News 2023 spring turkey season

The 2023 Massachusetts spring turkey hunting season is April 24–May 20; the Youth Turkey Hunt Day is April 22 (restrictions apply).

Get your license and turkey permit

If you’re hunting wild turkeys in Massachusetts, you need a hunting or sporting license as well as a turkey permit. A turkey permit comes with 3 turkey tags. Hunters can take 2 bearded turkeys in the spring and 1 turkey of either sex in the fall. Buy online at MassFishHunt.mass.gov or at a license agent (click here for a map).

Spring turkey hunting tips and regulations

• Review turkey hunting regulations including hunting hours, bag limits, and allowable hunting implements.
• Browse spring turkey hunting tips to learn more about pre-season scouting, using decoys, roosting birds, calls, and more.
• Turkey Calling Seminar on April 11—space available
  Join MassWildlife and the National Wild Turkey Federation for a 1-hour class to learn to use turkey calls. Each student will choose to focus on either box calls, pot calls, or mouth calls. Box and pot calls will be available to borrow; if you select mouth calls, please bring your own. The seminar will be held from 5 – 6 p.m. at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road) in Westborough. Space is limited, click here to register.

Harvest reporting

Successful hunters must report their turkeys within 48 hours of harvest. The easiest way to report a harvest is online. Click here to learn more about harvest reporting. 

Youth Turkey Hunt Program

The 2023 Youth Turkey Hunt will be held on April 22. There is still time for existing Basic Hunter Education graduates to participate in the Youth Hunt. Click here to learn about the Program and to register for an online or in-person seminar.

Turkey hunting safety information

• Always follow the 10 basic rules of firearm safety.
• Be completely sure of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot. Always practice firearm safety.
• Don't stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Sit or stand and call the birds to you.
• Do not wear red, white, blue, or black; these colors are associated with male turkeys.
• Protect your back. Set up against a large tree or rock and make sure your view isn't obstructed. Don't hide in a place with an obstructed view.
• Do not place decoys too close to where you set up. Never carry an exposed decoy or tail fan while hunting; put them in a bag when carrying them in or out of hunting locations.
• Consider wearing hunter orange when entering or leaving your hunting area.
• Regulation requires that all hunters place an official green Turkey Safety Sticker on their firearm positioned so it's visible when sighting down the barrel. If you need a new or replacement sticker for your firearm, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: MassWildlife, Attn: Turkey Safety Sticker, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. To ensure enough time to process and return mail safety stickers prior to opening day, please submit requests by April 14. Requests received after April 14 may not be fulfilled before opening day.