRING SEASON DATES: Special Opportunity: March 22-23, 2025; Statewide Season (Private Lands): March 29 – May 15, 2025; Statewide Season (Public Lands): April 5 – May 15, 2025

HUNTING HOURS: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset

STATE STATUS: Hunters should participate in the Turkey Hunter Survey to help monitor spring turkey populations. Visit https://georgiawildlife.com/turkey-info

BAG LIMIT: Season limit two gobblers, daily limit one gobbler, WMA/National Forest Limit: one gobbler per area

WEBSITE/PHONE: dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/bird; (808) 974-4221

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported

AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: Not reported

SEASON DATES: Check regulations

BAG LIMIT: Check regulations

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://idfg.idaho.gov/; (208) 334-3700

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: ~53,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 7,000

SEASON DATES: Youth only: April 8-14, 2025; General season: April 15 – May 25, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour prior to sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Populations and harvest remain steady in Idaho

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.illinois.gov; (217) 782-6302

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: (n/a)

2024 HARVEST DATA: 17,208, including youth season (new state record)

SEASON DATES: Youth Season: March 29-30 and April 5-6, 2025; Regular season South Zone 1st Season April 7 - April 11; 2nd Season April 12 - April 17; 3rd Season April 18 - April 23; 4th Season April 24 - April 30; 5th Season May 1 - May 8 2025 Season North Zone 1st Season April 14 - April 18; 2nd Season April 19 - April 24; 3rd Season April 25 - April 30; 4th Season May 1 - May 7; 5th Season May 8 - May 15

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird/permit; Max three permits/hunter ; check regulations for lottery application periods; over-the-counter permits available March 11

WEBSITE/PHONE: on.in.gov/turkey; (317) 234-8440;

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not estimated 2024 HARVEST DATA: 15,548 (Five-year average: 14,307)

SPRING SEASON DATES: Youth season April 19-20, 2025; Regular season April 23 to May 11, 2025; check regulations for details

BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey

WEBSITE/PHONE: iowadnr.gov; (515) 725-8200

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 150,000-160,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 16,088 reported

SEASON DATES: Four seasons running from April 14 - May 18, 2025

• Season 1: April 14-April 17

• Season 2: April 18-April 22

• Season 3: April 23-Apri 29

• Season 4: April 30-May 18

• Resident-only youth season: April 11-13

• Archery only: April 14-May 18

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded or male turkeys per license. Residents may have up to two licenses (see regulations). Nonresidents one tag by drawing.

HUNTING HOURS: One half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Iowa did have another good hatch in 2024 across much of the state; however, populations can still be quite variable. Traditional turkey areas include much of the eastern 1/3 of Iowa. Western habitats are generally confined to smaller woodlots and riparian areas. The Loess Hills region along the Missouri River provides a unique hunting experience not found in other parts of the state. Iowa is in its third year of a research project studying nesting and survival rates in southeastern wildlife management areas. There were no regulation changes from previous years. Nonresidents need to apply by the end of January for the permit lottery. Most nonresident permits do sell out either during the draw or from unissued tags available over the counter.

WEBSITE/PHONE: ksoutdoors.com; (620) 672-5911

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 11,134 (51% success rate, highest since 2015)

SEASON DATES:

• Youth/Disabled: April 1 – 15, 2025

• Archery: April 7 – 15, 2025

• Regular: April 16 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey only

WEBSITE/PHONE: fw.ky.gov; 1-800-858-1549

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 250,000 – 300,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 33,460 (9% above five-year average)

SPRING SEASON DATES: Youth-only season April 5-6, 2025; General season April 12 – May 4, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two per spring, one per day; one per hunter per Wildlife Management Area

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hours after sunset

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/; (225) 765-2361

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 40,000-50,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a, reported harvest was 30% higher year over year

SEASON DATES: Area A - April 5 – May 4, 2025; Area B - April 5 - 27, 2025; Area C - April 5 - 20, 2025; Youth and physically challenged hunt (restricted to youth and wheelchair confined physically challenged hunters - Areas A, B and C on private land only): March 29-30

BAG LIMIT: Two, only one per day; adult hunters prohibited from shooting jakes

HUNTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/; (207) 287-8000

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 80,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 6,661 (spring)

SEASON DATES: Youth day, April 26 regular season - April 28 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Wildlife Management Districts 7 and 9 – 29: two bearded turkeys for the season; Wildlife Management Districts 1-6 and 8: one bearded turkey for the season

HUNTING HOURS: One half-hour before sunset to half-hour after sunset

STATE STATUS: Stable harvest over the last 20 years

WEBSITE/PHONE: dnr.maryland.gov; (410) 260-8540

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 4,959

SEASON DATES: Regular season: April 18-May 23, 2025; Junior hunt days: April 12, 2025 and April 13 in some counties, see regulations. Sunday hunting in certain counties only.

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey per day, two bearded turkeys per season

HUNTING HOURS: Junior Hunt Days half-hour before sunrise to sunset; April 18–May 9: half-hour before sunrise to noon; May 10–May 23: half-hour before sunrise to sunset

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.mass.gov/masswildlife /; (508) 389-6300

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 35,000

2023 HARVEST DATA: 2,965 spring harvest, 117 youth day.

SEASON DATES: (Zones 1-13) April 28 - May 24, 2025; youth hunt April 26 (check regulations for restrictions)

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds only

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to noon

STATE STATUS: Remarkable stability in annual harvest over the last decade.

WEBSITE/PHONE: Michigan.gov/turkey; (517) 896-1720

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)

SEASON DATES: April 19 - June 7, 2025; See Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable hunt unit dates

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour before sunset

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/; (218) 203-4311

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: Not reported (n/a)

2024 HARVEST DATA: 16,714

SEASON DATES: Season A - April 16-22; Season B - April 23-29; Season C - April 30-May 6; Season D - May 7-13; Season E - May 14-20; Season F - May 21-31

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird per hunter

HUNTING HOURS: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE: Firearm hunters who were unsuccessful during the first five time periods may hunt period F. Firearms hunters interested in hunting Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMAs during period A must apply for a permit through the drawing. Applications were due by Feb. 21, 2025.

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.mdwfp.com; (601) 432-2199

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 280,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 36,337 (estimated total)

SEASON DATES: March 15 – May 1, 2025; Youth Season: March 8-14, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One adult gobbler (6-inch beard restriction) per day, three total for the spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest one gobbler regardless of beard length per day, three per spring season.

HUNTING HOURS: One half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset.

STATE STATUS: Spring turkey hunting in Mississippi has been on a solid run the last few years. The estimated spring harvest totals for 2023 and 2024 constitute the highest back-to-back years since the early 2000s. With solid hatches across most of the state over the last few years, turkey hunting in the Magnolia State is likely as good now as it has been in years. Turkey hunters traveling to Mississippi should be aware of rules governing open public lands during the spring season’s opening two weeks. Nonresident hunters must now obtain a special, no-cost Public Land Endorsement in addition to regularly required licenses when hunting open public lands prior to April 1. Open public lands include National Forests, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), National Wildlife Refuges, Corps of Engineers lands, Department of Defense lands, etc., that have statewide seasons without other special regulations. The new endorsement will be allotted in limited quantities via a drawing conducted in mid-February.

WEBSITE/PHONE: mdc.mo.gov; (573) 751-4115

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2023 HARVEST DATA: 47,119

SEASON DATES: Youth dates April 12-13, 2025; Regular season April 21-May 11, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two, only one bird during the first week of the season, then one per day after the first week (hunters who tag a bird during the youth season may not harvest a bird during the first week of the season)

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset on private land; half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. on all public land

STATE STATUS: Good production in 2023 should lead to a strong harvest numbers in 2025. Production in 2024 was regionally variable with areas in the north and eastern parts of the state seeing better production than areas to the south and west. Overall harvest in 2024 was within a percentage point of the average going back to 1998, when a week was added to the turkey season. Visit https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey for more info.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://fwp.mt.gov/; (406) 444-2535

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 120,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 5,635

SPRING SEASON DATES: April 15 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Five in spring

STATE STATUS: No changes for 2025; see separate publication for turkeys in 2025.

WEBSITE/PHONE: outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/game/turkey/; (402) 471-0641

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 20,000

SEASON DATES: Youth Archery March 25 – May 31, 2025; Archery March 25 – May 31, 2025 Youth Shotgun April 5 – May 31, 2025; Shotgun April 12 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds only

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ndow.org/; (775) 688-1500

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 1,600-2,400 estimated

AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 65

SEASON DATES: Varies by county, check regulations

BAG LIMIT: See regulations

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildnh.com; (603) 271-2461

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: A total of 4,563 wild turkeys were harvested during 2024.

SPRING SEASON DATES: Youth Weekend April 26-27, 2025; Spring Season May 1-31, 2025 statewide

BAG LIMIT: Spring season limit is two male or bearded birds – one may be taken statewide, the other may only be taken in designated Wildlife Management Units (H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L or M).

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.NJFishandWildlife.com; (609) 292-2965

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 20,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 4,563 in spring

SEASON DATES: Youth Turkey Hunting Day April 19, 2025; Period Y (ages 10–16) Apr. 19–May 10, 2025 and May 12–May 23, 2025 Regular season Period A (M–F) Apr. 21–25, 2025 Period B (M–F) Apr. 28– May 2, 2025 Period C (M–F) May 5–9, 2025 Period D (M–F) May 12–16 and May 19–23, 2025 Period E (Saturdays) Apr. 26; May 3, 10, and 17, 2025. Hunting times vary, check regulations

BAG LIMIT: One male turkey per permit per day (no bearded hens.)

WEBSITE/PHONE: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/; (505) 476-8000

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 21,000

2024 SPRING HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES: April 15 – May 15, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys only

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

STATE STATUS: Research in progress on Merriam’s hen habitat use, survival, and reproductive success.

WEBSITE/PHONE: dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/turkey/seasons; (518) 402-8883 / (866) 933-2257

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 170,000 estimated

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES: Youth season: April 26-27, 2025; Regular season May 1– May 31, 2025 in all open areas

BAG LIMIT: See regulations

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ncwildlife.org; (888) 248-6834

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 270,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 24,074 reported turkeys harvested

SEASON DATES: Youth Season April 5-11, 2025; Spring Turkey Season April 12 – May 10, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two per season, daily limit of one, only one bird during youth season

STATE STATUS: In July 2024, North Carolina created a document reviewing wild turkey data and management of wild turkey in North Carolina. This document can be found on our website https://www.ncwildlife.org/species/wildturkey. In June 2024 North Carolina completed its 5-year “Multi-scale Assessment of Wild Turkey Ecology in North Carolina” research project. More information about this project and its results can be found on our website, https://www.ncwildlife.org/species/wild-turkey. In 2023, North Carolina began a research project to examine the possible indirect effects of disease on wild turkey survival and reproduction.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://gf.nd.gov/; (701) 328-6300

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 3,336

SEASON DATES: See regulations

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey

STATE STATUS: Increasing population. Survival study in year three.

WEBSITE/PHONE: wildohio.gov; (800) WILDLIFE

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 15,535

SEASON DATES: Youth Season April 12-13, 2025; South Zone April 19 – May 18, 2025; Northeast Zone May 3 – June 1, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey only

HUNTING HOURS: Statewide Youth Season; half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

• South Zone: April 19-27; half-hour before sunrise to noon; April 28-May 18; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

• Northeast Zone: May 3-11; half-hour before sunrise to noon; May 12-June 1; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Ohio’s wild turkey population appears to be on an upswing in recent years. Summer surveys revealed poult numbers at or above the long-term averages each year since 2020. As a result, spring permit success rates were well above average in 2023 and 2024. Permit success rates are expected to remain high in 2025. The Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio State University (OSU) are monitoring wild turkey hen movement, survival, and nest activity as part of the Mid-Atlantic Wild Turkey Research Collaboration. OSU will monitor GPS-tagged hens across eastern and southern Ohio in 2025.

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlifedepartment.com; (405) 521-2730

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 88,000 Rio Grande, 6,000 Eastern

AVERAGE ANNUAL HARVEST: 6,309 turkeys statewide

SEASON DATES: Regular season - April 16 -May 16, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One tom turkey limit statewide

STATE STATUS: Cost for hunting licenses in Oklahoma has changed during 2024. Visit our website/regulations for details. Creation of a single “youth super license” will take the place of about 15 different types of youth hunting licenses. The youth super license is to help make youth hunting more economically affordable and simplify the regulations. Research is ongoing to study vital rates of wild turkey in the southeast and southwest portions of Oklahoma.

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.myodfw.com / 1-866-947-ODFW (6339)

ESTIMATED WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000

SPRING HARVEST DATA: 5,619 (in 2023)

SPRING SEASON DATES: April 15 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One male turkey or turkey with a visible beard per day. Up to three wild turkeys may be taken during the season (one per tag).

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Populations steady to increasing. Review electronic tagging requirements in the Oregon Game Bird Hunting regulations. Hunters must report on their turkey tags by Jan. 31, 2025 at huntfishoregon.com.

WEBSITE/PHONE: pgc.pa.gov; (833) 742-4868

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 39,300

SEASON DATES: Youth Season April 26, 2025, bag limit 1, bearded bird only; Eligible Junior Hunters only, with the required junior license; Regular Spring Season May 3 - May 31, 2025. No hunting on Sunday authorized.

HUNTING HOURS: May 3, 2025-May 17, 2025 may be hunted half-hour before sunrise to noon, and May 19, 2025-May 31, 2025 may be hunted half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey. A second tag may be purchased up to and including the day prior to the statewide opening day (up to and including May 3, 2024.)

STATE STATUS: Opening day of the regular season is the Saturday closest to May 1, therefore, the date changes annually depending on the calendar. Pennsylvania is conducting the fourth and final year of our Mid-Atlantic Wild Turkey Collaborative research study in collaboration with the state wildlife agencies of MD, NJ, OH and WV and the following universities: Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University and West Virginia University to assess, among other topics, why long-term population trends are stable in many Wildlife Management Units while increasing in a few and declining in a few. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is also conducting the final year of a two-year gobbler crippling loss study in collaboration with PSU to evaluate crippling loss of wild turkeys during the spring season and evaluate hunter attitudes and opinions regarding the second tag for the spring season.

WEBSITE/PHONE: dem.ri.gov/programs/fishwildlife; (401) 789-0281

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 331 bearded wild turkeys harvested

SEASON DATES: Regular season April 24 – May 18; Youth hunt April 14 – April 20; Paraplegic hunt April 19 – April 20

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds, only one on state lands

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.

STATE STATUS: Population indices and brood surveys indicate stable 10-year trends, and we anticipate the 2025 turkey harvest to be similar to the 2019–2024 spring seasons. The 2024 spring turkey season had the second-highest harvest since turkey reintroductions began, only 10 birds shy of the record in 2023.

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.sc.gov; (803) 734-3886

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 95,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: Estimated at 12,428 (11,836 adult gobblers and 592 jakes)

SPRING SEASON DATES: April 3 to May 3 statewide on private and public land BAG LIMIT: Two gobblers per season, no more than one per day, no more than one prior to April 10. Harvest of jakes (juveniles) is prohibited.

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before official sunrise to half-hour after official sunset

STATE STATUS: The harvest of 12,428 turkeys in 2024 was a 5% decline from 2023, representing an ongoing declining trend. Recent harvest figures remain well below levels from the past. The season framework for 2025 is new and represents the third framework change since 2015. This new framework starts the season later, reduces season length, reduces the bag limit from three to two, prohibits the harvest of juveniles (jakes), and prohibits the practice of reaping/fanning. Current research involves a cooperative study between SCDNR, the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, and the USDA Forest Service-Southern Research Station at Savannah River Site which is investigating the reproductive ecology of wild turkeys in an unhunted setting.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://gfp.sd.gov; (605) 223-7660

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: Overall, in prairie units there were 7,375 licenses available and overall tag sales totaled 8,074 (some units had double tags). The reported overall harvest success rate was 50% and the projected harvest was 4,024 turkeys. In the Black Hills unit there were 5,994 licenses issued (2,824 residents, 3,170 nonresidents). All licenses consisted of single tags for male turkeys only. The reported overall harvest success rate was 36% and the projected harvest was 2,156 turkeys.

SEASON DATES: It is important to note that start dates of hunting seasons vary according to unit. In prairie units the season dates occur from April 12- May 31, 2025 in most prairie units. The Black Hills unit occurs from April 26-May 31, 2025. Further, it is important to note that archery and mentored seasons open at the same time as shotgun season dates. For example, an archer or mentored hunter would need to wait until April 26, 2025 to start hunting in the Black Hills unit.

BAG LIMIT: Check regulations

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: A big change that spring turkey hunters need to be aware of is the change in the Black Hills unit. In 2025 it will no longer be unlimited for nonresidents. The SDGFP Commission created a cap of 2,225 one-tag male turkey licenses for nonresidents in the Black Hills Turkey unit. Therefore, nonresidents need to apply ahead of the season and try and draw a license if they are interested in hunting the Black Hills unit. There is a research study occurring in Gregory County where radiomarked hens are being studied for survival and reproduction. Vital rate data will inform population models which will be used for management.

WEBSITE/PHONE: http://tnwildlife.org/; (615) 781-6500

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: Based on post-season hunter survey, an estimated 63,856 turkeys (58,218 ± 6,646 adult gobblers, 5,481 ± 2,046 jakes, and 157 ± 187 bearded hens) were harvested during the 2024 spring season

SEASON DATES: Young Sportsman: April 5-6, 2025; Shotgun/Archery: April 12 - May 25, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey per day, not to exceed two for the season, only one of which may be a jake. All hens (including bearded hens) are illegal to harvest.

HUNTING HOURS: Thirty minutes before sunrise to sunset.

STATE STATUS: The only major change in regulations for the Spring 2025 season is that bearded hens are no longer legal to take. Also, TWRA is conducting a gobbler harvest rate study; if a banded bird is harvested, please report it as directed on the leg band.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://tpwd.texas.gov/; (512) 389-4800

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES:

• North: March 29- May 11, 2025;

• South: March 15 - April 27, 2025

• One-turkey counties: Apr. 1-30, 2025

• East: April 22 - May 14, 2025;

• Spring Youth-Only: North March 22-23, 2025 and May 17-18, 2025; South March 8-9, 2025 and May 3-4, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Bag limits vary by county (check regulations)

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlife.utah.gov; (801) 538-4700

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 25,000-30,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: n/a

SEASON DATES: Spring 2025 limited-entry hunts April 12–24, 2025; Youth April 25–27, 2025; General April 28–May 31, 2025. See regulations for specifics.

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.vtfishandwildlife.com; (802) 828-1000

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000

2024 HARVEST DATA: 6,516 birds harvested in total. Spring harvest was 5,178, fall regular was 489 and fall archery 137 birds (total includes 683 birds harvested by youth and 29 birds harvested by novices during the youth/novice weekend)

SEASON DATES: Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend—April 26 – 27, 2025 May 1-31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dwr.virginia.gov/; (804) 367-1000

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 170,000-190,000 birds, stable populations based on 10-year trend data

2024 HARVEST DATA: 21,988

SEASON DATES: Youth and Apprentice Season: April 5-6 (half-hour before sunrise to sunset); Spring season: April 12-27 (half-hour before sunrise to noon); Spring season: April 28 - May 17 (half-hour before sunrise to sunset)

BAG LIMIT: Three birds, one bird per day

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wdfw.wa.gov/; (360) 902-2515

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

SEASON DATES: Youth: April 1-7; General: April 15 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Spring season limit is three turkeys total statewide (youth and general seasons combined) with the following restrictions: Eastern Washington*: two turkeys, except a third may be killed only in Spokane County. Only one turkey may be killed in Kittitas and Yakima counties each. Western Washington*: one turkey. Klickitat County: two turkeys. *Harvests in Klickitat County do not count toward the eastern or western Washington limits.

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Turkey populations in Washington remain stable to increasing. Hunter participation declined in 2023 from 2022 (coming down from a peak in 2021), but success rates increased in 2023. Hunter success rates in 2023 for both the spring and fall seasons were above the 10-year averages. Hunters can expect another good turkey season in Washington next year.

WEBSITE/PHONE: wvdnr.gov/; (304)558-2771

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: 116,500

2024 HARVEST DATA: Mountaineer Heritage Season: 31, Spring gobbler: 11,650, Fall turkey: 1,130

SEASON DATES: Youth season April 19-20; Spring gobbler April 21-May 25, 2025

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds

HUNTING HOURS: One half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. for the entire season

STATE STATUS: In 2024 West Virginia began a four-year research project looking at hen productivity and survival as well as the sociological aspects of West Virginia turkey hunters.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey/; (608) 212-7923

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2024 HARVEST DATA: 50,435 in spring (22% increase from five-year average)

SEASON DATES: Spring Youth Hunt April 12-13, 2025

• Period A: April 16-22, 2025

• Period B: April 23-29, 2025

• Period C: April 30-May 6, 2025

• Period D: May 7-13, 2025

• Period E: May 14-20, 2025

• Period F: May 21-27, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird per harvest authorization

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/; (307) 777-4600

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2023 HARVEST DATA: Statewide harvest success ~55%

SEASON DATES: April 20 – May 31, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One male or bearded wild turkey per license. Hunters may possess one general license (unlimited over the counter), or one Type 1 license (drawing only), and up to two Type 3 licenses (drawing only, or available as leftover if not sold out in the drawing).

HUNTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

STATE STATUS: Above average poult production and survival the past four years. Populations are respectable in most locations. Check regulations for Type 3 license restrictions.

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/lafaune/plans-de-gestion/dindon-sauvage/

WILD TURKEY POPULATION: n/a

2023 HARVEST DATA: Spring: 9,361 / Autumn: 353

SEASON DATES: Spring season April 26 to May 20, 2025

BAG LIMIT: One or two (check regulations)

HUNTING HOURS: Hunting is permitted from half an hour before sunrise until midday

STATE STATUS: Stable or increasing population