Check your county for season opener date as some are later this year.
Spring Turkey hunting is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and friends, and put some food on the table. Here are a few things to know before you head to the woods this year.
A combination hunting and fishing license, plus a supplemental big game license, or a sportsman license is required. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to renew your hunting and fishing license(s). Reminder that licenses are valid one year from the date of purchase.
Regulations for Spring Turkey
Statewide
Young Sportsman: April 8-9, 2023
Shotgun/Archery: April 15 – May 28, 2023
Bag Limits
One (1) bearded turkey per day, not to exceed two (2) per season, only one can be a jake. An adult gobbler is defined by having one of the following: wing feathers have white barring all the way to the tip, tail feathers are the same length, beard is longer than 6 inches, or a spur is at least 1/2 inch long.
Any turkey harvested during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts toward the statewide spring season limit of two (2).
Don’t Forget… Tag Before You Drag
You must tag your harvest prior to moving it. There are 2 options to do that.
One step, paperless tagging! With the TWRA On the Go App, tagging and harvest reporting have never been easier – you are done in one step. Report your harvest with or without cell service before you move the game. You will immediately receive a harvest confirmation number that TWRA Officers can use to verify your harvest.
No mobile phone? No problem. Use temporary transportation tags. Cut one out, fill in harvest information, and attach it to your game prior to moving it. The hunter is responsible for making sure the tag remains intact. You are still required to check the game in online or at a physical check station no later than midnight on the day of the harvest. Transportation tags can be found at the bottom of your license print out or you can log in and print them at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.
Please Report Banded Turkeys
TWRA is conducting a statewide banding project to investigate gobbler harvest rates in Tennessee. Hunters who harvest a turkey with a TWRA leg-band are asked to report the band number stamped on the band. Hunters can keep the band as a memento of their hunt but reporting the band to TWRA is essential to getting a good estimate of turkey harvest rates. To report a TWRA wild turkey leg band, please go to http://tnturkeyband.com.
An Essential Tool for Turkey Season
To help you get the most out of your spring turkey season, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has partnered with onX Hunt to offer a discount on Premium and Elite memberships. Tennessee Hunters receive 20% off an annual onX Hunt Membership by using the code “HUNTTN” at checkout. PLUS – A portion of every purchase will be donated to support Tennessee conservation.
