2009-2010 Wild Turkey Seasons

Spring Turkey Bag Limit

No more than one turkey may be taken per day.

A hunter may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, which may include only one jake.
The seasonal bag limit may be:

• Two adult gobblers; or
• One jake and one adult gobbler; or
• One jake and one bearded hen; or
• One adult gobbler and one bearded hen; or
• Two bearded hens.
• Only one of these turkeys may be taken in each the following zones: Zones 4, 4A, 5A, 9A

Turkey Regulations

Baiting

Wild turkeys may not be hunted over bait. An area is considered baited for 10 days following removal of the bait.

Hunting Equipment

Shotguns (10 gauge or smaller) or archery equipment may be used during firearms turkey season. The use of modern rifles or pistols; muzzleloading rifles or pistols, shotguns larger than 10 gauge; or shot larger than No. 2 common shot including duplex loads, is prohibited.

Checking Requirements

View the Checking Game page to learn how to check a turkey.

Special Turkey Regulations

• Turkeys may not be hunted with the use of traps, snares, nets, hooks, explosives, dogs, live decoys, mechanical or electrical callers or from a boat.•  Releasing domestically reared turkeys into the wild is illegal.
• Capturing wild turkeys or collecting their eggs is illegal.
• Turkeys may not be taken from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• During youth turkey hunts, coyote and bobcat hunting is open only to youth hunters.
• It is illegal to take or attempt to take turkey while in possession of mechanical or electrical callers.

Spring Turkey Quota And Youth Hunt Permits

Quota and Youth Hunt Permits

Quota and youth permit hunts are held on several wildlife management areas. The purposes of these hunts are to better manage turkey populations, improve hunt quality by preventing overcrowding and provide high quality hunting opportunities for youngsters.

Limit is one legal turkey for quota and youth permit hunts. This is not a bonus turkey; it counts as part of the season bag limit. Only permit holders will be allowed to engage in any hunting-related activity on these areas during quota permit hunts. Additional instructions are printed on the permit. If drawn, there is a $10 processing fee.

The youth permit hunts are restricted to youths under the age of 16 as of Dec. 15, 2008. For both the youth permit hunts and the quota permit hunts, youths must have completed a hunter education course and be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
Because these are preseason youth permit hunts, these areas are closed to all other hunting-related activities including turkey scouting and photography during the permit hunts.

Click here to learn more about the Spring Turkey Quota And Youth Hunt Permits

Permit Lookup Status

Did I Get Drawn?

Preference Points

The permit system is a computerized drawing to select applicants who have accumulated the highest number of preference points. Preference points are accumulated by turkey hunt type (quota or youth). Once an applicant’s first choice is drawn and paid for, preference points are reduced to zero for that hunt type. If drawn for a second choice or if a first choice is not paid for, points will remain the same. Applicants submitting late, incorrect or duplicate applications are disqualified for the current application period and do not receive a preference point for the next year’s hunt, but they do retain previously accumulated points. An applicant does not need to apply every year to keep preference point status.

Applicants who have accumulated 12 violations points in the Commission’s point system for hunting and fishing violations will be disqualified for the current year’s hunt and their preference points will be reduced to zero.

Preference points are accumulated by the applicant’s identification number, which may be a driver’s license, social security number or hunter education number.

Click here for more information about the Season Setting Schedule