Plan Ahead For A Wild Turkey Thanksgiving In Utah

Thanksgiving and turkeys go hand in hand, from festive decor to the centerpiece on holiday tables. For those intrigued by the idea of sourcing a turkey straight from Utah's wilderness, it’s never too early to start planning. Applications for the spring 2025 limited-entry turkey hunt open on December 12, 2024, offering an exciting opportunity for hunters to prepare for next year’s feast.

Get our free mobile app

The application window runs until December 27, with results announced by January 8, 2025. If selected, hunters can participate in the limited-entry hunt from April 12-24, with permits distributed across regions. Notably, Southern Utah will have 621 permits available, offering a wealth of opportunities for hunters in the region. For those who don’t receive a limited-entry permit, the statewide general turkey hunt, open to all with no permit cap, provides another chance. General permits go on sale March 6, 2025, with hunting season running from April 28 to May 31. Youth hunters have their own dedicated dates from April 25-27.

Utah also holds a fall turkey management hunt, primarily focused on mitigating landowner conflicts and depredation issues. This hunt, running from October 1 to February 28, 2025, is restricted mainly to private lands and offers unique opportunities for up to three permits per hunter in select areas.

Wild turkey populations in Utah have a long history, though their current abundance is a relatively recent achievement. Evidence, including petroglyphs and artifacts, suggests that Native Americans and turkeys coexisted historically in Utah. However, by the 1920s, turkeys had virtually disappeared from the state. Successful reintroduction efforts began in the 1950s when Merriam’s turkeys from Colorado and Arizona were released in southern Utah. Since 1989, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has expanded these populations with additional transplants, including Rio Grande turkeys from other states.

Today, Utah boasts between 30,000 and 35,000 wild turkeys. While recent droughts and severe winters temporarily impacted their numbers, improved conditions have supported a rebound in some regions. Hunters can learn more about upcoming turkey seasons in the free 2024-25 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook, available online or at DWR offices.

For those ready to swap supermarket aisles for the great outdoors, Utah’s turkey hunting seasons provide a chance to connect with nature, preserve tradition, and harvest a bird for the Thanksgiving table.