PRINCE FREDERICK, MD – Maryland’s statewide spring wild turkey season begins this month with the Junior Turkey Hunt on Saturday, April 11, 2026, followed by the regular season opening for all hunters on Saturday, April 18, and continuing through Saturday, May 23.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the dates on March 30, 2026. Hunters may encounter more two-year-old birds this spring due to above-average reproductive success documented in the 2024 Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey across most regions. This often results in increased gobbling activity and potentially higher success rates. Encounters with one-year-old gobblers, known as jakes, may be less frequent because of poorer reproduction the previous summer. Local populations vary, so scouting remains essential.
“Wild turkey numbers continue to be healthy throughout much of Maryland,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “Spring turkey season is a great time to be outdoors. The weather is often pleasant, and the sound of gobbling birds can make for an unforgettable hunt.”
The Junior Turkey Hunt is open only to licensed hunters aged 16 years and younger. Each junior must be accompanied by an unarmed adult who is at least 21 years old and holds a valid Maryland hunting license. The junior hunt runs statewide on April 11 and continues on Sunday, April 12, in select counties where Sunday hunting is permitted.
Hunting hours differ by period. From April 18 through May 9, and during the junior hunt days, hours run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon for the early regular season segment. From May 10 through May 23, and on junior hunt days, hours extend from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
The daily bag limit is one bearded turkey. The season bag limit is two bearded turkeys. Only bearded turkeys may be harvested. Hunting is allowed on Sundays in certain counties during open periods. Hunters must follow all check-in and tagging requirements.
Southern Maryland counties, including Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s, fall within the Southern region for turkey management. The 2025 Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey reported a primary reproductive index of 2.3 poults per hen in the Southern region, one of the strongest performances statewide. While the 2025 survey showed an overall statewide decline in observations compared to 2024, moderate production from prior years continues to support healthy populations in most areas.
Hunters must prioritize safety. DNR guidelines include keeping decoys out of sight until reaching a safe location with good visibility in all directions, never hiding directly behind a decoy or using one to stalk birds, and always remaining aware of surroundings while assuming other hunters may be nearby, even on private property. Additional safety tips are available on the DNR website.
Complete regulations, including Sunday hunting county lists, license requirements, check-in procedures and maps, are posted on the Maryland DNR website. Hunters should verify local conditions and obtain necessary permits before heading afield.
The spring season provides recreational opportunities for residents across Southern Maryland, where woodlands, farms, and waterfront properties offer suitable turkey habitat. Successful management efforts by DNR, including habitat work and research, have helped maintain viable populations that benefit both hunters and the broader ecosystem.
