Spring Turkey Season opens May 1 to licensed hunters in upstate New York.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said New York is home to some of the best turkey hunting opportunities in the Northeast, with diverse landscapes and abundant turkey populations across the state.
Spring turkey harvests in New York average 16,000 to 18,000 birds, fluctuating based on participation and turkey productivity in previous breeding seasons. With improved summer poult production in recent years, DEC expects an increase in turkey harvest this spring. Since hunters primarily target toms (2+ year-old birds), turkey harvest often reflects productivity trends from two years prior.
Although New York turkey populations experienced declines from their peak in the early 2000s, populations are generally stable statewide. The DEC continues to monitor population trends and implement conservation efforts to support sustainable hunting opportunities. Hunters play an essential role in monitoring populations by reporting their harvest and participating in DEC hunter opinion surveys. These efforts help DEC assess population dynamics, hunter participation, hunter values, and help ensure sustainable turkey populations for the future.
Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2025:
- Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Nassau County;
- Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license;
- Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
- Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day and no more than one bird per season in Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County);
- Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 9, or with a bow or crossbow (except crossbows may not be used in Westchester or Suffolk counties);
- Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested;
- Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at DEC’s Game Harvest Reporting webpage; and
- For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the “Turkey Hunting” pages of DEC’s website.
Tips for a Successful and Safe Turkey Hunting Season
Turkey hunting is safe and it is important that hunters remain vigilant to keep it that way.
- Don’t stalk. More than half of turkey hunting injuries happen when one hunter stalks another.
- Always assume any call or footsteps you hear are from another hunter. Don’t shoot until you clearly see the whole turkey and know its sex.
- If you see another hunter, talk to him or her clearly, and don’t move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter.
- When calling, sit still with your back against a big tree, to hide you from turkeys and stalkers.
- Never wear turkey colors—red, white, or blue. Wear hunter orange when going in or out of the woods and when walking around. When sitting still waiting for a turkey, put hunter orange on a tree near you.
- If you take a turkey or carry a decoy, wrap it in hunter orange.
- Turkeys are tough. You need to be close (30 yards or less is best). You need to get a clear head and neck shot. Do not try to shoot them in the body or when they are flying.
- Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns. New shotshell technologies allow for shot sizes as small as 8 and 9 to be effective for turkeys. Do research and pattern your shotgun to learn what works for your setup.
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