ODFW turkey hunting resources
If you’re new to turkey hunting, or even just new to turkey hunting in Oregon, ODFW offers several resources to help you learn when and where to hunt.
- The annual Oregon Game Bird Regulations
- Online resources about the upcoming season and current conditions
- Classes and workshops
- Regional wildlife biologists who can help direct you to the best hunting opportunities in their area
Know the rules
The Oregon Game Bird Regulations (both printed and online) will tell you what licenses and tags you’ll need to hunt turkey, when and where hunting seasons are open, and how many birds you can take in a year.
Review the rules and regulations carefully – it’s important. Not only do these rules allow for equal opportunity for all hunters, following them will keep out of trouble with the law.
Regulation booklets are available at most license sales vendors and at ODFW offices. The online version of the regulations is found here.
Learn more online
ODFW publishes the annual Turkey Hunting Forecast in early April, just in time for the spring turkey season. This synopsis includes a district-by-district look at turkey populations in that area, and the outlook for the upcoming season in light of recent winter survival and breeding success.
It also will include helpful information about the kind of habitat in which to find birds in that area.
In addition to the forecast, the ODFW Recreation Report offers seasonal updates as the hunting season progresses.
You can find the turkey forecast and Recreation Report on the ODFW website MyODFW.com.
Sign up for a workshop
Each spring, ODFW offers wild turkey hunting workshops for both youth and adults. These workshops cover all the basics of turkey hunting in Oregon, including hunting seasons, hunting gear, tips for bow and shotgun hunting, turkey behavior, calling turkeys and more.
Check the Workshop and Events page on MyODFW.com in early spring to learn more and register.
Talk to an expert
Local and regional ODFW wildlife biologists are great sources of information about where to hunt for turkeys. They have first-hand knowledge of the turkey populations in their districts and the types of habitat in which they'll be found.
Most of all, they are happy to help both new and seasoned hunters be successful in their hunts.
Here is a map of ODFW district offices, just call and ask to talk to one of the wildlife biologists in the office.