Spring turkey season opens May 1, in all counties north of Bronx-Westchester County boundary, and Suffolk County on Long Island. 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! To find a class in your area, visit DEC's Hunter Education Program website.  

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 gun in a safe direction; 
• Treat every gun 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. 

Turkey hunting season opens on May 1 in New York. Here are some safety tips for hunters and non-hunters sharing the woods during the month of May.    

• Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon each day. Hunters and non-hunters should not wear red, white, or blue clothing, hats, or packs to avoid being mistaken for a turkey.
• Hikers, bird watchers, and other non-hunters should wear fluorescent orange.
• Hunters should wear fluorescent orange while moving to and from their hunting area and should put fluorescent orange on a nearby tree when sitting still waiting for a turkey.  
• Never stalk turkey sounds. It could be another hunter.  
• Be sure of your target and what it is front of it and beyond it.   
• Do not shoot at movement or sound. If you see another vehicle or suspect another hunter is working the area, move to another area to avoid interaction with other hunters.
• Always assume any call or sounds you hear are from another hunter. Don't shoot until you clearly see the whole turkey and can identify the sex of the bird.  
• If you see another hunter, remain still and speak up clearly. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter.
• When calling, sit still with your back against a big tree or rock, to hide you from turkeys and other hunters.
• If you take a turkey or carry a decoy, wrap it in fluorescent orange or put in in an orange bag.   

Be safe, be seen!