Virginia.gov

Turkey

Bag Limits:

General:
One per day, three per license year, no more than two of which may be taken in the fall.
Archery and Fall Firearms Season:
Turkeys of either sex may be taken.
Spring Turkey Season:
One per day, bearded turkeys only.

Archery Turkey Season

October 1 through November 12: Statewide

  • Except in areas where there is a closed firearm season on turkey.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Archery Turkey Season

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

  • Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
  • Decoys and blinds may be used.
  • Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8- inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8- inch.
  • Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
  • Unlawful to use dogs when hunting with archery tackle during the archery season.
  • Unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders.

Youth Fall Turkey Hunt Day

October 15:

  • Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
  • Youth hunters (resident or non-resident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
  • Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Resident hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
  • All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.

Fall Firearms Turkey Seasons

October 29 through November 11, November 24, December 5 through December 31, and January 14 through January 28:
In the counties of Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvana, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greensville, Halifax, Hanover, Henrico, Henry, King and Queen, King William, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nelson, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and on Camp Peary.
Closed:
In the county of Arlington and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach.
October 29 through November 11, November 24, and December 5 through December 17:
In the counties of Accomack, Buchanan, Charles City, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, Lancaster, Matthews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, York (except on Camp Peary), and City of Suffolk.
October 29 through November 11 and November 24:
In the counties of Albemarle, Allegheny, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page, Rockingham, and Warren.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Fall Firearms Seasons and Youth Fall Turkey Hunt Day

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

  • Modern firearms.
  • Archery tackle (including crossbows).
  • Muzzleloading firearms.
  • Decoys, blinds, and dogs may be used.
  • Unlawful to use electronic calls.

Checking Fall and Spring Turkeys

Wild turkeys killed in the fall (except those killed in January) must be checked at a Game Check Station, by telephone, or the Internet Reporting Systems. This is the first year hunters have the option of reporting fall killed wild turkeys using the telephone or Internet Reporting Systems.

Wild turkeys killed in January must be checked using the telephone or Internet Reporting Systems.

Wild turkeys killed in the spring gobbler season must be checked using the telephone or Internet Reporting Systems.

Feather samples are no longer being collected at Game Check Stations in the fall or spring turkey seasons.

Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Day

April 7, 2012:

  • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
  • Bag limit is one per day, bearded birds only.
  • Youth hunters (resident or non-resident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
  • Resident hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Non-resident youth must have license regardless of age.
  • All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.

Spring Turkey Season

Bag Limit:

One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two, or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.

Seasons: Statewide

April 14 through May 5, 2012:

  • One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.

May 7 through May 19, 2012:

  • One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Spring Turkey Season and Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Day

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

  • Modern firearms.
  • Archery tackle (including crossbows).
  • Muzzleloading firearms.
  • Decoys and blinds may be used.
  • Unlawful to use electronic calls.
  • Unlawful to use dogs during spring turkey season.
  • When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring turkey season.