A gobbler pulls his head back, throws his wings down and flexes his muscles as he blows up into full-strut. Another gobbler, likely the boss tom, sees this and runs him down, not allowing him to strut on his turf. A cacophony of fighting purrs and wingbeats sound off as a fight ensues. That’s what we look forward to; the sights and experiences only the spring turkey season can provide.
In the North, snow will soon be melting, signaling the oncoming of spring. In the South, hen-crazed gobblers are already courting and vying for breeding rights. And you, the turkey hunter, are itching to get out there after them.
That is why you will find the spring hunt guide just a bit different this year. We’ve modified it so that you, the loyal NWTF member and turkey enthusiast, has access to the information needed to plan out your epic season. You will still find much of the same information from past issues; but will notice maps that show projected forecasts for hot and cold zones for each county. We hope you find this new format resourceful. We hope you have a great season.
ALABAMA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.outdooralabama.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (334) 242-3469
TURKEY POPULATION: 400,000
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Daylight (varies on WMAs)
BAG LIMIT: Five (combined fall and spring seasons)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 272-4263
ALASKA
No Season
ARIZONA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.azgfd.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (602) 942-3000
TURKEY POPULATION: Merriam’s – 30,000 / Gould’s – 1,200 / Rio Grande – 200
2014 HARVEST: 740 (all sub-species combined)
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Daylight hours
BAG LIMIT: One turkey per calendar year
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 352-0700
ARKANSAS
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.agfc.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6300
TURKEY POPULATION: 90,000
2014 HARVEST: 12,072
SEASON DATES: April 11-12 (youth), April 18 to May 3 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 482-9262
CALIFORNIA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wildlife.ca.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (916) 445-0411
TURKEY POPULATION: 242,000
2014 HARVEST: 9,000
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to 4 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: Three bearded birds
POACHER HOTLINE: (888) DFG-CALTIP
COLORADO
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: cpw.state.co.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (303) 297-1192
TURKEY POPULATION: 30,000
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys (one with a limited-draw permit; one with unlimited over-the-counter permit)
POACHER HOTLINE: (877) COLO-OGT
CONNECTICUT
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.ct.gov/deep/hunting
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (860) 642-7239
TURKEY POPULATION: 35,000
2014 HARVEST: 1,118
SEASON DATES: April 18-25 (youth training days) / April 29 to May 30 (regular season)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to 5 p.m. (youth training days); half-hour before sunrise to noon (regular)
BAG LIMIT: Three bearded birds (private land); two bearded birds (state land)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 842-4357
DELAWARE
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.fw.delaware.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (302) 735-3600
TURKEY POPULATION: 5,000
2014 HARVEST: 684
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until 1:00 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 292-3030
FLORIDA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: myfwc.com/hunting
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (850) 488-4676
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset on private land; public land varies
BAG LIMIT: Two
POACHER HOTLINE: (888) 404-3922
GEORGIA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.gohuntgeorgia.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (770) 761-3045
TURKEY POPULATION: 335,000
2014 HARVEST: 33,000
SEASON DATES: March 21 to May 15
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Three gobblers (including special-opportunity season)
POACHER HOTLINE: 1-800-241-4113
HAWAII
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/bird
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: Island of Maui – (808) 984-8100; Island of Molokai – (808) 553-1745; Island of Lana‘i – (808) 565-7916; Island of Hawai‘i – (808) 974-4221
SEASON DATES: March 1-31
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds
POACHER HOTLINE: (808) 643-DLNR
IDAHO
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.fishandgame.idaho.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: 1-800-632-5999
TURKEY POPULATION: Not available
2013 HARVEST: 3,049
SEASON DATES: April 15 – May 25
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 392-1111
ILLINOIS
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dnr.illinois.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (217) 782-6302
TURKEY POPULATION: 90,133
2014 HARVEST: 13,520
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until 1:00 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (877) 236-7529
INDIANA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.in.gov/dnr/
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (317) 232-4070
TURKEY POPULATION: 110,000
2014 HARVEST: 10,872
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) TIP-IDNR
IOWA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.iowadnr.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (515) 725-8200
TURKEY POPULATION: 150,000
2014 HARVEST: 11,401
SEASON DATES: April 13 to May 17
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset (shotgun); half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset (archery)
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 532-2020
KANSAS
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: kdwpt.state.ks.us/
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (620) 672-5911
TURKEY POPULATION: 350,000
2014 HARVEST: 31,988
SEASON DATES: April 6-14 (archery); April 1-14 (youth/disability); April 15 to May 31 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey per permit and one bearded turkey per game tag
POACHER HOTLINE: (877) 426-3843
KENTUCKY
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.fw.ky.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (800) 858-1549
TURKEY POPULATION: 250,000
2014 HARVEST: 29,943
SEASON DATES: April 11-12 (youth); April 18 to May 10 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 25-ALERT
LOUISIANA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wlf.louisiana.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (225) 765-2361
TURKEY POPULATION: 60,000
2014 HARVEST: 8,000
SEASON DATES: March 21-22 (youth/physical impaired); March 28 to April 26 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two gobblers per season
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 442-2511
MAINE
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.maine.gov/ifw/
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (207) 287-8000
TURKEY POPULATION: 55,000 to 60,000
2014 HARVEST: 4,580
SEASON DATES: May 2 (youth); May 4 to June 6 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys (individual WMD bag limit cannot be exceeded)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 253-7887 (in Maine); or (207) 287-6057 (out-of-state)
MARYLAND
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dnr.maryland.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (410) 221-8838
TURKEY POPULATION: 32,000
2014 HARVEST: 3,325
SEASON DATES: April 18 to May 23
HOURS: Varies (check regulations)
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 635-6124
MASSACHUSETTS
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (508) 389-6300
TURKEY POPULATION: 30,000
2014 HARVEST: 2,566 (regular season)
SEASON DATES: April 25 (youth); April 27 to May 23 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to noon
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 632-8075
MICHIGAN
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.michigan.gov/turkey
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (517) 284-WILD
TURKEY POPULATION: 200,000
2014 HARVEST: 31,000
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour before sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 292-7800
MINNESOTA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dnr.state.mn.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (888) 646-6367
2014 HARVEST: 11,447
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 652-9093
MISSISSIPPI
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.mdwfp.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (601) 432-2199
TURKEY POPULATION: 225,000
2014 HARVEST: 27,483
SEASON DATES: March 7-13 (youth); March 14 to May 1 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Three
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) BE-SMART
MISSOURI
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: mdc.mo.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (573) 751-4115
TURKEY POPULATION: 317,000
2014 HARVEST: 47,603
SEASON DATES: April 11-12 (youth); April 20 to May 10 (regular)
HOURS: Half-before sunrise until sunset (youth); half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. (regular)
BAG LIMIT: Two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 392-1111
MONTANA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: fwp.mt.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (406) 444-2535
TURKEY POPULATION: Stable to increasing
SEASON DATES: April 11 to May 17
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 847-6668
NEBRASKA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (402) 471-0641
2014 HARVEST: 18,960
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey per permit
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 742-7627
NEVADA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.ndow.org
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (800) 576-1020
2014 HARVEST: 61
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to 4:00 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: One bearded bird
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 992-3030
NEW HAMPSHIRE
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wildlife.state.nh.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (603) 271-3421
TURKEY POPULATION: 40,000
2014 HARVEST: 3,885 birds
SEASON DATES: April 25-26 (youth); May 3-31 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until noon
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 344-4262
NEW JERSEY
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.njfishandwildlife.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (908) 735-8793
TURKEY POPULATION: 22,000
2014 HARVEST: 2,883
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Varies (check regulations)
BAG LIMIT: One gobbler per permit (hunters may purchase multiple permits)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 222-0456
NEW MEXICO
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wildlife.state.nm.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (505) 476-8000
SEASON DATES: April 10-12 (youth); April 15 to May10 (regular); draw permits have shorter season
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys (some draw permits allow one bearded turkey)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 432-4263
NEW YORK
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dec.ny.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (518) 402-8886
TURKEY POPULATION: 180,000
2014 HARVEST: 15,904
SEASON DATES: April 25-26 (youth); May 1-31 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until noon
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded birds (youth allowed one bearded bird during the youth season)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 847-7332
NORTH CAROLINA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: ncwildlife.org
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (919) 707-0010
TURKEY POPULATION: 260,000
2014 HARVEST: 16,912
SEASON DATES: April 4-10 (youth); April 11 to May 9 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Two (only one may be taken during the youth season)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 662-7137
NORTH DAKOTA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: gf.nd.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (701) 328-6300
TURKEY POPULATION: Not available
2014 HARVEST: 1,947
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset (tentative at time of printing)
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 472-2121
OHIO
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wildohio.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (800) 945-3543
TURKEY POPULATION: 166,000
2014 HARVEST: 16,556
SEASON DATES: April 20 to May 17
HOURS: Varies (check regulations)
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 762-2437
OKLAHOMA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wildlifedepartment.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (405) 521-2730
TURKEY POPULATION: Rio Grande – 100,336; Eastern – 21,413
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 522-8039
OREGON
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dfw.state.or.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (503) 947-6000
2014 HARVEST: 3,878
SEASON DATES: April 15 to May 31
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded or male turkey (additional turkey with a bonus tag)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 452-7888
PENNSYLVANIA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.pgc.pa.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (717) 787-4250
TURKEY POPULATION: 225,000
2014 HARVEST: 39,514
SEASON DATES: April 25 (youth); May 2-30 (regular)
HOURS: Varies (check regulations)
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey with regular license (second bearded bird with special license)
POACHER HOTLINE: (888) 742-8001
RHODE ISLAND
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dem.ri.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (401) 222-6800
TURKEY POPULATION: 3,000
2014 HARVEST: 113
SEASON DATES: April 29 to May 24
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (401) 222-3070
SOUTH CAROLINA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dnr.sc.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (803) 734-3886
TURKEY POPULATION: 113,000
2014 HARVEST: 16,248
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before official sunrise to half-hour after official sunset
BAG LIMIT: Five gobblers
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 922-5431
SOUTH DAKOTA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: gfp.sd.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (605) 223-7660
TURKEY POPULATION: Not available
2014 HARVEST: 5,884
SEASON DATES: April 4 to May 17 (archery only); April 11 to May 17 (general)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (888) 683-7224
TENNESSEE
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.tnwildlife.org
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (615) 781-6610
TURKEY POPULATION: 315,000
2014 HARVEST: 32,615
SEASON DATES: March 28-29 (youth); April 4 to May 17 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Four bearded turkeys (turkeys taken on quota hunts/specially designated WMAs are bonus)
POACHER HOTLINE: West Tennessee – (800) 831-1173; Middle Tennessee – (800) 255-8972; Cumberland Plateau – (800) 241-0767; East Tennessee – (800) 831-1174
TEXAS
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.tpwd.state.tx.us
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (800) 792-1112
TURKEY POPULATION: 500,000
2014 HARVEST: 19,941
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: Four (no more than one Eastern turkey)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 792-GAME
UTAH
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: wildlife.utah.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (801) 538-4700
TURKEY POPULATION: 25,000 to 35,000
2014 HARVEST: 2,914
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset
BAG LIMIT: One bearded turkey
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 662-3337
VERMONT
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.vtfishandwildlife.com
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (802) 241-3700
TURKEY POPULATION: 45,000 to 50,000
2014 HARVEST: 5,157
SEASON DATES: April 25-26 (youth); May 1-31 (regular)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise until noon
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 752-5378
VIRGINIA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.dgif.virginia.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (540) 248-9360
TURKEY POPULATION: 155,000
2014 HARVEST: 17,582
SEASON DATES: April 11 to May 16
HOURS: Varies (check regulations)
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 237-5712
WASHINGTON
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: wdfw.wa.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (360) 902-2200
2014 HARVEST: 4,873
SEASON DATES: April 15 to May 31
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: Varies (check regulations)
POACHER HOTLINE: (877) 933-9847
WEST VIRGINIA
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: www.wvdnr.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (304) 558-2771
TURKEY POPULATION: 140,000
2014 HARVEST: 9,017
SEASON DATES: April 27 to May 23
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
BAG LIMIT: Two bearded turkeys
POACHER HOTLINE: (304) 558-2784
WISCONSIN
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: dnr.wi.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (888) WDNRINFO
2014 HARVEST: 41,815
SEASON DATES: April 15 to May 26
HOURS: Half hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One per permit and one permit maximum per hunting period (limited number in each zone)
POACHER HOTLINE: (800) 847-9367
WYOMING
GAME AGENCY WEBSITE: wgfd.wyo.gov
AGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: (307) 777-4600
TURKEY POPULATION: Increasing following decline
2014 SPRING HARVEST: 1,963
SEASON DATES: Varies (check regulations)
HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
BAG LIMIT: One (varies in some instances)
POACHER HOTLINE: (877) WGFD-TIP or text 847411 (TIP411) and use WGFD as first word