For turkey hunters in West Virginia, spring and fall turkey seasons are highly anticipated times of year. The mountainous terrain and extensive forests provide excellent habitat, making West Virginia a top destination for pursuing these challenging game birds. Read on as I breakdown everything you need to know about West Virginia’s turkey seasons including dates, permits required, hunting tips, and more.
Overview of Turkey Seasons in WV
West Virginia offers turkey hunting opportunities in the spring and fall:
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Spring Turkey April 21 – May 25 2023. Bearded turkeys only.
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Fall Turkey Varies by county, generally October 12 – November 17. Either sex.
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Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey in spring, 1 turkey of either sex in fall.
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Permits A turkey stamp or license + tag is required to harvest a bird in spring or fall,
Spring Turkey Hunting in West Virginia
Spring turkey hunting is limited to bearded birds only. Key tips for having a successful spring hunt include:
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Use calling: Locator calls, clucks, purrs, and yelps can lure in gobblers during breeding season. Practice calling through the winter.
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Set up near roosts: Scout for roost trees ahead of time and set up decoys nearby before fly down.
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Concealment: Use camo, facemasks, and natural cover to avoid detection. Sit still once set up.
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Patience: It may take hours for a tom to finally approach, so be prepared to sit for a while.
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Shoot straight: Pattern your shotgun and aim for head and neck shots for clean harvests. Don’t let birds get too close.
Fall Turkey Hunting in WV
In the fall, regulations relax allowing the harvest of either sex birds:
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Scout flocks: Locate congregations of hens, young birds, and gobblers feeding in agricultural fields.
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Use decoys: Set up flock decoys in open areas near feeding sites. Calls can attract birds.
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Sit still: Have blinds ready or natural cover to conceal movement.
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Be ready: When a flock approaches within range, safely take your shot. They may be wary of humans.
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Practice: Keep shotgun shooting skills sharp by patterning and target practice regularly.
West Virginia Turkey Hunting Permits
To hunt turkeys in West Virginia, you’ll need:
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License: A basic hunting license or combination license with small game privileges.
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Stamp: A turkey stamp ($10) to hunt in spring or fall.
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Tag: Turkey tags are required to tag birds upon harvest in spring and fall seasons.
Be sure to get your license, stamps, and tags well before your hunt. Check regulations for exceptions for junior hunters.
Tips for Processing and Cooking Wild Turkey
Here are some tips once you’ve harvested your bird:
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Field dress: Remove entrails and prepare the carcass shortly after harvest.
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Cool thoroughly: Allow the meat to cool completely before processing further.
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Portion: Cut into breasts, legs, thighs, wings, etc. Package into meal-sized portions.
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Freeze: Seal portions in freezer bags with the air pressed out. Frozen wild turkey keeps well for 9-12 months.
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Brine: Soak portions in a saltwater brine which helps retain moisture when cooking.
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Cooking methods: Roast, smoke, grill, deep fry, use in chili, soups, sandwiches and more. Get creative!
Don’t Miss Out on Hunting Turkey in WV
As you can see, West Virginia offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities in the spring and fall seasons. Just be sure to plan ahead and scout, purchase required licenses and tags, use smart hunting tactics, and care properly for your harvest. Wishing you great success this turkey season!
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).
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.
West Virginia spring gobbler season set to open
FAQ
What day does turkey season start in WV?
| Species | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| *Turkey (Fall)Split Season (Selected Counties – See Page 44) | October 28 | November 3 |
| October 28 | November 17 | |
| *Turkey (Spring 2025 – Bearded Only) | April 21 | May 25 |
| *Turkey (Spring 2025 – Youth Season – See Page 44) | April 19 | April 20 |
Can you shoot a turkey with a rifle in WV?
Wild turkey may be hunted with rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders, shotguns, bows or crossbows with arrows or bolts equipped with a point having at least two sharp-cutting edges measuring in excess of 3/4 inch wide (see exception for Youth Spring Gobbler Season on page 43).
What day is opening day of turkey season?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
What is the bag limit for turkeys in West Virginia?
— The bag and possession limit is three turkeys per calendar year, only one of which may be taken during the fall wild turkey season. Two bearded turkeys may be taken in the spring and one turkey of either sex may be taken in the fall. During the spring wild turkey season, only one turkey may be taken per day.
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.
When is hunting season in West Virginia?
Explore West Virginia’s Hunting Seasons with vital insights into licensing, regulations, including the four-day WV Mountaineer Heritage Season that starts on the 12th and ends on the 15th of January for hunting deer, bear, and turkey. Plan your next hunting trip with this comprehensive guide.
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.
How many turkeys can you hunt a day in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, no more than one turkey may be taken per day. To turkey hunt on national forest lands, a Class I (required for Class E or Class AAH) license is needed for the 2024 West Virginia Turkey Season. To hunt turkey with a handgun, you must be 21 or older and possess a Class A-1 license, unless you are a resident landowner hunting on their own land.