Turkey Seasons & Limits

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.

• 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.

• The combined bag limit for the 2023 Fall and 2024 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.

• The combined bag limit for the 2024 Winter and 2023 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.