Minnesota Turkey Season and Regulations 2024

Spring is almost here! For bowhunters that means that spring turkey season is top of mind. In this blog we've gathered all the Minnesota turkey season information from the DNR's website to keep you updated on the current regulations and dates set for turkey season. Mark your calendars! 

2023 Minnesota Spring Turkey Seasons

Licenses for all spring 2024 wild turkey seasons go on sale Friday, March. 1. Once licenses are on sale, they will be available for purchase online, in person and via telephone.

Wild Turkey Licenses 

Licenses may be purchased online, by telephone (888) 665-4236 or in person wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Prices listed do not include $1 issuing fee. Online and telephone purchases include additional fees.

Residents (archery only or firearm)

18 and older...................................................$26.00

Ages 13 to 17.................................................$4.00

12 and younger..............................................Free ($1 issuing fee)

Nonresidents (archery only or firearm)

18 and older........................................................................................$96.00

Ages 13 to 17......................................................................................$4.00

12 and younger...................................................................................Free ($1 issuing fee)

The $5.00 Wild Turkey Stamp validation is included in the license price. You do not need to purchase an additional stamp. Because the fall wild turkey license is valid for both archery and firearms, a firearms safety certificate is required for purchase.

A small game license is not required to hunt wild turkey.

See the frequently asked questions document on the wild turkey hunting web page for information about changing licenses, military privileges and more.

WILD TURKEY HUNT RULES

Licenses

• Spring wild turkey licenses may be purchased over the counter starting March 1.
•  All hunters will be asked which permit area they hunt most (to provide information on expected harvest pressure), but this does not restrict the license holder to that unit. 
• Firearms turkey hunters, age 18 and over are restricted to the time period selected at time of purchase.
• Hunters who purchase a firearms license may use archery equipment (including crossbows) but may only hunt during their selected time-period or the final time-period (F – May 22-31).
• •Youth hunters (17 and younger) may hunt statewide for the entire season (April 17-May 31) with firearms or archery equipment. • Archery-only license holders may hunt statewide for the entire season (April 17-May 31) but may not use firearms to take a turkey. 
• *New for 2024* Archery-only license holders may use crossbows as the result of a legislative change last session. •
• Hunters cannot purchase both a firearms and archery-only license. •
• Firearms hunters who do not tag a turkey in their selected time-period may also hunt the final hunt time-period (F – May 22-31).
• There is no lottery for the fall turkey season. Licenses may be purchased after August 1.

Method of Taking

Firearms

• Shotguns or muzzleloader shotguns must be 10 gauge or smaller.
• Only fine shot size No. 4 and smaller diameter (sizes 4, 5, 6, 7½, 8, etc.) may be used.
• Red dot scopes and rangefinders are legal.

Archery

• *NEW FOR 2024* Archery-only license holders may use crossbows.
• Bows must have a pull of no less than 30 pounds at or before full draw
• A person may use a mechanical device attached to the bowstring if the person’s own strength draws and holds the bowstring
• Arrowheads must have at least two metal cutting edges of barbless design at least 7/8 inch in diameter, or must be of a blunt head design
• Expandable arrowheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch at or after impact and must be barbless
• No person may use an arrow that is poisoned or has an explosive tip

Crossbows

• May be used by any person who possess a valid firearms license during their selected time-period or by any person who possess a valid archery-only permit 
• Must be fired from the shoulder 
• Must be able to deliver at least 42 foot-pounds of energy at a distance of ten feet 
• Must have a working safety 
• Must be used with arrows or bolts at least ten inches long

Harvest

The bag limit for the spring hunt is one wild turkey with a visible beard. The beard is a feathered appendage protruding from the breast that is generally found only on males. The bag limit for the fall hunt is one bird of either sex. 

Tagging 

Upon harvesting a wild turkey, the site tag provided with your spring or fall wild turkey license must be detached from the license. 

• Validate the site tag immediately by using a sharp object to notch the date and time (AM/PM) of the kill. 
• The site tag must then be attached to the wild turkey and must remain attached to the leg of the bird during transit.

Registration

• Wild turkeys must be registered within 24 hours of harvest.
• Wild turkeys must be registered either online, by telephone or in person at a registration location.
• Although hunters are no longer restricted to a permit area, successful hunters will be required to provide the permit area where they harvested their bird. A map of turkey permit areas is available online.
• The feathers, head, and feet must remain on the wild turkey until it is registered.
• Registered wild turkeys may be transported with a fully-feathered attached wing or attached 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.

Assisting

A licensed wild turkey hunter may assist another turkey hunter but may not shoot or tag a turkey for another hunter. An unlicensed adult age 18 or older may assist a licensed wild turkey hunter. The unlicensed adult may not shoot or possess a firearm or bow while assisting a hunter and may not charge a fee for the assistance.

If you have further questions regarding turkey hunting in Minnesota, please visit the  DNR's turkey hunting webpage

Archery Country sells everything you need for turkey season! Check out our selection of  turkey calls, ground blinds, hunting clothes, and turkey decoys. Click  here to learn all about bowhunting turkeys on our podcast!

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Ep 35: Bowhunting Turkeys: Gear, Stories and Strategy | Ep 16: Turkey Hunting 101 With Matt Dykes