Are you itching to get after some gobblers? In many states, wild turkey seasons don’t open for another month or two—but not everywhere. If you’re antsy to get into the turkey woods sooner rather than later, there are some opportunities for the traveling turkey hunter to do so in the near future. Here are five of the earliest turkey hunts in North America.
1) Florida
The Sunshine State is hands-down one of the most unique places to chase turkeys on the continent, and it offers the chance to pursue both Eastern and Osceola turkeys. Florida is split into two zones, with the Southern Zone opening on March 7; the Northern Zone opens a couple of weeks later on March 21. Tagging an Osceola gobbler in the swamplands of Southern Florida is a bucket-list experience for many turkey hunters—and it allows you to get in the field before hunters in any other state.
2) Texas
The hunting seasons for Rio Grande turkeys open early in the Lone Star State, with the South Zone kicking off on March 14 and the North Zone on March 28. One-gobbler counties and the East Zone don’t open until April. Early Rio Grande turkey hunting in Texas can be lights out—as long as you’re able to secure private access, as public land opportunities are scarce.
3) California
The Golden State has plenty of gobblers, good opportunity for both public and private hunters, and a relatively early season, which opens on March 28 this spring. Turkeys aren’t native to the state but were introduced there in the mid 1900s for hunters, and the species has done well throughout much of the state, particularly in oak woodlands. Rio Grande turkeys are the most common, but you can also find Merriam’s turkeys in some parts of the state.
4) Nebraska
Spring turkey hunting in Nebraska can be fantastic, though nonresidents are required to buy a special permit, and Nebraska Game and Parks has already sold out of them this year. The state’s general season isn’t notably early, but you can start targeting gobblers with archery gear on March 25. If you’ve already scored a permit or are a resident, it’s a good time to be out in the woods well before the start of the state’s spring firearm turkey season.
5) Mexico
The destination with the earliest spring turkey hunting isn’t in the States; it’s in Mexico, where you can kill Ocellated turkeys, Gould’s turkeys, and Rio Grande turkeys, depending on the region. Most of the country’s spring turkey seasons open between mid-February and mid-March. You’ll likely need to shell out big bucks for an outfitter, but if you have the desire and funds, it’s a great way to get in the game well before seasons open stateside.