Best States to Hunt Turkey 2024
The wild turkey is a shining example of Conservation in North America. From nearly wiped out at the turn of the 1900s through conservation and repopulation programs, the wild turkey has rebounded with populations in 49 states, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite this success story, wild turkeys are not easy to hunt. Populations, access, and draw opportunities for birds vary significantly from state to state.
To narrow down a hunter’s selection, we’ve crunched the numbers and come up with the five best states to hunt turkeys for 2024. This “best of the list” includes estimated populations, license costs*, and season dates for the spring turkey season. We have also taken into account the all-critical Wild Turkey Grand Slam. “The Slam” takes four of the subspecies commonly found in North America, including the Eastern, Oceola, Merriams, and Rio. Some states and regions provide shots at multiple subspecies, while other states provide opportunity over variety.
Wisconsin
Turkey Population: 350,000
Harvest Data: 42,439 turkeys in 2023
License Cost: Resident $33.25, Nonresident $88.25
Season Dates: April 17 – May 28
Subspecies: Eastern
Wisconsin may be known as a whitetail state, but the healthy population of Eastern turkey and the low cost for an out of state hunter makes the state a contender for best turkey states too. With more than a month to hunt, hunters can take advantage of the state’s nearly 5 million acres of public land as well as private land opportunities and outfitters.
For more information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey
Missouri
Turkey Population: 400,000
Harvest Data: 44,516 turkeys in 2023
License Cost: Resident $18, Nonresident $233.50
Season Dates: April 15 – May 5
Subspecies: Eastern
Missouri’s overall population of turkey may not be as large as some other states in the union, but the hunter success numbers and once-in-a-lifetime cicada hatch for the southern states this year are likely to improve recruitment and make the next two years outstanding for turkey hunters. Changes in hunting regulations this year include private land hunters being able to take birds after 1 pm. Public land hunters must still abide by the 1 pm hunting curfew for turkey.
For more information: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey
South Dakota
Turkey Population: Unrecorded
Harvest Data: 7,458 turkeys in 2023
License Cost: Resident $25, Nonresident $100
Season Dates: April 13 – May 31, 2024
Subspecies: Merriams
South Dakota is well known as a pheasant hunter’s paradise, but the state’s massive public lands and private ranches are also home to a thriving population of Merriams. The introduced turkey population is located primarily in the Black Hills region, with no estimated number of birds. Still, the respectable number harvested in the area’s 2.3 million acres strongly supports the state’s belief that these birds are thriving, and so are the hunters willing to put the leg work in to find them.
For more information: https://gfp.sd.gov/turkey/
Texas
Turkey population: 451,000
Harvest Data: 17,246
License cost: Resident: $25, Nonresident: $126
Season Dates: March 30 – May 14
Subspecies: Rio
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the harvest data for Rios is no different. Texas has incredible turkey hunting and is considered THE state for hunters looking at getting a Rio subspecies. Public-land hunting opportunities for turkeys are limited, as most of the state’s hunting is conducted on private land, either through outfitters or by asking landowner permission.
For more information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/turkey
Nebraska
Turkey Population: Currently being determined
Harvest Data: 20,000 turkeys harvested
License Cost: Resident $70, Nonresident $130
Season Dates: March 25– May 31
Subspecies: Rio, Merriams, Hybrids
Nebraska has been regarded as one of the top states for traveling turkey hunters for decades. With populations of both Rios and Merriams in the state, the area is also home to hybridized birds. While the hybrids are not considered part of the wild turkey slam, they highlight the adaptability of the species while providing a great huntable bird that receives slightly less pressure because of the “Slam exempt” status. Nebraska has experienced a decline in turkey numbers in recent years and, as a result, has started to limit the number of tags issued to out-of-state hunters to just 10,000.
For more information: https://outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/game/turkey/
Bonus state: Florida
Tukey Population: 100,000
Harvest data: 11,590
License cost: Resident $10, Nonresident $125
Season dates: March 2- April 27
Subspecies: Eastern, Osceola
Florida holds a unique quality for turkey hunting, the Osceola. The Osceola turkey is endemic to Florida and is found only in the lower half of the state. The result is that hunters looking to check off this subspecies for their grand slam require a trip to the palmettos and cypress swamps of the Sunshine State. Florida has a mix of public and draw-only public lands, creating a patchwork of huntable land. Florida’s Osceolas have found a niche alongside the state’s agriculture, where hunters utilizing a guide will often share their hunting land with cattle, tomatoes, or citrus trees. Northern and panhandle turkey hunters will most often be hunting Eastern subspecies.
For more information: https://www.eregulations.com/florida/hunting/
Turkey hunting is available in 49 states across the United States. While there is a chance to harvest a bird in any one of them, looking at the list above, it’s hard to find a reason not to look into one of these states for your turkey hunt. Whether you plan on knocking off another subspecies for your slam or just getting out in the woods as the winter melts away to spring, these states are an opportunity to make memories and experience the best states for turkey hunting for 2024.
*Cost reflects only turkey tags; additional licenses or permits may be needed.