Spring turkey season kicks off April 16 with Junior Turkey Hunt Day, while statewide spring turkey season runs April 18 through May 23.
Maryland hunters can expect to see more turkeys this year especially in the state’s western and central regions.
The 2021 DNR Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey documented high reproductive success in areas where the Brood X cicada emergence provided abundant food resources for newly hatched turkeys.
However adult gobblers may be more limited due to poor reproduction in previous summers.
“The spring turkey season provides a great chance to get outdoors and enjoy the sights and sounds of the spring woods,” according to Paul Peditto, Wildlife and Heritage Service director. “Turkeys can be found in every county in the state, giving hunters ample opportunity to bag a gobbler.”
Junior Hunt Days allow licensed youths, age 16 years and younger, to hunt if they are accompanied by an unarmed adult, age 21 and older, who holds a valid Maryland hunting license. The Junior Turkey Hunt is April 16 statewide; youth hunting is allowed April 17 in select counties.
For the first part of the regular hunting season April 18 through May 9, hunting is allowed one half-hour before sunrise until noon. Throughout the rest of the season, May 10 through May 23, and during the Junior Turkey Hunt, April 16-17, hunting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset.
The daily bag limit for the spring season is one bearded turkey, with a season bag limit of two bearded turkeys.
Hunting is permitted on Sundays in certain counties. Complete regulations, including Sunday hunting dates and check-in procedures can be found online.