New York spring turkey season: last spring's dates and free maps
Spring 2026 dates
New York hadn't set its 2027 dates when we checked. These are last spring's (2026): check the agency for 2027.
Youth weekend (upstate and Suffolk County): Saturday, April 25 to Sunday, April 26, 2026
Source: New York State DEC
Regular season, Suffolk County: Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
Upstate also opens May 1.
Source: New York State DEC
Checked on the agency's site November 6, 2026. Permits, zones, bag limits and shooting hours differ: the regulations are what count, so read them before you go.
Legal shooting hours for big game in New York, generally: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Spring turkey hours are often shorter (many states close at noon), so check the turkey rules.
Turkey hunting means walking in before first light to get set up near the roost, often where there's no signal. Download the maps for your spot ahead of time and Cartahaven shows your GPS position on them offline, so you can stay on public ground and find your way back to the truck.
Free public land maps in New York
Before you go
Cartahaven is not affiliated with or endorsed by New York State DEC. Season dates come from the agency pages linked above.