Turkey Regulations

For requirements on hunter orange, legal means of taking, public lands, shooting hours, carcass disposal, more than one method of take in the field, tracking with dogs, field tagging and checking requirements, see Big Game Regulations.

Baiting

Turkeys may not be hunted or taken within 100 yards of any bait. Baiting is the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain or other feed so as to constitute for such birds a lure, attraction or enticement, on or over any area where hunters are attempting to take them. The taking of turkey over standing crops, grain crops, properly shucked on the field where grown or grain found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural operations is permitted. See Department-Managed Area Rules for rules about baiting on Department managed lands.

Decoys & Recorded Calls

Artificial decoys are permitted. Live decoys and recorded calls are prohibited. It is illegal to use a smartphone as an electronic call during turkey season.

Field Tagging & Checking

All hunters (including lifetime license holders) who harvest a turkey (fall or spring) must immediately attach a field tag, securely to the carcass, with their name, customer ID number and date and time of harvest.

A field tag can be any item, so long as the tag contains the required information. This information along with evidence of sex (one leg with foot or beard) must remain with the carcass until the turkey is checked in. Beards on hens must remain intact and not removed from the turkey until the bird has reached its final destination.

Public Lands

Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons. Consult public hunting lands special regulations in Special Area Regulations: A-D, Special Area Regulations: E-L, Special Area Regulations: M-R, Special Area Regulations: S-Z.

Roost Shooting

Roost shooting is prohibited.

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before official sunrise to official sunset.

Tom Turkey Definition

Any bearded turkey, regardless of sex.

Hunter Orange

For hunter orange requirements, see Big Game Regulations.