Turkey Hunting Regulations
WILD TURKEY HUNTING
| SEASON | OPENING DATE | CLOSING DATE | BAG LIMIT |
| Fall Wild Turkey: Select Counties | Oct. 14, 2023 | Nov. 12, 2023 | 1 (either sex) |
| Youth Spring Wild Turkey | April 13, 2024 | April 14, 2024 | 1 bearded turkey |
| Spring Wild Turkey: South Zone (except for Lake La Su An Wildlife Area) | April 20, 2024 | May 19, 2024 | |
| Spring Wild Turkey: Northeast Zone | April 27, 2024 | May 26, 2024 |
WILD TURKEY HUNTING
It is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with the aid or use of bait. An area is con- sidered baited for 10 days after the complete removal of any bait.
It is unlawful to use a live decoy while hunting wild turkeys.
It is unlawful to possess or use an elec- tronic calling device while hunting wild turkeys.
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a wild turkey while it is in a tree.
It is unlawful to possess more than one hunt- ing implement while turkey hunting.
A successful wild turkey hunter may aid or assist another hunter who is hunting wild turkeys if the turkey permit has been filled in, he or she does not carry any hunting implement commonly used to kill wild ani- mals, and has a valid hunting license. Those persons exempted from having a hunting license and wild turkey permits for turkey hunting on their property are required to have a hunting license and turkey permit to aid another hunter off of their property or hunt turkey off of their property.
BAG LIMITS
- It shall be unlawful for any person to take or possess a wild turkey during the spring wild turkey season that does not have a visible beard.
- A harvested wild turkey must be checked by 11:30 p.m. on the day of kill.
TAG AND CHECK
A hunter is required to complete the game check process following the harvest of a wild turkey.
FALL WILD TURKEY SEASON
- A valid Ohio hunting license and fall tur- key permit are required, unless exempt.
- A wild turkey of either sex may be hunt- ed during the fall season. The bag limit is one turkey.
- Fall wild turkey hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
- It is legal to use dogs to assist in taking wild turkeys during the fall season only.
YOUTH WILD TURKEY SEASON
- A valid hunting license and wild turkey permit are required, unless exempt.
- Hunting hours for youth turkey season are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
SPRING WILD TURKEY SEASON
- The bag limit for the 2024 spring season is one bearded wild turkey.
- A valid Ohio hunting license and spring turkey permit are required, unless ex- empt.
- It is legal to use a leashed dog to recov- er wounded wild turkeys in the spring turkey season.
- The Northeast Zone is Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties. The South Zone is the remainder of the state.
- South Zone wild turkey hunting hours from April 20-28, 2024 are 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.
- South Zone wild turkey hunting hours from April 29-May 19, 2024 are 30 min- utes before sunrise to sunset.
- Northeast Zone wild turkey hunting hours from April 27-May 5, 2024 are 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.
- Northeast Zone wild turkey hunting hours from May 6-26, 2024 are 30 min- utes before sunrise to sunset.
- Lake La Su An Wildlife Area is open only to wild turkey controlled permit holders during the spring season.
LEGAL WILD TURKEY HUNTING EQUIPMENT
SEASON | EQUIPMENT |
Shotgun: 10 gauge or smaller shotgun using shot, includes muzzleloading shotguns. | |
FALL AND SPRING WILD TURKEY HUNTING SEASONS | Longbow or Bow: The minimum draw weight is 40 pounds. Thisincludes com- pound bows and recurve bows. The arrow tip needsto have a minimum of two cutting edges which may be exposed orunexposed, and a minimum 3/4-inch width. Expandable andmechanical broadheads are legal. |
Crossbow: The minimum draw weight is 75 pounds. The arrow tip needs to have a minimum of two cutting edges which may be exposed orunexposed, and a minimum 3/4-inch width. Expandable and mechanical broadheads are legal. |
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