When is Fall Turkey Season in Ohio? A Complete Guide

Fall turkey hunting provides a fun challenge for hunters seeking to outwit these wary game birds. In Ohio there are ample opportunities to pursue wild turkeys during the fall season. Here is a comprehensive guide covering dates, regulations, tips and everything you need to know about hunting fall turkeys in Ohio.

Overview of Fall Turkey Season in Ohio

The Ohio Division of Wildlife provides a statewide fall turkey hunting season every year. Key details include:

• Season Length: 4 weeks
• 2024 Dates: October 1 – October 27
• Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey total

So for 2024, the fall turkey season will open on October 1st and continue through October 27th. Hunters may harvest one bearded turkey of either sex across all those weeks.

The fall season is much less structured than the spring hunt, with no permits required and turkey hunting legal statewide on both public and private land. Read on for more specifics on licensing, regulations, top locations, and tips for hunting fall turkeys.

Licensing Requirements

To hunt turkeys in Ohio during the fall season you will need

• Ohio Hunting License: Required for all hunters ages 18 and older. Youth licenses available for ages 17 and under.

• Turkey Permit: Not needed for the fall season. Only required for spring turkey hunting.

• Game Tag: Printable tag available from the OH DNR. Must be filled out and attached after harvesting your fall turkey.

When buying your license, Ohio offers a spring+fall turkey combo license that covers both hunting seasons. But a standard hunting license will work too for the fall hunt only.

Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations

Here are some key regulations Ohio hunters should know for the fall turkey season:

• Shotgun or archery equipment may be used. No centerfire rifles.

• Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

• Turkey decoys are legal but live decoys are prohibited.

• Turkeys must be checked by 11:30 pm on the day of harvest using the HuntFish OH mobile app.

• The fall season bag limit is one bearded bird of either sex across all hunting zones.

Review the Ohio hunting digest for full details on turkey hunting rules, zones, and permit requirements for spring hunting.

Top Areas for Fall Turkey Hunting

Many regions of Ohio offer good fall turkey hunting opportunities. Top public land areas include:

• Wayne National Forest – Hocking Unit near Athens
• Pike State Forest – Wild turkey capital of Ohio
• Monroe State Forest – Rolling hills with open woodlands
• Shawnee State Forest – Mixed terrain along the Ohio River

Be sure to scout areas ahead of time to locate flocks. Turkeys will flock together in the fall, so finding one means finding many. Focus on agricultural areas like crop fields, orchards, and meadows.

Fall Turkey Hunting Tips and Tactics

Here are some key strategies and tips to increase your chances of bagging a fall gobbler in Ohio:

• Locate food sources – scout for mast crops like acorns, berries, and agricultural grains.

• Use decoys sparingly – Decoys can pull in curious birds but also make them wary. Start without decoys.

• Sit quietly – Have patience and avoid excess movement and calling. Let the turkeys come to you.

• Camouflage well – Use facemasks, gloves, and full camo clothing to blend into the landscape.

• Be mobile – Don’t be afraid to still hunt and stalk as flocks range across the landscape looking for food.

Following these tips will give you a great shot at harvesting a bird in the fall season!

Fall Turkey Hunting Opportunities for Youth

Ohio offers expanded turkey hunting opportunities for youth hunters during the fall season. All hunters age 17 and under can pursue turkeys statewide without a permit or license, though the fall bag limit still applies.

So introduce a new hunter to the thrill of turkey hunting this fall. With patience and some key tips, they may just harvest their first turkey.

The fall turkey hunting season in Ohio runs annually from October 1st through October 27th statewide. No permit is required, just a valid hunting license and game tag. Listen for flocks feeding early in the morning in agricultural areas or near mast crops. Sit quietly in camo and let the birds come into range. With smart preparation and tactics, you can experience fantastic fall turkey hunting success in Ohio.