Check permits and seasons for hunting dates and allowed methods
You can find dates, allowed methods and valid permits on the turkey hunting seasons section.
Assisting other turkey hunters
New! Mentors who are assisting youth hunters do not need a permit during the youth spring turkey season and the youth portions of firearms deer season.
At all other times, mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.
Baiting regulations
- Use of bait - which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered as to attract turkeys – while hunting is illegal.
- An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.
- A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.
- It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
- Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait, but mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited.
- It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is illegal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.
- Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for turkeys.
Voiding permits
Hunters who harvest a turkey must void their permit immediately by notching the month and day of harvest.
Tagging and checking
As long as you stay with your harvested turkey, you don't need to attach your notched permit to the bird, but you must keep your permit on hand. If you leave your turkey, you must attach your permit to the turkey's leg. See the Telecheck page for more information on how to properly tag and check your bird.