Ah the thrill of the hunt the anticipation of the gobble, the challenge of bagging a wild turkey. If you’re a hunter in New York State, you’re in luck! The Empire State boasts two distinct turkey seasons, each with its own unique charm and challenges. So, when does turkey season begin in New York, and what are the key things you need to know? Let’s dive in!
Fall Turkey Season:
- Dates: October 1 – November 20, 2023
- Zones: New York is divided into 9 turkey hunting zones, each with its own specific season dates. Check the official regulations for the exact dates in your desired zone.
- Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per day, with a maximum of 2 turkeys for the entire fall season.
- Permitted Methods: Shotgun using shot size #4 or smaller, muzzleloading shotgun using shot size #4 or smaller, or archery equipment.
Spring Turkey Season:
- Dates: May 1 – May 31, 2023
- Zones: Same 9 zones as the fall season, with specific dates varying by zone. Check the official regulations for details.
- Bag Limit: 2 bearded turkeys for the entire spring season.
- Permitted Methods: Shotgun using shot size #4 or smaller, muzzleloading shotgun using shot size #2 or smaller, crossbow, or archery equipment.
Additional Considerations:
- Youth Turkey Hunt: A special youth hunt is held on the weekend before the regular spring season, offering young hunters aged 12-15 a chance to get in on the action.
- Permits: A turkey hunting permit is required for both the fall and spring seasons. Permits can be purchased online or at license vendors.
- Reporting Your Harvest: It’s crucial to report your turkey harvest within 7 days of taking the bird. You can do this online through the DECALS system or by calling 1-866-426-3778.
- Regulations: Always review the specific regulations for the zone you plan to hunt, as dates, bag limits, and permitted methods may vary.
Resources for Turkey Hunters:
- NYSDEC Turkey Hunting Page: Your go-to source for all turkey hunting regulations, season dates, permit information, and more.
- Turkey Hunting Seasons: A detailed breakdown of the fall and spring turkey seasons, including zone-specific dates and bag limits.
- eRegulations Turkey Hunting Page: Another helpful resource with information on turkey hunting seasons, permits, and regulations.
So, when is the best time to go turkey hunting in New York?
That depends on your preference and the specific area you wish to hunt. If you’re after a fall turkey, the earlier part of the season offers the best chance of encountering birds before they’ve scattered into smaller groups. For spring turkey hunting the later part of the season can be more productive as gobblers become more vocal and active.
Remember: Responsible hunting is essential for the sustainability of wild turkey populations. Always follow regulations, respect the environment, and prioritize safety.
Now, get out there and enjoy the thrill of the hunt!
License and Permit Requirements
To hunt wild turkeys on properties outside of the WMA system, hunters need to have both a hunting license and a turkey permit, unless they are exempt. These licenses and permits can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida. com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). Furthermore, they are available for purchase in Florida from the majority of retail establishments that stock gear for fishing and hunting in addition to county tax collectors’ offices.
Thanksgiving turkeys may be shot with any legal firearm, such as rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, and pistols with a minimum caliber of 20.
Shooting hours on lands outside of the WMA system are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
While using decoys, hunters are not permitted to shoot turkeys while they are roosting, hunt turkeys with dogs, or use recorded turkey sounds or calls. Additionally, hunters are not allowed to take wild turkey if they are less than 100 yards from a game feeding station during the time when feed is available.
See the Florida Hunting Regulations for more information.
Season dates and other rules may vary from statewide seasons and other WMAs so carefully review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt. Find WMA Regulations brochures.
Hunters may take bearded turkeys and gobblers only and the season limit is 2. On WMAs, hunters may take only one bird per day. Before hunting a WMA, carefully review the area’s regulations brochure as season dates, bag limits and other rules may vary. Find WMA Regulations brochures.
Report Harvested Wild Turkeys
Hunters who take a wild turkey must log and report their harvest.
This new rule went into effect in July 2022 and is applicable to all seasons that allow the taking of wild turkeys.
The two subspecies of wild turkey that are found in Florida are the eastern wild turkey and the Osceola, or Florida, wild turkey. The Osceola lives only on the Florida peninsula. See the wild turkey species profile for more information.
The National Wild Turkey Federation and the FWC recognize, in their respective turkey registry programs, any wild turkey harvested within or south of the counties of Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Union, Bradford, Clay and Duval, to be an Osceola subspecies.
View harvest reporting data organized by county, WMA, date of harvest, and more.
OPENING DAY on PUBLIC LAND! (Wild Start to Turkey Season!)
FAQ
When should I start turkey hunting?
What states turkey season opens first?
What is Georgia turkey season?
What are the dates for hunting season in NY?
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Northern Zone
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Bear
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Regular 1st Saturday after the 2nd Monday in September through the Sunday immediately following the 1st Saturday in December
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Suffolk County
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Deer
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Regular (bowhunting only) October 1 through December 31
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Special Firearms Season The first Sunday in January through Jan 31.
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When is turkey hunting season?
Turkey Hunting Season Dates by State. States in the United States establish their particular times for hunting seasons for wild creatures like deer, turkeys, and birds. While other species may have various seasons throughout the year, the autumn season marks the beginning of the big game shooting season in most areas.
When does a turkey season start & end?
Photo courtesy of Monte Loomis. FALL SEASON DATES: Western OR – Sept. 1 – Jan. 31; Eastern OR – Oct. 14 – Jan. 31, except in WMUs 46,47, portions of 48, and 50, season runs Sept. 1 – Jan. 31. See regulations for special beardless turkey permit hunt rules.
When do wild turkeys come out?
States and regions have different wild turkey hunting seasons, but most occur in the spring and autumn. By area, dates, and bag restrictions may also change. Overall, the five varieties offer various shooting chances in various parts of the nation.
What is a fall wild turkey season?
Fall wild turkey seasons are where tradition meets today’s wildlife management concerns. Fall turkey hunting represents the origin of turkey hunting heritage, as there were no spring turkey seasons until populations began to rise exponentially in the 1960s and ‘70s.