Spring turkey hunting hours per state
 

What state(s) do you hunt and what hours does that states reg.'s permit you to hunt during spring turkey season?
Va.'s season runs from 4/9 until 5/14. About the first 3 wks. are half day and the last roughly 2 wks. are full day.

Here in MI our seasons this year start on 4/18 and go through 5/31. Legal shooting time is 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 before sunset.

In CA, it's 1/2 hour before sunrise to 5 PM (It used to be 4 PM). The season is from March 26th to may 1st (37 days). And this is the last season we can use lead shot on turkeys. :mad1:

Due to larger shot size demand of steel, that likely won't be a good alternative. Some of those Hevi-Shot prices are just crazy. Alternative shot reg's. just made hunting much pricier.

I totally agree. Makes me wonder some about these ammo companies sometimes. :confused:
We're limited to # 2 shot size or smaller and they didn't change the shot size requirement when they took away lead shot.

March 15th -April 30th in most of Alabama. Most WMAs closed at 1pm but have just these last two seasons gone to all day hunting.

The comment about ammo becoming more expensive, especially the non-lead shot shells, is certainly a fact. But when you get right down to it, crazy as it sounds, not a whole lot in the scheme of "turkey hunting things". How many rounds does one usually shoot per season? For me .... maybe 6-8 times. Even the "Nitro" at about $8.00/round would add up to $50-$60/season. Outrageous? Sure. Fuel along to and from where I can hunt turkey runs about $50/trip. I have seen ammo prices climb and climb and climb, as have most of us old timers. Box calls .... $25 and up to $100's. Slate pots .... same. Diaphragm calls $10/each. It's crazy ! And to think of the birds I killed with a $125 Savage SBS and $4.00/box , 2 3/4", "High Brass" shot shells ! I guess the sky is the limit these days as long as we are willing to pay the piper. Heck .... I recently found a box of Remington 22 LR in my stuff .... $0.35. Yep ... 35 cents !

It's a terrible addiction, isn't it? But somebody's got to do it.

Cal, you can use Bismuth shot, Cabelas is handling it. The Kent Cartridge Co. bought the rights to the name "Bismuth" from Estate cartridge Co who was manufacturing it. They have it in #6 and 5 shot. PA, April 30 to May 14, half hour before sunrise to noon, May 16 to may 31, half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Hunting by calling only, no stalking allowed. Shotgun only fine shot no larger than #4 lead, no larger than #2 steel shot and no larger than #4 of any other approved nox tox shot. Bearded birds only 1 per season, 2 if you purchase a 2nd spring bird tag.

Oldtmr -- Explain "calling only, no stalking allowed"? Does the mean one has to pick a spot ... sit and call, and cannot move from that spot say to go to a gobbler heard or seen several hundred yards away?

It surely couldn't be that strict, as there would be no way to enforce it. I would think you would be allowed to move to various spots, but I think stalking would be sneaking along trying to stay completely hidden to the point of where you could be shot by someone thinking you're a bird. I'm sure Oldtimr will let us know the exact meaning.

It means you can't try to sneak up on a bird. You can move from set up to set up but you must try to call the bird to you not sneak on the bird and shoot. It is for safety.

Colorado season is April 9- May 22 hunting hrs. are from 30 min. before sunrise to 30 min. after sunset. One bearded turkey unless you have a limited tag also then you can get a bird in your limited area and one in an unlimited area, with the two tags.

One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.. All birds must be shot while on the ground..

MO half hour before sunrise to 1PM

In the past 2 or 3 youth seasons they have been able to hunt from one half hour before sunrise to sunset. I hope they are testing these hunting hours with the youth hunt to see what difference it makes on the harvest.

I would love to be able to hunt all day.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try it out. :D
Do you notice the same performance as lead, better than lead or worse than lead?

Cal, I have been using Bismuth shot for waterfowl since it came to the US in the 80s because of the non tox requiremet. I use SXS shotguns and the barrels are not as thick as semis or pumps and Bismuth is not nearly as hard as steel but it carries the weight of lead. I am very happy with the results, most ducks and geese are dead in the air. The same as with lead. I bought it by the case so I still have some of the stuff from the Bismuth shot Co. When that is all I will be buying the stuff from Kent.

30mins before sunrise to 30mins after.

The season runs 1 March to April 15. Season limit is 3 birds, and you can shoot all 3 in one day.

Jakes and bearded hens are legal.

Shotguns or archery, only. Shot sizes 4,5,6

If you don't mind back order and #4 shot, Cabelas also offers Rio in 3" 1 5/8 oz. bismuth shot 10 per box at a good price point. Also, Hevi shot is offering rebates of up to $20 for shells purchased up through 06/16. Midway has an extensive listing. Have to try some of each myself.