Spring is wild turkey mating season, and according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), wild turkeys occur in healthy numbers throughout the state and provide sustainable hunting opportunities. The 2022 spring wild turkey season opens in two areas: south of State Road 70 from March 5 - April 10 outside of the wild mating season, and north of State Road 70, from March 19 - April 24. Before hunters plan to take part in the opportunity, the FWC encourages people to follow up on the wild mating season guidelines.

If intending to hunt in the designated areas, hunters will need to have a license, a turkey permit, and a management area permit, unless exempt. These can be purchased with a credit card at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). They can also be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies.

Hunters may use decoys, but they are not permitted to hunt turkeys with dogs, use recorded turkey calls or sounds, or shoot turkeys on the roost. In addition, wild turkey may not be taken if the hunter is less than 100 yards from a game feeding station when feed is present. On lands outside of the hunting areas, any legal rifle, shotgun, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns of at least .20-caliber, muzzleloader, crossbow, bow or pistol may be used to take turkeys. Shooting hours on lands outside of the designated areas are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

To learn about license exemptions, visit https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/do-i-need-one/

More information on wild turkeys and Florida Hunting Regulations can be found on the FWC's website.