2023 Fall Hunt Guide

Fall wild turkey seasons are where tradition meets today’s wildlife management concerns. Fall turkey hunting represents the origin of turkey hunting heritage, as there were no spring turkey seasons until populations began to rise exponentially in the 1960s and ‘70s. By the early 1990s, spring turkey hunting exploded, and the fall seasons began to take a back seat.

The most recent turkey science indicates fall turkey harvests have declined about 30% since 2013. An estimated 60,000 wild turkeys are harvested in the fall, and with hunting of either sex open in most of the states that allow the fall pursuit, the question of whether fall turkey hunting impacts overall populations lingers.

Based on prior research, production per female turkey is about half of what it once was nearly four decades ago, so keeping hens around for the spring breeding season is critical. Still, dwindling fall harvest numbers represent less than 10% of overall harvest data in the spring, and are generally thought to have little impact on the overall population.

For the 2023 fall season, both Mississippi and Kansas have eliminated or suspended fall wild turkey hunting. In Mississippi, officials cited lack of hunter support for fall turkey hunting, and, by limiting fall hunting to certain areas only, confusion had been created and birds were being harvested outside of allowed areas.

Kansas officials pointed to decreased fall turkey hunting participation, citing a decline of 20% per year among turkey hunters since 2015.

Forty-one states offer fall turkey hunting, so there are plenty of opportunities to work turkey dogs and participate in hunting fall flocks. The NWTF’s 2023 Fall Hunt Guide provides an overview of each state’s fall turkey season. You must check hunting regulations to verify information and get specific details on the state you plan to hunt. Annual bag limits listed are for fall and spring totals.

Jump to your state using the first letter of your state's name.

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.outdooralabama.com; (334) 242-3469
FALL SEASON DATES: Zone 3 only; Nov. 18-26 and Dec. 9-31, 2023
BAG LIMITS: Annual - 4 (Gobblers only; no decoys)
DOGS ALLOWED? No

NO HUNTABLE TURKEY POPULATION

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.azgfd.com; (602) 942-3000
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery – permitted Sept. 1-14 (14 days), Archery – nonpermit Aug 25-Sept. 14 (20 days); Shotgun – Oct. 6-12 (7 days)
YOUTH FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 6 - 7 Days
BAG LIMITS: 1; Annual - 1

DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.agfc.com; (501) 223-6300
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds; (916) 445-0411
FALL SEASON DATES: Nov. 11 to Dec. 10 (30 days)
BAG LIMITS: 2, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/turkey.aspx; (303) 297-1192
FALL SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 to Oct. 1 units: 15, 27, 37, 361, 25, 34, 47, 59, 85; Sept. 1 to Oct. 27 units: 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 129, 126, 146, 127, 132, 139, 140, 444, 851 (56 days); Late season private land only Dec. 15 to Jan.15 (31 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 5
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: (860) 719-3152; https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/2023-Connecticut-Hunting-and-Trapping-Guide/Wild-Turkey-Hunting
FALL SEASON DATES: Check regulations
BAG LIMITS: Archery - 2; Firearms - 3; Annual - 10
DOGS ALLOWED? Only During Fall Firearms Season on Private Lands

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife; (302) 739-9910
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: MyFWC.com; (850) 488-3811; https://myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates/
FALL SEASON DATES: Zone A - July 29 - 107 Days; Zone B - Oct. 14 - 107 Days; Zone C - Sept. 16 - 107 Days; Zone D - Oct. 21 - 86 Days
BAG LIMITS: 2, Annual - 4
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: (706) 557-3350; www.georgiawildlife.com
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/bird ; (808) 587-0077
FALL SEASON DATES / HOURS: Varies, check regulations
BAG LIMIT: Check regulations
DOGS ALLOWED? Check regulations

WEBSITE/PHONE: idfg.idaho.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Varies by region, check regulations
BAG LIMITS: 4, Annual - 6
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.illinois.gov; (217) 782-6302; dnr.illinois.gov and huntillinos.org
FALL SEASON DATES: Fall Archery - Oct. 1, 2023 - 105 Days; Fall Gun - Oct. 21, 2023 - 9 Days
BAG LIMITS: 2 Fall Archery; 2 Fall Gun (4 Total); Annual - 7
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery Dec. 2, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024; firearms Oct. 18-29 in select counties (check regulations)
BAG LIMITS: 1 either sex; Annual - 2
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: (515) 725-8200, iowadnr.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery Oct. 1 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 to Jan. 10; Gun/bow Oct. 1 to Dec. 1
BAG LIMITS: 2 with no quota; up to 2 with a quota
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: ksoutdoors.com
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: fw.ky.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Shotgun: Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 and Dec. 2 - 8, 2023; Archery: Sept. 2, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024; Crossbow: Oct. 1 - 22 and Nov. 11 - Dec. 31, 2023
BAG LIMITS: 4 annual

DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wlf.louisiana.gov
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: (207) 287-8000; maine.gov/IFW/
FALL SEASON DATES: Regular Season Sept. 18 – Nov. 7.
YOUTH FALL SEASON DATES: Sept. 16 - 1 Day
BAG LIMITS: 5, Annual - 7 (check regulations)
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: (410) 260-8540; https://eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/turkey-seasons-limits
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 28 to Nov. 5 in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. Sunday hunting permitted on private land and designated public hunting lands. Please see website for designated public hunting lands.
BAG LIMITS: 3 annual
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife; 508-389-6300
FALL SEASON DATES: WMZ 1-9: Oct. 16 - Nov. 25, WMZ 10-13: Oct 2 – Nov. 25. Shotgun may only be used from Oct. 16-Oct. 28; Hunting hours are half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
BAG LIMITS: 3 annual
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.michigan.gov/dnr; (517) 284-9453
FALL SEASON DATES: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 (61 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - Varies
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dnr.state.mn.us; (888) 646-6367; https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/turkey/index.html
FALL SEASON DATES: Sept. 30 – Oct. 29 (30 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 2
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.mdwfp.com (601) 432-2400
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: mdc.mo.gov; (573) 751-4115; Turkey | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery: Sept. 15 - Jan. 15 - 122 Days; Shotgun: Oct. 1– Oct. 31 - 31 Days
BAG LIMITS: 4, Annual - 6
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://fwp.mt.gov; (406) 444-2535
FALL SEASON DATES: Sept. 1, 2023 - Jan. 1, 2024 (123 Days)
BAG LIMITS: 12, Annual - 12
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey/
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2023 (61 days)
YOUTH FALL SEASON DATES:  Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2023 (61 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.ndow.org; (800) 576-1020
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 7-29 (23 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 1
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildnh.com; (603) 271-2461
FALL SEASON DATES: Fall archery runs Sept. 15 - Dec. 15, 2023 (except for WMU A which closes Dec 8). Fall shotgun runs Oct. 16-22, 2023 - Fall Archery is 91 days in WMU B-M and 85 Days WMU A. Fall shotgun is 7 days in WMU D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2, J2, K, L and M only.
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 2
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.njfishandwildlife.com; (609) 256-2809
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 28, Oct. 30 - Nov. 4 (7 days excluding Sunday)
BAG LIMITS: 1 either sex turkey per permit, Annual - Varies
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: (888) 248-6866; wildlife.state.nm.us
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery: Sept. 1 - 30; Any Legal Sporting Arm: Nov. 1 - 30 - (60 Days total)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8366.html; (518) 402-8883
FALL SEASON DATES: Northeast - Oct. 1-14 (14 Days); Upstate - Oct. 21 to Nov. 3 (14 days); Long Island - Nov. 18 to Dec. 1 (14 days).
BAG LIMITS: 1 either sex in fall; Annual - varies
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: ncwildlife.org, (919) 707-0050
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: (701) 328-6300; gf.nd.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 14, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024 (86 days)
BAG LIMITS: Up to 5 (check regulations)
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: wildohio.gov; 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543)
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 12 – Nov. 12 (31 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 2
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlifedepartment.com;
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery: Oct. 1, 2023 to Jan. 15, 2024 (109 days); Gun: Nov. 4-17 (14 days)
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 2
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.myodfw.com; (503) 947-6301
FALL SEASON DATES: Western OR - Sept. 1 - Jan. 31; Eastern OR - Oct. 14 - Jan. 31, except in WMUs 46,47, portions of 48, and 50, season runs Sept. 1 - Jan. 31. See regulations for special beardless turkey permit hunt rules. Western OR - 153 days; Eastern OR - 106 days; Grant Co WMUs - 153 Days
BAG LIMITS: 2; Annual - 5
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://www.pgc.pa.gov; (717) 787-4250
FALL SEASON DATES: Check regulations
BAG LIMITS: 3 annual
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife; (401) 789-0281
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 1-31 (31 days); archery only, half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: (803) 734-3886; www.dnr.sc.gov
NO FALL SEASON

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://gfp.sd.gov/
FALL SEASON DATES: Nov. 1, 2023 to Jan. 31, 2024 (92 days)
YOUTH FALL SEASON DATES: Nov. 1 - 92 Days
BAG LIMITS: 2, Annual - Varies
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: tnwildlife.org; (615) 781-6500
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery: Sept. 23 to Oct. 27 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 3; Shotgun: Oct. 14-27, 2023
BAG LIMITS: 1 bearded turkey per county, only in counties open to fall hunting (check regulations); Annual - 1+ in the fall, 2 in spring
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: (512) 389-4800; tpwd.texas.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Rio Grande Turkey: North Zone - Nov. 5 to Jan. 1, South Zone – Nov. 5 – Jan. 15, Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties – Nov. 5 – Feb. 26; Archery-only – Oct. 1 to Nov. 4 No Eastern wild turkey fall season
BAG LIMITS: 4 (check regulations for restrictions)
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wildlife.utah.gov; (801) 538-4700
FALL SEASON DATES: Northern/Central/Southern/ Southeastern Regions - Oct. 2, 2023 to Feb. 28 2024 (149 days)
BAG LIMITS: 3, Annual - 4
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.vtfishandwildlife.com; (802) 828-1000
FALL SEASON DATES: Archery only: Oct 7 – 20, statewide; Shotgun or Archery: Oct 21-29, WMUs B, D, G, H, I, J, L, M, O, P and Q; Shotgun or Archery: Oct 21 – Nov 5, WMUs F, K and N.
BAG LIMITS: 1, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.dwr.virginia.gov
FALL SEASON DATES: Multiple start dates per zone. First date of the season Oct. 7 - up to 79 days depending on county
YOUTH FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 14 - 2 Days
BAG LIMITS: 2 (one per day), Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes, except dogs may not be used when hunting with archery tackle during the archery season

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wdfw.wa.gov/; (360) 902-2515
FALL SEASON DATES: Dependent on Game Management Unit; Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 - 122 Days
BAG LIMITS: 4, Annual - 7
DOGS ALLOWED? No

WEBSITE/PHONE: www.wvdnr.gov; (304) 558-2771
FALL SEASON DATES: Oct. 14 and Nov. 19 (Some counties only have 1st season, some have 1st and shortened 2nd season). 1st season - 9 Days; 2nd season - 7 or 21 Days; Total - 30 Days
BAG LIMITS: Only 1 either sex turkey may be taken during the fall hunting season with a bow, crossbow or firearm, Annual - 3
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey/; (608) 212-7923
FALL SEASON DATES: Zones 1-5 – Sept. 16 to Jan. 7 (114 days); Zones 6-7 – Sept. 16 to Nov. 17 (62 days)
BAG LIMITS: Varies, Annual - Varies
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes

WEBSITE/PHONE: https://wgfd.wyo.gov; (307) 777-4600
FALL SEASON DATES: Area 1 - Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 (60 days); Area 2 - Sept. 1 (61 days); Area 3 - Sept. 1 (122 days); Area 4 - Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 (60 days); Area 5 - Sept. 1 (61 days). Total - 122 days
BAG LIMITS: 3, Annual - 6
DOGS ALLOWED? Yes