Wild Turkey Seasons

For Game Management Unit (GMU) descriptions and boundaries, see the Big Game Regulations or wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/gmu.

Bag Limit

Hunters who harvested their full bag limit during the spring CAN still participate in fall turkey seasons. Each season has a separate bag limit.

Evidence of Sex

It is unlawful to possess or transport wild turkey without the fully feathered head and beard (if present at harvest) attached, until the carcass is processed and/or stored for consumption.

Weapons

It is illegal to hunt turkeys with a weapon other than the following:

• Crossbow or bow and arrow;
• Shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot (0.13 inch diameter or smaller);
• Legal modern handgun designed for hunting, shooting #4 or smaller shot, and not capable of holding more than three shells. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches, inclusive of choke tube. Modern handguns must shoot a minimum three inch shotshell of .410 caliber or larger;
• Legal muzzleloading handgun designed for hunting and shooting #4 or smaller shot. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches. Muzzleloading handguns must be .45 caliber or larger;
• See shot size diagram.

It is illegal to hunt turkeys with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.

Restrictions

It is unlawful to use dogs, electronic calls, or electronic decoys to hunt turkey or to use baiting methods to hunt game birds.

Reporting

Turkey hunters are required to submit hunting activity reports (Spring and/or Fall) for each turkey transport tag purchased (see License Fees & Information).

If you purchase a turkey tag before the end of the spring season, you must submit a spring hunting report. If you have an unfilled spring tag or purchase a tag after the spring season, you must submit a fall hunting report. If a spring tag is not filled during the spring season but is used in the fall, both a spring and fall harvest report are required.