Pennsylvania turkey hunting regulations, tips for the season

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — It’s almost that time of the year when spring turkey season kicks off in Pennsylvania. Before hunters head out to get their next gobbler, the Pa. Game Commission is sending out some friendly reminders and tips .

Pennsylvania’s 2024 spring gobbler season begins on Saturday, April 27 with a half-day hunt for junior hunters and mentored hunters 16 and under. All participants must be accompanied by adults while hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

The regular season runs May 4-31, with hunting hours going from one-half hour before sunrise until noon from May 4-18, then from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half-hour after sunset from May 20-31.

For those worried there might not be enough gobblers for everyone, fret not! The Game Commission’s 2023 summer turkey sighting survey – an annual, long-term measure of productivity – found 2.9 poults per hen statewide.

Licensing and regulations for spring turkey season

All participants in the youth gobbler hunt must by law be accompanied by adults. Mentored hunters 16 and under must hunt with an adult mentor. The mentor may not supervise any other youth hunters and must carry the sporting arm at all times the pair is moving. Hunting hours during the youth hunt end at noon.

During the spring gobbler season, hunters may use manually operated or semiautomatic shotguns limited to a three-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined. Muzzleloading shotguns, crossbows as well as long, recurve and compound bows also are permitted.

Only bearded birds may be harvested during the spring season. Hunters should refrain from knowingly harvesting bearded hens because they do nest and raise broods.

There is no requirement for hunters to wear fluorescent orange during the spring turkey season, though wearing it is recommended while moving.

Blinds used while turkey hunting must be manufactured with manmade materials of sufficient density to block movement within the blind from an observer outside the blind. Blinds must completely enclose the hunter on all four sides and from above. It is unlawful to hunt turkeys from blinds made of natural materials such as logs, tree branches and piled rocks.

Blinds that represent the fanned tail of a gobbler do not hide all hunter movement and are unsafe, and therefore are unlawful to use in Pennsylvania.

Hunters may pursue spring gobblers only by calling birds. It is unlawful, as well as unsafe, to stalk turkeys or turkey sounds. When in a stationary position, a hunter should sit with his or her back against a large tree, rock or other barrier that shields movement and offers protection from others who might approach from the rear.

The $21.97 license, $41.97 for nonresidents, may be purchased online but cannot be printed at home, so purchasing it directly from an issuing agent might be the better option. The same goes for general hunting licenses. General hunting licenses purchased online also are sent by mail, and shipping charges apply.

Turkey hunting safety tips

• For safety, turkey hunters should not wear clothing that contains black, like the color found on a turkey’s body, or red, white or blue, like those on a turkey’s head.
• Sit against a large stump, tree trunk or boulder that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head. This hides your movement from turkeys and offers protection from other hunters who might approach from the rear.
• Never wear bright colors – especially red, white, blue or black – because those are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.
• Positively identify your target. Be absolutely certain it’s a legal turkey and that there’s nothing in your line of fire beyond it, like another hunter, before pulling the trigger.
• If you shoot a bird, put your gun’s safety on and approach the downed bird with your firearm pointed in a safe direction. Never run with it.
• If you see another hunter, never move, wave or make turkey sounds. Rather, remain still and speak in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence.
• Leave an area if you suspect there’s another hunter already working the same bird.
• While there is no requirement to wear fluorescent orange while turkey hunting, it’s a good idea to wear it while moving.

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How to report a harvest

Successful turkey hunters must immediately tag their bird before moving it from the harvest site and are required by law to report the harvest to the Game Commission within 10 days. Those reports are key to managing turkeys, as they allow the Game Commission to estimate harvest and population trends.

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