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Stay up-to-date on operations adjustments and temporary closure of TPWD offices, state parks, recreation facilities and water access points due to COVID-19. Please follow guidance from local authorities, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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Wild Turkey2020-2021 Seasons & Regulations

Upland Game Bird Endorsement Required
Archery Only
All counties with an open fall season Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2020
Youth-Only
North Zone Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2020
Jan. 4 - 17, 2021
South Zone Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2020
Jan. 18 - 31, 2021
Rio Grande - North Zone Mar. 27 - 28, 2021
May 22 - 23, 2021
Rio Grande - South Zone Mar. 13 - 14, 2021
May 8 - 9, 2021
Fall Season
North Zone Nov. 7, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021
South Zone Nov. 7, 2020 - Jan. 17, 2021
Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties Nov. 7, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021
Spring Season
Rio Grande - North Zone Apr. 3 - May 16, 2021
Rio Grande - South Zone Mar. 20 - May 2, 2021
Rio Grande - Special 1 Turkey Bag Limit Apr. 1 - 30, 2021
Eastern Turkey Apr. 22 - May 14, 2021

Lawful Activity

It is unlawful to hunt roosting turkeys by any means at any time or to release turkeys without department authorization.

All turkey must be tagged with a tag from the hunter’s license immediately upon harvest, and in a secure manner anywhere on the turkey.

Tagging a Wild Turkey

A tag from the hunting license of the person who killed the turkey must be correctly and legibly completed (including name of property and county) and immediately attached to the animal.

The hunter MUST:

  • use the specific type of turkey tag
  • have the month and date of kill clearly cut out on the tag by notching the respective month and day. Do not “ink out.”

Where to Attach Tag to Wild Turkey

The tag may be attached anywhere on a turkey so that it is not damaged, defaced, or lost in transporting or handling.

NOTICE: Read the tag use description on your license carefully before attaching to harvested turkey.

Special Regulations for Eastern Spring Season in Certain East Texas Counties

Shotgun, archery and crossbows are the only lawful means; no hunting over bait; all turkeys must be reported to the department within 24 hours after they are killed. Harvested turkeys may be field dressed, but must otherwise remain intact until reaching a final destination.

Reporting is Mandatory for Eastern Turkey Harvests

All Eastern turkey harvests must be reported by mobile app or online:

Special Regulations for Western One-Gobbler Counties

No more than one gobbler may be harvested annually in the Western One-Gobbler Zone across all counties combined. Those counties included in the Western One-Gobbler Only Zone include Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Milam, and Wharton.

Proof of Sex

During a season in which the bag composition for turkey is restricted to gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens, proof of sex must remain with the turkey, attached or unattached, until it reaches either the processor’s permanent residence or a cold storage/processing facility and is finally processed. Proof of sex for turkeys:

  • gobbler (male turkey):
    • one leg, including the spur or
    • a patch of skin with breast feathers and beard attached
  • bearded hen (female turkey): a patch of skin with breast feathers and beard attached