NEW YORK STATE – Spring turkey season opens May 1 in all counties except for New York City and Nassau County. 

Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license.  If you still need to take your Hunter education course, classes are currently being offered statewide. In-person classes are free—find a class in your area!

Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31: 

• Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Nassau County; 

• Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license. 

• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day; 

• Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day and no more than one bird per season in Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County); 

• Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than Number 2 or smaller than Number 9, or with a bow or crossbow (except crossbows may not be used in Westchester or Suffolk counties); 

• Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested; 

• Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Report the harvest online at DEC’s Game Harvest Reporting webpage or the HuntFishNY app.  

Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart! 

DEC also encourages all hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink when moving between hunting spots to make themselves more visible to other hunters. A blaze orange or blaze pink vest or other material can be hung in a nearby tree when you are set up and calling birds so other hunters are alerted to your presence. 

• Point your firearm in a safe direction; 

• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded; 

• Be sure of your target and beyond; 

• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and 

• Stalking stinks! Set up with your back against a tree or other object wider than your shoulders and call birds to you.