Turkey hunters are preparing for an action-packed season in 2023 as spring approaches in New York. A spring turkey season has been created by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), giving most turkey hunters a fresh chance to hunt during this season. New York provides a variety of possibilities for hunters to test their abilities and capture that elusive gobbler, thanks to the number of public lands and private hunting areas. This page will explore the dates, rules to be aware of, and bag restrictions during the New York turkey season.
New York Turkey Season 2023
The 2023 turkey hunting season in New York will take place from late April to mid-May, with a youth hunt planned for the latter part of April. Suffolk County now has a spring turkey season with a one-bearded bird maximum, thanks to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Hunting turkeys with no. 9 shot is now permitted across the state during the autumn and spring. Two bearded birds may be taken in one bag during the normal season, but only one can be taken daily. Within seven days, hunters must report their turkey harvest via the DECALS Online Harvest Reporting system or by calling 1-866-426-3778. Hunters may anticipate a thrilling and challenging turkey season in 2023.
NY Spring Turkey Hunt
| Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Hunt | 1-May | 31-May |
| Area 1A & 2A | Closed |
NY Youth Turkey Hunt
| Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Turkey Hunt | 22-Apr | 23-Apr |
NY Fall Turkey Hunt
| Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Turkey Hunt | 1-Oct | 14-Oct |
| 15-Oct | 28-Oct | |
| 19-Nov | 2-Dec | |
| Area 1A & 2A | Closed |
Bag Limits
| Season | Bag Limit | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Season | 2 bearded birds | Statewide, 1 in WMU 1C |
| Youth Turkey Season | 1 bearded bird | Statewide |
| Fall Turkey Season | 1 turkey of either sex | Statewide |
Hunting Licenses
| Turkey Permit (Ages 12+) | |
|---|---|
| 12+ (NYS Resident) | $10 |
| Military Disabled | $10 |
| Patriot | $10 |
| Indigenous Peoples | $10 |
| 12+ (Non-Resident) | $20 |
| Lifetime License (Sportsman) | |
| For a person age 0–4 | $380 |
| For a person age 5–11 | $535 |
| For a person age 12–69 | $765 |
| For a person age 70 or older | $65 |
Hunting Regulations
- The Youth Wild Turkey Hunt teaches 12–15-year-olds about hunting and safety from older hunters. Upstate New York and Suffolk County may participate. Some conservation groups conduct Youth Turkey Hunt weekend activities. Young hunters may make memories with their adult partners and become responsible hunters via the program. The organizers wish all participants a safe and fun hunt and look forward to hearing reports and photos from the young hunters.
- Youth hunters aged 12–15 with a hunting license, and turkey permit may hunt bearded birds with an adult during the Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend. The accompanying adult must have a valid hunting license and turkey permit but cannot carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or try to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt. The two-day weekend youth hunt is for spring turkey hunting exclusively and precedes the regular season by at least three days. The hunt is available to upstate New York and Suffolk County from 1/2-hour before daybreak until noon. One bearded bird counts against the youth’s two-bird regular season bag limit. Other wild turkey hunting rules apply.
- New York allows just one turkey permit per year, which comprises three carcass tags, two for spring and one for autumn. After filling their bag limit, hunters may call turkeys for other hunters but cannot carry bows, crossbows, or firearms. Only New York wild turkey hunters with permission may accomplish this. If a turkey is unsuitable, DEC employees may grant special permission. The hunter must hand over the unsuitable turkey carcass to the wildlife or law enforcement authority for additional information.
- New York turkey hunters must carry their license and permission. Hunters 14 years or older may use crossbows, but not in Westchester or Suffolk counties. Hunters may use shotguns or pistols with the #2 or #9 shot. Turkey hunting is prohibited with rifles, air guns, and bullet-firing pistols. Muzzleloading shotguns are allowed. Dog hunting is permitted in autumn but not spring. Hunters may use non-live decoys but not bait or technological gadgets. Turkey hunting allows any scope.
- After killing a wild turkey, please fill out the carcass tag, sign it, and attach it. The tag must remain until the bird is cooked. You may donate your turkey to someone else if you tag it with your and their details. Report your catch by phone, online, or through the HuntFishNY app within 7 days.
- Sit and call and avoid red, white, blue, and black to hunt turkeys. Never pursue a bird—most turkey hunting mishaps involve hunters stalking one other. Beware of turkey noises. Don’t move or make turkey noises if you see another hunter. Say “STOP.” Avoid using a turkey “reaper fan” to avoid being mistaken for a gobbler while hunting turkeys.
Note: For complete regulation on New York Turkey season 2023, you review it on the NY Departmental of Environment Conservation website.
Few FAQs on the New York Turkey Season
When are the turkey hunting seasons in New York?
The spring season for turkey hunting in New York runs from May 1 to May 31, except for Areas 1A and 2A, which are off-limits. The Youth Turkey Hunt takes place from April 22 to April 23. Three segments make up the autumn season: the first segment runs from October 1 to October 14; the second segment runs from October 15 to October 28; and the third segment runs from November 19 to December 2. Areas 1A and 2A, however, are shut down in the autumn.
What types of calls are recommended for turkey hunting in New York?
To lure a bird within shooting distance (often 30 yards or fewer), the most effective turkey hunters in New York use a variety of calls (e.g., box calls, slate calls, mouth calls).
How many turkeys can a hunter take during the New York turkey hunting season?
A hunter may take two bearded turkeys (except in WMU 1C) during the spring turkey season, one bearded turkey during the youth turkey season, and one turkey of any sex during the fall turkey season in New York.
Can hunters use crossbows during the New York turkey hunting season?
Only licensees 14 years of age or older are allowed to use crossbows.
