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Photo Credit: Ron Foltz
Turkey Hunting

2026 NWTF Fall Hunt Guide

Forty states offer a fall wild turkey hunt, as many states remain stable or have seen populations and harvest data rebound. Nine states, not including Alaska, which has no huntable turkey population, do not have a fall turkey season. The NWTF Fall Hunt Guide provides information provided by each state to help our members get out in the field and experience the power of the outdoors this autumn.

August 31, 202614 min read

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

Photo Credit: Paul Seymour
Photo Credit: Paul Seymour

Alabama

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Zone 1: No fall season; Zone 2: No fall season; Zone 3: Nov. 14- 22 and Dec. 12-27 (decoys prohibited)

FALL BAG LIMIT: One gobbler per day; fourgobbler bag limit during the combined fall and spring seasons.

DOGS ALLOWED? No

DEADLINES: Special Opportunity Areas – Registration is Dec. 1-15

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 20,243

Alaska

NO HUNTABLE TURKEY POPULATION

Arizona

WEBSITE: www.azgfd.com

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archeryonly, limited units: Aug. 21 - Sept. 10, 2026; Youth hunt, limited units: Dates vary, check regulations; Shotgun, limited permits by draw only: Oct. 2-8, 2026

BAG LIMIT: One turkey per calendar year

DOGS ALLOWED? No

Arkansas

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Hunters checked 13,591 (highest since 2006) SPRING DEADLINES: Mid-January to mid- February, check regulations

California

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Nov. 14 - Dec. 13

FALL BAG LIMIT: Daily: One either sex; Season: two per season

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): approximately 10,000

SPRING DEADLINES: TBD; Application deadlines are during the first two weeks of March 2027 2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: N/A; in Spring 2024 hunters harvested an estimated 19,965 wild turkeys

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: N/A; in Spring 2024 an estimated 26,010 hunters targeted wild turkey.

NOTES: visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/ Upland-Game-Birds/Hunts/Wild-Turkey for updates on wild turkey special hunts offered by the CDFW.

Colorado

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Oct. 4; some units open until Oct. 23, check regulations; late-season dates on private land in Units 112-113 Dec. 15 - Jan. 15, 2027

BAG LIMIT: 1 either sex turkey in the fall

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

Connecticut

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archery

• Jan. 1 - Jan. 31 private land (Zones 11 and 12)

• Sept. 15 - Dec. 31 private land (All Zones)

• Sept. 15 - Dec. 31 State Land Bowhunting-Only Areas

• Sept. 15 - Nov. 17 and Dec. 23 - Dec. 31 State Land Firearms - Oct. 3 - Oct. 31 state land, private land, and landowner

FALL BAG LIMIT: Archery, two; Firearms, three DOGS ALLOWED? Only on private land

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 800 Archery and 800 Firearms based on latest trend

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 1,277

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 6,833.

Delaware

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

SPRING DEADLINES: Wildlife Area and National Wildlife Refuge turkey permit applications must be postmarked by Jan. 8, 2027. Any applications postmarked after this date will automatically be rejected. Applications can be found in the Delaware 2026/2027 hunting guide. State Forest turkey permit applications are due by Jan. 8, 2027. Applications can be found at https://agriculture.delaware.gov/ forestservice/forms-information/

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 816 total harvests; 638 from private lands and 178 from public lands

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 992 valid applications for the spring 2026 public land lottery (excluding state forest applications). 541 permits were awarded for wildlife area and wildlife refuges. 7,211 licensed turkey hunters for 2026; turkey tags are automatically given to hunters after the purchase of a Delaware hunting license and proof of completing basic hunter education as well as the Delaware turkey education course.

Florida

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Zone A: Oct. 5-18, Nov. 21 – Jan. 3, 2027; Zone B: Dec. 5 – Jan. 31, 2027; Zone C: Nov. 7 – Jan. 3, 2027; Zone D: Nov. 26-29, Dec. 12 – Jan. 17, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: Two

DOGS ALLOWED? No

SPRING DEADLINES: All application periods open at 10 a.m. Eastern on the first day of the application period listed and available through 11:59 p.m. on the final day. Phase I Applications: Nov. 1-30; Phase II Applications: Dec. 4-14; Phase III Leftovers: Dec. 17 until filled or the final hunt date. Reissue applications: Weekly reissue applications are available for hunters between noon Eastern on Saturdays through noon Eastern on Tuesdays. The first reissue application period for each hunt type will begin the Saturday after phase III leftovers open.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Estimated 14,484

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 237,896 eligible hunters, estimated 33,159 hunters went turkey hunting

NOTES: Nonresident turkey hunters must purchase a nonresident annual hunting license. A 10-day nonresident hunting license cannot be used to harvest wild turkey.

Georgia

WEBSITE: georgiawildlife.com

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

SPRING DEADLINES: Feb. 15, 2027

Hawaii

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Check regulations

BAG LIMIT: Check regulations

DOGS ALLOWED? Check regulations

Idaho

WEBSITE: idfg.idaho.gov

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Seasons vary throughout the state, but outside dates are: Aug. 30, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027; check regulations

FALL BAG LIMIT: Equal to the number of tags possessed (up to six, depending on administrative region)

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 3-year average: 6,700 hunters; increasing since 2021

SPRING DEADLINES: Spring application period for controlled hunts: Feb. 1 – March 1, 2027

Illinois

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Fall Archery: Oct. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2027; Fall Gun: Oct. 24-31, 2026

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird per permit, two permits per hunter (available over-the-counter); Fall Gun: One bird per permit, two permits per hunter (available via online lottery and over-the-counter)

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other):

• Fall Archery: Permits issued (trending upward): 2021- 24,768; 2022 - 25,373; 2023 - 25,741; 2024 - 27,422; 2025 - 26,787

• Fall Gun: Permits issued (low, but stable): 2021 - 1,624; 2022 - 1,724; 2023 - 1,771; 2024 - 1,765; 2025- 1,763

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 20,821 (record total)

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 70,158 (record total)

Indiana

WEBSITE: on.IN.gov/turkey

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird, either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 3,400

SPRING DEADLINES: Applications typically open in late February and close in mid-March. For details, visit https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-andwildlife/ hunting-and-trapping/reserved-hunts/

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 16,168; https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/huntingand- trapping/wild-turkey-hunting-biology-andmanagement/ wild-turkey-spring-harvest-data 2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 28,318

Iowa

WEBSITE: www.iowadnr.gov

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Open to residents only, fall gun/bow season Oct. 12-Dec. 4; Fall bow-only split season Oct. 1-Dec. 4 and Dec 21, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird either sex per unfilled tag; residents can have up to two tags; no nonresident fall hunting

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 6,000-7,000 tags issued statewide; tags are divided by zone quotas

SPRING DEADLINES: No limit on resident licenses, which can be purchased until the end of that season. Nonresidents have quotas by zone and season. Applications open Jan. 1 to the last Saturday in January. Application instructions are available in December at www.iowadnr.gov/ hunting/nonresident-hunting.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Mandatory reporting required; 2026 harvest was 13,965

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 53,621 licenses issued for all spring seasons combined

NOTES: Production has been good across most of the state with the eastern 1/3 having the most woodlands. Turkeys were reported harvested in all 99 counties in 2026.

Kansas

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

Kentucky

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Shotgun: Oct. 24-30 and Dec. 5-11, 2026; Archery (Bow): Sept. 5, 2026 - Jan. 18, 2027; Crossbow: Oct. 1-18 and Nov. 14 - Dec. 31, 2026

FALL BAG LIMIT: Two turkeys for the fall season; one turkey may be taken per day; one turkey with a beard at least 3 inches long; one turkey with no visible beard or a beard shorter than 3 inches.

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: ~ 30,000

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 36,448 turkeys reported

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 152,760 licensed; actual number of hunters ~ 90,000 to 100,000

NOTES: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to make fall hen harvest by bow and crossbow illegal except for youth, beginning with the 2027-28 fall season, but this regulation has not yet been approved by the legislature.

Louisiana

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

SPRING DEADLINES: Early February 2027

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 4,024

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 28,500

Maine

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 14 – Nov. 7

FALL BAG LIMIT: 0-5 either sex, depending on Wildlife Management District (see regulations)

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 8,216

NOTES: Youth wild turkey day (Fall): Sept. 12

Maryland

WEBSITE/PHONE: dnr.maryland.gov; (410)260-8540

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (Allegany, Washington, and Garrett counties only); closed in other counties BAG LIMIT: One either-sex

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Approximately 1,000

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 5,094

Massachusetts

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archery only Oct. 5 – Oct. 17 and Nov. 2 – Nov. 28. Shotgun/ archery Oct. 19 – Oct. 31

FALL BAG LIMIT: One turkey either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? No

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 2,952

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 13,903

Michigan

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.michigan.gov/dnr

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 15 - Nov. 14

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird (may be of either sex)

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes.

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): About 12,000 people actively hunt in fall turkey season.

SPRING DEADLINES: Application Period is Jan. 1 – Feb. 1, 2027.

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Just over 101,000 licenses sold for the spring season.

NOTES: Harvest reporting is now required for spring and fall turkey seasons.

Minnesota

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ 651-296-6157

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 3 – Nov. 1

FALL BAG LIMIT: One turkey either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 9,210 (Five-year average)

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 15,245

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 61,223

Mississippi

WEBSITE: www.mdwfp.com

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

SPRING DEADLINES: Jan. 15, 2027

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 40,791

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 73,559

Missouri

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archery Portion: Sept. 15-Nov. 13 and Nov. 25, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027; Firearms Portion: Oct. 1-31

FALL BAG LIMIT: Two total birds

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: ~25,000

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 50,010 birds harvested

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: ~113,000

Montana

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://fwp.mt.gov/; (406) 444-2535

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 (nonresidents Sept. 11, 2026, - Jan. 1, 2027) FALL BAG LIMIT: 17 (see regulations for details)

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Five-year mean is 5,097 hunters in fall. Trend is relatively stable, although it varies between 4,500 to 5,500 fall hunters annually.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 2026 n/a; spring 2025 harvested 7,612 turkeys

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 2026 n/a; spring 2025: 10,266 license holders reported hunting turkeys

NOTES: Nonresident seasons for all upland game bird hunting (except forest grouse) begin 10 days following the start of resident upland game bird seasons.

Nebraska

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30

FALL BAG LIMIT: One per hunter

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: The three-year average number of fall turkey hunters is 3,218

SPRING DEADLINES: Nonresident spring permits are capped at 10,000, first come, first served. Nonresidents may purchase up to two permits, each starting at 1 p.m. C.T. the second Monday in January. Resident permits are unlimited with a personal limit of two and can be purchased through the end of the season. See website for multispecies lottery permit information.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 10,490 birds were reported via the mandatory Telecheck system for a per-permit success of 38%.

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 22,009 unique hunters purchased 27,531 permits.

NOTES: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners voted in June 2026 to adjust spring season dates to better align with Nebraska’s wild turkey breeding activities, effective spring 2027. Nonresident permit allocations remain unchanged.

Nevada

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ndow.org; (800) 576-1020

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: See regulations

FALL BAG LIMIT: One either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? No

SPRING DEADLINES: Applications must be submitted by 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, 2027.

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 136 NOTES: Two additional limited entry Fall Hunts (Pershing and Lincoln counties) will be open for Fall 2026.

Photo Credit: Gayle Sheahen
Photo Credit: Gayle Sheahen

New Hampshire

WEBSITE: www.wildnh.com

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Dates vary by method and Wildlife Management Unit. Fall archery Sept. 15-Dec. 8 WMU A; Fall archery Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 WMU B-M. Fall shotgun Oct. 12-18 WMU D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L and M.

FALL BAG LIMIT: One turkey during the fall archery or fall shotgun season, not to exceed two turkeys per calendar year. Hunters who harvest two birds in the spring forfeit their opportunity to harvest a fall bird. DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 5,016 birds NOTES: A multi-year turkey banding study is underway across the state to measure regional harvest rates and annual gobbler survival. Bands from harvested birds are to be reported on the harvest registration form. Recovered bands may also be reported via the website or phone number printed on the band.

New Jersey

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 2021- 2,648; 2022- 2,977; 2023- 2,949; 2024- 2,994

SPRING DEADLINES: Spring turkey lottery application period is Jan. 25 – Feb. 22, 2027

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 2,624

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 8,815

New Mexico

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1-30 (archery) Nov. 1-30 (Shotgun, bow, crossbow) FALL BAG LIMIT: Any one turkey

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): Fall turkey hunter numbers are declining slightly, the 5-year average is 3,187 hunters.

SPRING DEADLINES: Feb. 10, 2027.

2025 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Spring Total Reported Harvest: 2,658; Spring Harvest success rates: 30.1%; Spring Estimated Harvest: 3,640

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Spring Licenses Sold: 10,487; Total Spring License Sales decreased 1.2% from 2024 to 2025, though spring non-resident license sales increased by 14.8%.

NOTES: Hunters who hunt on USFS or BLM lands need a Habitat Stamp in addition to the Game Hunting License and a turkey tag.

New York

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Northern Zone - Oct. 1-Oct. 14; Southern Zone - Oct. 17-Oct. 30; Long Island - Nov. 21-Dec. 4

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird of either sex, statewide

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Average number of hunters: 38,021 (2021-2025)

NOTES: Hunters who harvest a turkey during the fall season are asked to save one of its legs and submit photographs of the wing, spur, beard and tail fan. Saved turkey legs are submitted to DEC in an envelope, mailed to the hunter after they report their harvest. Together, these data will help DEC staff determine the age and sex ratios of the fall turkey harvest.

North Carolina

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

SPRING DEADLINES: Spring turkey season permit hunt applications are due March 1, 2027 2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 25,034 turkeys harvested

North Dakota

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct.10, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: One per tag

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 2,500

Ohio

WEBSITE/PHONE: wildohio.gov / 1-800-WILDLIFE

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1-25 FALL BAG LIMIT: One turkey, either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 10,500 total hunters, which includes 6,700 permits issued (5-year average) and an estimated 3,800 hunters using landowner privileges (no permit required)

SPRING DEADLINES: Hunters may apply for Ohio’s controlled access turkey hunts during March 1-31.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 15,887

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 52,779

NOTES: During Ohio’s 2026 fall turkey season, shotguns using shot will be the only legal means of take. This is a change from previous fall turkey seasons in which both shotgun and archery equipment were legal.

Oklahoma

FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027 (archery); Nov. 1-21 (shotgun); Some counties do not open for fall hunting with a gun, check regulations

FALL BAG LIMIT: One

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Fall turkey hunter numbers are stable with 12,449 hunters estimated in our Game Harvest Survey from 2024.

SPRING DEADLINES: Controlled hunt application period (April 1 – mid May); controlled hunt information can be found at www. wildlifedepartment.com

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Spring harvest was 10,100 birds reported through the state’s e-check system.

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Spring turkey hunter numbers are holding strong with an average of 53,500 hunters estimated in our Game Harvest Survey from 2024.

Oregon

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.myodfw.com / 1-866-947-ODFW (6339)

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 – Jan. 31, 2027 – western Oregon and John Day Valley; Oct. 10 – Jan 31, 2027 – Remainder of eastern Oregon open counties; see regulations

FALL BAG LIMIT: two in western Oregon; one in eastern Oregon

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): 4,200 (5- year average)

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 3,346

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 5,405

NOTES: Consult Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations for information on Oregon’s Beardless Wild Turkey Permit season.

Pennsylvania

WEBSITE: www.pgc.pa.gov

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES:

• WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 31-Nov. 15

• WM Us 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 31-Nov. 8

• WMUs 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C – Oct. 31-Nov. 15 and Nov. 25-27

• WMUs 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Oct. 31-Nov. 20 and Nov. 25-27

• WMU 5A and 5B – Oct. 31-Nov. 3

• WMUs 5C and 5D – Closed to fall turkey hunting.

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird per license year DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Since the prohibition of single-projectile firearms during the fall turkey season (2021), Pennsylvania has averaged 71,623 fall turkey hunters (2021-2024). The 2025 fall turkey harvest and hunter participation estimates were not yet available.

NOTES: No single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey seasons. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only. Fall turkey hunting is permitted on Sundays within the WMU-specific season dates outlined above.

Photo Credit: John Pennoyer
Photo Credit: John Pennoyer

Rhode Island

WEBSITE/PHONE: (401)789-0281 or dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1-31

FALL BAG LIMIT: One either sex bird, archery only (including crossbow)

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Stable, about 250 tags purchased each year.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 381 bearded birds harvested

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 1,329 licensed turkey hunters

South Carolina

WEBSITE: www.dnr.sc.gov

NO FALL TURKEY SEASON

South Dakota

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: Typically, one bird per license (check regulations)

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Five-year average for hunters was 2,019 hunters from 2021-2025; Five-year average for harvest was 632 birds harvested from 2021-25 SPRING DEADLINES Typically, most drawings occur in mid-February (check website for details)

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: In the Black Hills, 5,319 licenses were sold, and 2,232 birds were harvested for a success rate of 42%. In the Prairie Units, 8,387 licenses were sold and 4,618 birds were harvested for a success rate of 55%. NOTES: The Black Hills unit for spring turkey hunting is now limited and based on a lottery drawing for nonresidents – but remains unlimited for residents.

Tennessee

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.tnwildlife.org / 615-781-6500

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: (not all counties open, see below) Archery, Sept. 26 – Oct. 30 and Nov. 2-6 (same as the deer archery-only season); Shotgun/Archery: Oct. 17-30 FALL BAG LIMIT: One male turkey (no bearded hens) for all fall turkey seasons combined

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: No estimate of fall hunter numbers; participation believed to be low but stable (reported fall harvest is averaging just over 300 birds per year).

SPRING DEADLINES: Dec. 16, 2026 – Jan. 6, 2027 2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Reported harvest of 34,990

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Based on license sales over the past year of license types with turkey-hunting privileges (for hunters ages 18-90): Annual resident license types = 147,050, Lifetime/permanent resident license types = 19,414, Nonresident license types = 12,101 NOTES: Not all counties are open for fall turkey season. Fall turkey hunting is closed in: Crockett, Dyer, Giles, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Shelby, Tipton and Wayne counties.

Texas

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: See regulations: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/ outdoor-annual/regs/animals/turkey

FALL BAG LIMIT: Annual bag limit of four birds statewide (no fall hunting allowed in counties with a one-gobbler bag limit)

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 55,000

SPRING DEADLINES: Nov. 1

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 16,520 (mandatory harvest reporting)

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 60,000 (five-year average – small game harvest survey) NOTES: Mandatory harvest reporting required statewide.

Utah

WEBSITE/PHONE: wildlife.utah.gov; (801) 538-4700

FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Oct. 1, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027 for Northern, Central, Southern and Southeastern Regions

FALL BAG LIMIT: three (two beardless, one eithersex) for OTC hunt — each individual can also receive up to three depredation vouchers from landowners (mostly or entirely beardless). 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.

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): 2026 Hunters Afield: 12,322.

SPRING DEADLINES: Fall management harvest permits are available Sept. 10, Spring LE applications available online Dec. 15, LE application deadline is Dec. 29, draw results available Jan. 7, 2027, remaining LE permits available and spring general season permits available on Mar 11, 2027.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Total LE Harvest: 1,045; Total OTC Harvest: 3,483; LE Success Rate: 54.5% OTC Success Rate: 34.8%; Average Satisfaction Rating (1-5 scale): 3.8 Average Crowding Rating (1-5 scale): 2.92026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: ~9,800:

Vermont

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archery only: Oct. 1 – Nov. 13 statewide. Archery or Shotgun: Oct. 24 – Nov. 1 in WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q. Archery or Shotgun: Oct. 24 – Nov. 8 WMUs F, K, N FALL BAG LIMIT: One either sex

DOGS ALLOWED? No

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 5,222

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 13,954

NOTES: This year there is an expanded fall archery season statewide which coincides with the first segment of the deer archery season.

Virginia

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Archery: Oct. 3 – Nov. 17; Firearms (split season, check regulations for county-specific dates): Oct. 17-30, Nov. 25-26, Nov. 30 – Dec. 26, Jan. 9-23, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: Annual bag limit of three birds, no more than one may be beardless

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 17,000 based on hunter survey data

SPRING DEADLINES: Nov. 27, 2026, for spring draws/lotteries/applications

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 24,105 turkeys

Washington

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31

FALL BAG LIMIT: Four-turkey limit during the fall season, with area restrictions: GMU 101-154 and 162-186 – two beardless plus two either sex turkeys; 382, 388, 568-578 – two either sex turkey; and 203-290 – one either sex turkey

DOGS ALLOWED? No

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Average 4,584 fall turkey hunters from 2021-25

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Estimated 7,340 turkeys harvested in spring 2025. Data from 2026 will be available in 2027.

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Estimated 12,410 people hunted turkey in spring 2025.

NOTES: Fall turkey regulations available online: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ migratory-waterfowl-upland-game

West Virginia

WEBSITE / CONTACT: wvdnr.gov/304-558-6200

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: West Virginia counties have either a one, two, or fourweek fall turkey season. See the West Virginia DNR Hunting and trapping regulations summary, July 2026 - June 2027 for details. Hunting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. The fall season begins Oct. 10.

FALL BAG LIMIT: 1 either sex bird

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATE FOR THE NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS (5-year data trend or other): Fall harvest and participation appear to be declining.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 12,006 bearded birds were harvested in the spring of 2026

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Only non-resident hunters are required to have a specific license for hunting turkey.

Wisconsin

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 12, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

FALL BAG LIMIT: One bird per authorization

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: 84,500 authorizations issued

SPRING DEADLINES: 2027 Spring Turkey Season application deadline is Dec. 10.

2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: 47,704

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: 234,429 authorizations sold

Wyoming

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/; 307-777-4600

2026 FALL TURKEY SEASON DATES: Sept. 1-30 archery only; Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 firearm

FALL BAG LIMIT: One wild turkey per license. Hunters may possess one general license (unlimited over the counter), and up to two type 3 (county specific) licenses (drawing only, or available as leftover if not sold out in the drawing). Limit of three licenses with a combination of general and type 3 or all type 3.

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF FALL TURKEY HUNTERS: Over the past five years there has been a 50% increase in the amount of fall wild turkey licenses sold. Harvest has also increased around 30%. In 2025, there were 3,871 licenses sold with a harvest of 1,104 wild turkeys. Harvest decreased substantially due to extremely warm weather conditions throughout the fall that caused wild turkeys to spread out and become difficult to locate.

SPRING DEADLINES: Preliminary Jan. 4-31, 2027 (Spring); Apr. 1 – Jun. 1, 2027 (Fall) 2026 SPRING TURKEY HARVEST DATA: Record harvest of 5,072; a 6% increase compared to 2025

2026 SPRING LICENSED TURKEY HUNTERS: Record number of hunters at 8,624; an increase of 15% from 2025

Filed Under:
  • Fall Hunt Guide
  • Healthy Habitats
  • Healthy Harvests
  • Hunting Heritage
  • Learn to Hunt