INDIANA – Indiana spring wild turkey season starts April 27 and goes through May 15, 2022. Youth turkey season is April 23 and 24, 2022.
Youth age 17 or younger can participate in the youth season but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age and licensed to hunt wild turkey (unless exempt from license requirements under state law). The youth hunter must comply with all turkey hunting regulations. The adult partner may not take a turkey during the youth season and must not possess a firearm, bow, arrow, or crossbow while in the field. The only exception is a handgun carried lawfully.
The bag limit during the spring season is one bearded or male wild turkey in total. This includes both the youth and regular spring turkey seasons.
Spring turkey hunting is allowed statewide. Wild turkeys may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. All DNR properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife have spring turkey season hunting hours one-half hour before sunrise until noon for properties on Central Time and until 1 p.m. for properties on Eastern Time.
To hunt wild turkey during the spring season, a valid spring turkey hunting license and Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege are required. Those who have a lifetime comprehensive hunting, lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing, or resident youth hunt/trap license can hunt wild turkey and do not need to purchase the Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege.
Turkeys can be hunted only with:
- A 410 caliber and 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge shotgun loaded with pellets of size No. 4, 5, 6, 7, 7½, and Tungsten Super Shot 9 and 10. A non-toxic shot is required while hunting turkey on some DNR properties. Call the property you are interested in hunting on for additional information.
- A muzzleloading shotgun not smaller than 20-gauge and not larger than 10-gauge, loaded with pellets of size 4, 5, 6, 7, 7½, and Tungsten Super Shot 9 and 10. Combination loads using shot sizes other than these are illegal.
- Bow and arrow
- A crossbow
View additional turkey hunting regulations
For safety reasons, some Department of Natural Resource properties may restrict certain activities to specific times of the day. Contact the property you are planning to visit for more information.
