Arkansas experienced a 22% increase in its youth turkey hunt weekend compared to 2024. According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 1,443 turkeys were checked by hunters ages 6 to 15.Game and Fish Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki says although youth may take one immature gobbler, or jake, as part of their overall two-bird seasonal limit, only 317 of the 1,443 gobblers taken during the youth hunt were jakes.
Moscicki says gobbling activity was excellent during the youth hunt and should be great going into the regular season starting Monday. The season will end April 29 in Turkey Zone 1, composed of the extreme northwest and southwest portions of the state, the Crowley’s Ridge area and the northern portion of the Arkansas Delta. Hunters in Turkey Zone 2, which makes up the majority of the state, will have until May 11 to chase gobblers.
Only one legal turkey may be taken in Zone 1, but the seasonal limit is two legal turkeys in Zone 2. Only one legal turkey may be taken during the first seven days of the regular season. All turkeys taken by youth during the youth hunt count toward their seasonal limit.
Visit agfc.com/turkey for more information on turkey hunting in Arkansas.
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