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DEC: Regular New York spring Turkey hunting season opens May 1

Published on April 19, 2024

DEC Turkeys

GOBBLE GOBBLE! The regular spring turkey season for all licensed turkey hunters opens May 1 in Upstate New York.

"As hunters take to the field this spring to enjoy the many turkey hunting opportunities throughout New York State, DEC reminds everyone to hunt safe and hunt smart by following the guidelines to support hunter safety," said Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar.

Overall, spring turkey harvest in New York averages approximately 16,000 to 18,000 birds but varies based on the number of participants and turkey productivity in the previous few springs.

This spring, DEC expects improved turkey harvest compared to last year. Hunters prefer to take toms (two+ year-old birds), so typically there is a two-year lag between summer productivity and spring take.

Overall, New York turkey populations are lower currently than in the early 2000s but are generally stable throughout the state.

DEC Tips for a Successful and Safe Turkey Hunting Season:

  • Don't stalk. More than half of turkey hunting injuries happen when a hunter stalks another.
  • Wear hunter orange when going in or out of the woods and when walking around.
  • When sitting still waiting for a turkey, put hunter orange on a nearby tree.
  • When calling, sit still with against a tree to break-up any silhouette.
  • Wrap any takes or decoys in hunter orange.
  • Never wear turkey colors – red, white, or blue.
  • Always assume any call or footsteps are from another hunter. Don't shoot until the whole turkey can be observed and its sex identified.
  • When encountering another hunter, speak clearly and don't move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter.
  • Turkeys are tough, and 30 yards or less is the best distance for a clear head or neck shot. Do not try to shoot turkeys in the body or while they are flying.
  • Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns. New shotshell technologies allow for shot sizes as small as 8 and 9 to be effective for turkeys. Do research and pattern shotguns to learn what works for each setup.

NYS DEC image.

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