Turkey hunting season draws people from across North Carolina. Hunting licenses and hunter schooling are required to compete. Hunting turkeys requires a Big Game Harvest Report Card. Despite increased hunting pressure and harvest over the past few years, North Carolina’s wild turkey population remains strong. Last year’s capture of over 20,000 birds, while fewer than the previous two years, is still strong compared to pre-2020 levels.
The state of North Carolina provides a wide variety of hunting possibilities, and turkey hunting is no exception. The state’s turkey hunting season runs from mid-April to mid-May, allowing hunters ample time to make the most opportunity. North Carolina is a great place to go turkey hunting because it has a variety of scenery, undulating slopes, and plenty of bird shelter. This post will cover turkey hunting in North Carolina, including Dates, license and regulations.
North Carolina Turkey Hunting Season
The spring wild turkey hunting season in North Carolina will start on April 8, 2023. Hunters in North Carolina must have a current hunting registration and a Big Game Harvest Report Card before going turkey hunting. Youths under 18 may, however, shoot throughout the state during a youth-only season that begins on April 1, though some Game Lands may require a pass. Only one turkey may be taken during the juvenile season, and hunters are only permitted to take one turkey per day and two for the entire hunting season.
Youth Turkey Season
| Spring Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Male or bearded Turkey Only | April 8, 2023 | May 6, 2023 |
Spring Turkey Season
| Youth Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Male or bearded Turkey Only | April 1, 2023 | April 7, 2023 |
Bag Limits
A limit of two turkeys may be taken by shooters during the North Carolina turkey hunting season. However, only one turkey may be obtained during the youth season.
NC Turkey Hunting License Fees
Below is the list of licenses that allow turkey hunting in North Carolina.
Resident License
| Resident License Types | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual Combo Hunt & Inland Fish | $35 |
| Annual Sportsman | $53 |
| Adult Lifetime Sportsman | $530 |
| Youth Lifetime Sportsman | $371 |
| Infant Lifetime Sportsman | $212 |
| Senior Sportsman | $16 |
| Disabled Veteran Lifetime Sportsman | $106 |
| Totally Disabled Lifetime Sportsman | $106 |
| Annual State Hunting | $25 |
| Annual Comprehensive Hunting | $39 |
| Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting | $265 |
| Big Game | $14 |
| HUNTING, INLAND & CRFL | |
| Annual Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $69 |
| Adult Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $716 |
| Youth Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $477 |
| Infant Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $292 |
| Senior Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $32 |
| Disabled Veteran Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $117 |
| Totally Disabled Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $117 |
Nonresident License
| Nonresident License Types | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult Lifetime Sportsman | $1,272 |
| Youth Lifetime Sportsman | $371 |
| Infant Lifetime Sportsman | $212 |
| 10-Day Big Game | $80 |
| Big Game (season) | $100 |
| HUNTING, INLAND & CRFL | |
| Adult Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $1,643 |
| Youth Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $477 |
| Infant Lifetime Unified Sportsman/CRFL | $292 |
Hunting Regulations
- Turkey hunting is legal statewide for under-18s, but some Game Lands require a pass. Youth hunters must have a Big Game Harvest submit Card and submit their catches per hunting rules. Youth hunters should submit their catch using a Big Game catch submit Card for License-Exempt Hunters.
- Certain Game Lands require young hunters to have a permit for the youth season.
- Turkey hunting allows firearms, muzzleloading rifles, bows, and crossbows.
- Sunday hunting is legal on private land but not on WMA land.
- North Carolina turkey hunters need a Big Game Harvest Report Card and a hunting card.
- Baited areas prohibit hunting wild turkeys within 300 yards. Baiting lasts 10 days. Hunters cannot willfully take wild turkeys from baited areas within 10 days. Hunters must obey hunting and luring laws to avoid legal issues and support fair hunting.
- Hunting wild turkeys with a pistol or rifle is legal if the hunter honors all hunting and weapons laws. However, some states or areas may have limitations or rules on the kinds of weapons or ammo that can be used for hunting wild turkeys, so studying and obeying these laws before hunting is essential. Hunting safety and weapon usage should also be prioritized.
- Live wild turkeys and other birds can be illegal. Simply put, it is unlawful to keep live wild turkeys or birds that resemble them as pets or for any other reason. This protects wild turkeys and other birds from illness.
About NCWRC
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reports that wild turkeys are now located in each of the state’s 100 counties, and they probably used to be spread out over the entire area—the NC. Wildlife Resources Commission reported a record-breaking turkey catch last year during the state’s season. Visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website or dial (888) 248-6834 for more details on the rules governing hunting turkeys in the state.
FAQ related to Turkey hunting in North Carolina
When does the North Carolina turkey hunting season begin and end in 2023?
The youth-only season will last from April 1 to April 7, 2023, while the statewide season will last from April 8 to May 6.
How many turkeys can a hunter take during the North Carolina turkey season?
Only one turkey may be taken during the juvenile season, with a two-turkey maximum per hunter for the entire season.
Who is eligible to participate in the North Carolina turkey youth season?
During the youth season, young people under 18 may shoot turkeys throughout the state, but some Game Lands may need a pass.
What documents are required to hunt turkey in North Carolina?
A Big Game Harvest Report Card and a current North Carolina hunting registration are requirements for hunters.
Are wild turkeys found throughout North Carolina?
All 100 North Carolina counties now have wild turkeys, each with a spring gobbler season.
Can I use a shotgun for hunting turkey during the North Carolina turkey season?
During the North Carolina turkey season, a firearm may be used for turkey hunting. In North Carolina, along with tools for shooting, shotguns are among the weapons that may be used for hunting turkey. (bows and crossbows)
Can I hunt turkey on Sundays during the North Carolina turkey season?
The Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) and other public landlords have adopted new choices for Sunday hunting on general properties in response to recent legislation that expands Sunday hunting possibilities in North Carolina. In North Carolina, it is currently acceptable to go turkey hunting on Sundays. However, on Sundays, hunting is prohibited in WMAs. Between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., firearms hunting is not permitted. Only male or bearded turkeys may be pursued.
