It’s the ideal time to organize your upcoming journey in Indiana since the spring game begins in April and ends in May. But before you pack up and head out into the forests, familiarize yourself with Indiana’s shooting laws and weight limits, which differ depending on the season and type of hunting. Whether you’re an experienced or novice, Indiana’s varied scenery and plentiful animals offer an enjoyable and thrilling experience.
Indiana Turkey Season
Can pursue only male turkeys during the roughly four-week spring season using firearms, bows, or crossbows. Conversely, the fall game will last about nine weeks and be lengthier. Hunting with weapons, arrows, or crossbows is permitted for both male and female birds during this time.
| Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Equipment Allowed |
| Spring | April 24 – May 12 | 1 bearded/male | Shotgun (10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, 28-gauge, or .410 caliber), muzzleloading shotgun (20-gauge to 10-gauge), bow and arrow, crossbow (non-toxic shot required on some DNR properties) |
| Youth Spring | April 20 – April 21 | 1 bearded/male | Same as spring, accompanied by adult hunter |
| Fall | Oct. 1 – Oct. 27; Dec. 7 – Jan. 5 | 1 of either sex | Shotgun (10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, 28-gauge, or .410 caliber), muzzleloading shotgun (20-gauge to 10-gauge), bow and arrow, crossbow (non-toxic shot required on some DNR properties) |
| Fall Firearms | Oct. 16 – Oct. 27 (select counties) | 1 of either sex | Same as fall |
Hours
| Spring | 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset (1/2 hour before sunrise to noon or 1 p.m. on DNR properties) |
| Fall | 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset (hunter orange required during deer muzzleloader season) |
License
Anyone wishing to pursue wild turkeys in Indiana must possess a hunting license. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources website or an authorized vendor offer online or offline purchasing options for the license. Additionally, while shooting, hunters must have an approved game pass and a current game bird habitat sticker on them. To guarantee the safety and preservation of animal species, it is crucial to abide by all shooting laws and rules.
| License Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost |
| Spring Turkey License | $32 | $175 |
| Fall Turkey License | $32 | $32 |
| Combination Hunting and Fishing | $32 | N/A |
| Game Bird Habitat Stamp Privilege | $6 | $11 |
Regulations
- The Indiana DNR reserves turkey hunts at Fish & Wildlife zones, Big Oaks, and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuges. During open applications, DNR reserved hunts can be applied for. The DNR website has information about the entry process, lottery, and game dates. Apply at hunting.IN.gov.
- Hunters can use a muzzleloading shotgun between 20 and 10-gauge, filled with rounds of size 4, 5, 6, 7, 71, and Tungsten Super Shot 9 and 10. Combinations with other ball types are banned. When using a muzzleloading shotgun, hunters must use the right ammo and obey safety rules.
- Can use firearms, bows, and crossbows. Hunters using bows and arrows must use suitable shafts and broadheads and be adept. Hunters should check with their DNR land before using bows or crossbows for bird hunting.
- Can only hunt wild turkeys from one-half hour before dawn to dusk. All DNR lands managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife have spring hunting hours from one-half hour before sunrise to noon for CT properties and 1 p.m. for ET properties. Mushroom seekers must reach the areas after these hours.
- After slaying a turkey, hunters must fill out a paper interim transit tag with their name, home, bird’s sex, license number (if available), and date. Before moving the bird, do this.
- Within 48 hours of the killing, are obliged to register it. You can do this by contacting 800-419-1326, submitting the information online through the DNR’s CheckIN Game system (CheckINGame.dnr.IN.gov), or locating a check station, license seller, or merchant who can do so. After enrolling, a validation number will be generated. A temporary transit tag must include the hunter’s full name, address, turkey sex, permit number (if applicable), and capture date. After killing, please fill out this tag and keep it until processing. Hunting.IN.gov offers the interim car pass. it.
- The hunter orange standards in the General Information part apply in December.
- Cannot use pets, live decoys, taped calls, electrical decoys, or food. Such tools and tactics are illegal and against fair chase. A spot that attracts wild turkeys due to farming practices must be lured. After lure and dirt removal, an area is primed for ten days.
- Males have leg spurs. Youth boys have under 1/2 inch, while adults have triggers over 1/2 inch. If a bird has no leg spur, hunters can use the breast feathers to determine sex and the wing tips to determine age based on banding and the form of the 9th and 10th main tips.
FAQ
Do I need a separate turkey hunting license in Indiana?
Yes, an additional license for hunting turkeys is required for the spring and fall seasons.
What is the bag limit for turkey hunting in Indiana?
One male or bearded turkey per authorized shooter.
How much does a spring turkey hunting license cost in Indiana for non-residents?
In Indiana, a spring turkey hunting license costs $175 for non-residents and $11 for a game bird conservation sticker.
