Wild Turkey

Permit required. Official green safety sticker must be adhered to firearm such that it is visible to the hunter when sighting down the barrel (typically placed on the tang). If new or replacement sticker is needed, send self-addressed stamped envelope to any DFW office. Spring hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon. Fall hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset except as noted in WMA Reg. #10.

Bag Limit: (a) 2 bearded birds in spring season (1 per day) with NO fall bird allowed, OR (b) 1 bearded bird in spring season, and 1 bird of either sex in fall season. No hunter may take 2 birds in the fall season. Hunting only with shotguns no larger than 10 gauge or .775 caliber smoothbore muzzleloading shotguns using #4-#7 size shot, and with archery equipment (see ARCHERY). Use of electronic calls, dogs, bait, and driving turkeys is prohibited. Successful hunters must fill out tag attached to permit and immediately (prior to moving) attach it to turkey, and must check/report their harvest within 48 hours. See ON-LINE CHECKING for details.

Differentiating hens (females) from Toms (males) during the spring hunting season: Up to 8% of female turkeys may have a beard and may be legally harvested. However, their loss reduces the reproductive potential of the turkey population. To avoid misidentification, use the following features to positively identify a gobbler from a hen.