What season is turkey season?

California’s general spring turkey season opens statewide March 27 and runs through May 2 with additional hunting dates for young hunters and archery hunters. Among the many opportunities to bag a wild turkey this spring: Those possessing a valid junior hunting license get the first chance at a spring turkey.

When should I go turkey hunting?

The best time of year to hunt Turkey will also depend largely on what state you’re hunting in, but generally falls between early spring and mid-to-late fall. Time of Day: Since Turkeys make their nest in trees and on the ground in wooded areas, one of the best times of day to hunt is first thing in the morning.

Can you hunt turkey all day?

For some states, it’s the only time you can hunt mandated by state game laws. But for those that are turkey hunting all day in the spring, the success can be great in the afternoons. … The easiest way to describe the afternoon hunt is like deer hunting. Feeding and travel areas are key, and more importantly, patience.

What states have early turkey season?

The Best States to Hunt Early Season Turkeys

• Florida. Season dates: March 6 to April 11 (South of State Road 70); March 20 to April 25 (North of State Road 70). …
• Nebraska. Season dates: March 25 to May 31 (archery only; crossbows allowed); April 17 to May 31 (shotgun). …
• Minnesota. …
• Texas.

Why can you only turkey hunt until noon?

It’s been a New England and northeastern management tradition to finish at midday. … The current shooting hours from ½-hour before sunrise until noon are intended to protect nesting hens because incubating hens (hens sitting on eggs in a nest) tend to leave the nest to feed in the afternoon.

How far away can you shoot a turkey with a 12 gauge?

With lighter, underpowered loads of soft lead pellets shot out of a 12-gauge shotgun with a full choke, 30 yards was the maximum range for a lethal shot on a turkey. Modern turkey hunters have much better options.

What state kills the most turkeys?

1.Missouri. Home to more than 317,000 Eastern turkeys, hunters harvested 47.603 of them. That’s more than any other state despite the fact that hunting ends at 1 p.m. daily.

Do male or female turkeys gobble?

Only males gobble

There’s a reason that male turkeys are called “gobblers” — they’re the only ones that make that noise! Each gobbler has a unique call that he uses to attract females during breeding season. Female turkeys also make distinct noises, but they sound more like chirps and clucks.

Which state has the longest turkey season?

Georgia

Georgia: Best State for Longest Turkey Hunting Season

Georgia also has over 3.6 million acres of public land open for hunting, and the Eastern turkey population is a full 335,000.

What states do not have turkeys?

They can be found in 49 U.S. states, with the only exception being Alaska, Hughes said. In total, about 7 million wild turkeys live in the United States; prior to 1500, an estimated 10 million turkeys existed, he added.

What states are turkeys native to?

Native from the central valleys to the northern mountains of Mexico and the southernmost parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Gould’s wild turkeys are heavily protected and regulated. The subspecies was first described in 1856. They exist in small numbers in the U.S. but are abundant in northwestern portions of Mexico.

What is an Osceola turkey?

Osceola turkeys are a subspecies of the eastern wild turkey. … This dark turkey with black wings that have small white bands on them and dark-brown-tipped tail feathers lives in south Florida.

What state does not allow turkey hunting?

Alaska. I’m told by insiders wild turkeys live in southern Alaska. Still, no fall (or spring) turkey season is offered here. Plenty of other birds and animals to hunt though.

How many turkey hunters are there in the United States?

Nearly 2.5 million hunters pursue wild turkeys in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates 21 percent of all U.S. hunters (about 2.5 million people) pursue wild turkeys, making it the second most sought after game after deer.

What are the 4 types of turkeys?

Where the Wild Turkeys Are

• Eastern wild turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) …
• Osceola wild turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo osceola) …
• Rio Grande wild turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) …
• Merriam’s wild turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) …
• Gould’s wild turkey. (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana)

How can you tell the difference between Eastern and Osceola turkeys?

The main noticeable differences between the Eastern and the Osceola subspecies are the darker color of the Osceola and less noticeable black and white banding of the wing feathers on the Osceola. The wing feathers of the Osceola are mostly black with narrow, irregular white bands.

What is the turkey Slam?

A slam is considered one of the biggest feats in turkey hunting. A hunter must harvest each species or subspecies of wild turkey listed under one of the six recognized slams in turkey hunting to complete a slam. If you want to test your turkey hunting skills and abilities, aim to complete one or all six slams.

How long do turkeys live for?

Wild turkey: 3 – 5 years

Domestic turkey: 10 years

Turkey/Lifespan

What elevation do turkeys live at?

about 3,000 feet

In California, Rio Grande turkeys are the most widespread subspecies. They occupy much of the mixed oak and pine woodlands of the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada and Cascade foothills, and they can be found primarily from sea level to about 3,000 feet in elevation, but occasionally as high as 5,000 – 6,000 feet.

Where do turkeys sleep?

trees

Although turkeys spend most of their time on the ground during the day, they sleep in trees at night. Turkeys cannot see well in the dark. Sleeping in trees provides protection from predators that roam and can see at night. They fly up to roost at dusk, and fly down at dawn to begin their daily rituals.