Hunters can expect to see an abundance of twoyear- old gobblers and jakes setting the stage for an increase in male harvest in 2025.
Most of Texas experienced a bump in production and recruitment in 2023 and 2024, meaning hunters can expect a temporary spillover of birds into landscapes they are not always found. Gobblers are expected to spread out in search of hens, hens in search of nesting cover and young birds moving across the landscape looking for new areas to occupy.
“ For spring turkey hunters, two- year- old gobblers are probably the most fun birds to hunt,” said Jason Hardin, TPWD wild turkey program leader. “They gobble readily and are not jaded by past turkey hunter efforts and near misses from previous seasons. The middle and later portions of the season usually have fewer hunters in the woods, and you never know when you will strike a tom in the mood to strut and gobble. Go early and go often.”
However, unless spring rains break current dry conditions across much of the Rio Grande wild turkey range in coming weeks, biologists expect delayed wild turkey breeding and nesting season activity this spring. When rains do return to promote green grasses and wildflowers, breeding activity will begin soon after. However, some gobblers will still be ready to start the breeding season even if the hens are not in top breeding condition.
The spring season dates are as follows: Youth Only • Rio Grande: North Zone: May 17-18 • Rio Grande: South Zone: May 3-4 Spring Regular Season • North Zone: March 29-May 11 • South Zone: March 15-April 27 • Special One Turkey Bag Limit: April 1-30 • East Zone: April 22– May 14
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