Spring turkey seasons in New York and Pennsylvania are just about ready to start. Pennsylvania’s season starts on Saturday, April 29 and ends on May 30. Only bearded turkeys are legal to take.

From April 29 to May 13, legal hunting hours are one-half-hour before sunrise until noon. From May 15 to May 30 legal hunting hours are one-half-hour before sunrise until one-half-hour after sunset. This new change in the 2nd part of the season allows hunters to hunt for bearded turkeys all day long.

Turkey daily limit is one (1) and the season limit is two (2). The second spring gobbler may be only taken by hunters who possess a valid special turkey license.

There is no Sunday hunting allowed for turkeys in Pennsylvania. It is unlawful to hunt turkeys with a rifle. If you harvest a turkey, you have 10 days to report it to the Pa Game Commission, call 800-838-4431. Resident turkey license cost $21.97 and non-resident cost $41.97.

New York’s Spring Gobbler turkey season starts on Monday, May 1 and ends on May 30. You may hunt turkeys with a shotgun or a handgun only when using shot no larger than #2 and no smaller than #9.

Hunters may take two (2) bearded turkeys, but only one (1) turkey per day. Shooting hours are from one-half-hour before sunrise to noon each day. If you harvest a bearded turkey, you must fill out your turkey tag and attach it to the turkey in the field immediately. If you harvest a turkey, you must report it to DEC within seven days, call 866-426-3778.

Turkey hunting safety tips include: 

1. Don’t stalk turkeys, it doesn’t work and it is dangerous. 

2. Never wear turkey colors-red, white, or blue. 

3. Assume anything that sounds like a turkey is another turkey hunter. 

4. Call with a large tree at your back.

5. If you see another hunter, don’t move. Never wave, whistle or make any turkey call or animal sound. Speak up in a loud, clear voice to identify yourself.

6. Wrap an orange vest around a tree near your calling location to let other hunters know you are there. 

7. Be sure of your target and beyond!

Wishing all turkey hunters a safe and enjoyable hunting season!