Wild turkeys are not native to Oregon. However, turkey hunting opportunities have more than doubled since their introduction in 1961 and the start of the first turkey hunting season in 1987. As a result If you’re looking to start hunting in Oregon, wild turkeys are a great place to start.
At first glance, the Oregon Game Bird Regulations can seem intimidating. However, the regulations and open seasons for turkey are some of the simplest an easiest to understand.
It’s likely that you can hunt wild turkeys with the shotgun you already own if it has the proper choke and shotgun shell.
Turkey hunting with a bow is a different animal, so to speak, than hunting with a shotgun.
Although you don’t need a lot of equipment to hunt turkey, there are a few items that will improve the comfort and effectiveness of your hunt.
You can make sure that your gun, shell, and choke are all functioning properly by sighting in and learning your gun’s pattern.
In the fall, hunters fill their turkey tags by studying food sources and the daily routine of birds.
Calling in a tom turkey is one of the most thrilling moments of a turkey hunt.
When your turkey is down, take your time approaching it and be prepared to shoot it again if it is only slightly injured.
Wild turkeys are not native to Oregon. However, turkey hunting opportunities have more than doubled since their introduction in 1961 and the start of the first turkey hunting season in 1987. As a result If you’re looking to start hunting in Oregon, wild turkeys are a great place to start.
At first glance, the Oregon Game Bird Regulations can seem intimidating. However, the regulations and open seasons for turkey are some of the simplest an easiest to understand.
It’s likely that you can hunt wild turkeys with the shotgun you already own if it has the proper choke and shotgun shell.
Turkey hunting with a bow is a different animal, so to speak, than hunting with a shotgun.
Although you don’t need a lot of equipment to hunt turkey, there are a few items that will improve the comfort and effectiveness of your hunt.
You can make sure that your gun, shell, and choke are all functioning properly by sighting in and learning your gun’s pattern.
In the fall, hunters fill their turkey tags by studying food sources and the daily routine of birds.
Calling in a tom turkey is one of the most thrilling moments of a turkey hunt.
When your turkey is down, take your time approaching it and be prepared to shoot it again if it is only slightly injured.
All state hunting laws apply to turkey hunters, but they should pay particular attention to the following, which are all detailed in the Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations table of contents:
The Game Bird Regulations are available both online and in print, both are organized in the same way.
In Oregon, all hunters older than 12 years need a hunting license. Kids 12-17 years old can buy a special, value-priced youth license that also includes fishing and shellfishing.
In addition to a license, all turkey hunters need to buy a wild turkey tag before hunting. For spring turkey hunts, tags are sold first-come, first-served, and may be limited for certain hunts in eastern Oregon. In western Oregon, the number of tags is unlimited. Hunters need to purchase a tag for every turkey they hunt for.
No, you don’t need a plug in your shotgun for turkey hunting. This is because turkeys are not migratory birds, and the federal law requiring plugs in shotguns for migratory bird hunting does not apply to them
However. there are a few things to keep in mind:
- State regulations: Some states may have their own regulations regarding plugs in shotguns for turkey hunting. It is always best to check with your state’s wildlife agency to be sure.
- Shotgun capacity: Even though you don’t need a plug for turkey hunting, you still need to follow the shotgun capacity limits set by your state.
- Ethical hunting: It is important to only take shots that you are confident you can make ethically. This means using the proper choke for the distance you are shooting and making sure you have a clear shot at the bird.
Additional Resources
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/migratory-birds
- National Wild Turkey Federation: https://www.nwtf.org/
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a plug in a shotgun?
A: The purpose of a plug in a shotgun is to limit the number of shells that can be loaded into the magazine. This is to comply with federal law, which requires that shotguns used for migratory bird hunting be plugged to hold no more than three shells.
Q: What is the penalty for hunting with an unplugged shotgun?
A: The penalty for hunting with an unplugged shotgun can vary depending on the state. However, it can include fines, jail time, and the loss of hunting privileges.
Q: Can I use a plug in my shotgun for turkey hunting?
A: Yes, you can use a plug in your shotgun for turkey hunting. However, it is not required by law.
Q: What is the best choke to use for turkey hunting?
A: The best choke to use for turkey hunting is a full choke. This will give you the tightest pattern possible, which is important for making a clean kill.
Q: What is the ethical way to hunt turkeys?
A: The ethical way to hunt turkeys is to only take shots that you are confident you can make. This means using the proper choke for the distance you are shooting and making sure you have a clear shot at the bird.
Report your hunt, it’s mandatory!
One final thing. Even if you didn’t hunt or shoot any birds, you still have to report your hunt if you purchase a turkey tag. This mandatory reporting is an important way for ODFW to gather information about harvest and hunter effort. Information the agency can use to set sustainable hunting seasons.
For hunts completed before Dec. 31, the reporting deadline is Jan. 31 the following year. If you hunt in January, you must report those hunts by April 15. It’s easy to report online or at an ODFW office. Find more information about how to report.
How/where to buy licenses and tags
In Oregon, you can buy and carry your license and tag in one of three ways:
- Purchase your license and tag from an ODFW office or license vendor, and have a paper copy printed there.
- Purchase your license and tag online, then use your home computer to print a paper copy.
- Using the MyODFW app, purchase your license and tag online and download them to your smartphone.
Legal hunting hours for game birds, including fall turkey, are listed online and in the printed regulation book. Legal shooting hours for spring turkey are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
A table in the Game Bird Regulations lists the legal methods for hunting turkey, and other restrictions. They are:
- Archery, includes recurve, long and compound bows. Crossbows are illegal.
- No shotgun bigger than 10 gauge that can hold up to three shells, with a maximum shot size of 2 .
- Be sure to check the regulations for additional restrictions.
The Game Bird Regulations has a special section for turkey hunting. Everything you need to know about turkey seasons is available here, including a map showing the locations of various fall hunts, their opening dates, and the daily and seasonal bag limits.
The numbered units on the map are not traditional geographic units like counties. Instead, they are the Wildlife Management Units – the same ones used in big game hunting. Boundary descriptions of these units can be found in the Oregon Big Game Regulations, or on MyODFW. com under Big Game Hunting.
Spring turkey season |
Fall turkey season |
|
|
Season |
Opens mid-April for six weeks |
Opens mid-October for 10 weeks |
|
Bag limit |
1 male/day, 3 males/year |
1 of either sex/day, 1-2/season* |
|
Tags available |
Unlimited number |
5,540 for general season hunts |
*depending on the county