Wild turkey hunters across Ohio have checked 15,768 birds in the spring 2025 season so far.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Wild turkey hunters across Ohio have checked 15,768 birds in the spring 2025 season as of Sunday, May 18, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The spring wild turkey hunting season concluded in the 83 counties that comprise the south zone on Sunday, May 18. Hunting in the five counties of the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties) is open until Sunday, June 1.

During the 2024 spring turkey season, hunters bagged 15,426 birds through the corresponding date. The three-year average (2022 to 2024) for turkeys taken in the same time period is 14,253. This year’s total includes the 1,740 turkeys taken during the two-day youth season on April 12-13, all birds checked in 30 days of hunting in the south zone, and those harvested in the 16 days of hunting in the northeast zone.

The 10 counties with the highest totals for wild turkeys checked so far in the 2025 season: Monroe (462), Belmont (458), Guernsey (419), Ashtabula (416), Muskingum (406), Tuscarawas (400), Carroll (396), Meigs (376), Columbiana (372), and Coshocton (372).

The Division of Wildlife has issued 52,515 spring turkey permits as of Sunday, May 18.

Hunting is open from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset in the northeast zone, with a season limit of one bearded turkey. Find more information in the2024-25 hunting and trapping regulations booklet.

Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license in addition to a spring turkey permit, unless exempted. Successful hunters are required to game-check their turkey no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. Game check, licenses, and permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, via the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, or at a participating license agent. Game check can also be completed by phone at 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (877-824-4864).

Find more information about Ohio’s wild turkey hunting at wildohio.gov.?
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The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.????
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ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.??