HARRISBURG, PA — The highly anticipated 2025 spring turkey hunting season in Pennsylvania is set to begin, with junior license holders and eligible mentored youth kicking off the action on April 26. This youth-only hunt will run from half an hour before sunrise until noon. The regular statewide season will follow from May 3 to May 17, maintaining the same hunting hours, with extended hours from May 19 to May 31, when hunting will end half an hour after sunset.
Pennsylvania hunters can harvest one gobbler with a general hunting license. Those seeking a second gobbler can purchase an additional spring gobbler tag no later than May 2, though only one bird may be taken per day.
The upcoming season marks another chapter in the state’s successful return of turkey populations, a stark contrast to the scarcity seen before 1968, when the spring turkey season was first introduced. Once dwindling nationwide to around 30,000 birds due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting, the resurgence of turkeys now allows Pennsylvania to achieve an annual spring harvest averaging 38,000 gobblers.
“We have seen a general increase in the statewide reproductive success over the past four years,” said Mary Jo Casalena, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist. She attributes the strong turkey population to years of above-average reproduction, with all 22 Wildlife Management Units reporting strong numbers in 2024.
Safety remains a priority as hunters prepare for the season. Officials stress the importance of employing proper safety measures, such as sitting against sturdy barriers, positively identifying targets, and wearing fluorescent orange while moving. “Turkeys can be tough to fool,” Casalena noted. “But that’s what makes the season so enjoyable – the challenge behind getting an opportunity to harvest a bird and put food on your family’s table.”
Junior license holders and mentored youth are reminded to adhere to specific regulations, including adult supervision requirements. Hunters must also comply with rules regarding the use of firearms, blinds, and reporting their harvests.
With turkey populations robust and hunters ready to head into the woods, the 2025 spring season presents a promising opportunity for recreation and sustenance. Officials encourage participants to follow regulations, prioritize safety, and make the most of Pennsylvania’s thriving wilderness.
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