As March approaches, Californians prepare for the March–May turkey season. This season is ideal for hunting the state’s numerous wild birds. Due to the continual expansion of wild poultry populations, the state is popular with hunters of all skill levels. We’ll discuss hunting dates, bag limits, laws, and more.
California Turkey Season
Hunting is permitted every day from a half-hour before dawn until 5:00 p.m.
| Spring | |
| General | Mar 30 – May 5, 2024 |
| Archery Only | May 6 – May 19, 2024 |
| Additional Junior | Mar 23 – 24, 2024 |
| May 6 – 19, 2024 | |
| Fall | Nov 11 – Dec 10 |
Bag Limits
| Bag Limit | Possession Limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Season | 1 per day, 2 per season (either-sex) | 2 per season |
| Spring Season | 1 per day, 3 per season (bearded) | 3 per season (bearded) |
Locations
| Subspecies | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande | Found along the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade foothills | Widely available in California, |
| Merriam's | Found in the northeast and along the Transverse Range in Kern County | Smaller numbers available |
| Eastern | Along the northern coast | Released for hunting |
| Eastern/Rio Grande hybrid | Along the southern coast | Transplanted for hunting |
Highest Take Counties
| Highest Take Counties |
|---|
| Butte |
| Calaveras |
| El Dorado |
| Mendocino |
| Nevada |
| San Luis Obispo |
| Shasta |
| Tehama |
| Yuba |
Hunting Regulations
Except for the spring turkey shooting season described in Section 306 of the rules, hunting is prohibited between February 1 and September 14.
Shotgun rounds with a shot size greater than No. BB is not permitted to be used or kept except when shooting a wild turkey, in which case shot sizes greater than No. 2 are also banned. All ammunition must also be free inside the barrel.
Wild turkeys can be hunted with a bow and arrow, but the projectiles and crossbow bolts must have a wide head-type blade that cannot fit through an opening larger than seven-eighths of an inch. Measurements must be made with the motorized or telescoping broadheads in the open position.
Any projectile size can be used to shoot with air guns propelled by gas or pressurized air. However, the projectile must be at least 0.177 in size if the shooter plans to use an air gun to pursue wild turkeys.
Any registered shooter capturing wild turkeys must have a recent state upland game bird shooting certification. However, those shooting with a juvenile hunting pass in good standing are excused from this prerequisite.
Upland game birds, except pheasants and spring wild turkeys, can be shot from 30 minutes before dawn until sundown. Shooting times for pheasants are from 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
License
| License Type | Resident Cost | Nonresident Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Upland Game Bird Special Hunts | $2.42 | |
| Two-Day Nonresident | $54.00 | |
| Upland Game Bird (Junior Hunters Exempt) | $21.60 | |
| Spring Turkey SHARE Hunt | $12.42 | Not applicable |
| General Wild Turkey Hunting | $51.02 | $172.02 |
| Junior Hunting License (includes turkey hunting) | $11.34 | $43.15 |
FAQ
When is the turkey hunting season in California?
The second Saturday in November marks the beginning of the fall, which lasts for 30 days. The 37-day spring game starts on the final Saturday of March. For shooters with youth hunting permits, there is an additional period that begins the Saturday and Sunday before the regular season and lasts for 14 days after it.
What are the regulations for using a shotgun for turkey hunting in California?
For hunting turkeys in California, shotguns of 10-gauge or smaller are allowed as long as they can only contain three shotshells in the barrel and clip combined. If a stopper is used, the shotgun must contain at most two rounds in the barrel and cylinder combined.
Are there any special hunting opportunities for turkey hunting in California on private properties?
The SHARE Program, run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, provides open access to hunting on private land. Two private farms in Tulare County offered spring turkey SHARE hunt options past year.
