Turkey Hunting Seasons & Bag Limits
2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons & Bag Limits |
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Season |
Dates |
Bag Limit |
Youth (Private and authorized state and federal |
March 7–13 |
See Spring season for bag limit. |
Spring (Nonresidents subject to special regulations, see below) |
March 14–May 1 |
One (1) adult gobbler or 1 gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, 3 per Spring season. Hunters 15 years of age and younger may harvest 1 gobbler of choice (any age) per day, 3 per spring season. |
Non-residents Turkey Hunting on Public Lands: Non-residents cannot hunt any public land in Mississippi before April 1 unless drawn for either a Non-resident Public Lands Turkey Permit or WMA Draw Hunt. See www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wildlife-species-program/wild-turkey-program for application dates and more information. |
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Reporting Your Turkey Harvests
By reporting your turkey harvests, you will aid the future of wild turkey conservation in Mississippi. Reporting through the MDWFP Game Check system is quick and easy, and it is MANDATORY for ALL TURKEY HUNTERS. The basics of Game Check are outlined below.
Step 1. Before You Go Hunting
Unless exempt, all hunters must obtain a Wild Turkey Stamp prior to hunting. Upon purchase, three (3) potential Game Check reports will be credited to your license account. These will be accessible via the MDWFP HuntFish app for digital users.If you prefer not to use a mobile device, you must select the physical Game Check tag option when obtaining your license. Hunters exempt from the Wild Turkey Stamp will receive a no-cost license privilege, allowing them to choose between digital Game Checks or physical tags.
Step 2. When You Harvest A Turkey
The reporting process must begin BEFORE MOVING the turkey from the harvest location.
DIGITAL USERS: Invalidate the Game Check digitally using the MDWFP app at the harvest site. This completes your reporting requirement.
PHYSICAL TAG USERS: Invalidate the physical tag by notching it and attach it to the turkey's leg before moving the bird.
Step 3. After You Hunt
If you digitally invalidated the Game Check at the harvest site, no further action is required. If you used a physical tag, you must report the harvest by 10PM on the day of harvest.
There are Three Ways to Report:
1. MDWFP app
2. Online at www.mdwfp.com/gamecheck.
3. Call 1-800-BE-SMART
Updates for 2026 Spring Turkey Season
Wild Turkey Stamp
Unless otherwise exempt, a turkey stamp purchase is required for any person 16 years old or older to hunt wild turkeys in Mississippi.
Game Check
All turkey hunters must Game Check their harvested turkeys. MDWFP encourages hunters to ensure they have an up-to-date profile in the new license system before turkey season.
