Ohio's 2025 youth wild turkey season results are in
Youth wild turkey hunters across Ohio checked 1,740 birds during the state’s special youth-only weekend of turkey hunting April 12-13.
According to an April 14 news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, the two-day season was open to hunters ages 17 and younger, and participants were required to be accompanied by a nonhunting adult.
The three-year average for wild turkeys taken during the youth season (2022-2024) is 1,571 birds. In 2024, youth hunters bagged 1,785 turkeys on the corresponding weekend.
As of April 13, the DOW has issued 6,731 youth turkey permits, which can be used throughout the 2025 wild turkey hunting season, according to the release. The season limit is one bird, and only bearded turkeys may be taken.
The top 10 counties for wild turkeys checked during the 2025 youth season were as follows:
- Monroe (62)
- Noble (60)
- Guernsey (55)
- Tuscarawas (55)
- Muskingum (54)
- Belmont (52)
- Ashtabula (49)
- Carroll (49)
- Harrison (47)
- Columbiana (43)
In spring 2024, the top five counties for wild turkey harvest by the end of the season were Ashtabula (470), Belmont (454), Tuscarawas (449), Monroe (447), and Washington (410). More information about previous seasons can be found in the 2024 spring wild turkey report.
Spring wild turkey hunting for all ages opens in the 83 counties that comprise the south zone Saturday, April 19, and concludes Sunday, May 18. In the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties), hunting begins Saturday, May 3, and concludes Sunday, June 1. Season dates in the northeast zone correspond with later turkey incubation in that region, according to the release.
Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license in addition to a spring turkey permit, unless exempted. Successful hunters are required to game-check their turkey no later than 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. Game check, licenses, and permits are available on the HuntFish OH app, on the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, or at a participating license agent. Game check can also be done by phone at 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (877-824-4864). Find details in the 2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet.
- 142 reads
