Turkey hunting season dates and regulations vary across the United States. As a popular game bird pursued by thousands of hunters each year understanding turkey season dates is key to having a successful hunt. This article provides a state-by-state guide on when turkey hunting season occurs.
Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons
Most states have a turkey hunting season that occurs in the spring, typically starting in April and running through May. This spring season targets adult male turkeys known as toms or gobblers, during their mating and nesting period.
Some states also offer fall turkey hunting seasons, usually occurring in October or November The fall season has more relaxed regulations and typically allows hunters to harvest either sex of turkeys
Several states divide their spring turkey seasons into different segments, like a youth-only weekend, a short early season, and then a later main season. State wildlife agencies set turkey season dates each year and publish hunting regulations detailing the exact season segments.
Turkey Hunting Season Dates by State
Below are the turkey hunting seasons for each state in 2025, with key dates and segments highlighted. Season specifics are subject to change annually, so be sure to consult your state’s wildlife agency for official dates and details before planning a hunt.
Alabama
- Youth Turkey Day: March 15, 2025
- Regular Spring Season: March 18 – April 30, 2025
Alaska
- Spring Season: April 1 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Season: August 1 – December 31, 2025
Arizona
- Spring Season: March 22 – May 12, 2025
Arkansas
- Youth Season: March 8-9, 2025
- Regular Spring Season: March 24 – April 30, 2025
California
- Spring Season: March 28 – May 3, 2025
Colorado
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Season: October 1-15, 2025 (select units only)
Connecticut
- Spring Season: April 29 – May 25, 2025
Delaware
- Spring Season: April 13 – May 4, 2025
Florida
- Spring Season: March 7 – April 19, 2025
- Fall Season: October 17 – November 1, 2025
Georgia
- Spring Season: March 22 – May 15, 2025
Hawaii
- Spring Season: March 7 – April 15, 2025 (public hunting areas only)
Idaho
- Spring Season: April 15 – May 31, 2025
Illinois
- Spring Season: April 10 – May 10, 2025 (north zone); April 17 – May 17, 2025 (south zone)
- Fall Archery Season: October 1, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Indiana
- Spring Season: April 22 – May 7, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 1, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Iowa
- Spring Season: April 13 – May 19, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 1, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Kansas
- Spring Season: April 13 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: September 16 – December 31, 2025
Kentucky
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 3, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 1, 2025 – January 17, 2026
Louisiana
- Spring Season: April 4-12, 2025 (private lands); April 18-26, 2025 (public lands)
Maine
- Spring Season: May 4 – June 6, 2025
Maryland
- Spring Season: April 18 – May 16, 2025
Massachusetts
- Spring Season: April 27 – May 25, 2025
Michigan
- Spring Season: April 22 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Season: September 15 – November 14, 2025
Minnesota
- Spring Season: April 15 – May 29, 2025
- Fall Season: October 17 – November 29, 2025
Mississippi
- Spring Season: March 15 – May 1, 2025
Missouri
- Youth Season: April 12-13, 2025
- Regular Spring Season: April 21 – May 11, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: September 15, 2025 – January 15, 2026
- Fall Firearms Season: October 1-31, 2025
Montana
- Spring Season: April 13 – May 19, 2025
- Fall Season: September 1 – January 1, 2026
Nebraska
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: September 1 – December 31, 2025
Nevada
- Spring Season: March 22 – April 26, 2025 (north); March 29 – May 4, 2025 (south)
- Fall Season: October 11 – November 2, 2025 (select areas only)
New Hampshire
- Spring Season: May 4 – 31, 2025
New Jersey
- Spring Gobbler Season: April 25 – May 27, 2025
- Fall Turkey Season: October 26 – November 2, 2025
New Mexico
- Spring Season: April 15 – May 14, 2025
New York
- Youth Hunt: April 12-13, 2025
- Regular Spring Season: April 21 – May 11, 2025
North Carolina
- Youth Season: April 4-5, 2025
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 9, 2025
North Dakota
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 17, 2025
Ohio
- Spring Season: April 20 – May 19, 2025
- Fall Season: October 12- November 3, 2025
Oklahoma
- Spring Season: April 6- May 6, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 1 – January 15, 2026
Oregon
- Spring Season: April 15 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Season: September 1 – December 31, 2025
Pennsylvania
- Spring Gobbler Season: April 27 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Turkey Season: October 31 – November 14, 2025
Rhode Island
- Spring Season: April 20 – May 19, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 1 – November 30, 2025
South Carolina
- Spring Season: April 1 – May 10, 2025
South Dakota
- Spring Season: April 11 – May 17, 2025
Tennessee
- Spring Season: April 6- May 12, 2025
- Fall Archery Season: October 5, 2025 – January 28, 2026
Texas
- Spring Season: March 28 – May 3, 2025 (north zone); March 14 – April 27, 2025 (south zone)
- Fall Season: October 31 – November 22, 2025 (north zone); November 1-4, 2025 (south zone)
Utah
- Spring General Season: April 11 – May 31, 2025
- Fall General Season: September 1 – February 15, 2026
Vermont
- Spring Season: May 1-31, 2025
- Fall Season: October 1-26, 2025
Virginia
- Spring Gobbler Season: April 11 – May 16, 2025
- Fall Turkey Season: October 3 – November 2, 2025
Washington
- Spring General Season: April 15 – May 15, 2025
West Virginia
- Spring Gobbler Season: April 20 – May 18, 2025
- Fall Turkey Season: October 17 – November 16, 2025
Wisconsin
- Spring Season: April 15 – May 26, 2025
- Fall Season: September 17 – January 7, 2026
Wyoming
- Spring Season: April 1 – May 31, 2025
- Fall Season: September 1 – January 31, 2026
Key Takeaways
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Most states have a spring turkey hunting season running April-May, and some also have a fall season.
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Spring seasons focus on adult male turkeys during breeding season, while fall seasons are often open to either sex.
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Several states divide spring seasons into multiple segments like youth weekends and early/late main seasons.
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Exact turkey season dates are set annually by state wildlife agencies – be sure to check current regulations before planning your hunt.
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This state-by-state guide outlines the 2025 turkey hunting seasons across the country.
Now that you know when turkey hunting season occurs in your state, it’s time to prepare for a great hunt. Follow the latest regulations, scout hunting locations, pattern turkey flocks, and practice your calling skills. Wishing you a safe and successful turkey season!
Fall Firearms Turkey Seasons
October 19 through November 1, November 27 and 28, December 2 through December 28, and January 11 through 25
In the counties of Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Caroline, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Dickenson, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Montgomery, Nelson, Northumberland, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Stafford, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, and Wythe, and on Camp Peary, and the cities of Hampton and Newport News.
In the county of Arlington and the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.
How To HUNT TURKEYS: Basics With Jay Maxwell
FAQ
When can you hunt turkey in Ohio?
| SEASON | OPENING DATE | BAG LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Wild Turkey: Select Counties | Oct. 14, 2023 | 1 (either sex) |
| Youth Spring Wild Turkey | April 13, 2024 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Spring Wild Turkey: South Zone (except for Lake La Su An Wildlife Area) | April 20, 2024 | |
| Spring Wild Turkey: Northeast Zone | April 27, 2024 |
Where to hunt turkey in Virginia?
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in central Virginia cover more than 1.7 million acres of hunting opportunity, not only for spring gobblers, but for small game, fall turkeys, whitetails, and black bears. Located near the town of Saltville, the Clinch Mountain WMA offers good turkey hunting, too.
When can I hunt turkey?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
What are the rules for turkey hunting in NY?
Here are some rules you need to know:
You may hunt with a shotgun or handgun only when using shot no larger than #2 and no smaller than #9. You may not take a turkey with a rifle, or with a handgun firing a bullet. You must fill out the tag which comes with your permit and attach it to any turkey you shoot immediately.
When is turkey hunting season?
Youth-Only Season – Two (2) consecutive days beginning on the first Saturday in April. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Hunters may be in the field before and after shooting hours. Turkey hunting dates and regulations on federal military reservations may differ from statewide seasons.
Are Turkey seasons open?
Turkey seasons are opening up all across the land as spring takes full command of the landscape in many places. Here is a glance at season dates, hunting license costs and bag limits in each of the 49 states that have an open turkey season.
When do I need a permit for a turkey hunt?
DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS/NOTES: Spring turkey season permit hunt applications are due March 1, 2025. BAG LIMIT: One wild turkey of any sex or age per license, not to exceed five licenses per person. DOGS ALLOWED?
When is hunting season?
Season Dates: April 13-May 19 in all open units. Hunting Licenses: Spring hunting only open to residents (non-residents may hunt turkeys in the fall). Regular licenses are issued by weighted lottery after the number of gratis licenses to be issued is deducted from the total available.
Are all counties open to spring turkey season?
All counties are open to spring turkey seasons, however, there are some exceptions on public land. *Any turkey harvested during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts toward the statewide spring season limit of two (2). Ages 6-16. One (1) male turkey per day, which counts toward the statewide bag of two (2), only one can be a jake.
What is a spring Turkey permit?
The spring turkey permit is valid for the general spring season and allows a hunter to harvest up to the spring season bag limit of turkeys. Persons ages 16 and older may not hunt turkeys during the youth-only season. Children aged 15 and younger may hunt turkeys during the youth-only hunting weekend and the general spring season.