Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council approved dates for the spring 2024 wild turkey hunting season on Wednesday, October 3, during its regularly scheduled meeting. 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The statewide limit is one bearded turkey during the 2024 spring season. Find additional information in the 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
On Wednesday, October 4, the Ohio Wildlife Council approved the dates for Ohio’s spring wild turkey hunting season in 2024.
Ohio Wildlife Council The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that was first formed in 1949. It reviews and votes on all Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. Council meetings are open to the public. If you would like to speak, please register by calling 614-265-6304 at least two days before the meeting. All comments are required to be three minutes or less.
In 2023, the Division of Wildlife, which was originally founded as the Ohio Fish Commission in 1873, will celebrate 150 years of professional conservation of fish and wildlife. Throughout the agencys history it has remained committed to fish and wildlife research, restoration, conservation, and education.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to protect and improve fish and wildlife resources, along with their environments, for the sustainable use and enjoyment of all people. Visit wildohio. gov to find out more.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr. gov.
When is youth turkey season in Ohio?
Young hunters, get ready! Ohio’s youth wild turkey season for 2024 will begin on Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14. This is your opportunity to bag a delicious bird and get a head start on the regular season. To ensure a successful and safe hunt, however, review the rules before heading out into the woods.
Navigating the Zones: Northeast vs. South
Ohio’s regular wild turkey season is divided into two zones:
- South Zone: This zone encompasses the majority of the state, excluding the five counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull. The season kicks off on Saturday, April 20th.
- Northeast Zone: This zone covers the five counties mentioned above. The season opens a week later on Saturday, April 27th.
Bag Limits and Hunting Implements: What You Need to Know
- One Turkey Per Day: Remember, you can only take one wild turkey per day, regardless of the zone you’re hunting in.
- Bearded Bird Requirement: During the spring season, your turkey must have a visible beard.
- One Bearded Bird Per Season: You can only take one bearded turkey during the entire spring season.
- One Turkey Per Season (Fall): During the fall season, you can only take one turkey, regardless of sex.
Choosing Your Weapon: Archery or Firearms?
- Archery: If you’re an archery enthusiast, you can use a longbow or crossbow with a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds and 75 pounds, respectively. Broadheads must have at least two cutting edges measuring at least three-quarters of an inch wide. Remember, explosive or poisoned arrows are strictly prohibited.
- Firearms: For firearm enthusiasts, shotguns loaded with shot are the only permitted option.
Hunting Methods and Hours: Understanding the Rules
- Spring Season:
- Northeast Zone:
- April 27th – May 5th: 30 minutes before sunrise to 12 p.m.
- May 6th – May 26th: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
- South Zone:
- April 20th – April 28th: 30 minutes before sunrise to 12 p.m.
- April 29th – May 19th: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
- Northeast Zone:
- Youth Season: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
- Fall Season: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Prohibited Practices: Maintaining Ethical Hunting
- Baiting: Using bait or hunting over baited areas is strictly prohibited.
- Live Decoys: The use of live birds as decoys is not permitted.
- Electronic Calls: Electronic calling devices that produce turkey or other animal calls are forbidden.
- Hunting from Trees: Taking a turkey from a tree is illegal.
- Dogs: During the spring season, dogs can only be used to track wounded turkeys and must be leashed.
Permits and Game Check: Essential Steps for a Legal Harvest
- Spring and Fall Turkey Permits: You must possess a valid electronic or printed permit for both the spring and fall seasons.
- No Sharing Permits: Using another person’s permit is prohibited.
- Tagging and Game Check: After harvesting a turkey, immediately fill out the appropriate permit or tag with your name, date, time, and county of kill. You must also game check your turkey before moving it from where it fell. Leaving a harvested turkey unattended without attaching the completed permit or tag is illegal.
- Game Check Confirmation Number: Once you’ve game checked your turkey, you’ll receive a confirmation number. Attach this number to the turkey and keep it attached until you’ve consumed the entire bird.
- Leaving the State: If you’re leaving Ohio with your harvested turkey, ensure it has been game checked and the confirmation number is permanently attached.
- False Information: Providing false information during game check is illegal.
Penalties for Violations: Play by the Rules
Violating any of these regulations can result in penalties, including fines and license suspensions. Always remember to hunt responsibly and ethically.
Additional Resources:
- Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1501:31-15-10: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501:31-15-10
- Ohio Division of Wildlife Turkey Hunting Regulations: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-a-license/hunting-fishing-licenses/hunting-licenses/wild-turkey-hunting
Happy Hunting!
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2024 Ohio youth Turkey season(Bird down)
FAQ
What time is youth turkey season in Ohio?
How long is youth season in Ohio?
When did turkey season start in Ohio?
When can you hunt turkeys in Ohio in 2024?
When are wild turkey hunting dates in Ohio?
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council approved wild turkey hunting dates for spring 2024 during its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. South zone: April 20-May 19, 2024 (all counties except the northeast zone)
When does wild turkey season open in Ohio?
The fall’s wild turkey season opens on Oct. 14, 2023, and closes on Nov. 12, 2023. What Ohio counties are open for wild turkey hunting in the fall season? All Ohio counties are open for fall wild turkey hunting with the exception of the following: What are the wild turkey hunting bag limits in Ohio?
What are the hunting hours for youth Turkey season in Ohio?
Hunting hours for youth turkey season are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. A valid Ohio hunting license and spring turkey permit are required, unless ex- empt. It is legal to use a leashed dog to recov- er wounded wild turkeys in the spring turkey season. Shotgun: 10 gauge or smaller shotgun using shot, includes muzzleloading shotguns.
How many bearded turkeys can you hunt in Ohio?
The statewide limit is one bearded turkey during the 2024 spring season. Find additional information in the 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Photo caption: Ohio’s 2024 spring wild turkey hunting season dates were approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday, Oct. 4.