Turkey Hunting in Ohio: Season Timing, Bag Limits, and Best Spots

Some of the most fruitful wild turkey hunting grounds in the nation may be found in Ohio. Who wouldn’t want to spend a morning lurking around Ohio’s forests and glades waiting for a turkey to show up? 

A successful reintroduction program in the state has resulted in soaring populations in the past few years, and it is anticipated that the next few years will provide turkey hunters with a wealth of possibilities for mature beardies in numbers that have not been seen in a long time.  

Hunting enthusiasts are urged to visit as many public hunting sites as they can. This is your ultimate guide for hunting turkeys in Ohio. We have regulations, the best places to hunt, and more for you below! 

When is Turkey Hunting Season in Ohio?

Dates for the wild turkey hunting season are determined by state wildlife authorities and, in certain situations, differ by state and county. Early October marks the start of the Ohio autumn hunting season, which lasts through November. 

The Division of Wildlife determines the precise commencement date each year. A single turkey of either sex may be taken by turkey hunters throughout the fall season. The beginning of April marks the start of the hunting season for the youth. 

Later this month, the general hunting season begins in the state’s south. One week after that, the northeastern area opens. The Southern zone closes one week prior to the Northeastern zone in May when both zones end their operations.

Permits and Licenses For Turkey Hunting in Ohio

Ohio provides controlled-access hunting licenses that are drawn in an online lottery. You can enter the drawing on the Ohio DNR website if you have a valid hunting license and permit. For hunters who are fortunate enough to get an opportunity at wild turkey hunting, the restricted access possibilities represent some of the finest in all of Ohio.

The licensing year in Ohio runs from March 1 through February 28. To hunt or trap wildlife in Ohio, every hunter, no matter their age, must have a current hunting license on them. All applicants for hunting licenses, with the exception of those for apprentices, must satisfactorily complete a hunter training course. 

Hunters with trainee licenses and those under the age of 15 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Equipment Requirements

When hunting turkey in Ohio, there are certain legal requirements pertaining to the weapons used. Here is what is allowed as per the Ohio DNR. 

Shotgun

Shotguns that use shot and are 10 gauge or smaller including muzzleloading shotguns.

Longbow

40 pounds is the minimum draw weight. Recurve and compound bows are included in this. A requirement of two cutting edges, either exposed or concealed, and a width of 3/4 inches must be present on the arrow tip. 

It is permitted to use mechanical and expandable broadheads.

Crossbow

75 pounds is the minimum draw weight for turkey hunting with a crossbow. A minimum of two cutting edges, either exposed or concealed, and a width of 3/4 inches must be present on the arrow tip. 

It is permitted to use mechanical and expandable broadheads.

Clothing 

With their keen eyesight and ability to blend in right away, turkeys can sit still while a hunter tries to locate them. It’s crucial to dress in layers because the hunt may be chilly and wet. For hunting, certain states have strict attire requirements. 

Ohio does not mandate that turkey hunters don bright orange vests.

Best Spots to Turkey Hunt in Ohio

Now that you know about what is required to turkey hunt in Ohio, where’s the best place to go? Check out our top five picks! 

Grand River Wildlife Area

One of the few remaining top-notch public hunting grounds is the Grand River Wildlife Area. You’ll find this beauty in the northeastern part of Ohio. There are many wild turkeys and other great game species like river otters and whitetail deer. 

These animals were previously hunted to extinction in the state. Grand River is primarily flat and swampy, with patches of hardwoods that are still growing, providing prospects for big toms in the springtime.  

Egypt Valley Wildlife Area 

Another place that has prospered after rehabilitation is the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in the southeast. Due to extensive mining in the past, this region now consists of a winding valley with streams, lakes, and wetlands dotted with meadows and forested regions. 

Wild turkeys and numerous other game species frequently inhabit regions with hardwood trees. On a nice day, you may see a bald eagle flying through the area.  

Wayne National Forest

Our top pick for spring turkey hunting and all types of outdoor fun is Wayne National Forest. You’ll find this sprawling oasis in Southeast Ohio. It was primarily developed as a regeneration project after extensive timber cutting in the 18th and 19th centuries, making it the sole national forest in the state. 

There are three separate components that make up the park. For turkey, hunters usually travel to the Athens unit, but each of them has sizable wild turkey populations. 

Mohican Wildlife Area

One of the lesser-known locations hunters prefer to explore for hunting wild turkey is the Mohican River Wildlife Area. This is in central Ohio. For the committed hunter, it provides excellent possibilities, as long as you’re patient.  

A northern and a southern section are distinguished within the area. The southern portion is larger and has several densely forested regions that make excellent spots for springtime big tom turkey hunting. 

Highlandtown Wildlife Area

Ohio’s eastern Highlandtown Wildlife Area is home to a number of the most picturesque conditions you’ll ever encounter. Especially in the northern areas close to Yellow Creek State Forest, turkeys are in great abundance. 

Since it is among the smallest wildlife regions, having accurate maps is crucial to avoiding mistakenly entering private property. Highlandtown has rough terrain, with historic croplands and dense hardwood forestation on the ridge tops, which is ideal for turkey populations.

Hunting on Public vs. Private Land

On authorized public properties in various regions of the state, the State of Ohio preserves and allows the hunting of wild turkeys. An online map provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources aids sportsmen in locating public areas that are accessible for turkey hunting. 

These places can present fantastic hunting opportunities, but they must first be thoroughly surveyed. According to statistics, just 10% of the turkeys caught during springtime hunting on public lands are harvested by hunters.

Throughout the spring, the odds are significantly greater on private property. In order to avoid fines, get rid of dead turkeys, and suspension of hunting permits, hunters must scrupulously abide by the laws. 

Even though the site is marked as open for hunting, sportsmen must still obtain formal permission from the proprietor before hunting on privately owned land. Hunters that shoot on private property need a paper signed by the landowner. 

Rules Post-Turkey Hunting

The actions that hunters must follow after they successfully capture a turkey are governed by tight laws in the majority of states. In Ohio, hunters are required to submit a turkey permit and fasten the turkey tag to the animal as soon as it is down.

In order to process the turkey, hunters must also notify the Division of Wildlife about it and obtain a certification number. Hunters on either public or private turkey hunting grounds must abide by this guideline.

Although the majority of hunters will process a turkey themselves, there are businesses that can deal with it for you. The procedure is pretty simple and entails plucking the feathers, emptying the carcass, and cleaning the interior cavity. 

The dead animal is then promptly cooled to prevent decomposition and the formation of bacteria.