Spring turkey season is an exciting time for hunters across the United States. The 2024 spring turkey seasons will offer hunters plenty of opportunities to bag a gobbler in most states. Here is a state-by-state guide to when the 2024 spring turkey seasons open.
Overview of Spring Turkey Season Dates for 2024
Most states open their spring turkey seasons in April with many starting in early to mid-April. Some states have multiple spring turkey seasons that open on a staggered schedule through May. A few states in the north open their spring turkey season later, in late April or May.
Youth-only hunts are offered in many states, usually a weekend or week before the regular opening day This allows young hunters to get a head start on the season before the older hunters take to the woods
Spring turkey season dates for 2024 include:
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Early April: States like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas open the earliest in early April. Some southern states also open in early April.
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Mid April: Most states open the regular spring season in mid-April, typically around the second week of April. This midpoint is the most common opening time across the country.
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Late April/Early May: Northern states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, and Maine open later in late April or early May to account for winter weather.
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Multiple seasons: States like Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa have multiple short spring turkey seasons spaced out from early April to mid-May.
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Ending dates run through May in most states, with some seasons open into early June.
Notable 2024 Spring Turkey Season Dates by State
Here are some key dates for 2024 spring turkey seasons to be aware of in the top turkey hunting states:
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Texas: April 1 – May 14, 2024
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Florida: March 4-April 9, 2024 (South zone); March 11-April 16, 2024 (North zone)
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Georgia: March 25 – May 15, 2024
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Alabama: March 25 – May 8, 2024 (most areas)
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Mississippi: March 15 – May 1, 2024
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South Carolina: April 1 – May 1, 2024
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North Carolina: April 8 – May 12, 2024
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Tennessee: March 25 – May 12, 2024
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Missouri: April 6-7, 2024 (youth); April 15 – May 5, 2024 (regular)
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Kentucky: April 8-14, 2024 (youth); April 15 – May 7, 2024
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Ohio: April 15 – May 21, 2024
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Michigan: April 21 – June 7, 2024
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Wisconsin: April 13 – May 26, 2024
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Kansas: April 1 – May 31, 2024
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Iowa: April 10 – May 14, 2024 (multiple seasons)
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Pennsylvania: April 29 – May 31, 2024
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New York: May 1-31, 2024
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Vermont: May 1-31, 2024
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Maine: May 2 – June 4, 2024
Youth Turkey Hunting Seasons
Many states offer special youth-only turkey hunts before the start of the regular spring turkey season. This allows younger hunters, usually ages 12-16, to get out in the woods before the more experienced adult hunters. Youth seasons are typically 1-2 weekends right before opening day of the regular spring turkey season. Some states also have youth-only weeklong seasons.
Key dates for 2024 youth turkey seasons include:
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Florida: February 24-25, 2024 (South zone); March 9-10, 2024 (North zone)
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Texas: March 25-26, 2024
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Kentucky: April 6-7, 2024
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Tennessee: March 25-26, 2024
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Georgia: March 23-24, 2024
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South Carolina: March 31 – April 6, 2024
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North Carolina: April 6-7, 2024
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Alabama: Varies by area, typically 1 week before regular opener
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Mississippi: March 8-14, 2024
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Arkansas: April 6-7, 2024
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Missouri: April 6-7, 2024
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Iowa: April 7-9, 2024
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Wisconsin: April 13-14, 2024
Bag Limits for Spring Turkey Season
Bag limits help manage turkey populations by limiting each hunter’s harvest. Most states have a bag limit of 1-2 gobblers in the spring turkey season. However, bag limits vary by state, so be sure to check your state’s regulations.
Some general spring turkey bag limits for 2024 include:
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1 bird total: Nevada, Washington, Virginia
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2 birds total: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio
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3 birds total: Kansas, Missouri, Illinois
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4 birds total: Alabama, Louisiana, Iowa
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5 birds total: Mississippi, Wisconsin
Bag limits are often different for residents vs. nonresidents, so verify the specific limit based on your hunting license. Also, some states have quotas for nonresident hunters.
Get Ready for Spring Turkey Hunting
As you can see, spring turkey season dates vary across the country in 2024. Be sure to check your state’s regulations for exact season dates, bag limits, and license requirements. The spring gobbler hunt provides a great opportunity to outsmart these wary birds and enjoy time outdoors. Now you know when you can start scouting for turkeys and preparing for the 2024 spring hunting seasons.
2024 Private Land Turkey Zones
- Zones follow county lines with the exception of the inside of the Mississippi river levee in Crittenden, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips and St. Francis county. See the current Hunting Guidebook for WMA Zone info.
Regular Turkey Season Dates
Zone 1: April 21-29, 2025
Zone 2: April 21-May 11, 2025
Special Youth Turkey Hunt
Zones 1 and 2: April 12-13, 2025
- Youth must have a free Customer Identification Number (CID) to hunt and check a turkey. To set up a youth’s customer profile click here. Select New Customer. Once you fill out your youth’s information, make sure to add the free Customer ID to your cart (under the Hunting tab) once in the licensing system and complete the checkout process.
- Bag Limit during the Special Youth Turkey Hunt is one legal turkey or jake.
- Only hunters 6 to 15 years old may hunt turkeys during the special youth turkey hunt.
- Youths who have not completed hunter education must be under the direct supervision of an adult who is 21 or older.
Statewide Turkey Bag Limit
- The statewide bag limit is two legal turkeys (no jakes or females).
- Exception: Hunters 6 to 15 years old may harvest one jake as part of their two-bird limit during the season (including the youth hunt).
- No more than one legal turkey (not a jake or female) may be taken during the first seven days of the regular season.
- No more than one legal turkey (not a jake or female) may be taken per day.
- It is illegal for any hunter to harvest a bearded hen.
- Bag limit on all individual wildlife management areas is one legal turkey (not a jake or female).
- Hunters may not exceed any zone (Statewide or WMA) harvest limits.
Zone Turkey Harvest Limits
Zone 1: One legal turkey (not a jake or female) (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions). Hunters who kill a turkey in this zone must travel to Zone 2 to attempt to harvest a second turkey.
Zone 2: Two legal turkeys (not jakes or females) (see Statewide Turkey Bag Limit for exceptions).
2024 WV Spring Turkey Hunt
FAQ
What are the dates for spring turkey season?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
How many turkeys can you shoot in Wisconsin?
What is the bag limit? The bag limit for the spring season is one bearded or male turkey per spring turkey harvest authorization (formerly known as a carcass tag/permit). The fall season bag limit is one turkey of any age or sex per fall turkey harvest authorization.
What is the outlook for spring turkey in 2024?
And the outlook for 2024 is good. “State biologists’ models indicate the turkey population is stable statewide, increasing in recent years with more favorable winter rain,” said Matt Meshriy, environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s upland game program.
What state has a turkey season in May?
The general season dates are from March 30 to May 5 and the archery only dates run from May 6 to 19. License can be purchased here. In general, California can be a great state to consider. Many hunters will find unfamiliar landscapes here that can be fun to explore and hunt.