COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s spring wild turkey hunting season is set to begin in April, with hunters anticipating a successful season thanks to positive brood survey results, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The youth turkey hunting season will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th. The regular season is divided into two zones: the south zone, opening on Saturday, April 19th, and the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties), opening on Saturday, May 3rd. The season limit is one bearded turkey.
Recent brood surveys conducted by the Division of Wildlife, which track young wild turkey populations, indicate healthy numbers. The statewide average poults per hen was 2.9 in 2024, 2.8 in 2023, and 3.0 in 2022, aligning with the long-term average of 2.8.
During the 2024 spring turkey season, hunters harvested 15,535 birds, including 1,785 taken by youth hunters. Eastern and southern counties, known for their abundant forested habitats, typically see the highest harvests. The top five counties for turkey harvest in 2024 were Ashtabula, Belmont, Tuscarawas, Monroe, and Washington.
The resurgence of the wild turkey in Ohio is considered a significant wildlife success story. After being extirpated around 1904, the Division of Wildlife began reintroducing turkeys in the 1950s. By 1999, wild turkeys were found in all 88 counties.
The Division of Wildlife is actively conducting research to better understand turkey populations. A multi-year study is tracking nesting and survival rates of hen turkeys using GPS transmitters, in collaboration with other states. Additionally, research is being conducted on gobbling frequency and timing of male turkeys, with preliminary results showing a correlation between peak gobbling and hen nesting activity.
The data collected from these studies will inform future turkey management decisions and ensure sustainable hunting regulations.
Youth hunters (17 and under) require a youth hunting license and turkey permit to participate in the youth season. All hunters, unless exempt, must have a valid hunting license and spring turkey permit for the regular season. Harvested birds must be game checked by 11:30 PM on the day of the harvest.
The Division of Wildlife encourages hunters to review the current hunting and trapping regulations for specific details. They emphasize the importance of reporting harvests to monitor turkey populations and inform management decisions. The agency’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation.
