By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

The spring wild turkey season is shaping up to be a favorable one for hunters, thanks to a mild winter and early spring green-up.

Much of Texas saw an increase in production and recruitment last year, and hunters can expect to see many young birds this spring. That sets the state for a rise in male harvests in 2025 and beyond, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

However, due to the 2022 drought, hunters can expect to see fewer two-year-old males this spring.

“Don’t just limit yourself to the early season,” said Jason Hardin, TPWD Wild Turkey Program leader. “The middle and later portions of the season usually have fewer hunters in the woods, and you never know when you will strike a tom in the mood to strut and gobble. Go early and go often.”

Ten counties in Central Texas—Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Milam and Wharton—offer a spring season from April 1-30.

Historically, there have been low numbers of turkeys in this region resulting in spring-only seasons. Hunters will be allowed a one-bird bag limit per county. All wild turkeys harvested in these counties will have a mandatory harvest reporting requirement and must be reported within 24 hours through the My Texas Hunt Harvest app or online.

Twelve counties in East Texas—Bowie, Cass, Fannin, Grayson, Jasper, Lamar, Marion, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Red River and Sabine—will have a one-gobbler bag limit for the entire region and mandatory harvest reporting is required.

Hunters with a digital Super Combo license have a digital tagging option. Hunters who chose to use the digital tagging option must report their wild turkey at the time of harvest. Rules and guidance associated with the new digital tagging option can be found on the TPWD website.

Data from these harvest reports will help TPWD better manage the wild turkey population.

In addition to a Texas hunting license, hunters must possess an Upland Game Bird Stamp Endorsement to hunt wild turkeys.

Spring 2024 turkey season dates
Youth Only
Rio Grande: North Zone – March 23-24; May 18-19
Rio Grande:  South Zone — March 9-10; May 4-5

Spring Regular Season
Rio Grande: North Zone — March 30 – May 12
Rio Grande: South Zone — March 16 – April 28
Rio Grande: Special One Turkey Bag Limit — April 1-30
Eastern Turkey: April 22 – May 14

Visit the Outdoor Annual or TPWD’s website for more information on season dates and hunting regulations.