Time to prepare for spring turkey hunting season

INDIANA– It’s time to grab your turkey license and game bird stamp and head out for the 2025 spring wild turkey hunting season.

Spring Turkey Season:

The spring turkey season will run from April 23 to May 11, 2025. A special youth turkey season will precede the regular season on April 19 and 20, 2025.

Youth hunters aged 17 or younger on the hunt date can participate in the youth season, provided they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older licensed to hunt wild turkey (unless exempt under state law). The adult partner cannot hunt or possess firearms, bows, or crossbows during the youth season, except for a lawfully carried handgun.

The bag limit for the spring season is one bearded or male turkey. Youth hunters are also limited to one bearded or male turkey during the youth and regular spring seasons combined.

Spring turkey hunting is permitted statewide from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. However, on DNR properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, hunting hours are limited to one-half hour before sunrise until noon for properties in the Central Time Zone and until 1 p.m. for properties in the Eastern Time Zone.

To hunt during spring, hunters must possess a valid spring turkey hunting license and a Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege, unless exempt.

Fall Turkey Season:

The fall wild turkey season will be divided into two segments: October 1–26, 2025, and December 6, 2025–January 4, 2026. A fall firearms season will occur from October 15–26, 2025, in select counties. These counties are chosen based on various factors, including forest cover, spring turkey harvest data, and regional habitat conditions.

There is no designated youth fall turkey season. Youth hunters are welcome to participate in the regular fall season, adhering to all applicable regulations.

The bag and possession limit for the fall season is one bird of either sex, regardless of hunting equipment used or the portion of the season hunted. Hunter orange is required when the fall season overlaps with deer muzzleloader season (December 6–21, 2025).

All turkeys harvested must be checked using the CheckIN Game system within 48 hours of the kill and follow temporary transportation tagging requirements.

Permitted Hunting Equipment:

• 410 caliber and 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge shotguns loaded with specified shot sizes.
• Muzzleloading shotguns (20-gauge to 10-gauge) loaded with specified shot sizes.
• Bow and arrow.
• Crossbow.

Some DNR properties require a non-toxic shot. Hunters should contact the specific property they plan to hunt for more information.

To learn the complete regulations for turkey hunting, visit the DNR website.