Last year, 7,160 wild turkeys were reported by 684 people, showing that turkey hunting in Maryland is a beloved and popular sport and is still going strong! Want to go on an exciting adventure in Maryland and hunt some turkeys in the new 2024? This post has got you covered with everything about the Maryland Turkey Season!
We give you all the important information you need to know about the upcoming turkey season in Maryland, including dates, rules, and licensing requirements.
Turkey hunting is a popular spring activity for many outdoor enthusiasts in Maryland, But when exactly does turkey season open each year in the state? Let’s take a look at the details surrounding Maryland’s annual turkey seasons
Overview of Maryland Turkey Seasons
Maryland has three distinct turkey hunting seasons each year
- Spring turkey season – This is the most popular season, open statewide.
- Fall turkey season – A short season open only in select western counties.
- Winter turkey season – A very brief season open statewide.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides specific dates and regulations for the upcoming turkey seasons each year. Turkey hunters need to pay close attention to this information to ensure they are hunting legally.
The timing, length bag limits legal hunting devices, and other rules can vary for each season. There are also special junior hunt days just for younger hunters before the opening of spring turkey season.
When Spring Turkey Season Starts
The much anticipated spring turkey season is when most Maryland turkey hunters take to the woods in pursuit of a gobbler. Here are the key facts on when it begins:
- Typically opens in mid to late April each year. The opening day is on a Saturday.
- In 2025, Maryland’s spring turkey season will open on April 18th statewide.
- The season will then run for 6 weeks, closing on May 23rd.
These dates can shift slightly from year to year, but mid-April is when hunters can count on spring turkey season starting. The first two weeks of the season have a noon closure time for hunting each day. The rest of the season has sunrise to sunset hours.
Hunters are allowed to take one bearded turkey per day during spring season, with a maximum of two per season. Shotgun, bow, and crossbow hunting for turkeys is permitted.
Spring Junior Hunt Days
Youth hunters get excited for the special junior turkey hunt days held just before opening day of the regular spring turkey season. Here are the details:
- Always takes place on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the regular opening day in April.
- In 2025, the junior hunt days will be April 12th and 13th.
- Only one bearded turkey allowed per day.
- Hunters 16 years and younger can participate if properly licensed and supervised.
This gives young hunters a chance to get out before the more intense hunting pressure that comes when the general spring season opens. Adults love being able to introduce kids to turkey hunting during these special youth days.
Brief Fall Turkey Season
Maryland also provides limited fall turkey hunting opportunities in select western counties:
- Only open in Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties.
- Usually a 7 to 9 day season in early November.
- In 2024, the fall season will run November 2nd through 10th.
Hunting pressure and harvest is much lower than spring due to the short season, remote location, and being timed during other hunting seasons. But serious turkey hunters enjoy the challenge.
Winter Turkey Season
To finish out the year, there is a small window to hunt turkeys in January statewide:
- Typically a 3 day season in the last week of January.
- In 2025, winter turkey season will be January 23rd through 25th.
- Shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery tackle allowed.
With turkey flocks generally dispersed and secretive during winter, this season is more for extra hunter opportunity than producing a lot of harvest. But taking a late season turkey is rewarding for those willing to brave the elements.
Get Out There and Hunt!
Part of the fun each year is anticipating when turkey seasons will open according to Maryland’s published hunting dates. Spring turkey season starting in mid-April is the main event, but don’t overlook the potential of fall and winter seasons for adding extra hunting enjoyment.
Be sure to get your turkey hunting license, brush up on regulations, pattern your shotgun, and do some scouting before opening day arrives. Enjoy yourself and hunt safely this turkey season – and have a great time out in nature with friends and family. The sweet sound of a gobbler thundering in at sunrise makes all the preparation worthwhile.
Maryland Turkey Seasons Summary
There are 5 turkey seasons for 2024-2025 in Maryland. Here are the details of each of them:
Junior Turkey Hunt Season
2024 Season:
- Apr 13, 2024 (statewide)
- Apr 14, 2024 (limit to certain counties)
2025 Season:
- Apr 12, 2025 (statewide)
- Apr 13, 2025 (limit to certain counties)
The bag limit is 1 bearded turkey per day.
Notes:
- This Junior Turkey Hunt is only for young hunters who are 16 or younger.
- To hunt, you’ll need a hunting license or be exempt from the license requirement. You’ll also need to be with an adult who’s 21 or older and doesn’t have a hunting license.
- Only male turkeys with feathers can be caught during these days, and you can only catch one turkey per day.
- You can hunt between dawn and dusk, but make sure to check the Sunday hunting hours in certain counties.
- You can use shotguns, crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns to hunt.
- Baitsor dogs are not
| Dates | Area | Bag Limit |
| April 18–May 23, 2024
April 18–May 23, 2025 |
Statewide | 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 bearded turkeys per season |
Notes:
- Only turkeys with beards can be hunted during the Spring Season.
- You can have one bearded turkey per day or two for the whole season.
- The daily hunting hours are from before sunrise to noon from April 18 to May 9, and from before sunrise to sunset from May 10 to May 23.
- You can only use shotguns(loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts to hunt turkeys.
- It’s illegal to use bait to hunt turkeys or to place bait for them during any turkey season.
- You can’t use dogs or organized drives to hunt turkeys either.
- Nov. 2–Nov. 10, 2024
- The bag limit is one turkey of either sex
| Dates | Area | Bag Limit |
| Jan. 18–20, 2024
Jan. 23–25, 2025 |
Statewide | 1 turkey of either sex |
Notes:
- During the winter turkey season, you can hunt turkeys from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
- You can use shotguns loaded with #4 shot or smaller, crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts to hunt turkeys.
- It is illegal to hunt turkeys while using bait or to place bait for turkeys during any turkey season.
| Dates | Area | Shooting Hours |
| April 14, 2024
April 13, 2025 (and all Sunday during the open Turkey seasons) |
Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester, Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington | Shooting hours are the same as Monday through Saturday |
| Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester | Legal shooting hours on Sundays are from ½ hour before sunrise until 10:30 am |
Maryland Opening Day of Turkey Season 2024 #theharvest #turkeyhunting
FAQ
Can you hunt turkeys in Maryland on Sunday?
Hunters may scout (without a weapon) during regular park hours, no reservations required for scouting. Sunday Hunting is not allowed.
What day does turkey hunting season start?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
What day does hunting season start in Maryland?
Maryland’s Deer Firearms Hunting Opens November 25
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, November 25, and runs through Saturday, December 9.
Can you bait turkeys in Maryland?
It is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait or over any baited area. Feed or bait placed for deer or other wildlife may be considered baiting if turkeys are being hunted.
When is the wild turkey season in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the spring wild turkey season begins April 18 and continues through May 23*. The season kicks off with Junior Turkey Hunt Day on April 13. Wild turkeys remain abundant throughout most of Maryland.
When is Junior Turkey Hunt Day in Maryland?
Maryland’s Junior Turkey Hunt Day is on April 13. The statewide spring wild turkey season begins on April 18 and continues through May 23, during which all hunters can hunt.
How many Turkey seasons in Maryland 2024-2025?
There are 5 turkey seasons for 2024-2025 in Maryland. Here are the details of each of them: 2024 Season: 2025 Season:
When is Turkey season?
Season Dates: Multi-day segments varies by North and South Spring Turkey Zones, from April 8-12 through May 2-9 in the South and April 15-19 through May 9-16 in the North.
What are the hunting hours for spring turkey season?
Spring Turkey Season daily shooting hours for May 10 through May 23 are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within certain counties. Hunting Devices for Spring Turkey Season are only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts.
Are there turkeys in Maryland?
Wild turkeys are abundant throughout Maryland,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Turkey hunting is an enjoyable way to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring, and perhaps be fortunate to bag a nice gobbler.