After an unprecedented spring turkey season in 2020 due to a pandemic that led to more hunters and more harvests in many states, the 2021 season is upon us. The NWTF’s 2021 Spring Hunt Guide gives you turkey hunting season details for each state and wild turkey subspecies to help you navigate your state’s season or a Grand Slam pursuit. If anyone has in-depth knowledge of turkey hunting all over the country, it’s Slam King Jeff Budz, who has completed more than 100 Grand Slams and the 49-state Super Slam, harvesting a gobbler in every state in the country (excluding Alaska, which doesn’t have a wild turkey season). Budz offers his expert advice on each of the four Grand Slam subspecies (Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s and Osceola).
The information provided is only an overview of each state’s season, so you’ll still need to check state regulations specific to your hunt. Get out this spring and enjoy our resources responsibly, and, if you’re able, introduce a new hunter to our outdoor obsession.
EASTERN
Easterns: Grand Slam Tips from Jeff Budz
Calling Tactic: Typically, I play hard to get and plan on waiting them out when in the Eastern woods. If he’s “hot” and he busts you, wait about 20 minutes or until he cranks back up. Then relocate, change up your calls and pour it back to him.
Sleeper State: Kansas. North to Nebraska and south to Oklahoma, the eastern most 30 miles or so of Kansas has, by far, the easiest Easterns to hunt in the country — probably because they have a little Rio in them!
Toughest State to Hunt: The hardest Eastern state for me to hunt because of the lack of birds was Delaware. There’s great public and private property, but the turkey population is the smallest nationally. In fact, the year before I hunted Delaware, they only killed about 325 birds total. You must draw a tag to be able to hunt any public property, or buy an unlimited landowner tag if you have private property to hunt. Regardless, I’d put in for a public tag each year and go once successful. Side note: Delaware was the only state I hunted that made me take a Turkey Hunting Safety Course before being able to purchase any turkey hunting license.
Alabama
(334) 242-3469
https://www.outdooralabama.com/
Wild Turkey Population: 300,000 to 400,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 34,882
2021 Spring Season Dates: Zone 1 March 20 to May 2; Zone 2 March 27 to May 2; Zone 3 April 17-21
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Five
Changes to spring turkey regulations:
Clarification of already existing regulation (220-2-.11, Prohibited Methods and Devices for Hunting) It shall be unlawful for any person while engaged in hunting turkey in this state to use or have in his possession a decoy which has mechanical or electronic parts which makes the decoy capable of movement or producing sound or which can be manipulated to produce movement or sound. Mechanical parts include, but are not limited to, decoys attached to weapons or handheld and manipulated to produce movement such as fanning or reaping. It is further provided, however, that no turkey decoys shall be lawful except during spring turkey season in the area of use.
Arkansas
(501) 223-6300
https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/turkey/turkey-dates-limits/
Wild Turkey Population: ~100,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 8,583
2021 Spring Season Dates: Statewide Special Youth Hunt: April 10-11; Statewide Season Zone 1: April 19-27; Statewide Season Zone 2: April 19 to May 9
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Statewide two legal turkeys (zone limits apply); Turkey Zone 1: One legal turkey; Turkey Zone 2: Two legal turkeys
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Statewide Turkey Zones were reduced from 18 zones to two following county boundaries. The statewide season start has been pushed back to the third Monday in April, and extended to 21 days in Turkey Zone 2. Hunters may only harvest one legal turkey, statewide, during the first seven days of the statewide season. Harvest of bearded hens is prohibited. Bag limit during the special youth turkey hunt reduced to one legal turkey per youth. All individual WMA bag limits reduced to one legal turkey per hunter. Hunters must travel to a different WMA if attempting to fill a two-bird statewide bag limit.
Connecticut
(860) 719-3152
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 1,652 bearded wild turkeys
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 28 to May 29
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Five bearded birds
Delaware
(302) 735-3609
http://www.eregulations.com/delaware/hunting/turkey-hunting/
Wild Turkey Population: 6,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 643
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 3 (youth/non-ambulatory disabled person); April 10 to May 8 (general season)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One
Florida
(850) 488-3831
Wild turkey population: N/A
2020 spring harvest data: 14,701
Subspecies: Eastern, Osceola
2021 spring season dates: (south of State Road 70) March 6 to April 11, (north
of State Road 70) March 20 to April 25
2021 spring bag limit: Two turkeys, gobbler and bearded turkeys only (except in
Holmes County, one turkey)
Georgia
(706) 557-3264
https://georgiawildlife.com/turkey-info
Wild Turkey Population: 250,000 to 300,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 45,205 hunters harvested 17,048 gobblers
2021 Spring Season Dates: March 20 to May 15
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Three gobblers
Changes to spring turkey regulations: All turkeys harvested must be reported using the Georgia Game Check system within 24 hours of harvest.
Illinois
(217) 782-6384
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 15,831
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth Season: March 27-28 and April 3-4; 2021 Regular Season: North Zone, April 12 to May 13; South Zone, April 5 to May 6
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded bird per permit; maximum of three permits per hunter
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Resident hunters can now apply in all three lotteries, skipping the over-the-counter sales period if they want. Non-resident hunters can apply in the second and third lotteries. Illinois turkey hunters may still purchase up to three permits for the spring season, subject to availability.
Indiana
(812) 583-5637
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/
Wild Turkey Population: 120,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 14,492
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 21 to May 9
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One male or bearded bird
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Check regulations
Iowa
(641) 774-2958
Wild Turkey Population: 120,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 14,671
2021 Spring Season Dates: Multiple seasons starting April 4 to May 16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bird per tag; residents up to two tags, nonresident one tag
Kansas
(620) 672-5911
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern, Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 13,404
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth April 1-13; Archery April 5-13; Regular season April 14 to May 31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two in Units 1 and 2, one in Units 3, 4, 5 and 6
Kentucky
(800) 858-1549
Population: N/A
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 37,220
2021 Spring Dates: General Season - 23 consecutive days beginning on the Saturday closest to April 15;
Youth-Only Season - Two consecutive days beginning on the first Saturday in April.
2021 Spring Bag Limit: A hunter may take a male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard. No more than one (1) bird may be taken per day. No more than two (2) birds may be taken per spring season. Any combination of male turkeys, or turkeys with visible beards, may be included in this two-bird season limit. Turkeys taken by youths during the youth-only season count toward their spring turkey bag limit.
Louisiana
(225) 765-2361
Wild Turkey Population: 40,000 estimated
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 5,600
2021 Spring Season Dates: Check regulations for area descriptions; Area A April 2 to May 2; Area B April 2-25; Area C April 2-18
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two gobblers
Maine
(207) 287-8000
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: N/A
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth May 1; General season May 3 to June 5
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded wild turkey in Wildlife Management Districts 1-6 and 8; Two bearded wild turkeys in Wildlife Management Districts 7 and 9-29
Maryland
(410) 260-8540
Wild Turkey Population: 40,000 estimated
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 4,303
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 19 to May 24 (regular season), April 17-18 (Junior hunt days)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two per season, only one per day
Regulation note: Sunday hunting only permitted in certain counties (check regulations)
Massachusetts
(508) 389-6300
www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife
Population: N/A
2020 Harvest Data: 3,200
2021 hunting season dates: Youth Turkey Hunt: Zones 1–13: April 24, 2021 (special restrictions apply, check regulations); Spring general season: Zones 1–13: April 26 – May 22, 2021
2021 Bag Limit: Two bearded birds
Michigan
(517) 896-1720
Wild Turkey Population: 200,000-plus
Subspecies: Eastern
2019 Spring Harvest Data: 30,362
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 17 to June 7
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
Minnesota
(507) 578-8915
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 13,944
2021 Spring Season Dates: Season A April 14-20; Season B April 21-27; Season C April 28 to May 4; Season D May 5-11; Season E May 12-18; Season F May 19-31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One wild turkey with a visible beard
Mississippi
(601) 432-2400
Wild Turkey Population: 225,000 estimated
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: Less than 25,000 estimated
2021 Spring Season Dates: March 15 to May 1
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One adult gobbler or one gobbler with a 6-inch or longer beard per day, three per spring season
Missouri
(573) 815-7900
https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey
Wild Turkey Population: 350,000 to 400,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 41,461
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth Season, April 10-11; Regular Season, April 19 to May 9
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Youth Season: one male turkey or turkey with a visible beard. Youth who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until April 26 because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the bird for the first week of the regular season. Regular season: two male turkeys or turkeys with a visible beard may be taken during the season provided that only one turkey may be taken during the first week from April 19-25. If a hunter does not harvest a turkey during the first week, they may harvest two turkeys during the second or third week from April 26 to May 9 but may not take both turkeys on the same day.
New Hampshire
(603) 271-2461
https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/
Wild Turkey Population: 50,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 5,718
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth weekend April 24-25; Spring season May 1-31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded bird statewide; second bearded bird may be harvested in certain Wildlife Management Units (H1, H2, J2, K, L, M)
New Jersey
(908) 735-6938
https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/turkey_info.htm
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 2,850
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth Day April 24; Regular season April 26 to May 28 (segmented, check regulations)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One male turkey per permit; one turkey per day
New York
(518) 402-8883
Wild Turkey Population: 180,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 21,381
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth hunt April 24-25; Regular season May 1-31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Youth hunt: One bearded bird (becomes part of regular season bag); Regular season: two bearded birds (one per day)
North Carolina
(888) 248-6834
Wild Turkey Population: 270,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 23,431
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth season April 3-9; Regular season April 10 to May 8
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One male or bearded bird per day, two per season, no more than one bird may be taken during youth season
North Dakota
(701) 328-6339
Wild Turkey Population: Increasing
Subspecies: Eastern, Merriam’s
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 2,795
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One
Ohio
(614) 265-6353
Wild Turkey Population: 180,000-190,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 17,891 birds
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth Season April 17-18; Regular season, South Zone April 24 to May 23; Northeast Zone May 1-30
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys, one per day
Changes to spring turkey regulations: The 2021 spring season will open on a Saturday instead of a Monday in both zones.
Oklahoma
405-521-2739
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/
Wild Turkey Population: 93,532
Subspecies: 87,526 Rio Grande and 6,006 Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 16,615
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 6 to May 6, check regulations for region specific dates
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Three statewide, check regulations for county restrictions
Pennsylvania
(717) 787-4250
Wild Turkey Population: 196,260
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 34,492
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth April 24 (half-hour before sunrise until noon); Regular May 1-31; No Sunday Hunting. Half-hour before sunrise until noon from May 1-15. Hours end half-hour after sunset from May 17-31.
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Up to two bearded birds, (one per day) with proper licenses
Rhode Island
(401) 789-0281
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/huntabs.pdf
Wild Turkey Population: Do not estimate
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 268 birds harvested
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 24-25 youth/paraplegic season; April 29 to May 23 regular spring season
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded birds (only one may be taken on state land)
South Carolina
(803) 734-3886
http://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/huntingandfishing/turkey-regulations/
Wild Turkey Population: 120,000
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 14,044
2021 Spring Season Dates: Private Land - Game Zones 1 and 2, April 1 to May 10; Private Land - Game Zones 3 and 4, March 22-April 30; Public (WMA) Land - statewide April 1-30; Youth - Game Zones 1 and 2, March 27-28 (private land only), Game Zones 3 and 4, March 20-21 (private land only)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Residents - three gobblers season, no more than one per day, no more than one in the first 10 days of the Game Zone season. Nonresidents – two gobblers per season, no more than one per day, no more than one in the first 10 days of the Game Zone season.
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Mandatory electronic harvest reporting through SC Game Check (www.dnr.sc.gov/scgamecheck or call (833) 472-4263). New season dates on Public (WMA) land (check regulations).
South Dakota
(605) 223.7660
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Merriam's - west of Missouri River; Eastern - east of the Missouri River
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 5,795
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 31 (spring firearms); April 3 to May 31 (spring archery)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One male turkey
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Season dates and unit boundaries (see regulations and website for updates)
Tennessee
(615) 781-6610
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/big-game/turkey.html
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 40,105 reported
2021 Spring Season Dates: Statewide (excluding the Mississippi Alluvial Valley or MAV Unit, which consists of Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties, and Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln and Wayne counties) - Young Sportsman: March 27-28; Shotgun/Archery: April 3 to May 16; MAV Unit and Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln and Wayne counties - Young Sportsman: April 10-11; Shotgun/Archery: April 17 to May 16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded turkey per day, not to exceed three per season, except the season limit in the MAV Unit is two bearded turkeys, which count toward the statewide season limit.
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Tag Before You Drag – Before moving harvested big game, you must either check it in on your smartphone or physically tag the animal. All physically tagged animals must be checked in before midnight. The statewide bag limit for spring turkey has been reduced from 4 to 3. Five counties adjacent to the Mississippi River form a new spring turkey unit (Mississippi Alluvial Valley or MAV) with a two-week delayed spring turkey season opener and a reduced, unit-wide bag limit of 2. Southern Middle Tennessee counties of Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln and Wayne counties have a two-week delayed spring turkey season opener.
Texas
(512) 389-4800
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/turkey
Wild Turkey Population: 500,000
Subspecies: Rio Grande and Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 17,428
2021 Spring Season Dates: South Zone March 20 to May 2; North Zone April 3 to May 16; Rio Grande 1 Gobbler Zone April 1-30; Eastern Turkey Zone April 22 to May 14
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Four-bird annual bag, no more than one Eastern wild turkey
Utah
(385) 251-1089
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000-35,000
Subspecies: Merriam's and Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 3,671 total (716 limited entry, 2,955 over-the-counter)
2021 Spring Season Dates: Limited entry April 10-29; Youth April 30 to May 2; Over-the-counter May 3-31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One
Vermont
(802) 828-1000
Wild Turkey Population: 45,000+
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: Regular Spring Season - 4,791; Youth Weekend - 627
2021 Spring Season Dates: Regular Spring Season May 1-31; Youth Weekend April 24-25
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Regular Spring Season, two bearded birds; Youth Weekend, one bearded bird
Changes to spring turkey regulations: Youth Weekend expanded to include novice hunters and shot size restriction liberalized to include all shot less than or equal to size 2.
Virginia
(804) 367-1000
https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/turkey/#spring
Wild Turkey Population: 170,000-190,000 birds, stable populations based on 10-year trend data
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 20,525 birds harvested
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth/Apprentice April 3-4; Regular Season April 10 to May 15
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Season limit of three birds, one bird per day
West Virginia
(304) 825-6787
Wild Turkey Population: 113,200
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 11,320
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 19 to May 23
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two
Changes to spring turkey regulations: The spring season was expanded from four to five weeks (eight extra days) and now closes on Sunday.
Wisconsin
(608) 513-6739
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 44,982 (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/reports.html)
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth Hunt April 17-18; Period A: April 21-27; Period B: April 28 to May 4; Period C: May 5-11; Period D: May 12-18; Period E: May 19-25; Period F: May 26 to June 1
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One per day per harvest authorization; set number of harvest authorizations available per time period and management zone
RIO GRANDE
Rio Grande: Grand Slam Tips from Jeff Budz
Calling Tactics: Be as aggressive as they are. When in doubt, call some more.
Sleeper State: There are many because I’ve found the laws to be much more alike, as well as easier to navigate, west of the Mississippi. Over-the-counter licenses, no check stations, no 1 p.m. closures, no Sunday closures, hunters can shoot any bearded bird, multiple bird limits a day and plenty of public property as well.
Toughest State to Hunt: The hardest state to hunt because of the lack of birds is Nevada. There’s great public and private property there, you just have to draw your tag for the public property or buy a landowner tag. Regardless, I’d put in for a public tag each year and go once successful.
Arizona
(928) 532- 2305
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000 Merriam's; 1,500 Gould's; 500 Rio Grandes
Subspecies: Merriam's, Gould's and Rio Grandes
2020 Spring Harvest Data: Approximately 800
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 23 to May 20, 2021 with stratified hunts
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One Bearded turkey
California
(916) 373-8817
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio Grande, Eastern-Rio Grande hybrids, California hybrids (Mexican, Merriam's)
2019 Spring Harvest Data: An estimated 22,179 wild turkeys were harvested in Spring 2019 by 34,969 hunters
2021 Spring Season Dates: General season March 27 to May 2; Archery only May 3 to May 16; Additional Junior season March 20-21 and May 3-16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded bird per day, possession limit three for the season
Colorado
(303) 291-7227
Wild Turkey Population: 30,000 to 35,000
Subspecies: Merriam's and Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 6,479
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 31 general season
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys in the spring; one must be taken with a limited license, the other must be taken with an over-the-counter license
Hawaii
(808) 974-4221
www.dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/bird
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Rio Grande
Harvest Data: N/A
2021 Season Dates: Check regulations
Bag Limit: Check regulations
Kansas
(620) 672-5911
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern, Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 13,404
2021 Spring Season Dates: Youth April 1-13, Archery April 5-13, Regular season April 14 to May 31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two in Units 1 and 2, one in Units 3, 4, 5 and 6
Nevada
(775) 688-1500
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
2020 Spring Harvest Data: N/A
2021 Season dates: Varies, check regulations
2021 bag limit: One bearded wild turkey, check regulations
New Mexico
(888) 248-6866
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/turkey/
Wild Turkey Population: 15,000 to 20,000
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio Grande
2019 Spring Harvest Data: Reported 2,220 birds, estimated harvest was 2,960
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 15 to May 10
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
Oklahoma
(405) 521-2739
https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/
Wild Turkey Population: 93,532
Subspecies: 87,526 Rio Grande and 6,006 Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 16,615
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 6 through May 6, see season regulations for region specific dates
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Three statewide, see regulations for county restrictions
Texas
(512) 389-4800
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/turkey
Wild Turkey Population: 500,000
Subspecies: Rio Grande and Eastern
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 17,428
2021 Spring Season Dates: South Zone March 20 to May 2; North Zone April 3 to May 16; Rio Grande 1 Gobbler Zone April 1-30; Eastern Turkey Zone April 22 to May 14
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Four-bird annual bag, no more than one Eastern wild turkey
Utah
(385) 251-1089
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000-35,000
Subspecies: Merriam's and Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 3,671 total (716 limited entry, 2,955 over-the-counter)
2021 Spring Season Dates: Limited entry April 10-29; Youth April 30 to May 2; Over-the-counter May 3-31
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One
Wyoming
(307) 777-4600
Wild Turkey Population: Stable to increasing
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio's and Merriam’s-Rio Hybrid
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 3,250
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 20 to May 31 (except Hunt Area 3: April 1 to May 31)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One per license
Note: After the license draw is completed, hunters may apply for and receive up to three wild turkey licenses, provided at least two of those licenses are Limited Quota Type 3 licenses.
MERRIAM’S SUBSPECIES
Merriam’s: Grand Slam Tips from Jeff Budz
Calling Tactic: Call aggressively and be ready to move fast and far, as Merriam’s move more
throughout their day than any of the other subspecies. Merriam’s toms have the highest pitch
gobble of any Grand Slam subspecies, so don’t leave a gobbler just because you think he’s a jake until you get eyes on him.
Sleeper State: If you wanted a great one-week trip to knock off some birds, I’d go to eastern Kansas for Easterns, western Kansas for your Rio and to northwest Nebraska for your Merriam’s. There’s plenty of public property and several small farms that a hunter could knock on a door, pay a few hundred dollars and fall into a honey hole.
Toughest State to Hunt: Arizona was the toughest Merriam’s state for me to hunt because the application period for their draw is in September when I’m not in full blown spring turkey planning mode. Arizona has tons of great public property to hunt, so when you draw, go! The easiest way to check Arizona off your map is to hunt the San Carlos Indian Reservation.
Arizona
(928) 532-2305
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000 Merriam's; 1,500 Gould's; 500 Rio Grandes
Subspecies: Merriam's, Gould's and Rio Grandes
2020 Spring Harvest Data: About 800
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 23 to May 20 with stratified hunts
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
California
(916) 373-8817
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio Grande, Eastern-Rio Grande hybrids, California hybrids (Mexican, Merriam's)
2019 Spring Harvest Data: An estimated 22,179 wild turkeys were harvested in spring 2019 by 34,969 hunters
2021 Spring Season Dates: General season March 27 to May 2; Archery only May 3 to May 16; Additional Junior season March 20-21 and May 3-16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded bird per day, possession limit three for the season
Colorado
(303) 297-1192
Wild Turkey Population: 30,000 to 35,000
Subspecies: Merriam's and Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 6,479
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 31 (general season)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys, one must be taken with a limited license, the other must be taken with an over-the-counter license.
Idaho
(208) 334-2920
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Hybrid, Merriam's, Rio Grande
2020 Spring Harvest Data: N/A
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 15 to May 25 (general season); April 8-14 (youth season)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two
Montana
(406) 444-3940
Wild Turkey Population: 120,000
Subspecies: Eastern, Merriam’s
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 3,266
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Up to 12 per year, five in spring plus super tag
North Dakota
(701) 328-6339
Wild Turkey Population: Increasing
Subspecies: Eastern, Merriam’s
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 2,795
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 16
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded wild turkey
Nebraska
www.outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey
(402) 471-0641
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Merriam’s-Rio Grande hybrid
2020 Spring Harvest Data: N/A
2021 Spring Season Dates: Archery opens March 25, shotgun opens April 17 and the season doesn’t close until May 31. The youth shotgun season opens April 10.
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Hunters may buy up to three permits, good for one bird each.
New Mexico
www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/turkey/
(888) 248-6866
Wild Turkey Population: 15,000 to 20,000
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio Grande
2019 Spring Harvest Data: Reported 2,220 birds, estimated harvest 2,960
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 15 to May 10
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys
South Dakota
(605) 223-7660
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Merriam's, west of Missouri River; Eastern, east of the Missouri River
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 5,795
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 10 to May 31 (spring firearms); April 3-to May 31 (spring archery)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One male turkey
New for 202: Season dates and unit boundaries (see regulations and website for updates)
Washington
(360) 902-2515
Wild Turkey Population: N/A
Subspecies: Eastern, Merriam’s, Rio Grande
2019 Spring Harvest Data: 5,824
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 15 to May 31 (general season); April 3-4 (youth)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: The combined spring/youth season limit is three birds. Only two turkeys may be killed in eastern Washington, except only one may be killed in Chelan, Kittitas or Yakima counties. One turkey may be killed per year in western Washington outside of Klickitat County. Two turkeys may be killed in Klickitat County.
Wyoming
(307) 777-4600
Wild Turkey Population: Stable to increasing
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio's and Merriam-Rio hybrid
2020 Spring Harvest Data: 3,250
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 20 to May 31 (except Hunt Area 3: April 1 to May 31)
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One per license; Note: After the license draw is completed, hunters may apply for and receive up to three wild turkey licenses, provided at least two of those licenses are Limited Quota Type 3 licenses.
OSCEOLA SUBSPECIES
Osceola: Grand Slam Tips from Jeff Budz
Calling Tactic: Call aggressively and get ready when you hear a gobble because he’s close!
Because of the heavy humidity and thick vegetation, Osceola toms are hard to hear. Also, the jakes hardly gobble at all.
Sleeper Area: Any private property or as far away from the road as you can get and set up by first gobble to get your crack at your own bird.
Toughest Area to Hunt: Opening weekend or too close to the road because that’s where most of the pressure is.
Florida
(850) 488-3831
Wild Turkey Populations: N/A
2020 Spring Harvest: 14,701
Subspecies: Eastern, Osceola
2021 Spring Season Dates: (South of State Road 70) March 6 to April 11, (North of State Road 70) March 20 to April 25
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two turkeys, gobbler and bearded turkeys only (except in
Holmes County, one turkey)
GOULD’S SUBSPECIES
ENGAGE12x 50mm
Arizona
(928) 532-2305
Wild Turkey Population: 25,000 Merriam's; 1,500 Gould's; 500 Rio Grandes
Subspecies: Merriam's, Gould's, and Rio Grandes
2020 Spring Harvest Data: About 800
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 23 to May 20 with stratified hunts
2021 Spring Bag Limit: One bearded turkey
New Mexico
(888) 248-6866
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/turkey/
Wild Turkey Population: 15,000 to 20,000
Subspecies: Merriam's, Rio Grande, Gould’s (enhancement permit only)
2019 Spring Harvest Data: Reported 2,220 birds, estimated 2,960
2021 Spring Season Dates: April 15 to May 10
2021 Spring Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys