Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee have long been winning destinations for southbound turkey hunters. Are they still up to par?
Sport Hawk | 2.14.2023
There was a time, not long ago, when the tri-state region of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee constituted one of the best areas in the country to bag an eastern wild turkey. There is still great gobbler hunting in each of these three southern destinations. However, with declines in overall turkey populations across the southeast, and an increase in the number of hunters pursuing turkeys, DIY turkey hunting requires a bit more research and perseverance than in the past. Here are a number of resources that will help you plan a trip to this storied region.
Stack the odds in your favor by hunting the states that produce results year after year.
Sport Hawk | 3.7.21
Browse any online analysis of the top states for a DIY turkey hunt, and most likely either Missouri, Nebraska, or Kansas will be on everybody’s short list. If populations in your state are down this year, or if you are just looking to walk some new country, you’ll find reliable gobbler hunting in one of these perennial favorites.
MISSOURI
Missouri should be on any turkey hunter’s bucket list. There are public lands throughout the state, which is well known for its abundant Eastern wild turkey population. One caveat: Spring hunting hours end daily at 1 pm, but that shouldn’t deter anyone from loading up their rig for The Show-Me State.
Cornhusker country boasts big toms, rope beards, and one of the longest turkey seasons anywhere. Merriam’s dominate the west, with a mix of Rio, Eastern, and hybrids (Merriam’s/Eastern/Rio) farther east. Archery-only season starts in late March, and the regular season runs through May. Hunters are allowed three permits per person in the spring, with one tom or bearded hen per permit.
Kentucky’s has one of the largest estimated turkey populations in the country. The state’s general season begins April 13 and runs through May 5 with a bag limit of two bearded birds, one per day. Pay attention to spring weather patterns, and if the early weeks bring harsh weather and delayed gobbling, consider a late-season turkey hunt in the Blue Grass State if you are still looking to bag that eleventh-hour bird.
