Turkey Data

During July and August TPWD staff collect wild turkey observations to assess annual production, recruitment, and sex ratios. Data is gathered and reported at the TPWD-Wildlife Division Regional Level. Region 1 represents the Trans Pecos, High Plains, and upper & western Rolling Plains ecological regions; Region 2 represents the eastern and lower Rolling Plains, Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, upper Blackland Prairie, and Edwards Plateau ecological regions; Region 3 represents the Blackland Prairie, upper Post Oak Savanna, and Pineywoods ecological regions; Region 4 represents the lower Blackland Prairie, lower Post Oak Savanna, upper Coastal Prairies and Marshes, and upper South Texas Brush Country ecological regions; Region 5 represents the South Texas Brush Country, Coastal Sand Plains, and lower Coastal Prairies and Marshes ecological regions. All data is collected incidental to other field activities.

TPWD has required mandatory harvest reporting for all wild turkeys harvested in counties with a spring-only, 1-bird bag limit for several years. As of the 2024-25 hunting season, TPWD has enacted mandatory harvest reporting for all wild turkeys harvested statewide. Successful turkey hunters with a physical hunting license are required to report their harvested wild turkey within 24 hours of take in all counties with an open season. Hunters with a digital hunting license are required to report their harvested wild turkeys immediately upon harvest. Harvest is reported through the Texas Hunt & Fish Mobile App or online through the portal at apps.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntharvest/. Mandatory harvest reporting began in 1995 in east Texas and has expanded to include all Texas counties with an open turkey season in both the spring and fall seasons. Mandatory harvest reporting allows TPWD to closely monitor harvest and population trends.