Spring is a special time of year for many reasons that differ from person to person. However, this time of year is particularly important to many hunters for one reason: turkey season.
Hunters in many parts of Texas are especially fortunate to have both fall and spring turkey seasons, but hunters who enjoy the incredible excitement of turkey calling especially relish being out in the woods during the peak of turkey breeding season in April and May.
Texas is home to three different sub-species of wild turkey: Eastern Turkey, Rio Grande Turkey, and Merriam’s Turkey. Merriam’s Turkey live in certain areas in extreme west Texas, Eastern Turkey inhabit parts of the east Texas piney woods, and Rio Grande Turkey live all through central Texas from the Rio Grande all the way up into the panhandle.
Of the three sub-species, the Rio Grande Turkey are by far the most widely distributed, the greatest in number, and the most commonly hunted in Texas. Indeed, 178 out of 254 counties in Texas have a turkey season, all but 13 of which are for Rio Grande Turkey.
There are exceptions, but most counties with a Rio Grande Turkey season have a four-turkey annual bag limit along with very long fall and spring hunting seasons. Most counties also have a shorter youth only hunting season.
Depending on the exact county, the spring Rio Grande general turkey season either runs April 4 to May 17, 2020; March 21 to May 3, 2020; or April 1 to 30, 2020. Some counties only allow the harvest of gobblers, but many counties also permit hunters to harvest bearded hens as well. Air guns and bows (among other methods of take) are permitted for hunting Rio Grande Turkey.
Texas also has a special Eastern Turkey season in 13 counties: Bowie, Cass, Fannin, Grayson, Jasper, Lamar, Marion, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Red River, and Sabine. All of these counties have an April 22 to May 14 hunting season and a one-turkey (gobblers only) annual bag limit.
Shotguns, archery equipment, and crossbows are the only permitted methods of take for Eastern Turkey in Texas. Additionally, turkey hunters are not permitted to hunt over bait during the special Eastern Turkey season. Finally, hunters who harvest a turkey in any of these designated eastern counties must report their harvest to Texas Parks and Wildlife within 24 hours.
It is not permitted to hunt roosting turkey at any time or place in the state. All turkey must be tagged immediately upon harvest and proof of sex must accompany the bird until it reaches its final destination for processing.
For more details on turkey hunting seasons and regulations, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website or check out the 2019-2020 Outdoor Annual Hunting, Fishing, & Boating Regulations.
Regardless of what kind of turkey you harvest, going afield in the spring can be a ton of fun. Additionally, especially when cooked using a great wild turkey recipe, they provide some absolutely delicious table fare.
