Fall wild turkey season is just around the corner and we couldn't be more excited to get out in the fields and track some wily gobblers. Regulations in Ohio for turkey season are much more strict than for many other species, so you'll need to understand the laws before setting out to hunt. We put together this frequently asked questions article to help answer most of your questions. If you have questions we didn't answer, you can reach out to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does Fall turkey season begin?
A: Fall turkey season begins on the second Saturday of October and runs through the Sunday following Thanksgiving. For the 2021-22 season, wild turkey will open October 9 and will close on November 28.
Q: What are the legal hunting hours for wild turkey in Ohio?
A: The law states that wild turkey may not be taken prior to 30 minutes before sunrise and up to sunset.
Q: Where can I hunt wild turkey in Ohio?
A: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources restricts fall wild turkey hunts to specific counties. This group of counties is called the North East Counties area, but you should check with the ODNR to ensure your preferred county is part of the acceptable hunting range.
Q: What is the bag limit for turkey in fall for 2021-22?
A: The bag limit for fall season is one bird of either sex. This is more restrictive than spring, which allows for two birds, but doesn't restrict hunters to only taking gobblers like in spring.
Q: What equipment may I hunt for wild turkey with in Ohio?
A: State laws restrict hunting for wild turkey to the use of a longbow and arrow (minimum 40 lb. draw weight) or crossbow and bolt (minimum 75 lb. draw weight), or a shotgun (pellets only). Rifle and pistol hunting are not permitted, nor is the use of explosive arrows, poisoned arrows, or dogs except on a leash in spring for recovering wounded animals. You may not use traps to hunt wild turkey in Ohio. With the exception of a licensed concealed carry firearm, hunters may not carry more than one piece of equipment for harvesting wild turkey.
Q: Do I need a hunting license to hunt wild turkey in Ohio?
A: Ohio requires that all persons engaged in hunting have a valid license. This extends to hunters helping other hunters and individuals who are observing the hunt.
Q: I have a hunting licence, do I need a permit also?
A: Ohio requires that all hunters obtain a hunting license and pay for a permit to hunt wild turkey in the state.
Q: How much does a hunting license cost?
A: The Costs for hunting licenses are:
Youth License Before Oct.1/ After Oct. 1
- Resident & Nonresident Youth 1-Year Hunting License $10.00/$10.00
- Resident & Nonresident Youth 1-Year Apprentice License $10.00/$10.00
- Resident Youth 3-Year Hunting License $28.60/$27.04
- Resident Youth 5-Year Hunting License $47.58/$45.07
- Resident Youth 10-Year Hunting License $95.16/$90.14
- Resident Youth Lifetime Hunting License $430.56/$430.56
Adult License Before Oct. 1/ After Oct. 1
- Resident 1-Year Hunting License $19.00/$19.00
- Resident 1-Year Apprentice License $19.00/$19.00
- Resident 3-Year Hunting License $54.08/$54.08
- Resident 5-Year Hunting License $90.22/$90.14
- Resident 10-Year Hunting License $180.44/$180.27
- Resident Lifetime Hunting License $468.00/$449.28
- Nonresident 1-Year Hunting License $180.96/$180.96
- Nonresident 1-Year Apprentice Hunting License $180.96/$180.96
Resident-only Senior License Before Oct. 1/ After Oct. 1
- Resident Senior 1-Year Hunting License $10.00/$10.00
- Resident Senior 1-Year Apprentice License $10.00/$10.00
- Resident Senior 3-Year Hunting License $28.60/$27.04
- Resident Senior 5-Year Hunting License $47.58/$45.07
- Resident Senior Lifetime Hunting License $84.24/$84.24
- Resident Free Senior Hunting License Free/Free
Q: How much does a turkey permit cost for 2021-22?
A: The cost of turkey permits are as follows:
- Adult Permit: Resident $31.20
- Adult Permit: Nonresident $38.48
- Youth Permit: Resident & Nonresident $16.00
- Senior Permit: Resident Only $12.00
- Free Senior Permit: Resident Only FREE
So Are You Ready For Fall Turkey Season?
Hunting wild turkey is one of the most fun experiences you'll have in Ohio, even though the season is short and the bag limits are tight. Once you've had your first wild turkey cook-out, you'll understand why this season is so important to so many hunters. For more of our hunting tips and guides check out our posts on Top Bowhunting Tech and A Beginner's Guide to Bowhunting Basics.
