Not sure what you need to hunt? Spring turkey hunters need a 2020 Spring Turkey License and valid Gamebird Habitat Stamp. All 2019 Gamebird Habitat Stamp Privilege is extended to May 22, 2020.
Looking for a place to hunt? Check out the Where To Hunt map. Review our list of Fish & Wildlife-owned areas not requiring pre-registration draws to turkey hunt.
Find turkey hunting resources, including videos on mounting tail fans and how to tell the age of a turkey, on our website.
Keep safety in mind this turkey hunting season
Turkey hunting can be an exciting, challenging sport. Hunters should always keep in mind safety while pursuing or calling in gobblers, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect an increase in participation – practicing social distancing, staying well away from other hunters, and never shooting at sound or movement are more important than ever. Wild turkeys may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. To learn more about DNR properties, to include the 200,000 acres of reservoir properties and state forests, visit here.
Division of Fish & Wildlife have spring season hunting hours one-half hour before sunrise until noon for properties on CDT and until 1 p.m. for properties on EDT. Call the property for additional information.
Find more turkey hunting safety tips on our website.
Changes to registration for reserved turkey hunts
Reserved turkey hunt procedures will change on participating Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) for selected turkey hunters this year, as a result of COVID-19. The changes will allow turkey hunting to continue on FWAs while practicing social distancing.
Selected turkey hunters (youth-season and regular-season) will be mailed date-specific hunting permit cards for their hunt period as well as a parking permit. FWA offices are closed to the public; however, selected turkey hunters still need to sign in each day at a property self-serve check-in booth before hunting. Hunters must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet between each other while signing in.
Read the news release for more information
Supplemental draw opens for spring turkey season
Several FWAs still have open spots later in the turkey season, as not enough hunters applied to fill the available openings. Typically these hunting opportunities are filled by the no-show drawings. Because FWAs will not conduct no-show draws this year, there will be a supplemental online draw for these remaining spots.
The supplemental drawing application period will begin Monday, April 6 at 8 a.m. ET and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. Hunters will be drawn on Monday, April 13, and results will be emailed to applicants. Apply for the supplemental drawing online.
Individuals not selected in the pre-season or supplemental draw are also able to hunt on several southern FWAs later in the season, because not all days are reserved. Find a list of those FWAs on our website.
Read the news release for more information
Youth spring wild turkey season runs April 18-19
If you’re a turkey hunter interested in taking your child or grandchild out to bag their first bird, this opportunity is perfect for you. Youth age 17 and younger on the date of the hunt can participate, but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age.
Youth hunters must possess a valid license to take a wild turkey. Adult partners must also have a Turkey Hunting License and Gamebird Habitat Stamp Privilege if they are participating in the hunt (i.e., calling turkeys).
Looking for a place to hunt? Check out the Where To Hunt map.
For more information on youth hunting, visit our website.