Time To Grab Your Bird: Utah Turkey Hunt Underway!

Utah’s spring general-season turkey hunt kicked off April 28th, and runs through May 31, offering hunters across the state a prime opportunity to head outdoors and harvest their own bird. The youth hunt, held April 25–27, allowed young hunters an early shot at success. Youth who did not harvest a bird during those days can continue hunting throughout the general season.

Utah is home to two subspecies of wild turkeys: Rio Grande and Merriam’s. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the state’s turkey population currently numbers between 30,000 and 35,000 birds. “Turkey populations declined in recent years, due to drought conditions for multiple years, and then coupled with the severe winter conditions in 2022–23,” DWR Upland Game Coordinator Heather Talley said in a press release. “However, precipitation patterns during the winter and spring have provided optimal conditions for reproduction and brood rearing during the last two summers, so we have seen increased survival and subsequent increases in populations over the last two breeding cycles.”

Southern Utah is expected to offer excellent hunting this year, with areas like Boulder Mountain, Panguitch, Pine Valley, Fishlake, and Zion showing strong turkey numbers due to favorable winter survival. The lack of heavy snow this winter has also made many areas more accessible to hunters.

Read More: You Can Help Influence Wildlife Management In Utah

Hunters should familiarize themselves with turkey behavior and habitat. Rio Grande turkeys typically dwell in low-elevation areas near cottonwood-lined river bottoms or oak and pinyon-juniper woodlands, while Merriam’s turkeys prefer higher elevations in ponderosa pine forests. Scouting before the season and knowing where turkeys travel during the day is key. Most birds are harvested between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Calls and decoys can greatly increase your success,” Talley said. “Turkeys have incredible eyesight, so wear camo that matches your surroundings and remain still.”

General-season permits are available online or at license agent locations until May 31. Hunters should consult the Utah Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook for legal weapon types and additional information.