Minnesota

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter plus some limited draw opportunities

Application Period: Jan – second Friday in Feb (Carlos Avery, Mille Lacs, and Whitewater WMAs only)

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: NO

Hunter Education Required: Anyone born after Dec 31, 1979

Bag Limit: One bearded bird in the spring and one of either sex in the fall

2026 Spring Season Dates:

Archery – April 15- May 31

Season A – April 15-21

Season B – April 22-28

Season C – April 29-May 5

Season D – May 5-12

Season E – May 13-19

Season F – May 20-31

2025 Fall Season Dates: Oct 4 – Nov 2 

Special Youth Hunt: April 15- May 31 (may hunt statewide for the entire season)

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: The tag provided with the license must be punched with the date of the kill and attached to the wild turkey immediately after taking the bird. The tag must remain attached to the bird during transit.  Wild turkeys must be registered online, by calling 888-706-6367, or at a registration station within 24 hours of harvest.  The feathers, head, and feet must remain on the wild turkey until it is registered. Once registered turkeys may be transported with just a fully feathered attached wing, or an intact leg and foot.  No person may possess an unregistered wild turkey outside the wild turkey permit area where the bird was taken unless it is being transported in a direct route to a registration station.  Although hunters are not restricted to a permit area, hunters who register a turkey will be required to provide the permit area where they harvested their bird.

Noteworthy Restrictions: A licensed turkey hunter may assist another hunter but may not shoot or tag a turkey for another hunter.  Any unlicensed adult may asist another hunter.  The unlicensed adult may not carry a weapon and may not charge for the assistance.  Shooting hours end at sunset.  Shotguns 10ga and smaller using shot sizes #4 and smaller may be used.  A person on foot may, without permission, enter land that is not posted to retrieve a wounded wild animal that was lawfully shot, but may not remain on the land after being told to leave.  Hunting is allowed in any open permit area statewide. All hunters will be asked which permit area they hunt most but that does not restrict the hunter to that area. No person may have a dog while hunting or assisting to hunt wild turkeys. Wild turkeys may not be taken with the aid of any electronic devis except red dot scopes, rangefinders, and devices designed to improve hearing. Guiding turkey hunters for compensation is not legal. Firearm hunters who do not kill a turkey in their selected time period may also hunt the final period (F).

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

888-646-6367

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys