Turkey Hunting Opens Friday In Twin States
Gary Moore
April 30, 2026
Vermont and New Hampshire’s spring turkey seasons both open Friday and run May 1-31.
Shooting hours in Vermont are one half hour before sunrise to 12 Noon, and two bearded turkeys may be taken.
A shotgun or archery equipment may be used to hunt turkeys. Shot size must be no larger than #2. Vermont Fish and Wildlife recommends hunters to use highly effective non-lead shotgun shells.
A successful hunter in Vermont’s spring turkey seasons must report their turkey within 48 hours to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. This can be done at a local big game reporting station or online at Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
Last year, youth and novice hunters took 617 and 26 turkeys, respectively during the April weekend hunt and hunters took 5,131 bearded birds during the regular spring season. An additional 419 birds were taken in the fall season.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s 2026 Turkey Hunting Guide and the 2025 Turkey Harvest Report are available on their website.
New Hampshire turkey hunters interested in harvesting two male or bearded birds may take one bird statewide and the other may only be taken in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) H1, H2, J2, K, L, or M.
Turkey hunters who bag a second bird during the spring season forfeit their chance to participate in the statewide fall archery and shotgun seasons.
Shooting hours in New Hampshire are one half hour before sunrise to 12 Noon.
Turkey hunters will continue to have the option to register their harvested birds online or in person at a local registration station. Regardless of registration method, all harvested birds must be affixed with the tag that is issued with the hunter’s turkey license immediately after taking and all birds must be registered within 24 hours. Hunters choosing to harvest two birds in the spring (where permitted) must register their first bird prior to taking a second bird.
In total, hunters harvested 4,846 turkeys statewide in 2025, representing a modest increase over the prior year. “New Hampshire saw normal nesting success rates in 2024 and 2025, laying the foundation for another productive spring season ahead,” said Dan Ellingwood, Fish and Game’s Turkey Project Leader.
Hunters might encounter a leg-banded wild turkey while in the field this spring. Over the winter, Department biologists captured and banded male and female wild turkeys throughout the state as part of a multi-year study. “Data collected through band recovery will provide numerous insights into the state’s turkey population status, strengthening turkey management in New Hampshire,” Ellingwood said.
Band numbers must be reported during the mandatory registration of harvested birds. Band numbers may also be reported online at https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys or by calling 603-271-2461. In addition to harvested turkeys, the public is asked to report the band number of any deceased banded turkey they encounter.
Read about all regulations in the NH Hunting Digest by visiting https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh.
Vermont To Hold Deer Hearings May 5 & 7
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two more public hearings on May 5 and 7 to solicit input on deer and the department’s 2026 Antlerless Deer Harvest Recommendation.
The hearings are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at U-32 Middle & High School, 930 Gallison Hill Road in Montpelier and Thursday, May 7 at Kehoe Conservation Camp, 636 Point of Pines Road in Castleton.
The department’s 2026 Antlerless Deer Harvest Recommendation is available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
In addition to the public hearings, anyone can leave a comment on the proposals by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov. Comments must be received by May 15.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff are looking for volunteers to join them to get the Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake ready for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 16.
“We look forward to our Spring Cleanup all winter long,” said Education Specialist Hannah Lafont. “With the help of local volunteers, we spruce up both camps in preparation for the summer and enjoy being outdoors knowing it’s for a good cause, environmental education for today’s youth.”
GMCC staff will be leading projects from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break for lunch. Volunteers can participate for one hour, a half day, or the whole day. Lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided.
The Buck Lake camp is located in Woodbury, and the Lake Bomoseen Camp is in Castleton. This is an excellent community service opportunity for boy scout and girl scout groups, as well as for high school and college clubs.
“We are looking for help with general repairs, construction, landscaping, painting, cleaning, firewood, and gardening,” said Lafont. “Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, but we will have some available.”
For more information and to register as a volunteer, email Hannah.Lafont@vermont.gov or call 802-522-2925.
***
For young people ages 12 to 14 who want to gain outdoor skills and learn about wildlife conservation, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Green Mountain Conservation Camp still has openings.
ession schedules, information and registration are available online at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. For more information, contact FWGMCC@vermont.gov or call 802-522-2925.
***
Vermont Fisheries Biologist Shawn Good also reminds anglers to check the department’s website frequently as updates are made to the Trout Stocking page. “This is a great tool for anglers to see what nearby waters have been stocked, as the page gets updated several times per week,” said Good. Click the “See What’s Been Stocked” button to stay informed as the spring progresses.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission has announced a change in venue for its May meeting. The Commission will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford.
Meetings of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission are open to the public. As they become available, meeting agendas and minutes are posted at www.wildlife.nh.gov/about-new-hampshire-fish-and-game/nhfg-commission.
***
If you are interested in offering an archery program in your local community, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Hunter Education Program is now offering a new Archery Outreach Program for small groups. Instructors trained by Fish and Game will travel to your location where they will provide both classroom and outdoor instruction in a range environment. These free sessions are approximately 3–4 hours long, and all equipment will be provided. A group size of 5–15 people is recommended, and participants must be age 10 or older.
Programs are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Schedule your group’s session today by visiting Learn to Shoot Archery: Archery Outreach Program | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game.
***
If you are an angler who would like to give back to the fishing community and want to share your love of the sport, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is currently seeking new volunteer instructors to take part in our educational fishing programs around the state. All levels of fishing experience are welcome.
The one-day training for new instructors will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NH Fish and Game Department Headquarters in Concord. All materials and lunch will be provided for those attending.
If you’re interested in joining, download an application by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt746/files/documents/lgf-application.pdf
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac the April Records and Averages.
Warmest: 50.2°F/1921 Coldest: 35.5°F/1943
Wettest: 6.23”/2000 Snowiest: 21.1”/2007
Parting Shots
I joined a large crowd in West Pawlet Saturday, April 18 to celebrate the restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont that began in 1969. The gathering was at the West Pawlet Fire Station, close to where the wild turkeys live-trapped in southwestern New York where released.
Governor Scott and Agency Secretary Julie Moore joined representatives from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Town of Pawlet to unveil a Wildlife Restoration Marker plaque to commemorate that 1969 turkey stocking that set the stage for the return of wild turkeys, statewide.
It was good to see people I had worked with so long ago who are now long retired.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
Shooting hours in Vermont are one half hour before sunrise to 12 Noon, and two bearded turkeys may be taken.
A shotgun or archery equipment may be used to hunt turkeys. Shot size must be no larger than #2. Vermont Fish and Wildlife recommends hunters to use highly effective non-lead shotgun shells.
A successful hunter in Vermont’s spring turkey seasons must report their turkey within 48 hours to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. This can be done at a local big game reporting station or online at Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
Last year, youth and novice hunters took 617 and 26 turkeys, respectively during the April weekend hunt and hunters took 5,131 bearded birds during the regular spring season. An additional 419 birds were taken in the fall season.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s 2026 Turkey Hunting Guide and the 2025 Turkey Harvest Report are available on their website.
New Hampshire turkey hunters interested in harvesting two male or bearded birds may take one bird statewide and the other may only be taken in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) H1, H2, J2, K, L, or M.
Turkey hunters who bag a second bird during the spring season forfeit their chance to participate in the statewide fall archery and shotgun seasons.
Shooting hours in New Hampshire are one half hour before sunrise to 12 Noon.
Turkey hunters will continue to have the option to register their harvested birds online or in person at a local registration station. Regardless of registration method, all harvested birds must be affixed with the tag that is issued with the hunter’s turkey license immediately after taking and all birds must be registered within 24 hours. Hunters choosing to harvest two birds in the spring (where permitted) must register their first bird prior to taking a second bird.
In total, hunters harvested 4,846 turkeys statewide in 2025, representing a modest increase over the prior year. “New Hampshire saw normal nesting success rates in 2024 and 2025, laying the foundation for another productive spring season ahead,” said Dan Ellingwood, Fish and Game’s Turkey Project Leader.
Hunters might encounter a leg-banded wild turkey while in the field this spring. Over the winter, Department biologists captured and banded male and female wild turkeys throughout the state as part of a multi-year study. “Data collected through band recovery will provide numerous insights into the state’s turkey population status, strengthening turkey management in New Hampshire,” Ellingwood said.
Band numbers must be reported during the mandatory registration of harvested birds. Band numbers may also be reported online at https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wild-turkeys-new-hampshire/turkey-surveys or by calling 603-271-2461. In addition to harvested turkeys, the public is asked to report the band number of any deceased banded turkey they encounter.
Read about all regulations in the NH Hunting Digest by visiting https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh.
Vermont To Hold Deer Hearings May 5 & 7
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two more public hearings on May 5 and 7 to solicit input on deer and the department’s 2026 Antlerless Deer Harvest Recommendation.
The hearings are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at U-32 Middle & High School, 930 Gallison Hill Road in Montpelier and Thursday, May 7 at Kehoe Conservation Camp, 636 Point of Pines Road in Castleton.
The department’s 2026 Antlerless Deer Harvest Recommendation is available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
In addition to the public hearings, anyone can leave a comment on the proposals by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov. Comments must be received by May 15.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff are looking for volunteers to join them to get the Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake ready for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 16.
“We look forward to our Spring Cleanup all winter long,” said Education Specialist Hannah Lafont. “With the help of local volunteers, we spruce up both camps in preparation for the summer and enjoy being outdoors knowing it’s for a good cause, environmental education for today’s youth.”
GMCC staff will be leading projects from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break for lunch. Volunteers can participate for one hour, a half day, or the whole day. Lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided.
The Buck Lake camp is located in Woodbury, and the Lake Bomoseen Camp is in Castleton. This is an excellent community service opportunity for boy scout and girl scout groups, as well as for high school and college clubs.
“We are looking for help with general repairs, construction, landscaping, painting, cleaning, firewood, and gardening,” said Lafont. “Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, but we will have some available.”
For more information and to register as a volunteer, email Hannah.Lafont@vermont.gov or call 802-522-2925.
***
For young people ages 12 to 14 who want to gain outdoor skills and learn about wildlife conservation, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Green Mountain Conservation Camp still has openings.
ession schedules, information and registration are available online at www.vtfishandwildlife.com. For more information, contact FWGMCC@vermont.gov or call 802-522-2925.
***
Vermont Fisheries Biologist Shawn Good also reminds anglers to check the department’s website frequently as updates are made to the Trout Stocking page. “This is a great tool for anglers to see what nearby waters have been stocked, as the page gets updated several times per week,” said Good. Click the “See What’s Been Stocked” button to stay informed as the spring progresses.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission has announced a change in venue for its May meeting. The Commission will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford.
Meetings of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission are open to the public. As they become available, meeting agendas and minutes are posted at www.wildlife.nh.gov/about-new-hampshire-fish-and-game/nhfg-commission.
***
If you are interested in offering an archery program in your local community, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Hunter Education Program is now offering a new Archery Outreach Program for small groups. Instructors trained by Fish and Game will travel to your location where they will provide both classroom and outdoor instruction in a range environment. These free sessions are approximately 3–4 hours long, and all equipment will be provided. A group size of 5–15 people is recommended, and participants must be age 10 or older.
Programs are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Schedule your group’s session today by visiting Learn to Shoot Archery: Archery Outreach Program | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game.
***
If you are an angler who would like to give back to the fishing community and want to share your love of the sport, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Let’s Go Fishing Program is currently seeking new volunteer instructors to take part in our educational fishing programs around the state. All levels of fishing experience are welcome.
The one-day training for new instructors will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NH Fish and Game Department Headquarters in Concord. All materials and lunch will be provided for those attending.
If you’re interested in joining, download an application by visiting www.wildlife.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt746/files/documents/lgf-application.pdf
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac the April Records and Averages.
Warmest: 50.2°F/1921 Coldest: 35.5°F/1943
Wettest: 6.23”/2000 Snowiest: 21.1”/2007
Parting Shots
I joined a large crowd in West Pawlet Saturday, April 18 to celebrate the restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont that began in 1969. The gathering was at the West Pawlet Fire Station, close to where the wild turkeys live-trapped in southwestern New York where released.
Governor Scott and Agency Secretary Julie Moore joined representatives from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Town of Pawlet to unveil a Wildlife Restoration Marker plaque to commemorate that 1969 turkey stocking that set the stage for the return of wild turkeys, statewide.
It was good to see people I had worked with so long ago who are now long retired.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
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