For many hunters, spring turkey season is the most exciting time of year. Calling in and harvesting a big tom turkey with beautiful coloring is a thrilling experience. Here is everything you need to know about West Virginia’s 2025 spring turkey hunting seasons, regulations and tips for success
Overview of West Virginia Turkey Seasons
West Virginia offers turkey hunters several opportunities to pursue these challenging birds
- Spring Turkey Season – Runs for 5 weeks from April 21 to May 25, 2025. Open statewide.
- Youth Spring Turkey – Special 2 day season April 19-20, 2025 for youth under 18.
- Fall Turkey – Limited fall season open in certain counties. See season dates below.
Only bearded turkeys are legal game during spring seasons. Hens and juveniles are off limits. Read on for more WV turkey hunting details.
Spring Turkey Season Dates and Bag Limits
The main WV spring turkey season for 2025 is
- Dates: April 21 – May 25, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey per day, 2 per season
- Legal Game: Bearded turkeys only of either sex.
Hunters are allowed to take 1 bearded turkey per day during spring season up to a total of 2 birds for the year.
Special Youth Spring Turkey Season
West Virginia also provides a special 2 day youth turkey hunt each spring:
- Dates: April 19-20, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey over the 2 days
- Who Can Participate: Licensed hunters under age 18. Adult mentors can assist but not hunt.
The youth turkey weekend gives young hunters exclusive early access to pursue spring gobblers before the main season opens. Youth must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.
Fall Turkey Seasons
West Virginia has a limited bifurcated fall turkey season in select counties:
- Season 1: October 12-20, 2025
- Season 2: October 28 – November 17, 2025
- Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per season
- Counties Open: See regulations for list of counties open to fall turkey hunting.
Fall turkey season allows hunters to take 1 turkey total of either sex during the specified seasons. Only certain counties are open.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
Spring and fall turkey hunters must follow these rules and regulations:
- All turkey hunters must have a valid WV hunting license plus a spring or fall turkey stamp.
- Legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Only shotguns with #4 shot or smaller and archery methods are permitted.
- Electronic calls are legal but live decoys are prohibited.
- Turkeys must be checked at an official game checking station by 10pm on date of kill.
- Use of drones to scout or hunt turkeys is illegal.
Make sure to consult the full turkey hunting regulations before going afield.
Tips and Tactics for Hunting WV Turkeys
Bagging a spring gobbler requires skill. Follow these tips to increase your odds:
- Scout – Locate flocks and identify roosting areas before season. Listen for gobbles.
- Use Proper Camo & Cover Scent – Conceal yourself and your odor effectively.
- Pick a Good Set Up – Sit against a tree in a place with visibility of decoys.
- Hunt Patiently – Be still and quiet. Wait for birds to come investigate calls.
- Call Less, Listen More – Avoid overcalling which can scare off turkeys.
Do your preseason scouting, set up near a roost carefully, use realistic calls sparingly, and be ready when a tom comes looking for love. Follow good turkey hunting strategies and your next spring gobbler dinner could soon be on the menu.
Enjoy the Turkey Hunting Season
For many outdoor enthusiasts in West Virginia, spring turkey season is the highlight of the year. With the 2025 dates and regulations now set, you have plenty of time to prepare for your turkey hunt. Sharpen your calls, pattern your shotgun, and get ready for exciting spring action! Gobble, gobble!
WILD TURKEY – FALL SEASON/REGULATIONS
- 26 counties are open to a one-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20, 2024).
- 15 counties are open to a split two-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 –Nov. 3, 2024).
- 14 counties are open to a split four-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 – Nov. 17, 2024).
- Fall wild turkey season now includes Sunday closing days.
- For more information, consult the 2024–2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.
No. Baiting for turkeys in both the spring and fall hunting seasons is prohibited.
WILD TURKEY – SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS
- Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025.
- The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
No, only shotguns, bows (arrows must have a point with at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of 3/4 inch wide) or crossbows are permitted. Shot size restrictions have been removed.
No. Class XS license holders are only permitted to hunt in the youth antlerless deer season, the Class XS license privilege does not apply to other youth seasons (e.g., youth spring gobbler season, youth small game season).
West Virginia spring gobbler season set to open
FAQ
What day does turkey season start in WV?
WILD TURKEY – SPRING SEASONS/REGULATIONS
Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025. The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
How many turkeys can you shoot in West Virginia?
9.4. Wild Turkey. — The bag and possession limit is three turkeys per calendar year, only one of which may be taken during the fall wild turkey season.Jan 3, 2025
Is turkey hunting good in West Virginia?
The southern and eastern panhandle regions had the best production in 2021. West Virginia has good public land opportunities, too, with 500,000 state-owned acres and another million under U.S. Forest Service supervision. Go here for more Realtree turkey hunting.
Can you turkey hunt on Sundays in West Virginia?
(b) Notwithstanding any ballot measure relating to Sunday hunting, it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on private lands on Sundays with the written consent of the private landowner pursuant to §20-2-7 of this code, and it is lawful to hunt throughout the State of West Virginia on federal land …
When is fall turkey season in WV?
14 counties are open to a split four-week fall turkey season (Oct. 12–20 and Oct. 28 – Nov. 17, 2024). Fall wild turkey season now includes Sunday closing days. For more information, consult the 2024–2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary. Q. Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season?
When is turkey hunting in West Virginia?
Hunting safety tips and essential gear to help you enjoy turkey hunting in West Virginia. Get ready for fall hunting adventures because West Virginia’s 2024 fall turkey season is set to open on Oct. 12.
How many turkeys did West Virginia hunters take in 2022?
In the 2022 West Virginia turkey hunting season, 9,366 turkeys were taken by hunters in the spring. This was a 7.6 percent decrease from the 2021 harvest. Remember, safety first when you participate in the 2023 West Virginia turkey season.
How many turkeys can you hunt in West Virginia?
One bearded or male wild turkey per license is the spring season’s bag limit for gobbler hunting in West Virginia. Only one turkey of each sex may be harvested each autumn. Do I need a license to hunt turkey in West Virginia? In West Virginia, you must have a license to go turkey hunting.
Is baiting for turkeys legal in WV?
Q. Is the baiting for turkeys legal in WV during the spring or fall turkey season? No. Baiting for turkeys in both the spring and fall hunting seasons is prohibited. Statewide spring gobbler season from April 21 – May 25, 2025. The youth spring gobbler season is April 19–20, 2025 for hunters ages 8–17.
How do I get a turkey hunting license in West Virginia?
To obtain a turkey hunting license in West Virginia, visit the WV DNR website at www.WVHunt.com to purchase your license before you go. The 2024 WV Turkey Season begins on April 17. Make sure you are up to date with the regulations before planning your turkey hunting trip.