When is Indiana’s fall turkey season?
Indiana’s fall turkey season runs from October 16th to October 27th, 2024. This season is open to hunters in select counties, so be sure to check the official regulations before heading out.
Where can I hunt turkeys in Indiana during the fall?
The fall turkey season is open in specific counties throughout the state These counties are chosen based on factors such as:
- Forest cover: Turkeys prefer forested areas, so counties with ample woodland are more likely to have healthy turkey populations.
- Spring turkey harvest metrics: Counties with a strong history of successful spring turkey harvests are more likely to be included in the fall season.
- Availability of harvest opportunities: The DNR aims to provide hunters with a reasonable chance of success, so counties with a sufficient number of turkeys are prioritized.
- Regional turkey and habitat considerations: The DNR takes into account the overall health of turkey populations and their habitats within different regions of the state when selecting counties for the fall season.
What are the regulations for fall turkey hunting in Indiana?
- License: You’ll need a valid turkey hunting license and a Game Bird Habitat Stamp to participate in the fall turkey season.
- Bag limit: The bag limit for the fall season is one turkey of either sex. This means you can harvest either a male (tom) or a female (hen) turkey.
- Equipment: You can use a variety of equipment to hunt turkeys in Indiana, including:
- Shotguns: 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge shotguns loaded with pellets of size No. 4, 5, 6, 7, or 7½, or with Tungsten Super Shot 8, 9, and 10. Shot sizes smaller than size 7½ must be made of Tungsten Super Shot or equivalent pellet density only. Non-toxic shot is required on some DNR properties.
- Muzzleloading shotguns: 20-gauge to 10-gauge, loaded with pellets of size 4, 5, 6, 7, 7½, and Tungsten Super Shot 8, 9, and 10. Combination loads using shot sizes other than these are illegal.
- Bows and arrows
- Crossbows
- Hunting hours: You can hunt turkeys from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. However, on DNR properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, spring season hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon for properties on Central Time and until 1 p.m. for properties on Eastern Time.
- Tagging and reporting: You must immediately complete a temporary transportation tag upon killing a turkey. This tag should include your full name, address, the sex of the turkey, your license number (if applicable), and the date the turkey was taken. You must also report your harvested turkey within 48 hours of the kill through the DNR’s CheckIN Game system, by calling 800-419-1326 (a $3 fee applies), or by finding a check station, license vendor, or retailer who will file the information for you through CheckIN Game.
Tips for a successful fall turkey hunt in Indiana:
- Scout the area: Before the season starts, spend some time scouting potential hunting spots. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
- Use decoys and calls: Decoys and calls can be effective tools for attracting turkeys. Experiment with different types of decoys and calls to see what works best for you.
- Be patient: Turkey hunting requires patience. Be prepared to sit still and wait for a turkey to come into range.
- Be safe: Always follow safe hunting practices, including wearing hunter orange during the designated time periods.
Additional resources:
- Indiana DNR Hunting & Trapping Guide: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/files/fw-hunting_trapping_seasons.pdf
- Indiana DNR Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations: https://www.eregulations.com/indiana/hunting/wild-turkey
- Indiana DNR Turkey Broods Reporting: https://on.IN.gov/turkeybrood
Remember, hunting is a privilege, not a right. Please respect the resource and follow all applicable regulations.
Happy hunting!
Season and Bag Limits
Fall 2023: Regardless of the type of hunting gear used or the length of the season, one bird of each sex may be taken in the bag and in possession during the fall hunting seasons. Fall archery season (including crossbows) is statewide from Oct. 1-29, 2023 and Dec. 9, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024. Fall firearms season is from Oct. 18-29, 2023 in specific counties. See the map below.
Spring 2024 – The spring season runs from April 24 – May 12, 2024. The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey for the spring season. Spring turkey hunting is allowed statewide.
Reserved turkey hunts are scheduled at select DNR Fish & Wildlife areas.
Reserved turkey hunts also take place at Big Oaks and Muscatatuck national wildlife refuges. Applications and drawings are managed through the DNR reserved hunt system. For details and to apply during open applications, go to hunting.IN.gov.
Turkeys harvested at a reserved hunt counts toward the hunter’s season bag limit.
Information about the youth season is on Youth Hunting.
Turkeys can be hunted only with:
- A . 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge shotguns chambered in 410 caliber and filled with size No. 4, 5, 6, 7, or 7½; alternatively, use Tungsten Super Shot 8, 9, and 10. Tungsten Super Shot or a pellet density equivalent, such as Tungsten Super Shot 8, 9, and 10, must be used for shot sizes smaller than size 7½. On certain DNR properties, shooting turkey requires the use of non-toxic ammunition. Please give the property you want to hunt on a call for more details.
- A 20-gauge or larger muzzleloading shotgun that is loaded with Tungsten Super Shot 8, 9, and 10 pellets in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, and 7½ Combination loads using shot sizes other than these are illegal.
- Bow and arrow
- A crossbow
Wild turkeys may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Every DNR property under the Division of Fish’s management m. for properties on ET. Mushroom hunters are required to stay out of the field until after this time.
Before moving the turkey from the field, the hunter must immediately after killing it complete a temporary transportation tag on paper with the following information: the hunter’s full name, address, the turkey’s sex, license number (if applicable), and the date the turkey was taken.
Hunters are required to register their harvested turkey within 48 hours of the kill. This can be done one of three ways:
- Self reporting online through the DNR’s CheckIN Game system (CheckINGame.dnr.IN.gov)
- Calling 800-419-1326 (a $3 fee applies)
- locating a retailer, license vendor, or check station that will use CheckIN Game to file the information for you
Once the turkey is registered with the CheckIN Game system, a confirmation number will be generated. The number must be recorded on a temporary transportation tag and kept with the turkey until processing begins.
For a printable version of a temporary transportation tag, visithunting.IN.gov.
Turkey hunters must meet hunter orange requirements while hunting turkeys Dec. 9-24, 2023. See hunter orange requirements.
Using or owning a dog, another domesticated animal, a live decoy, a recorded call, an electronically powered or controlled decoy, or bait is prohibited when hunting wild turkey. An area that is attractive to wild turkeys as a result of regular agricultural practices is not considered baited, but it is considered baited for ten days following the removal of the bait and impacted soil.
Fall Wild Turkey Sex and Age Determination
If no obvious leg spur:
- Use the shape and amount of barring on the ninth and tenth primary tips of the wings to determine age, and the breast feathers to determine sex.
If obvious leg spur, then bird is a male:
- adult male: 1/2 inch or longer
- juvenile male: less than 1/2 inch
FALL TURKEY HUNTING/ How to Find Fall Gobblers
FAQ
Is there a fall turkey season in Indiana?
How is fall turkey hunting different than spring?
What is the best time to hunt turkeys in the fall?
Can you shoot a turkey with a 22?