For many hunters in Virginia, there is nothing like Spring turkey hunting on the east coast. We have the largest turkeys in North America running around our forest floors. Spring turkey hunting is also symbolic for many of us because Spring is the first time we’re able to go outside and run around the woods. 

I love Spring turkey hunting because it always seems like I’m not as active during the winter months. After working on my mouth calls and perfecting my box call, I’m bursting at the seams to go try it out. Spring turkey hunting also provides more challenges than Fall turkey hunting.  We’ll get into the most important rules and regulations to know and how to make sure you’re shooting the right turkey. 

What Are the Rules for Spring Turkey Hunting?

Spring turkey hunting on the East Coast is much harder than fall turkey hunting because the rules are much more strict. The season starts on April 10th and goes Through May 15th. However, from April 10-May 2nd, you can only hunt from 30 min before sunrise to noon. From May 3rd-15, you can hunt all day until sundown. The DWR of Virginia does this to help reduce the stress and pressure on turkeys as they’re trying to get as many hens as possible to roost with. 

  1. Only Bearded Turkeys can be taken in the Spring.
  2. One per day, bearded turkeys only.
  3. Hunters may take one, two, or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.
  4. You can use almost any weapon you want from shotgun to crossbow and everything in between.

How Do I Identify a Bearded Turkey (Tom or Jake)?

This is the most important part about Spring hunting to fully understand before you get into the woods and start trying to harvest a turkey. Male turkeys are called toms (fully grown) or jakes (younger males) and have a beard on their chest. The jakes will have a shorter beard and it will go straight out instead of hanging down. A tom has a much larger beard that lays flatter on its chest. A tom is much larger and has a very colorful head that changes colors to red, white, and blue. 

You are not allowed to shoot hens during spring hunting season so it’s important to understand what hens look like vs jakes. The easiest way to distinguish between the 2 is the jake has a beard. However, there is a small percentage of hens that have beards too. Hens are always going to be smaller and their heads do not change color with their mood or intentions. Generally, if the turkey has a beard and seems to be more aggressive, it’s most likely a jake and not a hen. 

Where Do I Look for Spring Turkeys?

Spring turkeys are going to be in the open fields of farms and around hardwood trees, such as Pine. Turkeys always want to be within a couple of miles of a water source. If you’re in dense forests, then you should try to find any opening you can with grass and bugs. Turkeys always roost after sundown and come up with the sun. You have to be sure to be set up and ready well before sunrise for your best chance at a turkey. 

How Do I Call Turkey?

Beginners should always use a simple box call to keep it simple and easy. However, as you begin to practice and get better with your mouth calls, I have better luck with mouth calls than box calls. Calling toms and jakes isn’t overly complicated if you keep it simple. If you’re not confident about your mouth call, don’t try and use it because turkeys will know and ignore you. 

The best call you can perfect is the purr of a turkey. The video below explains how to perfect the purr and other main calls on a box call and scratch box. Focus on the purr when the turkey gets closer and don’t go too crazy with the calls. You don’t need to call more than once every few minutes. If you call too much the turkey will lose interest and run away.

What’s the Best Time of Day to Hunt?

Turkey hunting is very different than most other animals because you have to be up before the sun for your best chance. You need to be set-up and ready for the gobbles about 10 min before the sun comes up. If you know where the roosting tree is, you’re chances increase significantly.

Everyone will tell you that the morning is the best, but I know many people who find success around 10:00-11:00 AM. Turkeys go back to the roost until around 4:00 P.M. Sometimes if a jake or tom hasn’t found a hen(s) to roost with, you can catch one slipping and get him to come in closer to you to investigate. 

What’s the Best Shot to Use for Spring Turkey?

There are many different options but I prefer #6 shot with my 20 gauge and #5 with my 12 gauge shotgun. The bigger the number for the shot means the smaller the pellets. However, the bigger the number also means that it has more pellets. Most people refer to #6 shot as birdshot. 

If you’re wondering why you’d want smaller pellets, don’t feel bad about it. If you have smaller pellets then you’re not going to tear as much flesh from the bird. This way you can save as much meat as possible without just blowing up the bird into inedible pieces. Every shotgun shoots a little differently and prefers some types of ammo over others. Try out a few different brands and shot numbers to find what works best for your shotgun. 

Where Should I Shoot a Turkey?

This is a very important question and fortunately, it’s an easy answer. The best spot to shoot a turkey is just above the base of the neck. You don’t want to aim for a headshot because a lot of your spread will just go over its head. If you aim for the chest, you’ll destroy your breast meat and defeat the purpose of hunting. If you aim for just above the base of the neck, you’ll mainly hit the neck head and top of the breastplate. This will save you the most meat and ensure a kill shot.

 

What Should I Wear for Spring Hunting?

Just like I mentioned in the fall turkey hunting blog, you need to be dressed in camo from head-to-toe. Everything you wear makes a huge difference because turkeys see everything. They have eyes on the side of their head and can see 360 degrees around them. Turkey can also see in full color so you never want to wear orange while hunting turkey. You’ll stick out to them as you do to other hunters. . You’re also going to want to wear camo that has some spring colors in it too. This will help you blend in more since leaves will be full of life instead of dead. 

 

 

 

How Do I Process a Turkey?

Turkey can be intimidating to process because they have 5,000-6,000 feathers and their anatomy is as well known as a deer. I learned by following along with youtube channels that I know and respect, which hasn’t steered me wrong yet. The important things to consider are the type of knife, the sharpness of your blade, and whether or not you want to mount the turkey or just process it for dinner. The easiest way to process and prepare a turkey is the way Steve Rinella does it. 

What knife should I Use to Butcher a Wild Turkey?

There are many ways to skin a turkey, but I’ve found that thinner, sharper, and more flexible blades work better. Keep your cuts very precise and short so you can ensure you don’t waste any meat. Wild Turkey breast is one of my all-time favorite wild game foods. It’s not as fatty as farm or warehouse raised turkey and has a much richer flavor. If you smoke it and put a good reverse sear on it, you’ll never want to go back.

 

 

Conclusion 

Spring turkey hunting is the inaugural start of the year with your first hunt being a bearded turkey.  The feeling I get when I come out of the winter haze and step into the woods for the first time is unmatched. The connection and euphoria that hunters get while in the woods are what makes us wake up at 4:00 AM.  Follow this guide and ensure you can identify a male turkey from a female turkey. Good luck and happy hunting!

Hunting knife