Turkey hunters in southeast Iowa will be back in the fields as the 2023 spring season begins this weekend. In 2022, the reported harvest was 11,700, with similar numbers projected for this year.

Youth season kicks things off on Friday, April 7, and runs through the weekend. This is followed by four consecutive seasons for adult hunters. Season 1 is April 10-13, Season 2 is April 14-18, Season 3 is April 19-25, and Season 4, which is the most active, runs from April 26-May 14. Resident archery-only season runs throughout these four seasons as well.

Jim Coffey, a Forest Wildlife Research Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, spoke to KCII about the ways hunters can prepare for the spring season. “The first thing to really remember is that wild turkeys can be found in all 99 counties, but if you’re hunting on private property you need to make sure you have permission on that land or you’ve coordinated with the landowner of when you’re gonna be hunting. Then we just need to be making sure we have our gear in shape, we’re practicing our calling, and then probably one of the things that most people don’t do that is critical is we need to go out and pattern our shotguns.”

Once the season is underway, hunters are reminded to practice safe techniques, only shooting male or bearded wild birds, and being aware of others in the woods. All harvested birds must be reported to iowadnr.gov, by phone on the toll-free number listed on the tag, or through the Go Iowa Outdoors app.