Wild turkey season opens early for young hunters

Spring wild turkey season in Pennsylvania starts Saturday with an opportunity for young hunters in advance of the regular season opener on May 4.

Junior hunters and mentored ones 16 and younger can hit the woods Saturday from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. All participants must be accompanied by an adult.

The regular season runs through May 31. For the first two weeks, hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until noon, but after May 20, hunters can stay out until 30 minutes past sunset.

In 2023, hunters took about 39,500 wild turkeys, an increase from 35,700 in 2022, according to the commission. Around 172,000 people hunt for spring turkey annually in the state.

A summer 2023 commission survey showed an average of nearly three young turkeys per hen statewide. Only bearded birds can be taken during the spring season by licensed hunters. All kills must be tagged and reported to the commission within 10 days.