DEC Announces Opening of Spring Turkey Season May 1

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that the regular spring turkey season for all licensed turkey hunters opens May 1 throughout upstate New York (north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary) and in Suffolk County on Long Island. DEC is also holding a Youth Turkey Hunting Season in advance of the regular season this Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27.

"Engaging youth hunters and their adult mentors is an opportunity to instill safety, responsibility, ethics, and an appreciation for the outdoors in the next generation of hunters," Acting Commissioner Lefton said. "Guided by experienced mentors, young hunters can gain hands-on skills while enjoying the challenge and excitement that turkey hunting offers."

Eligible hunters for the Youth Turkey Hunt weekend are 12 to 15 years of age who hold a hunting license and a turkey permit. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult, as required by law for a junior hunter. Some conservation organizations host specific events during the Youth Hunt weekend. Each youth hunter can harvest one bearded bird during the two-day season. For more information, visit the DEC website.

Regular Season Opens May 1

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. From hardwood forests and rolling hills in the Southern Tier, to agricultural fields and mixed woodlands in the Hudson Valley, hunters can find prime turkey habitat throughout New York.

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. 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.

Buy Sporting Licenses Online

Sporting licenses may be purchased online at any time and hunters, anglers, and trappers can immediately print a paper copy of their license at home. Licenses can also be displayed digitally using the HuntFishNY mobile app, available for download on the Apple App and Google Play stores, however a physical valid turkey carcass tag must be carried when hunting turkeys.

If purchasing a hunting license, permit, or privilege online or by phone and you do not have a valid email address and printer, allow up to 14 business days to receive your back tag, carcass tags, and license by mail.

Sporting licenses are also available in person at more than 1,100 License Issuing Agents (LIAs) across New York State, where licenses and tags are printed immediately upon purchase. To locate a license vendor, use the LIA location search on DEC's sporting license sales website.

For more information about sporting licenses, visit the Hunting Licenses webpage.

Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

Turkey hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to DEC's website or call (518) 402-8883. To participate in DEC's Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit DEC's "Citizen Science" page.