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Maryland

Hunting

Hunting

Turkey Seasons & Limits

Junior Turkey Hunt Days and Bag Limits 2023

Dates

Area

Bag Limit

April 15

Statewide

1 bearded turkey per day

Sunday, April 16

in certain counties, see chart

The Junior Turkey Hunting Days are for hunters age 16 or younger only. To hunt during these days:

  • Junior hunters must have a Hunting License or be exempt from the license requirement (see Who May Hunt Without a License, Hunting Licenses).
  • Junior turkey hunters must be accompanied in the field by an individual who:
    • Is 21 years old or older;
    • Possesses a valid Maryland hunting license (an Apprentice Hunting License does not meet this requirement) or is exempt from hunting license requirements; and
    • Is unarmed.
  • Only bearded turkeys may be harvested in the Junior Turkey Hunting Days and Spring Season.
  • Turkeys taken by junior hunters during these days count toward the entire Spring Season bag limit.
  • The Junior Turkey Hunting Days bag limit is one bearded turkey per day.
  • Daily shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset for Junior Turkey Hunting Days. See the Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within certain counties.
  • Hunting Devices for the Junior Turkey Hunting Days are only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts.
  • It is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait or to place bait for turkeys during any turkey season.
  • Dogs and organized drives may not be used.

Spring Turkey Season and Bag Limits 2023

Dates

Area

Bag Limit

April 18–May 23
(includes Sundays in certain counties, see chart)

Statewide

1 bearded turkey per day,
2 bearded turkeys per season

  • Only bearded turkeys may be harvested in the Spring Season.
  • The Spring Season bag limit is one bearded turkey per day and two bearded turkeys for the season.
  • Spring Turkey Season daily shooting hours for April 18 through May 9 are one-half hour before sunrise to noon. See the Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within certain counties.
  • Spring Turkey Season daily shooting hours for May 10 through May 23 are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the Sunday hunting chart for Sunday hours within certain counties.
  • Hunting Devices for Spring Turkey Season are only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts.
  • It is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait or to place bait for turkeys during any turkey season.
  • Dogs and organized drives may not be used.

Fall Turkey Season and Bag Limits 2022

Dates

Area

Bag Limit

Oct. 29–Nov. 6 (includes Sundays in hunt area counties, see chart)

Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties

Fall and Winter Seasons have a combined bag limit of 1 turkey of either sex

  • The combined bag limit for the 2022 Fall and 2023 Winter Seasons is one turkey of either sex.
  • Fall Turkey Season daily shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
  • Hunting Devices for Fall Turkey Season are only airguns (that shoot arrows, bolts or bullets), crossbows, handguns, shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller or a solid, single projectile), rifles or vertical bows.
  • It is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait or to place bait for turkeys during any turkey season. However, during the fall season only, it is not considered to be hunting with the aid of bait if a hunter and any turkey that a hunter shoots at are at least 150 yards from any bait legally placed for other species (e.g. corn placed to attract deer).
  • Be aware: Fall turkey hunters are encouraged to wear daylight fluorescent color clothing especially when other hunting seasons are open at the same time.

Winter Turkey Season and Bag Limits 2023

Dates

Area

Bag Limit

Jan. 19–21

Statewide

Fall and Winter Seasons have a combined bag limit of 1 turkey of either sex

  • The combined bag limit for the 2023 Winter and 2022 Fall Seasons is one turkey of either sex.
  • Winter Turkey Season daily shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
  • Hunting Devices for Winter Turkey Season are only shotguns (loaded with #4 shot or smaller), crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts.
  • It is illegal to hunt turkeys with the aid of bait or to place bait for turkeys during any turkey season.

Sunday Turkey Hunting 2022–2023

Sunday hunting is permitted on April 16 (Junior Hunt Day) and all Sundays during any open turkey season with these restrictions, in these counties and locations.

County

Location

Time Restriction

Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne’s

Private lands only

No special time restriction on Sundays

Dorchester

Private and public lands

No special time restriction on Sundays

Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington

Private and designated public lands*

No special time restriction on Sundays

Talbot

Private lands only

Legal shooting hours on Sundays are from ½ hour before sunrise until 10:30am

Somerset

Private lands and public land leased to a hunt club only

Legal shooting hours on Sundays are from ½ hour before sunrise until 10:30am

* Designated public lands open to Sunday hunting in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s and Washington counties are: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, C&D Canal Lands, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Earlville WMA, Garrett State Forest (SF), Green Ridge SF, Grove Farm WMA, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Old Bohemia WMA, Potomac SF, Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF, Salem SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA and Warrior Mountain WMA.