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Turkey Hunting

2022 Fall Hunt Guide

We provide a collective of state fall wild turkey hunting information to assist with your fall hunting plans.

NWTF Staff August 22, 202211 min read
Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops

Our hope is you will use the Fall Hunt Guide in the coming months to plan your next outdoor escape, check season dates and regulations and look ahead to spring application deadlines. More than 40 states allow fall wild turkey hunting, and the tradition is still strong among segments of the turkey hunting community. Please review your state’s hunting regulations thoroughly or contact the respective state wildlife agency for specific details about the area you’ll be hunting before enjoying the spectacle of fall turkey hunting.

Jump to your state using the first letter of your state's name.

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

Alabama

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.outdooralabama.com; (334) 242-3469

FALL SEASON DATES/HOURS: Nov. 20-28 and Dec. 11, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023 only in Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega counties; daylight hours

BAG LIMIT: One per day, four during combined fall and spring season

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINE FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) limited quota hunts registration: Dec. 1-14

Alaska

No huntable turkey population

Arizona

www.azgfd.com / (602) 942-3000

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery (over-thecounter): Aug. 19 to Sept. 8;

SHOTGUN (permitted): Sept. 30 to Oct. 6

BAG LIMIT: One turkey per calendar year

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Oct. 11

Photo courtesy of NWTF staff.
Photo courtesy of NWTF staff.

Arkansas

www.agfc.com / (501) 223-6300

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No Fall Season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Spring WMA Turkey Permit Draw Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, 2023

California

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Nov. 12 to Dec. 11; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: Daily limit, one bird either sex; possession limit, two birds per fall season

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Tentative drawing deadline dates for 2023: Junior Hunts – application deadline Feb. 25; Archery Hunts – application deadline March 4; Opening Weekend Hunts – application deadline March 4; Balance of Season Hunt – application deadline March 8

Colorado

https://cpw.state.co.us/; (303) 297-1192

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Opens Sept. 1, closing dates vary by unit. See 2022 Turkey Brochure for details.

BAG LIMIT: One turkey of either sex in the fall

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Estimated Feb. 1, check regulations

Connecticut

FALL SEASON DATES: Archery: Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 (half-hour before sunrise to sunset) – zones 11 and 12, archery season continues Jan. 1-31, 2023, tags and licenses for the following year are required, archery turkey season closes on state land from Nov. 16 to Dec. 20 (does not apply to bowhunting only areas); Firearms: Oct. 1-31, half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: Archery: two birds either sex; Firearms: three birds either sex; Applies to state, private or a combination of harvest

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes, but only on private land during firearm season

Delaware

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No fall season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Jan. 6, 2023 to submit application for lottery drawings to hunt on state wildlife areas and state forest lands

Florida

MyFWC.com; (850) 488-3811

FALL SEASON DATES/ HOURS: Varies by zone, check regulations at myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates/

BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys for all fall seasons combined

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

Georgia

www.georgiawildlife.com ; (706) 557-3350

FALL SEASON DATES: No Fall Season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Feb. 15, 2023

Hawaii

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Varies, check regulations

BAG LIMIT: One bird either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Check regulations

Idaho

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Varies by location, check regulations. Seasons span from Aug. 30, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023. Shooting hours are from half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: March 1, 2023

Illinois

www.dnr.illinois.gov / (217) 782-6302

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery: Oct. 1, 2022 to Jan. 15, 2023 (closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting); Shotgun: Oct. 22-30; Archery season hours are half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset; Shotgun hours are half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

BAG LIMIT: One either-sex turkey per permit, maximum of two permits for each season (Fall Archery and Fall Shotgun)

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

Indiana

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Check regulations for counties open to fall hunting; Fall Archery Oct. 1-30, Dec. 3, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023; Fall Firearm Oct. 19-30; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One bird either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Check regulations

Iowa

www.Iowadnr.gov / (515) 725-8200

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery only: Oct. 1 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 18, 2022 to Jan. 10, 2023 Archery, half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset; Shotgun/archery tag: Oct. 9 to Dec. 2; Gun hours, half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

BAG LIMIT: Residents only, one per license up to two licenses

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Residents can buy over the counter until the last day of the season. Nonresident applications can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Jan. 1 to the last Sunday in January. Nonresident Spring Turkey hunting licenses must be applied for through the DNR’s web-based license sales system.

Kansas

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 1 to Nov. 10; halfhour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Unit 4 spring lottery draw applications for residents, landowner/ tenants and non-resident tenants is Jan. 10 to Feb. 10, 2023; all other units over the counter

Kentucky

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery season: Sept. 3 to Jan. 16, 2023; Crossbow season: Oct. 1-16 and Nov. 12 to Dec. 31; Shotgun season: Oct. 22-28 and Dec. 3-9; Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: Four turkeys total, no more than two of which may be taken with a shotgun; No more than one turkey may have a beard length of 3 inches or longer; No more than one turkey may be taken per day.

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Not applicable statewide but may apply to certain federal lands and military installations (e.g., Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Fort Campbell, etc.)

Louisiana

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No fall season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Applications for lottery hunts typically open in early January and end in early February

Photo Credit: Tyler Cheek.
Photo Credit: Tyler Cheek.

Maine

https://www.maine.gov; (207) 287-8000

FALL SEASON DATES: Bow and arrow, crossbow or shotgun: Youth Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Day Sept. 17; Regular Season Sept. 19 to Nov. 7, no more than two wild turkeys (either sex, any age) may be harvested per permit holder per day but cannot exceed the WMD bag limit. Wildlife Management Districts 15-17, 20-25 may take up to five wild turkeys; Wildlife Management District 26 may take up to three; Wildlife Management District 28 may take up to two; Wildlife Management District 6, 10-13, 18, 19, 27 and 29 may take one; Wildlife Management Districts 1-5, 7-9, 14 closed to fall wild turkey hunting.

BAG LIMIT: see above

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Maryland

www.dnr.maryland.gov; (410) 260-8540

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 29 to Nov. 6 (select counties only); half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: One (either sex)

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Massachusetts

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: WMX 1-9 Oct. 17 to Nov. 26, WMX 10-13 Oct.3 to Nov. 26. Shotgun may only be used from Oct. 17-29; Hunting hours are halfhour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: One

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? NO

Michigan

www.michigan.gov/dnr; (517) 284-9453

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Sept. 15- Nov. 14; half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: One turkey (any sex) per fall turkey hunting license

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Minnesota

www.dnr.state.mn.us; (888) 646-6367

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 1-30; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Feb. 10, 2023 for select WMAs; otherwise over the counter

Mississippi

www.mdwfp.com / (601) 432-2400

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 only via permit on private lands only in open zones; check regulations for details

BAG LIMIT: Two birds, which may be of either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Nonresidents cannot hunt any public land in Mississippi between March 15-28 unless drawn for either a Nonresident Public Lands Turkey Permit or a WMA Draw Hunt. The application period for both runs Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

Missouri

mdc.mo.gov / (573) 751-4115

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Fall Archery Season: Sept. 15 to Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 2022 to Jan. 15, 2023; half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

Fall Firearms Season: Oct. 1-31; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

Fall firearms turkey hunting is not permitted in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot and Scott counties.

BAG LIMIT: Fall Archery Season: Two turkeys of either sex, both may be taken on the same day; Fall Firearms Season: Two turkeys of either sex, both may be taken on the same day

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Apply for Spring Managed Turkey Hunts during the month of February (deadline Feb. 28, 2023).

Montana

https://fwp.mt.gov/ (406) 444-2535

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Sept. 1, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023; half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: 10 during fall, check regulations: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/turkey

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Nebraska

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Sept. 15, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023, half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: Each hunter can have two fall permits that are good for two turkeys

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Nevada

www.ndow.org / (800) 576-1020

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No Fall Turkey Season

Photo Credit: Darcy Daniels.
Photo Credit: Darcy Daniels.

New Hampshire

www.wildnh.com; (603) 271-2461

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery season: Sept. 15 to Dec. 8 in Wildlife Management Unit A; Sept. 15 to Dec. 15 in Wildlife Management Units B-M

Shotgun season: Oct. 10-16 ONLY in Wildlife Management Units D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K, L, M.

Hunting Hours half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.

BAG LIMIT: One turkey of either sex provided that no more than one turkey was taken during the spring season.

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

New Jersey

www.njfishandwildlife.com / (609) 256-2809

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 5; half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: 1 turkey (either sex) per permit

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Application period Jan. 25, 2023 to Feb. 22, 2023; awarded permits must be claimed by 11:59 p.m. on March 22, 2023.

New Mexico

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery only Sept. 1-30; Any legal sporting arm Nov. 1-30; half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset

BAG LIMIT: Any one turkey

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Feb. 8, 2023

New York

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Varies by region, check regulations; Hours: Sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: 1 bird of either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes, but you may not hunt with a dog during the spring season. You may not hunt turkey with a crossbow in the fall in the Northern Zone if you are using dogs.

North Carolina

ncwildlife.org; (919) 707-0050

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No fall season

North Dakota

www.gf.nd.gov / (701) 328-6300

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 8, 2022 to Jan., 8, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Estimated Feb. 20, check regulations

Ohio

wildohio.gov; 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543)

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 8 to Nov. 13; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One wild turkey (either sex)

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: March 31, 2023

Oklahoma

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 1, 2022 to Jan. 15, 2023 (archery); Oct. 29 to Nov. 18 (gun), some counties not open for fall hunting with a gun (check regulations)

BAG LIMIT: One

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Controlled hunt information can be found online at www.wildlifedepartment.com

Oregon

www.myodfw.com / (503) 947-6301

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 8, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023, depending on location, check regulations; Shooting hours are half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

BAG LIMIT: Two turkeys, one of which may be harvested in eastern Oregon; each turkey tag allows the harvest of one bird.

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Pennsylvania

https://www.pgc.pa.gov / (717) 787-4250

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Dates vary by WMU. Earliest start, Oct. 29, latest close, Nov. 25 (see below). Hours: half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. No hunting on Sunday.

Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E Oct. 29 to Nov. 5; WMU 2B Oct. 29 to Nov. 18 and Nov. 23-25; WMU 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C Oct. 29 to Nov. 12; WMU 2C, 2D and 2E Oct. 29 to Nov. 12 and Nov. 23-25; WMU 5 B Nov. 1-3; WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D closed to fall turkey hunting.

BAG LIMIT: 1 either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Rhode Island

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 1-30; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

South Carolina

www.dnr.sc.gov; (803) 734-3886

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: No fall season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Applications available in January, closes March 1

South Dakota

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Nov. 1, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023; half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Aug. 10 to Sept. 9

Photo courtesy of NWTF staff.
Photo courtesy of NWTF staff.

Tennessee

tnwildlife.org; (615) 781-6500

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery: Sept. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 (same as deer archeryonly season); Shotgun/Archery: Oct. 15-28; Shooting hours are half-hour before legal sunrise to legal sunset

BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey per county (note: not all counties are open for fall turkey season, check regulations)

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Dec. 14, 2022 to Jan. 11, 2023

Texas

https://tpwd.texas.gov; (512) 389-4800

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: https://bit.ly/3oCPYXk

BAG LIMIT: 4 birds annually

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes, in counties with a fall season

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Nov. 1

Utah

www.wildlife.utah.gov; (801) 538-4700

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Oct. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023

BAG LIMIT: One either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes, but they are prohibited on many Wildlife Management Areas or Waterfowl Management areas from March 10 to Aug. 31 or as posted.

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Dec. 13-27; results posted by Jan. 5, 2023

Vermont

www.vtfishandwildlife.com; (802) 828-1000

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Archery only: Oct. 1-21, statewide; Shotgun or archery: Oct. 22-30, WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P and Q; Shotgun or archery: Oct. 22 to Nov. 6, WMUs F, K and N

BAG LIMIT: One turkey of either sex per hunter for all fall seasons combined

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Virginia

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Season dates vary by county, check regulations; Archery: Oct. 1 to Nov. 18 statewide except where there is a closed firearm season on turkey; Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey Hunting Weekend – Oct. 8-9

BAG LIMIT: One per day, three per license year, no more than two may be taken in the fall.

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Nov. 25

Washington

https://wdfw.wa.gov/ ; (360) 902-2515

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 in select game management units. Hours: halfhour before sunrise to sunset.

BAG LIMIT: Four during the fall season with the following area restrictions:

Game Management Units (GMUs) 101-154 and 162- 186 have a 2 beardless plus 2 either sex turkey limit; GMUs 203-290, 382, 388, 568-578 have a one either sex turkey limit

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? No

West Virginia

wvdnr.gov / (304) 558-2771

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: West Virginia counties have either a one, two or four-week fall turkey season. See the West Virginia DNR Hunting and trapping regulations summary for details. Hunting hours are half-hour before sunrise to halfhour after sunset.

BAG LIMIT: One bird either sex

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Wisconsin

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Zones 1-5: Sept. 17, 2022 to Jan. 8, 2023; Zones 6-7: Sept. 17 to Nov. 18

BAG LIMIT: One turkey of any age or sex per harvest authorization

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: December 10

Wyoming

https://wgfd.wyo.gov / (307) 777-4600

FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Varies by hunt area: Area 1: Archery only Sept. 1-30; Firearm Nov. 1-30; Areas 2, 4, 5: Sept. 1-30 archery; Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 firearm; Area 3: Sept. 1 to Dec. 31; Legal shooting hours are half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: One wild turkey per license, must be tagged

IS FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING WITH DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

DEADLINES FOR SPRING DRAWINGS: Spring drawing Jan. 3-31; Fall drawing April 1 to May 31

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