Expect to see an an increase in male wild turkey harvests in 2025, with an abundance of jakes and two-year-old gobblers out and about this spring. These young gobblers are probably the most fun birds to hunt – they gobble readily and aren't jaded by past hunter efforts.

“Don’t just limit yourself to the early season,” advises Jason Hardin, Wild Turkey Program leader. “The middle and later portions of the season usually have fewer hunters in the woods, and you never know when you'll strike a tom in the mood to strut and gobble. Go early and go often.”

Review our quick tips for a successful season in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine article Time for Spring Turkeys.

Find all the spring forecast details in our press release "Go Early and Go Often” — All Signs Pointing Toward Excellent Spring Wild Turkey Numbers This Season. 

Rio Grande turkey: bag limit is 4 birds; Eastern turkey bag limit is 1 bird.

South Zone: 3/15 to 4/27

North Zone: 3/29 to 5/11 

East Zone: 4/22 to 5/14

Spring 1-turkey bag limit in 1-turkey counties: 4/1 to 4/30. 

You must report ALL wild turkey harvests with the Texas Hunt & Fish app or online. See the Outdoor Annual's turkey information for more, including a list of Spring One-Gobbler counties.

Learn how to tell if a bird is a jake, hen or tom by watching our short video Spring Turkey Season.

• NEW for 2024-2025: Mandatory harvest reporting is required for ALL wild turkeys. Report using the free and convenient Texas Hunt & Fish app or online. 
• NEW for 2024-2025: Seasons are now identified by their geographic area; what was the Eastern turkey season is now referred to as East Zone. See the Outdoor Annual for counties.
• Upland Game Bird Endorsement and hunting license are required.
• All turkeys must be tagged immediately with a tag from your license. If you chose digital tagging this season, you must report your harvested wild turkey immediately. Watch the short video How to Tag a Turkey.
• Keep proof of sex on any harvested wild turkey. 
• It is illegal to take any hen in 1-bird-limit counties, or to take non-bearded hens in the North and South Zones.
• It is illegal to hunt roosting turkeys by any means at any time.
• All hunters born after Sept. 1, 1971 must have proof of Hunter Education – access proof of your certificate with the Outdoor Annual app.

Wild turkeys are a challenge to hunt, and harvesting one rewards you not only with a sense of accomplishment but a versatile meat for your table. 

James Beard Award-winning chef Jesse Griffiths is an expert on wild game cooking, and wild turkey is one of his favorite meats to prepare. His recipe for Turkey Katsu (video) is simple, crispy and tasty. Give it a try! 

Shot pattern refers to the pattern of pellets in relation to each other. What that pattern looks like determines if you can make a clean and ethical shot.

Taking the time to pattern your shotgun will indicate the load you can shoot most accurately, saving you money on ammunition and increasing your hunting success. 

Patterning is affected by the firing characteristics of the gun – choke, shotshell brand, shot type and size. But it all begins with choosing the right shotgun for you – gauge, fit and sights. Find tips for all this in the short video Patterning a Shotgun.