New Jersey Turkey Season 2026
New Jersey turkey season dates start with Apr 18-18, 2026. The table below keeps every listed turkey row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
New Jersey's listed 2026 spring turkey season runs Apr 18-May 22, 2026.
Youth Wild Turkey opens Apr 18, 2026 and closes Apr 18, 2026.
Youth Hunt Day Wild Turkey opens Apr 18, 2026 and closes Apr 18, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.
Turkey
16 listed rowsWild Turkey
Fall Either-Sex
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall Either-Sex Wild Turkey Hunting Season is CLOSED statewide. Closure due to population decline and need to increase hen survival and reproduction.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Either-Sex Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall Either-Sex Wild Turkey Hunting Season is CLOSED statewide. Closure due to population decline and need to increase hen survival and reproduction.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth
Youth Turkey Hunting Day. Ages 10-16. Must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed, non-hunting adult (21 or older). Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth - Period Y
Ages 10-16. Apr 18-May 9: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. May 11-May 22: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest; beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest. Period Y permit valid throughout Spring Gobbler Season in designated Turkey Hunting Area until a male turkey is harvested.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth Hunt Day
Youth hunter (aged 10-16) must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed, non-hunting adult (21 or older). Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period Y (Youth Ages 10-16)
Apr. 18–May 9: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. May 11–May 22: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth hunter aged 10-13 must be under direct supervision of a properly-licensed adult (21 or older). Period Y permit valid throughout Spring Gobbler Season in designated Turkey Hunting Area until a male turkey is harvested. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest; beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period A
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period A (Mon-Fri)
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period E
Saturdays only: Apr 25, May 2, May 9, May 16. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. On May 16 only: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period E (Saturdays)
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. On May 16 only: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only. Saturdays only: Apr. 25, May 2, 9, 16.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period B
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period B (Mon-Fri)
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period C
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period C (Mon-Fri)
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 3 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period D
Monday-Friday only. Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest by 9 p.m. on day of harvest beginning May 11.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Gobbler - Period D (Mon-Fri)
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Only one turkey may be taken per day regardless of number of permits held. Report harvest beginning May 11 by 9 p.m. on day of harvest. No Sunday hunting. Calling or stand-hunting only.
Zone: Statewide
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Nearby turkey seasons
New Jersey Turkey Season FAQ
When does turkey season open in New Jersey?
April 18, 2026 is the earliest listed turkey opener in New Jersey — youth wild turkey runs Apr 18-18, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.
What are the 2026 turkey season dates in New Jersey?
New Jersey lists 14 turkey season windows: Youth Wild Turkey (Apr 18-18, 2026); Youth - Period Y Wild Turkey (Apr 18-May 22, 2026); Youth Hunt Day Wild Turkey (Apr 18-18, 2026); Spring Gobbler - Period Y (Youth Ages 10-16) Wild Turkey (Apr 18-May 22, 2026); Spring Gobbler - Period A Wild Turkey (Apr 20-24, 2026); Spring Gobbler - Period A (Mon-Fri) Wild Turkey (Apr 20-24, 2026); Spring Gobbler - Period E Wild Turkey (Apr 25-May 16, 2026); Spring Gobbler - Period E (Saturdays) Wild Turkey (Apr 25-May 16, 2026); and more. Always verify against New Jersey Fish & Wildlife before hunting.
Are there different turkey seasons in New Jersey?
Yes — New Jersey lists separate turkey seasons for Youth Wild Turkey, Youth - Period Y Wild Turkey, Youth Hunt Day Wild Turkey, Spring Gobbler - Period Y (Youth Ages 10-16) Wild Turkey, Spring Gobbler - Period A Wild Turkey, Spring Gobbler - Period A (Mon-Fri) Wild Turkey. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.
Do I need a license to hunt turkey in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and turkey hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.